C A L E B

Some people don't understand the meaning of family. It's not surprising that I am one of those people, going off my circumstances. We kids are brought up with the goal of keeping our reputations intact. If you can't do that, then you're not a Knight.

To be a Knight is to be perfect... something I am not or will never be, especially since I have my cousins who are going to take over the world. I had my sister too. She was the mere definition of perfection. Something that I couldn't keep up with.

But now, with her absence, her perfection was brought down to me to achieve and keep ahold of. It was stupid, really but I gotta stick with what happens.

This is why I'm the disappointment of the family.

This also concluded why I hate "Family Friday Nights" and why I particularly try to distance myself to avoid it— preferably drinking.

Unfortunately, not tonight though. My older cousin had me in a headlock before I managed to escape this hellhole.

"Where ya going, baby cousin? It's family Friday night. Everyone wants to hear about your adventures at camp."

"Get your fucking hands off of me." I growled while Gus laughed, standing unamused a few feet away from the door to freedom.

"Language!" Jane's voice boomed from the living room.

"Fuck, my bad!" I yelled back sarcastically before Gus' headlock around me tightened.

"Caleb—"

I managed to hit his arm with my elbow until he released his hold on me, a serious expression on his face.

"Don't go drinking again, Caleb. Getting drunk as much as you do isn't good for you and you know it. I don't want to have to come pick you up again at 2am—"

"Then don't. I'll drive home." I scoffed pathetically, until I was thrown against the wall.

Jane's voice echoed as she warned us to stop fighting but I ignored her, fuming with anger as I glared into Gus's blue eyes.

"Go do whatever the fuck you want. I don't give a shit. But don't go drinking and driving and potentially kill someone who doesn't deserve to die."

"Get your fucking hands off of me." The finality in my tone was evident as he released his hands from me and walked towards the dining room.

He was silently telling me to follow him and join the family, but I couldn't do it.

I almost did. I almost tried to be a Knight but I couldn't get myself to lead me there. Deep down, I knew I wasn't a Knight. I was just the disappointment of the family.

I could hear James asking where I was, but I opened the door and slipped out of the house before he could say anything more.

I couldn't stand to be around them. Especially Grace. She reminded me too much of Sophia.

Sophia. Sophia.

Fuck.

This was not supposed to happen.

No one knew I'd left. Even though they asked where I was, they never cared once. I didn't care what Gus said. I didn't listen to him. I never did.

I walked a few kilometres further away from the rich part of town as I finally reached my destination at 10pm. I knocked on the wooden door and waited for a reply.

Fred opened the door, his eyes widening for a fraction when he saw me.

"Caleb? Whatcha doing here this early?" His brown eyes seemed misted over.

"I need something to forget." I stared him straight in the eyes, not once changing my facial expression. He grinned at me, a terrifyingly happy grin.

"We just got these in today. Pretty good if you ask me."

"Fred, I've told you. I don't do drugs. Just alcohol." I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"No kid! These are different. Trust me. You'll forget with just one." He spoke fast and excitedly.

I stared at the pills warily, knowing I was going to make one huge ass mistake. I was told alcohol affects my body, but drugs were even worse.

"I...I can't."

Fred suddenly froze and slowed down his movements, looking down at the packet. "But it makes you...happy."

I looked up. "Happy?"

Fred grunted in response and continued staring at the packet like it was his lifeline.

"I don't know what that feels like." I whisper embarrassingly, too awkward to look at Fred.

"You wanna know what it's like to be happy?" He was already opening packet and taking out a pill. "Then try one. It's really nice, son."

I held out my hand warily as he placed it in my palm. "Does it really work?"

"It does, kid. It really does." Fred slurred as I brought the pill up to my mouth. "You'll be happy now."

"Happy..." I whispered.

~*~