CHAPTER 20: Do I have to wait for you to remove your hidden knife?

I begin to see black spots around my head after a few minutes of continuous bawling. I finally get a hold of myself and I attempt to breathe in and out to calm down. But it doesn't work as even though I've stopped crying out loud, the tears were still flowing freely. I close my eyes, trying my very best to forget Veronica's throat-strangling and heart-piercing words.

"Is this seat taken?" A deep voice breaks the silence around me, forcing me to look past the blurred view of my teary eyes. He sits down without waiting for my response but I surprisingly don't object to his strangely comforting presence.

"You okay?" I look at him and I think he gets the idea of my overly dejected state considering the guilty look that appears on his face with a five o'clock shadow. His grey eyes had an undecipherable emotion – something mysterious – that intrigued me to wonder why he was here.

"What are you doing here?" I wipe my tears, my eyes moving everywhere due to the embarrassment of being caught crying. Caleb stays mum before letting out a quiet sigh.

"I'm sorry," Those two bizarre words arise a whirlwind in my mind as my brain wheels spare no effort in analyzing those simple yet intricate words.

"For what?" I cross my arms over my chest, trying to act neutrally when I can't and also because I was kind of shivering from the cold breeze in the park.

"For the mess I put you in," No matter how much I want to stand up and scream at him, blaming him for Veronica's questionable deeds, I don't know why I can't bring myself to it. For a fact I do know that Veronica did what she did due to her unstable mind and obnoxious thoughts – it really wasn't sane for me to blame Caleb for it.

I stay quiet for a while before speaking.

"It's not your fault. Veronica..." I close my mouth as I sensed more tears threatening to spill. I shut them tight in order to not embarrass myself more in front of him.

"That's why I'm here actually," I look at him with a questioning look and wait for him to continue, "Veronica actually planned this party to...uhh...harass you." Even though I had a gut feeling this was the case, I don't fail to widen my eyes in surprise.

"What?"

"Yeah. It's true. I didn't know anything about it, trust me. When I arrived at the party, she was all over me and- "He stops, realizing the words weren't appropriate at the moment, and I roll my eyes.

"Anyway...after that, I wanted to tell her what I feel. I have no feelings for her..." He looks at me awkwardly, no doubt wondering why on earth he was telling me this. I nod and signal him to go on.

"But I overheard her talking to... those two girls she's always with. Whatever their names are. They were planning on humiliating you so much that you wouldn't even bat an eyelash at them."

I'll bat their heads in when I'm out of here, that I know.

"I knew it Veronica was up to something fishy so I continued eavesdropping her conversation with that Coleman guy. That's why I even came to... came to see if you were okay in the hallway." I grit my teeth in anger, thinking about murdering Veronica.

Literally.

"I didn't know she would go as far as your family life..." By now he was standing, his gaze intently fixed on me, possibly looking for a reaction. I sigh and stand as well.

"That was a lot to process." I shake my head, still looking down, "But thank you for at least trying to help. Vicious Veronica did what she wanted to do- "I stop speaking and look at Caleb with wide eyes. Did I just utter the nonsense nickname I came up with for that bitch, in front of Caleb that too?

"Creative. And wild." He muffles in his laughter and I roll my eyes at my attempt of sounding serious. Why do I keep landing in awkward situations all my life?

"Ignore that. Ugh. I'm only expressing my anger towards that bitch." I state boldly before I start walking toward... I don't even know.

"Tough expression. Like you." I look at him with a weird expression on my face just to see the smirk on his. I start walking slowly until he falls into step beside me. We walk silently, both of us breathing in the cool air that holds a certain calmness in it. It brings peace to my mind – a little too much if you ask.

"Why did you come here out of all places?" I keep quiet as I continue enjoying the breeze sifting past me, brushing my arms as it did.

"I was born here." I say and look at the hospital as we walk in front of it, "My dad always brought me to this park to play. That bench over there was our little haven." I look over at a certain bench which was where I always arranged our "safe fortress". Every Saturday was dedicated to this. I smile slightly at all the beautiful memories regarding my dad. The way he raised me, the way he taught me his favorite sport and made me who I am today, the way he loved me...

"So I take it you play soccer because of him?" Caleb asks and I nod as I think back to 3 years back. 3 years without dad were spent. 3 lonely years despite my brothers being there for me. I love them a lot and they are always there for me whenever needed but there were times when I only needed dad to console me. How I wish he was there when I got selected in the boys' soccer team. I would have killed to see his reaction.

"Well, I'm sure he's really proud of you, wherever he is." Caleb's encouraging whisper rings in my ears repeatedly as I stop and wonder why he, of all people, would say that.

Another unbelievable thing is that I'm busy here taking a trip down memory lane. With Caleb.

Three weeks back I hated his face. His talks. His entire existence. But right now, today, him being here meant a lot to me. I don't know why the thought even crosses my mind – it shouldn't – that no other person would have been able to comfort me away from Veronica's words.

Why Caleb?

"Am I supposed to run or do I have to wait for you to remove your hidden knife dramatically?" I blink once. Twice. Thrice.

"What?"

"Yeah. The way you're staring at me. Only a murderer or lover would stare like that." My eyes widen just as his widen as well as we both hear the ridiculous thing that just came out of his mouth.

"I mean serial killer. Like you want to just bury me alive. Haha. Serial killer." He gives me a strained smile and I shake my head, not wanting to dive into a fight regarding what he said.

"Uh. Okay. I was just wondering why you said that." I say and we continue walking past the gate of the hospital.

"To make you feel uh...not sad?" He raises his eyebrows while shrugging which makes his biceps move.

I didn't swoon, okay?

"You don't have to be concerned with that, Caleb."

"And why is that? Because we hate each other?" I look at him and choose not to answer his question. The truth is, I really am not in the position to ponder upon where Caleb stands in my life. Is he a stranger? Is he a friend? Maybe? Friend-to-be?

Wow, the confusion is downright affecting my brain. My life could be a real-life soap opera.

"Fine. You don't wanna talk? Don't. I hope you aren't thinking I'm anything like Veronica." He sighs in annoyance at the end and his hands just seem to dig into his jeans pockets even deeper. How endless is that?

"I didn't even say that."

"Your words do seem to be pointing towards that conclusion."

"I didn't even say anything!"

"Exactly!"

I sigh at the oncoming fight that I could see even from a mile anytime you tell me to. I cross my arms and try walking faster to show him I am angry and he shouldn't pull any unnecessary strings. To my surprise, again, he matches my pace and in a few seconds, it's like we are eight-year-old kids race walking!

"Could you stop?" He shouts.

"Okay, yeah." I immediately say and start walking normally.

"Look. All I'm trying to say is that I don't want you to mistake me for one of Veronica's pawns. I'm nothing like her and you need to know that." He inhales a heavy breath of air and looks on ahead. Even in the darkness, I could see the intense grayness in his eyes. He seemed worried – why?

"I know you're not like Veronica." I say slowly so he could understand and he looks at me, shocked, "I'm just surprised you would put in the effort to explain yourself and well... tell me about her."

"She's not my girlfriend anymore."

"She's not?" I ask him with my eyes widened, astonished at the information I just heard.

"Nope. I made the wrong decision by hooking up with her. It was just a decision taken hastily. Then ever since, I've been with her despite knowing her personality. But after today, she's crossed her limits. I think it's best I tell her off now." I smile softly at the end of his rant, happy that he decided to call cuts on his relationship.

Not happy, I mean. Just feeling good that at least he has the brains to do so.

Why am I happy?

"So, no more abusing and fighting like animals huh?" I look at him as I think about his question. Was he extending his hand for friendship? Should I be happy he did so?

Veronica insulted me and exposed my deepest scars in her party which was terrible. Her reason? Caleb. She acted on her insecurities, afraid that Caleb and I could become a thing.

Eww. No.

She is crazy, that I know, and could do anything. I can't risk anything anymore just to be friends with someone that I recently got to know. I don't even think it can be possible for me and him to be friends...

"Uh...yeah. You aren't exactly what I thought of you." I say.

"Friends?" He stops and turns toward me. A smile dangles off his lips and his eyes hold a certain playfulness.

"Caleb... look. Veronica is your girlfriend...or was. I don't know. She did all this to take revenge on me. For what? I don't know. But it's related to you. Whatever happens between you two... per se, you break up, okay? Then we become friends. What will she think, Caleb?"

"Who cares what she thinks? I'm anyway breaking up with her!" Irritation is evident in his eyes and I'm conscious about what he could say to me if that anger was directed at me.

"That's exactly my point. You breaking up with her would fuel her anger and revenge thoughts even more. It wouldn't stop her from hurting me or anyone I know. And I know for a fact that she won't leave me alone until me and you have nothing in between us. Even if it's friendship alone."

"I'll talk to her." He growls out and closes his eyes, breathing heavily.

Yeah right. Caleb Anderson, I know how you'll talk to her. The girl still needs her body parts even though I hate her.

"No need. Besides, you and I are totally different, Caleb. We've been fighting ever since we met and I don't think this would last long. Let's cut this short right here, okay? There is no point. Veronica will do more than what she did today. And if she does then..." I don't think I could have another traumatizing episode like this again. Veronica rubbed salt on my yet fresh wounds and it is beyond endurance.

"You're right. We are different. Sorry for even trying to be decent." He whispers without looking at me and walks away. His long and fast strides tell me that this wasn't a peaceful conversation for sure.

I sigh and start running home. Caleb and I may not be friends but that didn't stop me from thinking that he is not bad. He is not what I presumed him to be. Everyone's right; indeed there is more to what the eye sees.

***

LOVEEEEE THIS CHAPTER!!

A pause in their love story? Uh oh. They still have more to come, don't worry, Summer and Caleb's story won't come to an end!!!

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Adios!