The Anatomy of a Broken Heart //Completed//

63. Santana

When I woke up, the room looked like it was on fire, but that was just the way the sun glowed up here. Unobstructed and free. Open.

I showered slowly, taking my time lathering my hair and rinsing it out, just to avoid getting out and getting ready. I would never be ready—not to face Caleb. When I finally stepped out into the steamy room, a soft knock on my door stilled my heart, until a timid voice spoke. It was Sadie.

"Santana?" she asked through the wooden door.

Wrapped in a towel, I opened it up partially, hoping she was alone. "Hey."

"Good morning!" she exclaimed a little more cheerily. "I'm glad you're up. Mom was wondering if you wanted to come into town with us."

"There's a town?" I asked, taken aback. Why on earth would Caleb's mom want me to spend the morning with them?

To keep me away from him, I realized. That was more than I could have asked for and agreed enthusiastically to a tiny cheer from Sadie.

"Awesome! We'll leave right after breakfast so you better hurry." Her smile faltered a little. "Not that you have to rush, or anything." Her brown curls trembled as she shook her head back and forth.

"Don't worry, I'll be down soon," I reassured her and shut the door. 

Caleb wasn't downstairs when I finally got there thirty minutes later. Everyone had already eaten and Mrs. Rosethorn and Sadie were putting on their coats along with Caleb's aunt Esther and her daughter Amy. Katia and Nina were already walking out the door. It was quite the caravan.

Having missed breakfast, the woman Caleb had told me was his Nanny or maid or something, wrapped a breakfast sandwich up for me and handed it to me with a smile. I thanked her and said good morning to Mrs. Rosethorn. She greeted me politely, but I could tell this was another task for her to complete: Drive into town; get a manicure; keep the poor girl away from her son.

It worked just as well for me so I didn't mind her cool attitude one bit.

It was colder outside. I snuggled into my parka and followed the women out into the front lawn. Two cars were already running, waiting for us while exhaust floated up like steam from the pipe. I climbed in the back, wedged between Sadie and Amy who looked at me with eager white smiles. Mrs. Rosethorn climbed into the passenger seat, next to a man I hadn't noticed before but had the all the makings of a chauffeur, which shouldn't have surprised me seeing as I was with the people I was with, but did so nonetheless.

As the car pulled out, I saw Caleb walking up to the house, sweating and obviously coming back from a run. He looked towards the car and our eyes met briefly before he turned quickly away from me. My face warmed up from my neck to the tips of my ears and I distracted myself by fidgeting with the air vent which blew hot air from the center armrest.

I hadn't slept much last night. I hadn't breathed much last night, for that matter. At every sound I heard, I jumped, waiting for Caleb to be standing there. Then my gut would wrench in guilt as I thought about Jasper. What I felt for him remained, but something had taken root within me— something foreign, but not unwelcome. I couldn't even give it a name, but already it was driving me insane, tearing me in two.

I shook the thought out of my head and caught Sadie looking at me.

"Are you okay?" she asked sweetly.

"Yeah, just a little sleepy still. Didn't get much sleep," I replied honestly.

We drove for half an hour until the tree-lined road dissolved into a town. Shops littered the way before us and I was struck by the charm of the rustic little buildings and the people walking in and out of the stores. There was a strange amalgamation of New England-esque architecture and outlet mall designs throughout the town and I couldn't get my brain to register what I was seeing. It was obvious the town was more of a shopping center than an actual town. The stores were built like homes, save for the huge recognizable department stores, which were what first clued me in. Vaguely, I wondered if the actual town was as pretty as this.