Education [Classification AU]

6. Drama, Drama, Need Pajamas

Monday morning was harder, Caleb woke up still a little... little and wanting his Daddy. 

Diana was struggling as it was. She barely saw her son while he was little, and when she did he was begging for his daddy. 

She awoke with a loud "Sam??" 

Caleb, still a little in headspace had been wandering around the house in search of his Sam. 

However, when Caleb was out of headspace, he was the same old Caleb. 

The school day went by without a hitch, barely any issues. To Caleb's pleasure, he didn't slip at all... not even a little bit. 

That evening, Caleb is sitting patiently at the dinner table and is waiting for his meal. 

"Can you go tell Nick that dinner is ready, son?" Neil said, setting the table as Diana added some finishing touches to dinner. 

"Yes, sir." Caleb gets up and walks slowly up the stairs. He's learned that walking up then too quickly makes him trip now. 

He makes his way to Nick's door and knocks quietly. "Nick? Come eat dinner."

The bed squeaks suddenly and curiosity gets the best of Caleb. He knocks once more, "Nick?" 

Cautiously, Caleb opens the door. 

Now, usually, Caleb wouldn't have just opened the door... but he wasn't really thinking.  

 It didn't even cross his mind that his brother may be on top of his girlfriend. 

In Caleb's defense, he had no idea that Tori was even at the house.

"What the hell dude?! Caleb get out!" Nick screams.

"Oh- my god. I'm sorry- Sorry!" Caleb squeaks, covering his eyes quickly. He runs out of the room, and rushes down the stairs, missing the last 2 or 3 steps. 

Caleb didn't really expect to do a proper front flip this evening, but life seems to have a bunch of surprises for him.  

It didn't really hurt that bad, but it really scared him. Scared him enough for a few tears to stream out of his eyes.

Luckily, Neil was right near the stairs, and he came close to catching him, but just barely missed. "Oh no! Are you okay Caleb?"

"Yes Dad, I'm f-fine," Caleb says as one more rebellious tear streamed down his face. 

"What happened, bud?" Neil sits down next to him and lifts the boy onto his lap, "I heard Nick yelling." Neil wipes away the boy's tears and cards a large hand through his hair.

Caleb had to struggle to not feel uncomfortable. Sure, it was nice to have his dad fretting over him, but sitting in his father's lap was not a super pleasant feeling.

Nick runs down the stairs, dressed now, "Oh my god Caleb I'm sorry I didn't mean to yell at you!"

"You YELLED at him??" Standing with Caleb on his hip, Neil raises his voice, "Why the HELL are you yelling at HIM of all people?"

Caleb's tears started back up again, it was once in a blue moon when his dad was nurturing, it was sad that he stopped. 

"He scared me!"

"Then why did he have to run down the stairs? Nick if you don't tell me the truth we'll have some serious consequences."

"I DON'T KNOW! Ask him, he can speak for himself you know. He's not a damn baby!"

"Nick I could've sworn that I asked YOU what happened-"

Caleb screamed. 

He didn't mean to. It just kind of happened. It was silent for a second, and during that second, he made his way out of his dad's arms and upstairs. He passed by a frightened-looking Tori, who asked him something but he didn't listen. Caleb went into his room and closed the door.