The Way That Gravity Pulls (Creek FanFic)

Chapter 14: Flightless Bird

*the song up above plays an important part in this chapter. please listen! <3 *

Craig's "super secret" hiding spot for Stripe was no other than in his garage. His fucking garage.

"This isn't gonna w-work. You can't keep Stripe in here. What's gonna happen when your parents park their cars in here and they find him?" I asked as I cradled Stripe like a baby.

"Don't worry, they won't find him. Trust me. They never park in here anyways. Actually, no one even comes in here anymore. I mean just look at all of this. It's a dump," he sighed as he rolled his eyes.

Around us had been loosely scattered tools, trash bags full of old toys and baby clothes, spare tires, cardboard boxes, and even Craig's old worn down bike from when we were kids.

"Yikes...no offense, but this place has really gone downhill since the last time I was in here," I whispered, trying my best not to sound like a jerk.

"Yeah well that's what happens when your parents' marriage goes to shit," Craig murmured as he snapped the metal cage pieces into place.

Why do I always get put in these awkward situations?

"I'm really sorry Craig."

"It's alright. It's nobody's fault but theirs. It's not like divorce is some kind of tragedy. The real tragedy would be if they continued to stay in an unhappy marriage."

A divorce. You've got to be shitting me.

"Laura and Thomas are getting divorced?"

"Yup. Why do you think they're not here right now? They're downtown at the courthouse filing for one. Mom probably hates me for making her drive in the same car as dad since I have hers."

"Oh...how do you know that they're getting one?"

"My mom called me again last night to tell me. She had also called down at the McCormick's place so she could talk to Tricia. I honestly don't give a fuck, but I know for a fact that Tricia's gonna take it hard. She may be young, but she's smart enough to know that "mommy and daddy" don't love each other anymore."

Craig set the newly put together cage up on a long wooden table and then began to fill it up with bedding. I watched quietly as he attached the water bottle to the side and took Stripe out of my arms without even asking. He spread his space blanket out for him inside and put him in, latching the cage door shut. He was pissed. Super pissed. Every movement he made was with a form of aggression. I backed away from him as I wasn't sure if he was about to throw a fit, cry or do both.

He looked over at me and frowned once he had realized that I had distanced myself from him. We kind of just stared at each other for a few seconds before he finally turned back around and began to fill up Stripe's food bowl.

Hug him. Maybe he needs it.

As I went to walk towards Craig, I tripped over a box that was set beside my feet. I fell sideways and into a small shelf that was placed up against the wall.

"Woah!" I yelled as I latched onto it.

Almost everything on the shelf fell to the ground. Craig jumped back and quickly turned around, only to find me hovering over a pile of books, papers, tools, coins and a shit load of other things.

Son of a bitch. Now you just made it even more awkward by embarrassing yourself. Why do you always have to do something like this?

"I...I'm so sorry...I'll c-clean it up!" I exclaimed as I bent down and began to pick up some of the items.