The Redemption of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen Page B

then
    place the empty glass back on the table.

    He rolls his eyes like it’s the most ridiculous thing he’s ever
    heard. “Absolutely not, darling. You just need a better way to
    approach it.” He fiddles with his watch, twisting it around and
    around as he watches the time. “Why did you ask that question
    about the rubber bands?”

    I circle my fingers around my wrist and rotate my arm.
    “Because Kayden had a whole bunch on his wrist.”

    Seth thrums his fingers on the table and then his brow knits.
    He retrieves his phone from his pocket and runs his finger along
    the screen before typing something in.

    “What are you doing?” I ask, reaching for my purse.

    He holds up a finger as he taps the screen. “Just a sec.”

    I take out a few dollar bills and lay them on the table for a
    tip, then drop my wallet back to my purse. I eye the waitress over
    at the counter who’s whispering something to another waitress.
    They both glance over and glare at me like I’m the devil.

    “I think they think I’m your girlfriend,” I say, slumping down
    in the chair.

    Seth glances at them, then shrugs and starts reading the
    screen again. “Then it was really wrong of her to hit on me.”

    “I guess so.” I direct my attention to the flurry of snow
    outside. It’s everywhere, white and crisp and completely innocent
    looking as it shines under the sun. It’s a false innocence though,
    because the icy roads here have caused many accidents and taken
    many lives.

    Seth slaps his hand down on the table and the ice in the
    glass shakes as I jump, startled. “I knew it sounded familiar,” he
    mutters. Shaking his head, he puts his phone down on the table. “I
    know what the rubber bands are for.”

    “What?” I sit up in my seat.

    He reaches across the table and takes my hand in his. “It’s a
    form of treatment used on cutters and people who self-mutilate.”

    I already knew that Kayden might have hurt himself, but now
    it seems real. I slip my hand out of Seth’s and fold my arms over
    my stomach as I curl inward. “I don’t feel good.”

    “Callie, it’ll be okay,” he reassures me and seeks my hand
    again.

    I recoil, shaking my head as I get to my feet. I feel the vile
    burn in my stomach and it aches like a forming bruise. “I need to
    use the restroom.” Before he can respond, I get up and run across
    the café, bumping into one of the waitresses on my way there. I
    knock her tray out of her hand and feel bad, but I don’t have time
    to apologize.

    As I run passed the counter, where Luke is sitting, I hear him
    call out, “Callie… what’s wrong?”

    I don’t respond. I need to get it out. Now. I need to get rid of
    the vile feeling in the pit of my stomach.

    I slam my hand against the door and fling it open. I run to
    the nearest stall and collapse to my knees. I start to shove my
    finger down my throat, when suddenly I see Kayden lying on the
    floor. Helpless. He needs help. He needs someone who can help
    him. It hits me hard, like a kick to the stomach, what I need to do.
    Maybe I can change that wish I’m always dreaming about, the one
    where I erase everything that happened to me on my twelfth
    birthday. I might not be able to take away Kayden’s past pain, but
    maybe I can help with his future pain. I just need to be strong. I
    move my finger out from my mouth and it’s one of the hardest
    things I’ve ever had to do. I’m shaking and sweating as I sit back
    and lean against the wall, letting my head fall back. Then I just sit there. Not feeling better, but knowing it’s for the best.

Chapter 6

    #35 Walk, don’t run
    Callie

    Seth and I have been spending a lot of time at the café,
    partly because Seth thinks we need to eat pancakes all the time
    and partly because we’re avoiding eating breakfast at my house as
    a result of my mother and Seth’s first meeting. It was nothing but
    awkward right from the very beginning.

    “It’s nice to meet you, Seth.” My mom