chapter eleven:

Caelum had two more weeks before he was released for winter break. Between theses two weeks, there were four indoors track meet ― which Caelum was not thrilled to go to ― and a few more practices for the decathlon team. Caelum was still studying for his last final, which his teacher decided to hold the literal day before the break.

He tried to find ways to compensate for his new lack of hours at work, but he couldn’t think of any. Without his work at the auto shop, his finances would seriously decrease. Caelum was practically sweating buckets thinking about it. He worked as hard as he could between the two hours he had, and he explained the situation to Mr. Goldson. He didn’t like it at all, but there wasn’t anything Caelum could do. He made up for it by doing the most work he could between the two hours he had. He even tried to stay longer ― certainly cutting it close to when his parents arrived back home.

Finally, Caelum had his last test, and it felt like the entire school breathed a sigh of relief. Students in the hall were happier, excited for the holidays and passing around gifts to each other. Even their track coach, Coach Wilson, cancelled the last day of practice, since they would be on break the next day. He only warned them to ‘stay fit’ over the holiday season because they would resume running January 1st.

Caelum had the entire afternoon off, something he hadn’t had in a while. His first order of business was to go straight to work and cram as many hours as he could. He wouldn’t be able to slip out as easily over the break, but if he said he was having ‘decathlon practices’ at Ned’s house, he would be able to slip out for full day shifts. Although this might not completely rebalance his finances, it would certainly help in the ‘grand scheme’ of things.

Caelum was at his locker, grabbing his things as fast as humanly possible. He had a few winter break packets for different classes, but they weren’t anything he couldn’t finish really fast. He kept checking around his locker, making sure Principal Davis didn’t pop up and demand another ‘office visit’. Caelum hadn’t seen him in at least a week, and seeing as this was probably his last chance to get Caelum, well, he didn’t want that to happen.

Caelum had his coat on and he was running at full speed for the doors ― something he knew Principal Davis couldn’t do. All those track meets seemed to finally benefit him, because his was breathing in the harsh, cold air. Caelum was about to run again, heading for the sub to get to the shop, when someone grabbed his shoulder.

Caelum jumped, stumbling back, his eyes wide. In his confusion, he slipped on ice, falling and almost hitting the ground. Someone caught his hand just before he could fall, though, “Whoa!” Peter exclaimed, and Caelum stared, stunned.

Peter was holding unto the door with one hand, the other he was holding Caelum steady in some kind of twisted tango-dip. Peter smiled, his brown eyes bringing him out of his daze, “Hey, Cael.”

Caelum felt like his entire body could light on fire. He steadied his footing and brushed himself off. “My apologies,” Caelum said. He checked his watch ― he was wasting money talking to Peter. “Is there something you wanted?”

Peter blinked, “Oh! Right!” He pulled his backpack around and pulled out a grocery bag. Caelum rose an eyebrow, as Peter handed it to him. “You forgot you family’s presents at my place. I didn’t think it’d be smart to just drop them at your doorstep. You know, since they’re supposed to be secret.”

“Oh,” Caelum took the bag from Peter. “Thank you.” He looked around Peter, “Where’s Ned?” The boy usually hung off of him like a stalactite.

“He had early dismissal,” Peter explained. “His family’s going to Vermont for the holidays. By the way, are you going to go upstate with your people?”

Caelum frowned, he forgot about that. They would probably only spend Christmas upstate though, not the entire break. Both of his parents had work. “Probably, yes.”

“Oh, well, then,” Peter reached back inside his bag. Then, he pulled out a small box. He pushed it towards Caelum. “Here.”

Caelum rose an eyebrow, “I. . . didn’t get you anything.” The words made Caelum upset. Caelum remembered his comment the other day ― he blatantly said that he never got his family anything, but when Peter presented him with a gift, Caelum didn’t know what to do. He felt regretful, he should’ve thought of Peter, he should have found some way to accommodate him into his finances so that he could have gotten him something instead of standing here, staring at this box like an idiot.

“You can open it, you know,” Peter nudged, smiling.

A frown bit his lips, but anticipation pinched his gut. His heart did a small flutter as he slowly pulled the top of the box off, seeing what Peter could have gotten him.

“Mr. Forest.” His spine went rigid, and Caelum almost dropped the box. Standing behind Peter, was Principal Davis. His eyes were narrowed at the boy, but his lips twisted into a triumphant smirk. Caelum’s heart went from a flutter to instant thundering in seconds.

Peter saw the panic on his face, and he stepped towards Caelum, turning to face Principal Davis. “Would you please see me in my office?” Caelum’s hands shook slightly and his fingers tightened on the un-open box.

“Actually, Caelum is going home with me today,” Peter said simply, he felt him grab his arm, giving a soft tug.

“I am sure you are more than capable to walk yourself home, Mr. . . Piter?” Caelum remembered when he found that amusing. Now, it made his stomach twist in disgust. “These matters do not concern you, please release Mr. Forest and be on your way.”

“No, I don’t think I will,” Peter said fiercely.

“Parker,” Caelum tried to reason. If Peter kept this up, both his and Peter’s scholarships would be revoked. He couldn’t have that held over his head.

“Cael―”

“Leave me alone,” Caelum pulled his arm away. He stared at the unreleased box before thrusting it into Peter’s chest. “And. . . take your trash with you.” Peter looked at him, hurt and betrayed. Caelum almost faltered, he almost took Peter back in his arms, and apologized. He almost blew his cover.

Caelum turned sharply, and Principal Davis smirked, “Happy Holidays, Mr. Piter.” Caelum knew that nothing happy would come out of it, at least from Peter’s expression.

° · ° · ° · °

Caelum barely had the strength to get back home once Principal Davis finished. He was more than upset by Caelum’s ‘disappearing act’ for the past few weeks. He felt as if his leniency for the test season has been betrayed somehow. Caelum didn’t question it. He was already suffering enough, he couldn’t get that look out Peter gave him out of his head. Peter had stood up for Caelum and he simply tossed it out as if it meant nothing. It made Caelum sick to even think about it.

Caelum sighed, rubbing his forehead. Thankfully, he had enough time to go to the auto shop and work. Austin, Mr. Goldson’s grandson was there. He didn’t talk much, but he was a nice guy, in his early twenties. He also seemed to know that Caelum was definitely too young to be working any type of job ― at least, not yet ― but didn’t say anything on it either.

Caelum didn’t know him well enough to confide in him, he didn’t know anyone like that, but he did agree to pick up a few of his shifts when Caelum desperately needed it. He didn’t seem to mind, even when Caelum was having a particularly rough evening after visiting Principal Davis. Austin would look at him, and then nod, instructing him to tighten the bolts on a car that was brought in, or to make sure the engine was running ― something simple that didn’t take too much work.

Caelum respected Austin, and Austin did him. But, when he saw Caelum with a few more scratches on his face and neck, his mouth tugged into a frown. “I apologize for being late,” he said, putting his coat up. “I was. . . held up.”

“Who is doing that to you?” Caelum nearly jumped out of his skin. He wasn’t prepared for that kind of question ― was it that noticeable?

“I don’t know―”

“Caelum,” Austin’s voice was even, but serious. “You have scratches all down your neck.” Caelum’s hands went to his neck, trying to cover it. “Do you need me to call the police?”

“No!” Caelum said suddenly, his eyes wide. He quickly tried to cover it up, regain control of the conversation. “This is nothing, don’t worry about it.”

“Caelum,” He wasn’t accusatory, he wasn’t upset, but Caelum couldn’t trust him, They knew he went to Midtown High, they could easily contact Principal Davis and make matters far worse than it was.

“Stay out of  my business,” Caelum growled, upset. He tried to shove past him, but Austin grabbed his arm. He had big, firm hands from several hours of manual labour.

“Pops is fixing on firing you,” Austin said simply. “He thinks you’re messing with some girl.”

Caelum was affronted, and he made a face of disgust, “I’m not―!”

“I know,” Austin said, and Caelum blinked, at first confused. Then, absolute embarrassment riddled his face, how did he know!? Austin gave the slightest of smiles. “I want to convince him that you’re not messing around with some girl, but I need to know where you’re getting these scratches from. He’s not trying to be involved in any kind of business.”

Caelum weighed his odds. He definitely needed this job ― at least until he could confirm an alternative. If he lost his job now, Caelum would be broke, again, and he could hardly afford to go a week getting paid for two hours each day,

Caelum licked his lips, tugging on his chin and ignoring the light cut there. “My dad,” He finally said. It wasn’t a total lie. “He's the one who does all this. And, I can't exactly leave, so there's nothing I can do.”

“I can call the police,” Austin insisted, but Caelum shook his head.

“Let it go. I don't care about it, neither should you,” he stood taller. “Now, I would really appreciate it if you told your grandfather that I am not messing with any girls.”

Austin gave a small smile, “I will.” Caelum appreciated it, and he walked into the shop and began to work.

° · ° · ° · °

Caelum got home in time and his parents were none the wiser. He cleaned his face up and cooked dinner. Then, he helped his mother put the dishes away before saying goodnight and leaving.

Caelum slipped into his room, and closed the door softly. He was surprised when he saw a dark shadow on the other side of his window. He nearly slammed the back of his head against the door. The person on the other side gently rapped on the glass. Peter wanted to be let in, he wanted to talk.

Caelum hesitated, but did so anyway, he opened the window, expecting Peter to slip inside, but instead, he just dropped a plastic bag in Caelum's hands before walking away. “Wha―!? Wait!” Peter didn't turn around, and left down his steps.

He looked at the plastic bag in his hands. It was a sheet of paper and the box he tried to give him earlier. Caelum delicately opened it, reading the note first. Peter's handwriting wasn't great and Caelum squinted at a few parts but he did manage to read it all.

Caelum,

I know something bad is going on between you and Principal Davis. I know you aren't telling me everything, and knowing you, nobody else knows either. I meant it when I said I wanted to be friends again. I want you to talk to me. I want you to explain, but I don't want to force you to do anything. I hope you do the right thing. I hope you put yourself first instead of someone else.

I know the gift isn't amazing, I was running out of money, but I had enough to get this. I didn't know if you'd like it ― I thought it was a bit ‘girly’ but, the message was still there. I have the other half, that way we can match.

Merry Christmas, Caelum.

Good luck,

P. Parker

Caelum's eyes skimmed over it the first time, but after the second and third, he began to fully take in the words and it's meaning. Then, his eyes grazed curiously to the small box that laid patiently on his bed.

He reached over and grabbed it. He opened it slowly, and then laughed, shaking his head. Inside, was a necklace ― a faux silver with a cheap chain. But, the charm on it, were shark teeth. Caelum assumed Peter had the other half.

The thought made him smile. Half of Peter with him ― Peter getting something exclusively for him. Caelum peeled it out if the box, in unlatching the chain and putting it around his neck. Peter was right, Caelum didn't usually wear accessories, the only exception being Avery’s friendship bracelet, and now the necklace.

Caelum suddenly felt more secure ― more centered ― like it was another reminder that he was in the right place.

He felt the cold metal against his chest, and ur warmed him a little. The year was soon coming to a close, and Caelum would have even more challenges up ahead.

But, he would find a way. He would get through them. Caelum has put up to much time and effort to give up now. He was smart, he would know what to do. At least, he believed he would.