Cracking
*Virginia* The car ride back to Caleb’s house is suffocating. The silence is heavy, and the weight of everything that has just happened hangs in the air like an ominous cloud. I glance over at Caleb, slumped against the window, his eyes fluttering closed and then snapping back open, the remnants of anger still flickering like a dying flame within him. When we finally pull up to his house, I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what’s to come. “Caleb,” I say gently, shaking his shoulder to rouse him. “You are home.” He stirs, looking disoriented for a moment before his eyes focus on me. “What are you doing here?” he slurs, blinking rapidly, trying to shake off the haze of alcohol and anger. “I’m taking you inside,” I answer, my voice firm but soft. “You need to sleep this off.” He
- Writer
