Forever and Always

Chapter 7

Chapter 7:

Christmas at my house was the usual. My little siblings got the toys they wanted and more. I hadn't really asked for much, but I did get the camera I've been wanting for a long time. It was almost eleven and I had to be at Brendan's by noon. I took a shower and threw on tights, uggs, and a huge sweatshirt.

I was ten minutes early to Brendan's which I figured would be fine, but there was a light blue BMW in the driveway that I didn't recognize. The front door opened and I saw Brendan kiss a girl I didn't know. He saw my car and started to run towards me. The girl made her way to her car and left, but mine wouldn't start before Brendan reached my car.

I rolled the window down, so Brendan wouldn't break it with his fist. "Charlie, it's not what you think."

"Then tell me Brendan, what the hell is it?"

Brendan didn't answer me and I was searching his face for anything that could tell me he's telling the truth. "That's what I thought"

"Charlie. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me."

I wasn't going to listen to him. I pulled away from his house and rolled the window up. I didn't want to be with anyone and I know that Caleb would hate me for being this upset about Brendan. I sat down on one of the benches and brought my knees up to my chest. I couldn't believe I fell for his "I've changed" act.

"Charlie?" I looked up and Dalton had stopped from his run.

"Go back to your run. I'll be fine," I told him.

"No you won't." Dalton walked over to me and sat down. "Charlie, you're freezing. You need to get inside. Come on."

Dalton helped me up, wrapped his arm around my shoulders, and walked me to my car. "We're going to my house to get you warm." I climbed into the passenger seat and once the heat was turned on I started to feel better.

We pulled into the driveway of an urban duplex. It was pretty cute actually. Dalton walked me into his house. I sat down on the couch and he brought me a blanket which I gladly accepted.

"Now. Do you want to tell me why you were sitting in the park crying while slowly freezing to death in the middle of December?"

A slight smile appeared on my face. I had already told him what had happened earlier with Brendan and he said he remembered, so I continued, "Well I guess I let myself fall for his whole 'I've changed' act and I know I don't really like him, but I still have feelings for him." I took a minute to collect my thoughts. "See I was supposed to go to his house today, but when I got there I saw him with another girl and I just broke down."

"Charlie, why didn't you go to Caleb about it instead of sitting in the park?"

"Because if he saw that I still had feelings for Brendan, he would hate me or do something stupid and get himself hurt." Just thinking about those made me cry.

I felt Dalton wrap his arms around me and pull me closer to him. I cried on his shoulder for a long time. Dalton was rubbing my back gently and whispering in my ear. I finally quit crying and just laid on Dalton. He's so sweet and gentle. You could see the gentleness in his eyes.

I woke up in someone's bed and remembered I was with Dalton. I got out of the bed and walked down the stairs. It was almost six and Dalton was making dinner.

I walked over and Dalton slipped his arm around my waist. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

"A lot better. Thank you so much, for everything." I looked up at Dalton and realized he was actually really attractive.

"Hey that's what I'm here for. If you ever need anything don't be afraid to ask."

"Okay. Thanks. What are you making?" I asked him.

"Uhm. It's like pasta, but it doesn't look like it or taste exactly like it. "

"Alright then. Well I'm excited and starving."

The "pasta" was actually pretty good. After dinner we sat on the couch and the TV was on, but I wasn't really paying attention. I looked at my phone and realized I had a number of missed calls from my mom, Caleb, and Brendan.

I qa my mom to tell her that I was with a friend and I looked through my messages from Caleb and Brendan. They both wanted to know where I was, but I just texted Caleb and told him that I wanted some time to myself.

I don't know why, but when I'm with Dalton it feels like nothing else is going on. It feels like my problems are gone and that nothing else matters. I guess it's because he isn't involved in all this mess.

"Charlie, can I tell you something?"

I looked at Dalton and said, "Of course. You can tell me anything."

He took a deep breath and said, "Charlie, I know that you don't need anything more to deal with and I know that this probably won't make any difference to you, but I love you. I really do. I've known you all my life and you've never failed to put a smile on my face.I know that you don't feel the same way about me and I'm okay with that, but I needed you to know that if you ever want to leave this mess your in you can come to me."

"Dalton... I-I don't know what to say. Even if I did want to come be with you Brendan would try to hurt you and I would never be able to forgive myself if he did."

"It's okay Charlie. I understand, but I needed to tell you that's all." Dalton smiled at me and I smiled back.

When I got home I called Caleb to tell him I was fine, but he didn't answer. Brendan had left me eight voice mails explaining himself, but it was pure bull shit. I called Caleb's home phone and his mom told me that he was worried sick about me and looking for me. I thanked her and told her I would go look for him.

I called Caleb's cell again. Still no answer. I drove around a bit and then out towards the valley. I saw a huge car wreck. I got out of my car and walked over to an officer who seemed to be taking notes.

"What happened?" I asked. It was a pretty bad wreck.

"Some teenagers got in a wreck. We arrested the one who caused it. Said he did it on purpose."

"Wait... Who-who were the two teenagers?" I could tell my face was full of worry, but I didn't care I had to know.

The officer looked down at his clip board and answered, "Brendan Kyles and Caleb Smith. Mr. Kyles has been arrested and should be in questioning right now, but we had to rush Mr. Smith to the hospital for head injuries."