Take Me Away | ✓

» 31

P H O E N I X

Kaden didn't come to school for the next week. In fact, he hadn't spoken since the night we were in the tub. He wouldn't tell me the reason behind his tears despite me asking.

Instead, I bought him the mountain of work he had to do. With finals just around the corner, the stress was piling up. But then I figured maybe school might take his mind off other things.

Once I rode my bike to his place and heaved the heavy backpack off, I spotted someone coming out of the house.

He was much older looking. I recognised him as Kaden's dad. He stopped when he spotted me, rubbing his head in thought.

"Phoeb. . . no, Phoenix isn't it? Julie's daughter?"

I nodded. "Nice to meet you."

"And you. It's been a while, how's your mother doing?"

"Good," I answered, looking past his shoulder to see Kaden standing against the doorframe, arms folded.

His father noticed my gaze and sighed. "He hasn't been doing well lately. I've considered taking him to a doctor but he refuses."

"Kaden's strong. He'll get better in no time." I said hopefully.

He nodded along with what I was saying. "Thank you. For being a friend to my son. I know it's not easy."

I had nothing to say to that so I nodded. After that, he bid me farewell and I went up to the front door. It was already open but Kaden was further inside.

I found him in the kitchen, drinking straight out of a carton of orange juice. In the space of a week, his exterior had rapidly changed. His cheeks were hollower. The shadows under his eyes were darker. He seemed to lose a considerable amount of pounds too.

"Work?" He wiped an arm across his mouth under his bright red nose and motioned to the bag.

"To help with finals." I heaved the bag off and pulled out the sheets and books on the counter.

He came closer to sift through them, keeping a considerable gap between us. Clad in a thick sweater and coughing every other minute made me realise that his dad was right.

"Maybe you should go to a doctor."

"I'm fine." He responded and then immediately stiffened when there was a ping from my phone.

I took it out slowly, reading the text from Kat which told me to pick up a snickers bar on the way home because she was craving. By the time I texted back a reply, Kaden had already left the room.

I found him on the couch, staring aimlessly at the t.v. It was like watching a ghost. The more I watched him, the more I wanted to do something about it. So I crouched down before him, placing my palms on the side of his face and forcing him to look my way.

"Talk to me."

He stared back at me for what seemed like ages before cracking a small smile. "You worry too much." And brushed me off.

"Do you blame me?"

"It's just a virus. It'll go away in a few days."

"You know that's not it." I sighed and then in a much quieter voice, "What happened that night?"

There was nothing from his end. Not a crease showed on his face or even a muscle twitch. It was like talking to a rock.

After a few minutes of an intense staring competition, I eventually looked away. As I was getting up, he laced his fingers around mine, again not saying anything but he didn't have to.