The Write Stuff

Chapter 13 Cry Pretty

"Goodbye Veronika! I miss you! Love you!" I say ending our phone call, before mumbling to myself "Ugh....I fucking miss her."

Sad and frustrated, I bury my face into my arms lying on top of the desk. I'm not even sure how long I've been trying to finish this song. I'm stuck. It doesn't help that my brain won't focus.

"Am I interrupting your nap time?" A placid voice I recognize says from behind me. I lift my head and turn around to see Daniel leaning against the door frame. "You got a few minutes to talk, Kerrigan?"

"Yeah." I answer, barely above a whisper. I already know what's coming. But I let him say it anyway.

"I do love you, Kerrigan. You know that right?"

I nod my head, fighting back the tears. I don't want him to see me cry. I don't want to be weak.

I notice Daniel's eyes filling up with tears. "I've had to make some pretty hard decisions lately....one of them is whether or not it's fair for us to continue a relationship....so....I think we shouldn't continue this."

The back of my throat burns and I can feel the tears coming but I force them back. I swallow before I talk to make sure my voice doesn't break. "And why is that only your decision to make?"

"Kerrigan, I can't do this long distance thing anymore. I'm torn between two loves...music and you! I'm sorry....I just..."

I stand from my chair, shove my work that's all over the desk into my bag, and walk out. Daniel doesn't say anything more and he doesn't try to stop me.

Once I get home, I go directly to my room. The last thing that I feel like doing is talking to anybody, but there's a knock at my door.

"I don't feel very well, Denny. You and Patty should stay back so you don't get it too. I'm fine in here, thanks." I recite, hoping it keeps them at bay so I can be alone.

"It's Caleb, Kerrigan. Will you let me in...please?"

"Whatever." I sigh. "It isn't locked."

I feel the bed dip down and his body heat next to me. He doesn't say anything as he wraps his large arms around me and pulls me close to him.

I can't hold it in anymore. The tears burn my face and the sobs hurt my head, but I let them all out until there's nothing left in me.

The last thing I remember was a soft kiss on the back of my neck, and Caleb's whisper.

"I love you, Kerrigan."