Identical (COMPLETED)

Chapter 6

            

Chapter 6

CALI'S POV

Trent let it go when I wouldn't respond to his question and I was relieved. He's been here only one day and he's figuring it out faster than the people closest to me. I don't know whether to start freaking out or start feeling hopeful. What would happen if he figured it out? If I told him? Would he believe me? Would he take my side? Over his own brother? His own blood?

No, are you crazy Cali! He just met you, why would he choose you over his brother? My subconscious scolds.

As I explain more about the job to Trent, the atmosphere is much different than this morning. He was quietly listening and only speaking to ask questions related to the job.

Dana was currently on her break and when we got back before she questioned me like crazy. Trent just listened to me lie to her with a scowl on his face as if he knew my words were bullshit.

Trent was typing on his phone and I couldn't stand the tension for a second longer. "So you're my boyfriend?" I ask lightly.

His green eyes dart up to me first in confusion, but then that fades away as he remembers. His eyes scan my face before he answers.

TRENT'S POV

She looks so hopeful and I'm not sure what for, so I test the waters. "Yeah, you didn't know? Did I forget to ask?" I ask jokingly and her gold eyes shine with delight upon hearing my response.

She has a smile playing on her lips as she studies my face. I smile at her causing her smile to release onto her face.  "I think you did," she teases.

And just like that we fall back into our playful back and forth banter. As she smiles brightly at me, laughing at my jokes, is when I decide that I'm not going to push her to tell me her secrets, instead I'm going to spend enough time with her until she feels comfortable enough to tell me herself. I mean we did just meet yesterday...

Later when Cali and I's shift ends I tell her goodbye and give her my number telling her if she ever needed anyone to talk to or if she ever felt on the verge of a panic attack, to call me. She looked so vulnerable when I said this, but I couldn't help myself. I had a strange need to protect her.

I was on my way to dinner with my dad and Travis and I fully intended on questioning Travis about Cali. I want to see if I can get anything out of him.

"Hey dad," I say as I walk into the restaurant and see my dad waiting for me at a table. He stands and eyes me for a moment before sitting back down. He's a hugger, used to say it made us closer, but I think it did the opposite. He looked like he was ready to hug me just now, I guess old habits die hard.

"Trent, how was your day? Cali was as great as I said wasn't she?" He asks proudly.

I smile and take a seat across from where he sat. "She definitely was. Taught me a lot, I might even need to sit in with her more often to learn everything she knows," I say with a smirk.

My dad's eyes narrow at me. "Trent, don't even think about it."

I laugh loudly. "What do you think I'm thinking?"

"Cali is a lovely young lady, don't mess with her," he warns, yet again.

"So has Travis gotten these warnings too?" I can't help but ask.

Dad's eyebrows furrow in confusion. "No, you know your brother. I don't have to worry about him; he doesn't even look twice at any of the girls at the hotel."

Maybe not in front of you... The way he was with Cali today just goes to show, my dad is not aware of what is or has happened between Cali and Travis.

Just as I'm about to make a snide remark, the man of the hour walks up to our table. Dad stands to hug him as well and he takes a seat on one of the empty sides of the square table.

"Travis," I greet him blandly.

He nods his head at me. "How's Cali?" He asks immediately.

My dad looks between us in confusion. "She's okay," I respond.

"What's wrong with Cali?" My dad asks.

I shoot daggers at Travis willing him to answer, to hear what he has to say.

"She felt sick today, ran right out the door and we chased after her to make sure she was okay, but I had to leave to get to a meeting," he responds and I can't help the scoff that comes out of my mouth.

"Trent?" My dad looks to me in question.

"She had a panic attack," I respond honestly. Travis glares harshly at me, but I just shoot him one back.

"Panic attack?" Dad gasps in shock. "From what? How? Why?" He shoots at me.

"Don't know, she wouldn't say. But I have an idea," I look to Travis to see his reaction and a look of uncertainty passes his eyes before he covers it up.

"Well?" Dad pushes.

I look back at him and he looks genuinely worried about Cali, making me soften my gaze. "I don't know," I shake my head dismissively.

"She's been acting so strange these past two weeks, I've been trying to figure out why," dad says sadly and I see Travis stiffen in the corner of my eye.

I turn to Travis as dad keeps his gaze on the table. "What could have happened two weeks ago?" I ask.

Travis' fists clench as dad speaks up. "It was ever since we had a Halloween party for the company here. I've been trying to figure out if something happened at the party, but I don't even remember seeing Cali there," my dad says in frustration.

Travis finally speaks. "I'm sure she's fine. Now dad about that business transaction we spoke about at today's meeting," he starts, changing the subject abruptly.

Something happened at that Halloween party and I was going to figure it out.

CALI'S POV

Dana had the later shift today, so we couldn't have dinner together like we do most days. I decide it's time to pay a visit to the hospital. I haven't been there since the afternoon of Halloween. I couldn't face her, not even if she wasn't aware of me being there.

The one person I trusted with my life, the one person I knew I could tell anything to and she'd believe me without a second thought, but I couldn't tell her and that killed me. I couldn't come here and see her without her being able to comfort me and tell me everything was going to be okay.

But I needed to see her. Especially after what happened today. I walk through the familiar doors and the nurses recognize me immediately. I wish they didn't. I hate the pitiful looks they give me every time I'm here.

"Cali, dear I haven't seen you in a while, how have you been?" One of the regular nurses asks.

I give her a fake smile. "I'm good, just been busy with work," I say and she nods.

I pass her and walk into the same room she's occupied for three years now. She looks the same as she does every time I visit. I feel tears building up in my eyes as I gaze at her for the first time since that night.

I sit down in the chair besides her bed and place my hand on her still hand. I stare blankly at the tubes inside her mouth, the ones keeping her alive.

I just want to see her open her eyes, I want her to hold my hand back, to hug me and hold me and tell me everything will be okay. Just like she used to.

A tear slips down my face, dripping onto her hand that I hold.

"Hey mom, it's been a while."