Independence by Shelly Crane

broccoli, and shared with Caleb. He had General Tso's Chicken and shared wit h me, feeding me bites sweetly from his own chopsticks.
    I tried to remain calm and normal and serene until the movie was over , and laugh and let everyone think that I was fine.
    Kyle and Lynne retired to the guest room as soon as the movie w as over and I blocked them out. N ot only to give them privacy, but I didn't not want to be privy to thei r thoughts as they mutualized and t hat was exactly what they were going to do.
    So I told Caleb I wanted a bath and he rummaged through drawers to find a t-shirt and boxers f or me. I took them in my hands. It was his Imagine Dragons shirt. I gave Caleb a smile as I went to the bathroom attached to his room and shut the door. He said he needed to make a few phone calls to his dad and his work, so he'd be busy for a while.
    So I blocked Caleb, hoped he didn't notice because he was on the phone, and I took that opportunity as I sank down into the hot, bubbly water of his huge garden tub to break loose. To break loose over my friend. My friend who had been with me through everything. Who was spoiled and carefree and shallow, but mine. The girl who was angry with me because I hadn't told her about my mom\Chad drama and she was a glutton for it. A glutton for drama and mayhem and gossip.
    But when I needed her to be my friend most, to look past anything else and just look at me, she walked out without looking back.
    And right now, I was breaking down with hurt and loss. First , I thought I lost her when she went missing and now, she walked out and I lost her again.
    I leaned my head back, the white bubbles up to my chin, and let the tears come. The steam made the air thick, so I sniffed more than I would at a normal cry— session. I let my arms float beside me and stared at the pretty glass ceiling of the beautiful bathroom.
    My body grew tense r with every breath, and the shakes of my chest got worse with every minute.
    I barely heard the door click open as Caleb came inside. I sat up, taking my knees to my chest and knew there was no way to hide my cry-face. "Did you finish your calls?" I tried for nonchalance.
    "I haven't called the center yet, but I talked to Dad. I've got it under control. Don't worry about it."
    I nodded. "Well, go call the center. I'm fine."
    He took his phone out of his pocket and placed it on the counter. Then his wallet followed soundlessly . With bare feet, pants , and shirt he climbed into the tub behind me.
    "Caleb, what are you doing?" I asked, though I knew.
    I knew exactly what he was doing.
    He pulled me by my arms for me to rest in between his legs as he settled into the back of the tub. The water rose almost to the rim. I decided to let him do what he came in here to do and sank into his chest, turning a little on my side, letting my fingers hook in the collar of his soaked shirt.
    He pressed his lips to my temple and spoke f irmly. "It's not her fault, babe . She just doesn't understand. She 'll never really understand, but she'll come around one day."
    "But aren't you glad that she's gone?" I asked and felt my breaths shudder to hold back the sob. "As the Champion, aren't you supposed to keep the Ace secrets safe, not pass them around to your girlfriend's friends?"
    "Fiancé," he corrected. "And yes, that's my job now, but when it comes to you, I'll do anything you asked me to. I'll break any law, any rule, any sanction if it meant that you were happy."
    I sniffed. "I'm sorry. I didn't want you to have to do that for me, b ut she…"
    "Shhh," he calmed, running his hands up and down my arms in the water. "Shhh."
    His calm and warmth soaked into me and I pushe d everything else away but us in that tub. I let all my anger and sadness blow through me. I cried while Caleb held me tight and I soon calmed. It was hard to stay upset with Caleb's calm keeping me from it, but I was grateful.
    "You're crazy, getting in the tub with your clothes on," I admonished softly and laughed.