A Faltering self (Distorted Reality book 2)

Chapter 53- Taking notice

(Kalston's POV)

After dinner, we start a game. It all seems to be going well with earlier's table scuffle seeming to be long gone. However, I haven't missed the fact that Madison's friend has stayed distant since then. I don't know his problem, but he's the next one I'll watch out for. The next bomb that seems to be getting set to explode, and I need to be sure that I'm not the fuse. Holidays always seem to be the time that causes the kind of stress to set people off. There wasn't much of it for me growing up, but I've seen it time after time when working cases.

I'm starting to get the grasp that I might be his problem. I know Madison said that they are just friends, but I think he has other things set in his mind. More specifically, because I'm starting to notice that every time I get a moment with Madiosn, it seems to be something that pushes him further into being ticked off. He hid it well at first, not as much from me, but now he is starting to get sloppy. I don't want to pull back from my affection with Madison, but I also don't want to keep pushing right now if every time is going to nudge him closer to the edge.

A few more hours, and then I won't worry about it.

'Why should you care about him?'

Why shouldn't I? I have no reason to tick him off, so I'm not going to. No one wants to see the person they like cuddling up to someone else, so I'm not going to do that to him. We don't have to cross paths after this, so it's fine.

I dial it back, but I still have to be sure to keep up with Madison's slips so no one else catches on to them. Those are the only moments I steal for now. Ones for her, not for me. She needs them because even though she puts on a face that seems like her cheerful self, I can tell that something is bothering her. I'm wondering if it's the day weighing on her, or something more. An answer that I get more clarity on once it's her turn in the middle of the game, and she lies.

I would question why, but getting a peek at the question she lies on, I begin to put pieces together. Pieces I really don't want to be true, and am not sure how to take if they are. She covered one lie with another that would have been worse.

'Have you ever seen things that no one else has?''

... So, she is seeing things?

I'm not sure what to take from that, nor what to do.

I have to ask her. I can't...

I won't lose her, but I can't pretend and let her end up like Olivia.

This time, I can do something. I don't know what yet, but something. I don't know if I can handle her looking at me the way Olivia did. I don't want her to feel like I've betrayed her, but I also can't leave this ignored and her...

Again, I'm faced with the fact that it's not just me having to keep her safe from the world, but herself too. What's worse is that if I do say something, how do I know it's not going to make things worse? There's no telling what her father will do.

Why does this have to be so complicated?

I can at least keep this silent from him. I won't go to him with this until I know that hiding it from him is no longer possible.

I notice Madison's shift in mood, and I grab her out of her head before she has long to ruminate on whatever thoughts are trying to taunt her in there.

"You know, Love, if you're not too careful, I'll have to carry you to bed tonight. Maybe even mine, so that I can keep a better eye on you."

She looks my way, and I can see the weight fall off of her as she retorts back with a slight smirk on her face.

"Oh, will you? I might have to take you up on that offer, then."

It's hard not to want to push more, but it's a balance I have to handle tonight. I'm the one who now is having a hard time paying attention to the game, but for other reasons.

You're trouble, Love.