The broken paper

Chapter 1

He sat next to me, his hands were tangled in his fiery locks, I heard nothing but little sobs as his body trembled. I didn't know what to do, I never did. If only I knew how to save him, but he was already too far deep to save.
"Caleb was always the vulnerable type, he gave everything and everyone his all. He was one of my best friends, he will forever be the one I cherish the most, the one I always loved, the one person I could've went to without any hesitation and he would always be honest and considerate" Lucy said with an expression as cold as ice as she looked at Caleb's memorial picture, then to his open casket and continued "you will forever be in my heart" as she walked to the casket, placing a singular red rose inside before she went and sat down.

I watched max sob next to me, his face dressed in tears and guilt. His mask was removed, his hard, stone cold facade vanished. What once was guilt turned into a pained violent expression as he squeezed my hand tightly. I knew what was to come next,  something I feared most it was Max's time to pay his respects at the alter he looked at me before he stood up, still Holding my hand, then whispered " it's our little secret" before he kissed my cheek.

The pub was plastered with smiles and laughter, you wouldn't have thought it was a wake. All the people that was previously crying and grieving in church was now acting like Caleb was never here, never born. Never existed. I hated it. I hated how nobody was considerate about those still grieving over Caleb but didn't surprise me, Caleb was just an extra in everybody's lives, an unplanned pregnancy, an ex-lover and somebody who was easy to dispose of.

Five years ago was when I first met them both, Max and Caleb. They were polar opposites, Caleb loved playing piano and gardening whereas max, he was boisterous but he loved painting. Caleb had big green eyes that glistened like an emerald utopia, his smile bloomed like flowers, his skin as clear, white and untouched like porcelain, his beautiful personality and looks put Aphrodite to shame.

I heard music of a piano play behind the closed doors of the music room, I opened the doors and there he was, playing piano, pouring his heart and soul into his masterpiece. When stood in that room, time had frozen still. I knew in that moment that I loved this boy. He looked up and our eyes interlocked, he gave me the biggest, most calming smile I had ever seen; it gave me butterflies an my cheeks flustered. Caleb stood up and walked towards me, calmly, still wearing the smile and stuck his hand out for me to shake "hi my name I'd Caleb. What's yours?" His voice as soft as caramel. My heart melted like butter on a hot summers day. I stuttered "o-oh! I-I'm Esmée. I'm so sorry for intruding... you're really good"

"Esmèe! Earth to Esmèe!" Max clapped his hands in front of my face, he then grabbed my hand and kissed my wrist "want to go outside for a break? You look a bit dazed".

Max was the teenage heartthrob, the bad boy, the biggest pain in my ass. How Caleb tolerated max for eighteen years always bewildered me. Max and Caleb never looked alike, Caleb with his blonde curly hair and max with his ginger scruffy mop like hair and his dazzling beryl eyes, his childish grin he shown only to me, his freckles enhancing his slightly tanned skin, his chiselled jaw, broad shoulders. He's not the boy he used to be, he has became the man he sworn not to be, especially after Caleb's death. As amazing as Caleb was, he always brought the worst out of max, and today was one of those days.

...

The sun peered through my dark abyss of a room, my eyes struggled to open, my body ached, my heart felt like it had been pounded in by a mace; I blamed the vodka. I rolled onto my side to be greeted by a warm embrace, the scent of freshly cut bark. I moved in closer to his comfortable demeanour we he envelopes me into his muscular arms. I felt so safe and secure, his hands caressed my cheek, moving my brown hair and tucking it behind my ear, I looked up and gazed into the jade eyes of the rugged monster, freckles was not the only thing adored over his face, it was dressed in blood, scabs and scars. He looked at peace for once and that pleased me enough to be Max's peace and comfort.