A slow fall

Chapter 10 - Caleb

    "So, you started a fire?" Lucas said in amusement. I was surprised he was up so early on a Sunday, but after I'd sent him a video I thought was funny, and he realised I was awake, he rang me. Saying he couldn't fall back to sleep and was bored. I was his form of entertainment.

Apparently, my brothers found my plight highly amusing and shared the news.

I was surprised it'd taken him so long to ask about it.

"Well, actually I didn't. I was just there."

"Sure Caleb. Whatever you say."

"I put it out." I whined in protest. Lucas just laughed. His laugh was melodic, a soothing sound that brought a smile to my face.

"A Church and everything. Are you trying to tell us something?"

"Hmm, I've joined a cult. You know, satanic worship and all that."

"Ah, I see it. You all emo, black clothes, and lamb sacrifices."

"I'm sure my parents would love that."

Noting the slight change in my tone, Lucas got more serious.

"What did they say after everything?"

I curled up under my blanket, a teddy—Froggy he was called—held tightly in my arms. I was comfortable.

"I have to help at the Autumn festival. I need to prove I can be a 'responsible young man' and it's my apology to the Church. My parents have apparently already spoken to Mary and I'll be running one of the game stalls. I'm sure they would've had me help out anyway so it's not too bad."

It's what other punishment they might give me that I'm worried about.

I wasn't sure how we had suddenly become the 'call and texting each other random things' type of friends but I was thankful for it. After I spent the night at his place last week we had been talking more frequently.

It just sort of happened, but the shift was so easy it felt like we had always been like this.

I enjoyed hearing random titbits about his day, reading his random morning thoughts, and sharing my own.

He was always so attentive, listening as if I was revealing the secrets of the universe when I was simply detailing the assignment I was working on or some pointless drama that happened in school.

"Are you up to anything today?"

"Not that I know of?"

"Okay, well now you are. You and I are gonna have some fun. "

"That sounds so suggestive." I couldn't help myself.

"I mean, we'll see where the day goes..."

The smile on my face grew.

With my brothers away there was a space in both our lives where they once resided (does that make it sound like they're dead?), I guess that enabled us to close the distance that was unknowingly created between us.

"So, what's the plan?"

"That I have not decided. I'll think on my way over. Be ready in, let's say an hour?"

"An hour I can do."

"Great, see you then."

"Bye Lucas."

"Bye Cae."

I moseyed around the house after hanging up, a smile on my face and a giddy feeling in my stomach.