Camilla Carter has had a rough life of abuse and pain. Her twin sister protects her as much as she can, until she can't. Keaton Woods, a boxing fighter who hates any man for laying a finger on a woman. Keaton is also an underground fighter. How does...
Chapter 14: Emotions Aren't Meant To Be Stored Like A Box
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Maybe that's it. We eventually go numb; because you can't break a heart that's already broken."
✰✰✰
Does a pang to the heart differ any different than the pain of a lost loved one?
I always told myself when my mom and Camryn died that you have to stay numb to get through it.
I can't hold my emotions in anymore. I feel broken and I just wish someone could figure everything out and help me out of my house.
What's more pathetic?
The fact I am too weak to do it myself or the fact that I am the cause of everything bad going on in my life.
One choice.
That's is all it takes to change everything.
One cartwheel. Changed the course of my entire life.
Opening the gate to the cemetery, I feel complete and utter emptiness again.
I walk to the bench right in front of my mom's grave.
I sit down right as a tear falls down.
"Hi, mom." I give her a pained smile.
"I really need you." My voice cracks.
"I miss you and Camryn so much," I start, "I can't keep doing this alone. I want my family back!" Yelling the last part.
A sob starts to break its way from my mouth. I rest my elbows on my knees, letting my face fall into my hands.
"I can't hide all of this forever," I whisper.
I hear footsteps crunching leaves which causes me to look up.
Maggie is approaching.
"Is it okay if I sit?" She asks gently.
I nod and look back at my mom.
She sits down quietly.
"How did you know where I was?" I ask after a long moment of silence.
"I knew something was up so I followed you. What happened at lunch Camilla?"
I lean against the bench, releasing a heavy sigh. "I don't even know how to explain it," I say truthfully.
Maggie puts a hand on my shoulder. "I know we haven't known each other very long but Camilla, you are my best friend now. You can talk to me."
I let the tears fall. "I'm just scared..."
Maggie pulls me into her chest, her arms squeezing tight. "Camilla. It's okay, you can always talk to me."
I look up at her. "You promise you won't tell anyone?"
She smiles. "Including Adrian and Keaton."
Maggie lets go of me and I turn towards her.
"My mom died when I was 9. I have been pretending that both my parents were alive when I would talk to you guys."
Maggie tilts her head to the side. "Oh, Camilla. I am so, so, sorry."
"Is that why you say you can't have people over or go over to people's houses?" She asks.
"No. My dad actually doesn't like people over and won't let me go to people's houses."
Maggie has a knowing look in her eyes. "Camilla, is there something going on at home that your dad doesn't want other people to see?"
My eyes widened but I quickly recover myself. "No, no. He is just very overprotective."
If being protective is not caring about a person then yeah my dad is very protective.
"Oh okay." She smiles.
"And Maggie? You don't have to call me Camilla, you can call me Cami. We are way past that stage."
She laughs. "Okay, Cami. Call me Mags instead of Maggie then. Maggie is too formal."
I smile and pull her into a hug. "Thank you, Mags."
"Anytime. Just remember you can always talk to me."
I nod.
"How about we go get something to eat together? Then we can head to work."
I smile. "That sounds nice."
~*~*~*
Maggie parks her car in front of the same café Keaton took me to.
"Is this place popular in town?" I ask.
I was never allowed to leave the house unless it was for school, work, or to get my dad a beer.
"Yes. Most teens from Oakwood view come here on the weekends."
Maggie and I both get out of the car and walk inside.
We both pick a booth and wait for a waiter.
"Mags, can I ask you something?" I say, adjusting my posture.
She lays her hands on the table. "Of course. What is it?"
"Don't you think it's weird that I never met you, Adrian, or Keaton, until I went to Oakwood View?"
She looks lost in thought before saying, "Yeah. I mean, it's odd that you never recognized Keaton or Adrian when they fought."
"I never paid attention to the faces of the fighters, only their techniques used."
Maggie laughs. "Oh, Camilla." She shakes her head. "Can I ask you a question now?"
I nod.
"Have you ever wanted to fight in the ring?"
I know I can trust Maggie that is why I am about to give her a truthful answer.
"Yeah. I have actually wanted to fight for a long time but I hate violence. Working on the medical team is as close as to boxing I could get. Ironic that I work in a boxing arena even though I hate violence."
"You would be an amazing fighter."
I smile.
~*~*~*
We walk into the boxing arena, entering the locker room.
We quickly got changed into the uniforms.
Maggie goes out to go check the fights for today and I quickly close my locker.
I walk out of the locker room, seeing Keaton standing at the end of the hall with an expression I have never seen before.
Sadness.
As I walk up to him he grabs my arm and pulls me into the infirmary in one swift motion.
