When It all Falls Down

Chapter 4.1

Kaleb

February 3th

"You know, I'm sort of impressed with you. This is the longest you've gone without being nice to someone," I said and CJ punched my shoulder. We were walking towards our lockers, and I for one was sad it was only Thursday. This week has been long enough.

"I'm being nice to her. She actually gave me a ride home yesterday," he stated with a shrug. "Besides, why are you and Sam obsessed over the fact that Gabriella and I aren't best friends yet?"

"Just a feeling really," I said, and he gave me a questioning look.

"Where is Sam?"

"Didn't want a ride this morning." I shrugged. "Maybe her mom is bringing her?"

It was a good attempt at changing the subject.

Really I just wanted them to be friends because Sam and her were getting along well, and CJ needed to get along with her just because it would make everything easier. Gabi is kinda stuck with us. And so is CJ. Someone has got to budge at some point. "I see you have your stuff back. Are you ungrounded?"

"Yeah. My dad thought I was punished enough." He seemed hurt. "I also got my door back."

"You lost your door? What did it do, run away?" I asked, and he smiled.

"No my mom stole it, because of on top of everything else she took, I just couldn't have privacy either. And, to top it off, Cody destroyed damn near all of my books."

I stopped walking. I couldn't believe what he said. "What?" He rolled his eyes. Not so much at me, but just because he seemed annoyed someone touched his stuff.

"He just destroyed them, Kaleb. I don't know why." He paused for a moment. I thought maybe he was remembering what had happened at home the night before.

Books were his way of getting away from everything. His mom was back, Meghan was cheating on him and his brother was the one she cheated with. He needed somewhere to go, but now that his books were gone he was stuck in hell.

"Well, I know why. Meghan," he finally said and threw his hand up in anger. "Just seems like the Chamber boys have major issues." He opened his locker and threw his books in.

"Let's not talk about it," I suggested, and he nodded. "What about Gabi? She's cool. And you totally don't like her at all," I mocked and he shook his head.

Hell, I know he doesn't like her. Talking about her was easier than talking about his family though.

"You're kind of a jackass. You know that right?" He was laughing.

"Well, you're just a taller jackass," I said and now we were both dying of laughter.

Once I stopped laughing my eyes landed on Gabi. She was standing next to Matt. "Not to make you jealous or anything but Matt's making moves on Gabi." Once the words came out of my mouth CJ's head shot up.

She looked so uncomfortable standing next to him, and it seemed like she was looking for any reason to leave the conversation. I could hear them from across the hall, so whatever his plans were, he wasn't very discreet about them.

"Why don't you just come over tonight? My parents won't be around," Matt said, and CJ's face turned red out of anger.

Matt was the kind of guy that was going to end up in jail because he's honestly just a pervert.

"I actually have plans tonight. Sorry," she answered and started to walk away from him.

He grabbed her wrist and pulled her close to him. Way too close if you ask me. "Cancel them," he demanded.

Suddenly, CJ slammed his locker and made his way towards them. I had never actually seen this side of CJ. I wasn't there for his fight with Craig, well his fight with anyone really. The only reason I knew they happened was because he told me about them.

As if he'd done it a million times he grabbed Matt's arm and twisted it behind him. He let go of Gabi, and she ran off. "Don't touch her," CJ hissed. Matt laughed at him, which was probably not the best thing to do. CJ pulled his arm harder and he groaned in pain.

My best friend's a badass.

"You're just mad because of what happened between Claire and I," Matt said.

"No, this is because you don't know what no means," CJ shot back and let Matt's arm go. Matt scurried off like the rat he is.

CJ walked back over to me, his face still red. "Oh, my hero," I said in a high pitched voice. "Thank you so much for saving me from that bastard, Christopher. Your eyes are just so dreamy, and your hair is so soft. I love you." He looked down at me, and I made a kissy face at him.

He laughed and pushed my face away from him. "You're stupid."

"I just declared my love for you, and you call me stupid?!" I followed him into the Chemistry room. I probably said it a little loud. Everyone sitting in the room turned to look at us.

"Well, Sam won't be happy," Mr. Hanson said. He didn't talk much about topics that didn't involve Chemistry, but when he did you were in for a surprise.

Speaking of Sam, she wasn't in class yet. Usually if she was missing she would let me know.

Me: Where are you? Class is starting?

I texted, no answer.

****

It was now lunch, and I still hadn't heard from Sam. Neither CJ or Gabi were talking, giving me a lot of time to think about all the things that could be wrong with Sam. Why is everyone I befriend so goddamn quiet?

I asked Gabi to text her earlier, but she would've told me if Sam had messaged back.  

"Have you heard from Sam?" I asked them.

"No she never texted me back," Gabi said with a shrug. CJ just shook his head no.

"She doesn't do this. Ever. She would at least tell me she wouldn't be here."

"She probably just lost track of time," Gabi said. At least now we had a voice of reason in the group.

CJ was probably just as freaked out as I was. He just didn't verbalize his thoughts like I did. Gabi was right, she was probably fine. Maybe her phone died, and she had a family thing today.

Or she was alone, avoiding the world. Crying. And I wasn't there for her.

"Or she's not okay," I said, and Gabi sighed.

"I'll call her." She pulled her phone out and listened to it ring. She didn't answer.

So her phone wasn't dead.

"Maybe she just wants to be left alone. I get these days all the time," CJ finally spoke. I sighed. Sam never wanted to be alone. She wasn't like CJ.

"Just check on her after school," Gabi suggested.

CJ was looking past me, I turned around to see what he was looking at. Meghan. I rose my eyebrows at him.

"She gave me a book this morning," he said. "She said she heard what Cody did and felt bad." He was chuckling. "She felt bad."

****

When the final bell rang I sprinted out to my car.

I knocked on her front door, and her mom answered. "Is Sam here?" I asked.

She gave me a confused look. She shook her head. "I thought she was at school. With you," she said.

A/N:

Another update. I'm so excited for what's to come with this book, and I hope you are too.

:)

Love you guys.

~Ashley