MYLES POV

Mary served us a very delicious dinner and I couldn't help but devour double plates. Cali was opposite me, struggling to suppress laughter over my hunger issues. She was happy at the moment, it is what gave me content the whole time. However, I know she was struggling with piles of troubles deep down behind those brilliant smiles, but it's a good thing that my presence has taken precedence.

Earlier before this dinner, I might have eavesdropped on Cali from my open window while those girls from her school had come back around, a few minutes after Bray had gotten enough of them, and literally threw them out. Somehow, they had found a way to get Cali to them. One of them implied that they weren't impressed with Cali's job today and were willing to expect better tomorrow. I am well aware of what they meant. Not only did Cali tell me about their intention while we were at the patio, but it was also written all over their faces and personalities that they're only after opportunities, and athletes like myself and Bray could give them that. Besides, I also know that the girl named Scarlett had disturbed Cali ever since I knew her.

The dinner was casual, Cali's dad talked mostly about Brayden's high school phase, which right now was a boring topic to me, given Bray and I have not talked even in passing since after the last game in Houston.

He hadn't explained why he was willing to quit the team or especially why he was being an asshole. Not that I am not certain that all his acts were connected to me, but I would like it if we could talk. So, instead, of stressing and worrying about him, I worry about Cali and those oppressors who are afraid of a world where she would recognize her worth and find herself. So they quench their concern for her celestial beauty that was rare, like Painite and the Ophiuchus constellation, by bullying her to the limit that she lost the certainty of her heart and essence and bringing her into an invidious position, where all she believed in were others' magnificence and vigor, as though she wasn't born with the most appealing beauty mythology had been trying to explain.

When dinner was over, Mary wanted to show me some family albums, and no one could bring themselves to refuse her, not even Bray, who I know, didn't like the idea. But his mother was a very endearing woman. She grows on people before they can blink. You wouldn't want to take away that elation from her.

As she went on getting old boxes with the help of her husband, I decided to take a minute and change into a pair of joggers and a plain white T-shirt. It was better and comfier.

The time I emerged from the room I could call mine while I am there, I came across Cali advancing from the staircase. Her mood perked up and she stopped picking the skin of her thumb. But her fingers remain laced. She had changed into a sweatshirt and pants, her hair was collected into a rough high bun and her pale and watery eyes blinked rapidly until they were steadily conscious and intensely vivid.

"Hey?" She smiled when she came before me but I wasn't able to return it. My eyes shared glances between her mesmerizing eyes and the small blood that burst out of the skin beside the nail of her thumb.

Every part of me feels obligated to reach her hands and lose the firm weaving of her fingers. And she let me. I took the tips to my lips and kissed just where the blood was. She allows it, holding my stare when I lock eyes with her.

The hall gets even more silent besides the only audible sound of the air conditioning system. I felt her warmth radiating to every pore of my body. I wanted to pull her over and close the last inches between us but I was dubious.

"Are you okay?" I asked and she nodded once. When she smiled, it was impeccable, it reminded me of sun rays underwater.

"Why wouldn't I be?" She clearly lied, overlaying it with a joke. "Come, let's not keep my mom waiting. We wouldn't like her giving us low ratings when we profess our relationship situation."

"Our relationship?" I probed instantly as she dragged my hand down the hall.

Suddenly, I am flattered at her utterance. She said it just like I wanted to hear, just like back in Venice, and like we are a thing again.

"Don't inflate your head." She rolled her eyes, repressing a smile.

"Keep in mind, it might erupt at the thought of finally having you again," I whispered, briefly leaning next to her just as we arrived in the living room and let go of our hands.

"Who says you have me again?" She retorted, her mouth hanging loose when she looked up at me with inquisitive eyes.

"You just did."
My lips shrugged while I walked past her as her gaze narrowed to slits, given from the corner of my eyes I had sighted Mary and Ken watching us intently from the couch they were sharing.

Brayden is on the other sofa, limbs sprawling, eyes closed. There were two armchairs I could take but I took the floor, and surprisingly, Cali sat comfortably next to me. Many times while Mary handed over more albums, I wondered if Cali had forgotten the world we were existing together, but I didn't remind her. I am willing to take anything she gives me. The less or the more. I just want her.

Next to me, she leans over, indicating everyone in the albums, the year the pictures were taken, and the occasions that led to it. For those that she has no idea about, she lets her parents talk about them. They were so happy, it is like they can see the memories vividly while they narrate each story.

All through the time, Brayden didn't speak, his eyes stayed closed. Everyone except me believed he was asleep, but I could tell he was pretending from the taut clench of his fists.

Around eleven, we all call it a night, including Brayden. Mary pulled me into a hug and thanked me for the things I didn't do. As I said before, she's just an angel.

When I am in the room alone, I just talked on a phone call with mom, gave her the address of Donovan and after that, I paced back and forth around the small space.

Should I text Cali too? My guts wanted that, but I do not have her phone number. She has deactivated her social media accounts since last fall, and it has nothing to do with what happened in Venice Beach. I am sure she was triggered by a video she had been tagged in from school. One time I came across the disturbing video while I was scrolling down her tags on Instagram, hoping to find a picture of her or anything that would provide me with some reassurance that she was doing fine. It was an unfair image. I wonder if Brayden has seen it or if he even cares.

While I pace down the dark wooden floor, my eyes spot two shadows of what I am sure are feet from the little opening below the door. I stopped moving and became stationary on my track. My breathing comes to be louder and unrestrained.

I knew it was her, I could feel the palpitation of her heart in mine and sense the flowery scent of her enchanting perfume. It was attracting me towards the door.

She didn't knock nor did she make an effort to open the door. She stalled, probably contemplating her decision. I should give her some push by opening the door. It wouldn't be as insufferable as having to lie on this cold bed knowing she's up there, a floor above my head.

All strength to do anything is lost though. I stood there waiting for her to decide and she left after what could be ten minutes or more.

I've never felt like a chicken. It was pathetic. I furiously kicked the air and leaned my head back against the wall, my eyes closed while I exhaled.

There is no way I am leaving Texas without her love or at least without fighting for her. I've now tasted life without her and it was poisonous and agonizing like perdition, it almost dried out my soul. It brought me sympathy for how I survived before her.

I feel a sore throat from just thinking about all of this. Only water could cool the discomfort down, but I had to wait several minutes before going to the kitchen to fetch some water for myself.

In the kitchen, when I was halfway through a full cup, I caught a glimpse of a figure that was very familiar.

But she was supposed to be in her room.
Now she is here, watching me. She still wants me.