Mr. Cupid

Chapter 32

Before The Game
Caleb's PoV

Thump thump thump.

Thump thump thump thump thump.

Thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump.

"Holy fucking shit Caleb what has gotten into you?" Daniel asks, voice laced with concern and a bite of annoyance. I stopped my pacing and looked directly at him.

"I don't want you to play. I have a bad feeling. Can't you just... I don't know, sit out?" I mumbled, looking down. Daniel chuckled and brushed off my concern.

"Shrimp, everything's okay. I'll be okay, you'll be okay; not too sure about the Devils though, they might cry when we beat 'em tonight." I couldn't help but crack a smile at that one. Daniel then wrapped his arms around me in a reassuring - or attempt at one - hug. "Go find Alex in the stands. It's almost showtime." Daniel said, pushing me on my way. I drifted toward the exit with a pit settling in my stomach. I turned back to see him give me his famous smile that would always lighten my spirit, but it only made the feeling sink deeper.

~~~

Present time
Caleb's PoV

The room had gone bitterly silent. Did I hear that right? His... oh god.

I didn't know what to do. He was sitting on the bed, his eyes casted down, but I could feel his pent up anger swirling around in the air, waiting to be let out into the open to wreck havoc on anything it deems fit. I go over and cautiously sit next to him. "I'm so sorry," I start quietly, "I know-"

"Don't say you know how I feel because you don't." Daniel snapped. I was taken aback for a second, then felt a ping of anger rise in my chest. I stood in front of him.

"I was going to say I know I don't know how you feel right now, but I'm here for you." I replied, furrowing my brows. Daniel sighed bitterly.

"I don't need your sympathy." He shot, not once looking away from his hands that were in the form of fists. I felt my heart sting at his words, and even more at his hurtful tone.

"Sympathy?! I'm giving you empathy! My father died when I was just eight years old, Daniel!" I broke.

"You had your family with you though." He hissed venomously. "My family didn't even answer my call and now not only do I find out my dad is a coke addict, I find out he died from it as well, and from a fucking skanky ass news anchor. Tell me how that isn't different from your experience?" He paused. "My life is nothing like yours. Compared to me, you had it easy. We are nothing alike."

I felt tears prick at my eyes. The room was dead silent after that. I turned around abruptly and headed for the door, but I hesitated when Daniel spoke.

"Wait. I'm sorry."

I turned to look at him one more time. He was finally looking at me. His eyes held so many demons in side of them, if I tried counting I would probably get dizzy and faint.

"Get better soon, Daniel. Don't call me." And with that, I stepped out the door and shut it, ignoring his cries for me to stay. As I made my way down the halls of the hospital, passing each room and inhabitant or this vile place; I fought the urge to let out a single whimper for the pain my heart had just been given.

With every step, I heard the rustling of shattered glass. That sound only being the thump of my heart beating faster than it should.

~~~

That night, I lied in my bed, staring at the ceiling with tear stained cheeks, a bag of lays on the floor along with 4 empty bottles of Pepsi. After having a long ass talk with my mom about the things that happened, and telling her that Daniel won't be over anymore, and me finally processing how horrible this day really was, I was ready to be alone.

And not alone like 'oh don't hmu' on snapchat, I mean literally barricading myself in my room for three days and not getting out of bed at all.

Of course I had water, I keep a case under my bed. I couldn't let my tear ducts run dry. I don't feel like doing anything anymore, actually, so at least I'm semi taking care of myself.

Daniel has been trying to call. Not my cell phone, but the home phone. I answered it once not realizing, and then immediately hung up after hearing his voice.

It only made my heart ache more. The way he said my name after I said 'hello.' His voice was laced in so much desperation.

When I finally came out of my room, my mom was downstairs making yet another sandwich for me that I will pick at but not eat. She looked up when she heard me come downstairs, her face holding an expression of relief and worry. I silently made my way to one of the dining room chairs, sliding into one and resting my head on the table. I heard the clink of my mom setting down the plate on the table, and I felt her presence slide into the chair right next to mine. It was silent for a few moments.

"Alex is coming over later. She was planning on bargaining you out of your room with Mean Girls and Twizzlers, but it seems that the plan backfired when you came out willingly." She said softly with a small chuckle at the end. I didn't pick up my head, but instead a few tears escaped my eyes again.

"Mom... I've... I've fallen in love with him. What do I do?" I croaked out. She got up and immediately wrapped her arms around me.

"Oh, sweetheart." She whines sympathetically, stroking my hair soothingly. "I know you do. It was plain as day." She soothed. I continued to sob into my arms as my mothers hand caressed my back.

My heart aches with every passing second I go without him by my side. Yet, I ignore him. Then, a knock comes from the front door. My mother gets up and whispers a 'I'll be right back.'

I hear the door squeak open and a pleased yet strained 'oh' comes from her.

"Caleb, you have visitors."