Part 14 (2/2)

”Well, Caleb. I think,” he put his arm around me, ”Maggie and I decided to head up to the lake for a couple weeks. So, she might not see you for a while.”

Just saying the words letting alone thinking about it sent my body is a panic. I gasp and let out a little cry of distress to my embarra.s.sment but I had no control.

My dad looked at me sideways as Caleb stepped a little closer.

”Sir, please don't do that. I, um, have a few things that I asked Maggie to help me with, before I go back to school. It's kinda important.”

It wasn't completely a lie.

Caleb's hand snaked out slowly and low to touch the ends of my fingers with his and him and I both sighed. I looked up to his face, he was just as upset as I was about the prospect of not seeing me. So much for no trouble with my dad.

”Yeah, dad,” I insisted. Dad glared at Caleb's fingers as he caressed mine. ”Please. I'd love to go with you but I already promised Caleb I'd be here.”

”Alright,” he said stiffly. ”But I don't want you spending every day, all day with each other. It's not good for you, especially if he's leaving for school in a few weeks and leaving you here.”

Another jolt of pain ran through me.

”Dad, please don't say that,” I almost moaned.

”Sorry. But it's true. The sooner you break it off, the better in my opinion.” I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from screaming at him. ”Alright. Say goodnight to Caleb.”

Oh c.r.a.p. I couldn't move. Caleb had to release me or whatever it is that he does to let me leave him and my dad was standing right here. Oh c.r.a.p!

”Maggie,” Caleb said immediately, I a.s.sumed he realized what I just had and I locked my eyes to his. ”Go up and rest. We have a busy day tomorrow. I'm sorry I bothered you but I'll see you in the morning, ok?”

I nodded.

”Ok.”

He waited to see if that was enough to help me go and when he saw me turn he blew a grateful breath and smiled. He waved to my dad and said a goodnight as my dad shut the door.

”That's a strange boy, Maggie. Are you sure he's who you want to waste your summer on?”

”Dad.”

”Ok. Ok. I'm going to go to bed. I have a lot to think about and an early start at the mill tomorrow. Goodnight, baby girl.”

”Goodnight, dad. And I really appreciate you telling me all that before. I've been really worried about you.”

”I know and I'm sorry. But things are gonna be back to normal around here. You'll see. I love you, Maggie.”

”Love you too, dad.”

I smiled and made my way up the stairs to my bed. I had texts from Bish and Beck both and answered them eagerly. Once I had gone back and forth with them both for about half and hour I laid down and thought about dad's new awakening. The 'event' was just something of the past.

In my opinion, and even though things were looking up, or down depending on how you looked at it, morning couldn't get here fast enough.

Ten.

I woke with the same aches and pains as the day before. But this time I understood them. Unfortunately for me, it didn't make them better. My head pounded, my back and stomach groaned and pulsed with painful jolts. My legs wobbled when I tried to climb out of bed.

I glanced at my alarm clock. Six fifty five. Pretty early. Caleb said he'd be here earlier than yesterday so all I had to do was wait it out. I went to the mirror on my dresser and saw the same ashen and sickly skin as before as I looked past the stars in my vision. I decided I should change out of my pajamas for when Caleb would be here. But wasn't fast enough.

I heard the doorbell and my legs were wobbly no longer. They propelled me forward and down the stairs as quick as I could make it. I yanked open the door...only to find Kyle. My heart sank painfully at seeing it wasn't Caleb and I collapsed against the doorframe and slid to the floor as the ache in my bones engulfed me.

Kyle came and yanked me up into his arms and held me tight. Then he whispered into my ear.

”Maggie. I'm so sorry. I got here as soon as I could.”

”Where's Caleb?”

”Who's Caleb?”

I pushed him away and stared at him incredulously.

”That's not funny, Kyle.”

”Here.” He reached for me again. ”Maggie, I know you're withdrawing. I am too. Come here, you need me.”

”What?”

”Maggie, it's just the withdrawals. Touch my hand and everything will be ok.”

”Kyle, I am not your significant. What are you doing here? Where's Caleb?”

He looked hurt and shocked. He started muttering to himself.

”Dad never told me about this. I thought you'd need me, right away. I didn't think you'd fight me and hallucinate.”

”I'm not hallucinating!” I yelled. ”Where's Caleb?”

”Mags,” he said more p.r.o.nounced. ”Who is Caleb?”

I started to falter. Had I just imagined it all? Kyle looked serious. He looked startled. He looked hurt and his eyes beseeched me to take his hand. I didn't know what was going on but I held my hand out and let him grasp it. His fingers were cold and rough, not like Caleb's and his touch didn't calm me or sooth me. In fact, it made my skin crawl.

”Maggie. What are you doing? You're blocking me somehow. Let me help you.”

<script>