'...And then the girl jumped. Soaring through the air like a bird, the wind whipped her flapping hair before she landed on the concrete and...'
"What are you doing?" Caleb asked with a grin. Carrie turned and ran to Caleb. Giggling they both fell onto the bed.
"You're back" Carrie whispered.
"I couldn't stay away" he replied as he kissed Carrie's neck moving up to her lips. The kiss deepened as the pair giggled and embraced the reunion.
"What were you writing?" Caleb said, the words rolling off his tongue as he spoke.
"Oh, just some school thing. Nothing much," Carrie replied before snuggling down into Caleb's shirt. "How come you are back so soon?" She asked, resting her head down.
"My parents are going out of town this weekend for a job, somewhere in Texas. I thought instead of waiting till Monday to come and see you, I would surprise you instead." Caleb smiled and turned to Carrie.
"I love you." She said.
"I love you too."
"Caleb! You're back! We didn't expect you until Monday." Cindy cried from the kitchen as Carrie and Caleb entered. She flung out her arms for a hug.
"Mum!"
"Sorry, sorry, I keep forgetting." Cindy gave Caleb a small squeeze before letting him go. A silence spread across the kitchen.
"What's cooking?"
Caleb broke the awkward silence that blanketed the room and Cindy started droning on, about a vegan garlic bread she was making. The couple exchanged a glance. Cindy saw the glance and stopped.
"Sorry," she blushed, "You two can go back upstairs now." Caleb gave her a small smile and reached for Carrie's hand. Together they made there way up the stairs.
Once in Carrie's bedroom the pair dived onto the bed and started kissing. Carrie pulled off her jacket and the kiss deepened once again. Caleb ran his fingers down Carrie's arms until he reached her wrists. His body tenses.
"What? What's wrong?" Carrie questioned, with concern in her voice.
"What's this?" Caleb grasped Carrie's wrist and brought it closer to his face.
Carrie winced in pain. Small white lines crisscross her wrist. Some old and faded, some new and fresh. Carrie went pale.
"I asked you a question. What are these Carrie?"
"I..I...I was going to tell you."
"Why?"
Why what?"
"Why did you do it Carrie?" Caleb looked at Carrie, straight in the eyes. Carrie could see the hurt in Caleb's face. A tear rolled down her cheek and he wiped it away gently.
"I was so alone. It was a way of coping. I missed you and I'm sorry Caleb. Please don't tell my mum. I won't do it again." A sob escaped from her mouth and more tears rolled down her face. Caleb traced the scars with his finger and looked up at her.
"Promise me," he whispered. "Promise me you will tell me if you ever feel like that again. Or you want to hurt yourself. I will be there for you. Promise me?"
Carrie nodded and Caleb scooped Carrie up into his arms and snuggled down. Carrie fell asleep first. Caleb soon after.
