Between Two Hearts

splashes of mud

!!!TW WARNING!!!

this chapter has a lot of substance abuse, slight suicide talk and abuse in it; ill put a warning right before it starts and when it ends

I felt Caleb pull me closer to him and close his eyes right when we heard Mia and Mason's laughter coming from the hallway. I pushed Caleb away and got out of the pool to dry off while Caleb floated in the pool still, probably still flustered. "We came to get you two because we wanted to go back to the pier again before we leave tomorrow morning." Mia said while sitting on the edge of the pool and sticking her feet in the water.

"Um.. yeah that sounds fine I guess."

"Caleb remember to wear your special cologne, there are gonna be so many hot chicks." Mason said while grabbing his things and walking out. Caleb through me a glance and stayed silent.

While we were at the pier Mason was running up to girls getting their numbers, Mia was laughing hysterically every time Mason got rejected. Me and Caleb were pretty quiet the entire time.

"Guy's let's go on the ferris wheel, I think it's closing soon so we should do it." Mia and Mason ran up and got on one of the carts, of course she went with Mason. Me and Caleb looked around awkwardly and got on one of the carts, as it started moving I felt him take a sharp breath and I remembered he was terrified of heights. I grabbed his hand and gave him a knowing look, he blushed and looked down at our intertwined hands.

"I'm sorry about earlier, I don't know why I did that. It's just- It's always been me and you and you've never had a boyfriend and I've never seriously liked anyone. I just was scared of it changing so I'm sorry if I crossed a line-"

"Caleb. It's okay, honestly. " I smiled at him and squeezed his hand a bit. "Now I have a new embarrassing story to tell your kids someday." He laughed and I pushed him a little bit to tease him, he took his hand out on mine and grabbed the side of the cart and I started cracking up.

~~~~

I ran to catch my puppy Ellie, even though running at 4 years old is more like waddling. I slipped down a hill and found myself in a field and a small park a couple yards away. I felt my anxiety creep in as I called for Ellie and my parents. I saw a little boy go down a slide so I decided to go towards the park. "Why are you crying?" The little boy said curiously.

"I lost my mommy and daddy. We are seeing my gramma and papa and I fell down that hill." I said while sniffling. He started walking towards a small bench so I followed him and sat down. I noticed that I had scrapes on my knees and splashes of mud on my clothes. "Oh, well I can help you find your mommy. I live rightttt.. there. " He said while pointing to a small house that was surrounding the perimeter of the field. "I'm Caleb. What's your name." He said while grinning.

"Rory." I said while wiping my tears and giving a sheepish smile back.

~~~~

I woke up to Caleb resting his head on mine and I realized my head had also been resting on his shoulder. I smiled and decided to try and get some more sleep.

trigger warning

When they dropped me back at home I decided I wanted to just go to sleep and take a shower later. As soon as I opened the doors to my house I was hit with the stingy stench of alcohol and pot. I walked in the living room to see my dad  sitting on his chair, watching old movies. There were multiple bottles of beer and whiskey thrown all over the couch and floor.

"Dad I'm back home, I just wanted to let you know."

"Damn it. You're the reason why. You ruined my life Rory Crimson Robinson."

I felt a lump in my throat. "Dad, what are you talking about."

"You are the reason why my life is hell. I wish you were never born."

"Dad I-"

"You should kill yourself before I kill you." He stood up from the couch and stood in front of me, the whites of his eyes were red, and his hair greasy.

"Dad, your just drunk you don't mean this." I felt the tears start pouring out of my eyes, I tried to grab his shoulder. I felt the sting of his hand hit my face. I grabbed my cheek and looked at my hands, there was blood on my fingers and I felt my bones ache.

"Get the hell out of my house."

"Where am I supposed to-"

"Get the fuck out NOW."

end of tw

I don't know where I was going or when I was coming back all I know is I found myself running in the direction of Caleb's house, it was midnight and I knew people could see me but I didn't care. My tears poured out of me like a faucet and my blood had probably dried by now, I grabbed my phone but it was almost dead. I got to Caleb's house and he opened the door almost immediately. I guessed that he saw me through his window, or heard me. I wasn't crying very quietly.

"Rory, are you okay what happened??" I ran to Caleb and fell into his arms, he hesitantly picked me up bridal style and walked me up to his room. He set me down on his bed while he sat on another chair. I tried to wipe my tears but I couldn't. This was so embarrassing. He ran to get me some water and came back.

"Rory I kno- what happened to your cheek?" He moved my hands and cupped my face. He brushed a tear away with his thumb and hugged me again.

"Rory, tell me what happened." I told him everything my dad had said and he told his parents I had to sleepover, they knew somewhat about my father but not the full story. I didn't have any clothes since I left so quickly, so Caleb had given me some of his mom's old pajamas. We settled in his bed and i started to fall asleep, until Caleb's soft raspy voice whispers in my ear.

"You think your alone, but you aren't. You have me. I know your scared to be vulnerable, you think it's weak to cry. I don't think it is, in fact- I think being sad makes you stronger." And with that I felt him scoot closer behind me and wrap his arm around my waist, kissing my forehead.