Doe's Colors (above^)

Caleb's Colors (above^)

A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in what has felt like years... School has me beyond busy and exhausted but I'm trying to update as frequently as possible! Please don't hate me! I'm going to make this chapter as long as possible to make up for lost time so be patient with me...

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"Doe, this may have a hazardous result on your grade," my teacher said. "Going on vacation early before winter break? Staying a few extra days after it ends? Why would you do that?"

His leg was bouncing up and down and he seemed beyond frustrated. I was confused as to why he cared so much.

"It's not such a big deal," I commented.

"Doe, let me be honest with you," he said. "When I look at you, I see me. You are like who I was. Someone unhappy. Someone who went through a lot and turned cold because of it. And although now you're blossoming, you're making really bad choices."

"Someone attacked me in my home!" I burst. "My grandpa said we need to leave to let things cool down a while."

"Oh... Oh no," he said, genuinely concerned, and a little bit embarrassed. "What happened?"

So I explained the events of a few nights ago.

"That's awful," he said. "Is that why you were absent? Is that..." He paused to get a better look at me. "A mark on your cheek?"

"Yes."

"I'm so sorry... All right, here's what we'll do: I'll talk to all the other teachers, as will you, to let them know what happened and your plan. We'll accommodate you as much as possible with lessons and schoolwork."

***

It was so strange going back home.

It's not like I was away for years. It was hardly a month. But it felt like forever.

Driving into town and seeing all the things I'd been missing made me wish I never came back. I was going to miss this place, even more, when I had to leave again.

I texted Nory to let her know I was here. My grandpa had to drive her to my hometown after the night of my emotional breakdown. I hadn't texted her much after that due to my shame and uncomfortableness of being so open around her.

So I decided to let her know where I was. It was the only right thing to do. She was beyond overjoyed to find out.

***

"You miss these burgers, don't you?" she asked. I nodded and took another bite, chewing slowly.

"When's Caleb coming again?" she asked.

I swallowed. "When school break starts in three days."

"Awesome!" Nory said. "It seems like you really need him."

"I really need him?"

"Yeah. He makes you happy. He's your happiness!"

"I--"

"We have to go," Nory said, standing abruptly. "Hurry, Doe."

"But we haven't even--" She didn't let me finish my sentence before yanking me up. I was starting to get pissed off.

She whispered in my ear while walking, "Logan's older brother is here. And he's not happy that Logan's in jail. He hasn't seen us yet."

We made it outside, but we didn't escape. His brother opened the door right after we thought we got away.

"Well, I didn't expect to see you here, Doe," he said. "I thought I'd have to beat the hell out of you back where Logan is. But you've made my job a whole lot easier." I turned to face him, not nervous, though. Nory stood tall next to me.

"You're not going to touch me," I replied. "So, sorry to burst your bubble."

"I always liked you, Doe, you're very funny," he chuckled. "Watch your step. And if you have a boyfriend, you better hope he watches his."

"Maybe you should watch yours," I retorted, coldly. We went silent and stared for a moment. He finally chuckled and then turned away, walking off.

"I'm going back to the hotel," I whispered to Nory. She nodded, disappointed that our meet up was ruined.

***

Over the few days that followed, I couldn't help but think about what Nory had said. I kept trying to convince myself that it wasn't true: I didn't need him.

But the more he texted me about missing me and talking about how excited he was to see me made me rethink some things because... I felt exactly the same way. I needed to see him. I missed him almost more than anything, which frustrated me beyond words. If I was supposedly getting better, it should be on my terms--not on anyone else's. I shouldn't have been relying on him to fix myself.

So I decided to call Caleb and talk to him about it.

"Hi, hun!" Caleb said, cheerfully, instantly warming my heart. I wished he was there and not a voice coming out of a phone from my hand.

"Caleb, we need to talk," I said.

"Uh oh, that's never a pleasant thing to hear," Caleb said, instantly sounding worried.

"It's okay I'm not breaking up with you or anything like that," I said, reassuringly, though the thought crossed my mind once or twice.

"Oh, good," he said, sighing in relief.

"I feel like... I... I don't know," I said, already off to a bad start.

"What's on your mind?" he asked.

"I feel like... I need you way too much," I sighed.

"Meaning...?" This annoyed me for some reason.

"Never mind," I huffed.

"No, Doe, you have to explain," he said, calmingly. "I just want to make sure I understand you completely before I respond."

"... I don't know. I guess like... ugh okay, I feel like my getting better has been a result of you and you only and I'm not getting better on my own."

"Think of it like this, my Deer (the animal, of course): I am just the person who pushed you," he said. "The rest is you. I can't force you to get better. I can give you the push, and whether you decided to build off of the push was completely up to you. And you decided to. You're getting better on your own; I'm just here to walk with you every step of the way."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," I replied. "You always know what to say."

"I try, my Deer," he said, a smile in his voice. It made me crack a small smile myself.

"Well, thanks," I finally mumbled.

"I'm glad you can talk to me," he replied. "I really am. That'll give us a healthy relationship."

"I'm glad as well," I said honestly, because that's an old part of me resurfacing.

We then talked until my eyes grew heavy and I couldn't hear him anymore, freeing me of nightmares that wished to plague me.

***

Caleb arrived two days after our night conversation. When his dad dropped him off, Caleb jumped out of the car and hugged me tightly.

"I've missed you, sweetie," he whispered in my ear.

"Same for you," I replied, closing my eyes. He picked me up and swung me around, earning a squeal from me. Instantly his colors, which were already a rosy red, got even rosier. He pulled away from me and looked me in the eyes, a smile plastered widely on his face.

"That was adorable," he said, causing me to look down to the ground.

"Hush," I replied.

"Never," he chuckled, grabbing my hand and intertwining our fingers together. He dragged me to the trunk so he could get his bags out.

"Bye, dad," Caleb said after getting his stuff and closing the trunk. He walked away from him. I was surprised Caleb didn't introduce me. I wanted to ask him about it but decided not to pry.

My grandparents were in the hotel room watching TV when I unlocked the door to it.

"Hey, Caleb," my grandpa greeted. "How nice of you to join us."

"Thank you for letting me join, Mr. Grandpa," Caleb said, smiling. My grandpa smiled back warmly.

"Can I please shower?" Caleb asked.

"Oh, feel free!" my grandma encouraged. "No need to ask."

"Don't miss me too much," Caleb said and kissed my cheek. I rolled my eyes, playfully.

After Caleb showered, I got ready for bed. I changed into my pajamas and crawled into bed next to him. My grandparents were already sleeping, so it was just me and him.

"I'm happy I get to spend my break with you," Caleb commented, hugging me to him.

"Same," I said, and placed my head on his neck, giving it a light kiss. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Feisty," he responded, rubbing my back.

***

We were walking down the street to get some food late the next night when Caleb stopped me. He grabbed my hand pulling me close to him, and flipped it to where his hand was against my chest, and mine against his. He then rubbed his nose against mine, a small smile on his face.

"What's this for?" I asked.

"I'll be doing this a lot so you should get used to it," he replied.

"But why?" I asked.

"Because I want to," he chuckled. I searched his face. His green eyes did the same to mine. I eventually smiled and gave him a peck on his cheek.

We continued walking after that. When we finally arrived at the burger stop that Nory and I had eaten a few days prior, I totally forgot the interaction I had with Logan's brother. That is until I saw him inside.

"Let's leave," I said, ushering Caleb outside, moving quickly down the block.

"Doe, what's the matter?" Caleb asked, confused.

"It's nothing... I just don't want this food anymore it made me nauseous," I said.

"Doe--"

"I have morning sickness and am pregnant!" I said, still speed walking with him.

"Well, one, it's not morning and two, we've never done anything besides cuddling and kissing so that'd be a little concerning," he laughed, and then stopped me. "You have to tell me what's wrong." I ignored him and forced him to keep walking.

"Please, Doe!" Caleb said, after a while of me tugging him. I had already looked back repeatedly to make sure we weren't being followed. We were almost back at the hotel. It was getting to be a little too dark for comfort. There were hardly any street lights where we were walking.

"Well, Doe," Logan's brother said behind us, instantly filling me with dread. "Who's that you got there?" How did he even...

Caleb and I turned to see him standing there, his arms crossed.

"This here is my friend," I growled.

"No, I don't think that's the case," he said, stepping toward us. Caleb instinctively put me behind him.

"Who are you?" Caleb asked, coldly.

"Doe's ex-boyfriend's brother," he responded. "You her boyfriend?"

"No, he's not--"

"Yeah, I am," Caleb said. "What's it to you?" Caleb's colors were red. Logan's brother smirked and cracked his fingers.

"Caleb, I want to go home," I whispered. Instantly, his red color dulled and he looked at me.

"Okay sweetie," he said, "let's go."

"You're not going anywhere," Logan's brother snapped. "I'm making sure you both bleed before you go home. And in many places for you, Doe." He winked, making my blood boil. He's just like his pervert brother!

"Doe," Caleb turned to me, "run to any store that's opened and call the police." Before I could respond, Logan's brother lunged for me only to be intercepted by Caleb.

It was strange to be on the other side of things. Usually, when I fought I didn't care about how it looked or made other people feel. But now seeing them two fighting made me sick to my stomach with fear.

"Stop!" I screamed and jumped on top of Logan's brother. I put him in a choker hold, hoping it'd subdue him in any way possible. It worked, kinda.

He moved away from Caleb and then dropped onto his back, causing my head and back to hit the pavement. I groaned.

He got off of me and turned, a devious smirk on his face.

"I always wanted to see you lying below me," he commented. I attempted to stand, but he put his foot on my chest.

"Did I say you can move?" he snarled.

Caleb?! Where are you?!

I could barely focus my vision and couldn't see him anywhere. Did he leave me alone with this monster who wanted to do terrible things to me?!

"This is going to be a fun night," Logan's brother said, not sensing the shadowy figure approaching behind him.

The knife appeared like an alien coming out of his stomach and he screamed in agony.

"She's mine."

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A/N: Who do you think stabbed Logan's brother? There's only one logical answer, isn't there?

Vote and comment! Love to hear (or if we wanna get technical: read) your feedback! Again, apologies for not updating in like a month or two. I've been really busy with schoolwork. Thanks for the support! I'll try updating by Friday or next Wednesday! Until then :D.