Chapter 3
THREE
Callum
Ten Years Old
I can’t contain the wide grin stretching across my face as I walk to the bus stop for the first day of fifth grade.
I get to see Birdie today. She’s my best friend.
We see each other almost every day during the school year, but I don’t get to hang out with her much during the summer. My father doesn't like to let me out of the house unless it’s for school.
He doesn't want people to see what he does to me.
My mother is the only one who knows. But I think she’s afraid of him too, maybe even more than me. I can’t wait until I’m big and strong one day. Then, I’ll protect us both.
He made me wear a long-sleeved shirt and jeans this morning. It’s ninety degrees outside.
I know I’ll get weird looks and questions, because I always do. I lie and say that I get cold in class. I lie because I’m afraid he might kill me if I don’t .
As the bus screeches to a halt in front of me, my body bounces up and down. I’ve never been more excited for the first day of school.
My cheeks hurt from smiling as I hop onto the bus and make my way to the back. My face falls when I see a little girl sitting next to Birdie…in my spot.
The girl has the same blonde hair as Birdie, except her eyes are green. Birdie has gray eyes that sometimes look silver. Aside from their eyes, they look just alike. I wonder if the girl is Winnie, Birdie’s little sister, who she always talks about. I’ve never met Winnie, but Birdie says she’s her other best friend.
Sometimes, the thought of Birdie having another best friend makes me jealous. But I guess it’s okay if that person is her sister.
“Callum!” Birdie beams, waving me over to her seat. She’s smiling just as big as me, her dimples showing through her full grin.
“Scoot over, Winnie,” she says to the girl. “Make room for Cal.”
Winnie nods and slides over until her shoulder presses against the window. Birdie moves to the middle.
“Come on, Cal,” Birdie insists, patting the open space beside her.
I grin as I remove my backpack and sit down next to her.
Man, I missed her.
Life has been really crappy for me lately. But Birdie makes everything better.
“Winnie, this is Callum,” Birdie tells the girl on her left.
“And Callum, this is Winnie,” she shifts her gaze to me. “She’s my little sister. Today is her first day of kindergarten.”
Birdie smiles down at her like a proud older sibling.
“Hi!” Winnie booms loudly for such a tiny human.
She doesn't seem nervous at all for her first day of school.
“Hi, Winnie,” I greet her. “Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you from Birdie.”
“ Me too! ” she exclaims in a squeaky voice. “My sister thinks you’re cute. Yuck! ”
Birdie gasps as her cheeks turn red.
“No, I don’t,” Birdie retorts through gritted teeth. She lightly bumps her shoulder into Winnie’s. “He’s my friend , Winnie. My best friend.”
Winnie furrows her brows in confusion.
“But you said–”
Birdie abruptly cuts her off.
“Why are you wearing long sleeves?” Birdie asks, turning her attention to me and quickly changing the subject.
She definitely thinks I’m cute.
But that’s okay, right? Because even though she’s just my friend, I think Birdie is very pretty.
“Callum?” Birdie pushes.
I look down at the black shirt I’m wearing and swallow thickly.
“I...uh,” I stall. “I was in a hurry this morning and just threw it on.”
She tilts her head, staring at me curiously.
“Well, it’s too hot to wear that,” she exhales. “You’re going to burn up.”
My heart starts to beat fast as panic sets in. Unease tightens my chest whenever someone comments about my unusual clothes.
“I’ll be fine,” I mutter, trying to stay calm even though my palms are growing damp.
“I have an extra T-shirt in my bag,” she offers. “My mom packed it for me in case I get too sweaty during recess. Why don’t you borrow it for the day?”
No .
I can’t let her see my arms right now.
I can’t let anyone see my arms.
Not today.
“No,” I rush out, shaking my head. “No. Thank you…”
“Why not?” she pushes. “It’s just a shirt.”
I can tell that she’s not going to stop, and that makes me feel like I could throw up.
“Cal–” she starts again.
“I said no , Birdie,” I clip sharply.
Her brows shoot up in shock as if I’ve wounded her. I’ve never spoken to Birdie like that before.
“ Hey! ” Winnie thunders, crossing her little arms over her chest. “Don’t be mean to my sister.”
When Birdie hangs her head, it causes my heart to hurt.
“I…” I sigh. “I’m sorry, Birdie. I didn’t mean to snap at you. My dad is just really weird about my clothes, okay?”
Her eyes soften as she holds my stare. She has no idea what goes on at my house, but she can tell that something is off. Birdie always seems to know what’s happening in my head, sometimes before I do.
“Okay,” she whispers, still looking upset.
“Birdie, I’m sorry,” I repeat, hoping she knows I mean it.
“It’s okay,” she smiles softly, and I feel like I can finally breathe.
I don’t know if I could handle Birdie being mad at me on top of everything else I’m going through. She’s the one person who makes me happy—the only glimmer of sunlight in my gloomy world.