The Cascading Waves of Caden Lee

23

SCARLETT PARKER

"Okay everyone," Mr. Rogers' rough voice echoes throughout the chatter-filled classroom. "As you know, we'll be doing the middle-of-the-month interviews today for the Locker Project."

If I was being honest, I've been so caught up in the person whom I'm sharing my locker with; rather than the actual project we were paired together for. But if I'm thinking about it, that's probably the point. I don't know whether I can credit me and Caden's growing friendship to the project or to us, would we even be talking to each other if we weren't paired together to share a locker?

Twenty minutes later, I sit in a conference room. It's the same woman from last time, pin-straight blond hair and black business blazer as pristine as ever. Her brown eyes twinkle with warmth as she takes me in, and I shift in my spinning chair uncomfortably.

"How've you been doing, Scarlett?" She shifts some papers in her black binder as I think about my answer, "Good, actually. I think Caden's made life seem a little brighter."

"Oh?" She smiles, "that's good."

"Yeah," I cough. This is a little awkward. It feels wrong to talk about me and Caden's relationship, even though it's not some secret, it still feels weirdly intimate.

"Why do you think that is?"

"Well, before, as I'm sure you know, my brother had uhm...passed." I start, my breath shaky. His death had been the
face of headlines for weeks afterward. It did nothing to aid my grief-riddled mind. Never-mind so soon afterward when the pain was so tender.

"And I'm not sure why he seems to make me happier, but, I'm glad this project happened. 'Cause I'm not sure we would be friends if it didn't."

That seems to please her, a smile curling at the corners of her rosy lips as she nods approvingly. "That'll be all. Thank you, Scarlett."

My eyebrows furrow, "that's all? I expected more."

"I have all I need, hun."

"Oh." I stand up clumsily, nearly banging my knee on the edge of the wooden conference table before leaving the room with a wave. That was easier than expected.

I spot Caden leaning on the wall opposite me, and when I motion for him to enter the room after me he grins. I try to ignore the way it makes my heart feel alight.

_._._._._._._._._

Dinner with my mom is awkward. As always, the silence surrounds is only filled with the ear-piercing scrapes of silverware against our plates. The chewing of grilled chicken and the gulps of ice-cold water.

"So..." my Mother starts, clearing her throat hesitantly, "I've been thinking."

"About what?" I swallow a piece of chicken. It's bland and feels like styrofoam as it slides down my throat.

"Nate's room, it just sits there, I was hoping we could change it into something new...Move his stuff to the basement." Her voice holds no remorse for her words, and bile nearly rises from my throat at her words. How could she not feel an ounce of guilt for the way she treated him? How we all did? If we were all just a bit more understanding, he'd be eating his flavorless chicken to my right and brightening up our family dinner.

But he's not; and I'm only beginning to process the truth of those words.

"What? Mom—no. We can't do that, it's all we have left of him!" My voice rises unsteadily the more the words spew from my mouth, and my breath comes out in short bursts that almost resemble a fuming bull.