Callum's POV:

I feel restless as I take a seat in class, the last few minutes spinning through my mind.

A part of me knows that Rhett wouldn't do what he said he would, he's simply messing with us. But the hard facts are there: Rhett has hurt Jake and he could easily do it again. And it would be worse this time.

"Callum?"

My knee jiggles restlessly and I've chewed at my thumbnail so much that it's started to bleed.

"Callum?"

What is Jake doing right now? Not much, probably, considering he is still in hospital. At least he is safe there.

A throat clears above my desk and I look up to see my tutor staring down his nose at me with a displeased expression on his face. I, too, notice most eyes are on me. I must have been making frustrated sounds aloud and it also appears I've missed a direct question.

"Huh?"

His eyebrows raise further, clearly not approving of my response.

"I only ask for an hour of your time a week, Mr Browning. If that is too much to ask for, you know where the door is."

I shrink a little in my seat and scowl. He continues the discussion and I try my best to focus.

When he dismisses everyone, we all gather our things and he makes a 'tsk' sound with his tongue, shaking his head.

"Not you."

I inwardly groan and collapse back onto my seat as everyone around me files out of the room.

"You weren't present in class today," he says to me. "You also haven't submitted the essay that was due yesterday."

I exhale, covering my face with my hands. "Shit."

"Language."

"The essay. It totally slipped my mind."

"What's going on?"

"I've had a personal crisis happen."

"I can give you an extension."

I shake my head. "The essay is done, I just needed to touch up a few things before submitting it. I'll have it in by tonight."

"All right," he says softly.

I swing my bag over my shoulder and he clears his throat.

"Callum."

I turn to face him and he is holding a card to me. I take it and look down.

"Have a think about it. Might do you some good."

I wordlessly nod and leave the room, rolling the card over in my hand.

He wants me to see a counsellor.

"Wouldn't be the first time," I mutter, before throwing the card in the closest bin.

***

The next day was filled with uniforms, questions, stale donuts and a lot of waiting around.

I made a formal statement against Rhett and the officer advised me–due to the CC footage on campus of gathered evidence of him following me along with Jake's statement of the attack–I have enough of a case to get an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) out on him and considering the brutality of Jake's attack, he has placed one as well.

Rhett is supposed to be issued the papers tomorrow and we all need to attend court on the 17th of this month. I am dreading every moment leading up to it. I never thought things would ever get to this point.

Footage from the bakery across the street matched Rhett's car at the scene where Jake was taken and he has been charged with assault. He will have to attend court for that, as well.

Jake has been released from the hospital and we are laying in his bed, a bowl of popcorn between us and an old, thriller movie playing in the background.

"I feel like I could sleep for three days," says Jake, a weary look etched onto his face as his eyes drift shut.

"Go to sleep," I say softly.

He nestles his head into me and I comb my fingers through his hair, chewing my popcorn and gazing at the T.V.

This entire week has been chaos. A chaos I never thought would plague my life.

When a soft snore emits from Jake, I slowly detach myself and he rolls over, snuggling into the pillows. I edge out of the room as if walking on egg shells and head to the kitchen, where Ellie and Haze are. There's a caramel-scented candle lit and soft music playing the background.

"How is he?" Ellie asks with concern.

"He's fine, just tired."

"And you?"

"About the same."

She rubs a hand on my shoulder. "Are you sure? I know Rhett and you were friends."

"I can't believe he was capable of this."

"I know."

Rubbing my hands over my face, I sink into the lounge. "I don't want to go through all this."

"I know."

"And Jake, either."

"This isn't your fault."

"It sort of is, though, isn't it?" I ask her, peeling my fingers away from my face. "I enabled him."

Ellie gives a firm head shake. "No, Callum, he is the one to blame for this."

I don't argue about it. No matter what she says or what facts there are, I am partly to blame for this mess and I will never forgive myself for it.

***

Ma is now settled into her house and it's a strange, nostalgic feeling to see all our things scattered around this new place. I settle into the lounge and smile to myself. It's a nice feeling having her so close.

Ellie and I have already had dinner three times here and it's only been a week. I can't knock Ma's cooking. I've missed it so much. Jake and Haze have been close behind, both of them devouring her lemon meringue pies and carrot cake desserts like they've never had a proper meal before.

"Where's Jake today?" Ma asks as she wipes over the kitchen bench, although it is already shining clean under the drop-down lights.

"He... ah... is with his mum," I answer.

I've filled her in on the latest but she stills looks surprised.

"Oh?"

"Yeah, they're taking it slow but he's trying to spend more time with her."

"That's lovely."

"Yeah. This is the second time they've seen each other this week. I think he's really enjoying it. He seems happier. Considering everything else," I sigh, the advancing court date clear in my mind. My stomach clenches uncomfortably every time I think about it.

"And Haze?"

I shake my head. "Haze doesn't want anything to do with her. Either of them."

Ma nods, understanding in her eyes. "Yes. Well, that's his choice. I don't blame him for that."

"Me either."

"Interesting, isn't it? One child not wanting anything to do with them and one that tries to hard for a relationship."

"Haze dealt with it a lot more than Jake. He was hurt by it a lot worse."

"Very true. Such a shame about their father."

We both look to each other, then, surely both thinking the same thing. My father was no saint either.

"Mm," I say.

Another ping from her phone draws my attention.

"You have been getting a lot of messages today."

Her skin flushes a dark red. I quirk an eyebrow and she blushes harder.

"What aren't you telling me?"

"I may have joined a dating app."

I press my lips together for a moment. "Oh."

"Yes."

"And how is that going for you?"

"Fine," says Ma with a sheepish smile. "I have a date on Friday."

"That's great!"

"And another on Saturday."

"Ma!"

"What?" she exclaims, looking uncomfortable as she wipes over the kitchen sink. "Nothing wrong with that, is it?"

"I just didn't peg you as the type to... play the field."

"Okay, enough," she begs, ducking her chin.

I grin at her but don't tease her any more. Once she has cleaned the kitchen more thoroughly than needed, she joins me on the lounge with a glass of merlot in her hand.

"What are we watching tonight?"

"Your choice this time."

She flicks through Netflix and I pull a blanket over my legs. A message comes through while I wait.

Jake: Everything is going fine, I'll meet you in an hour or so. See you soon x

I smile at my phone, pleased it's going well.

Callum: See you soon x

---------------

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✨✨✨ Remember I have a number of other completed novels available to read on my profile such as; Coach's Number One, Downright Delinquents, Childhood Sweethearts, Darker Than Sin (paid story), Bad Liar, Chasing Casey, Faithless and a couple of short stories as well ✨✨✨