Kaleb Dean Sivaj
Not long after he pumped Brik's chest, the boy had rolled onto his side spewing blood mingled with water across the floor of the cave. His high still in effect, Kaleb found himself staring into his stomach contents. Blood Was all he could think as Tristan asked the question that was an all their minds. They were supposed to be friends, and every day Brik grew more and more distant, withering away and visiting the hospital more frequently. Did he think they were all stupid? That they couldn't see through his front?
The accusatory stare he blazed into Kaleb's direction made Kaleb's face slate from worry into an emotionless vault. 'I just saved your life. Kaleb thought venomously, walking away from the paled boy who seemed like he couldn't care less about the friendships they all had made over the years. Yet again he grabbed the tequila bottle, taking a shot before walking over to Summer as she tried to lessen the tension.
His face remained stagnant, but inwardly he smiled at Summer - he always preferred calling her by her given name, at least when they were alone or mentally. It was so fitting for her, she was like the sun rising on their cloudy mood. An image of the sun tattooed on his inner wrist flashed to mind, although he had never admitted it, it was meant to signify Summer. As she asked for a paper, Kaleb walked to the boat where his jacket remained, withdrawing a pack of joint papers he always kept on him. Carefully selecting one he then handed it to Summer, swinging his bottle as he walked.
He watched out of the corner of his eye as Brik once again pretended like nothing was wrong. Kaleb didn't often lash out at his friends, he never wanted to lose control of his anger around them, however Brik was pushing it. Instead Kaleb kept his mouth shut, wrapping an arm around Bones from where she stood. With the affection of a brother, he kissed the top of her head. Not many saw his much of a broken girl Avery truly was, however as her unofficial big brother he knew it all, or so he thought. He knew seeing a friend that she perceived as another big brother role almost die could be upsetting. Kaleb once again felt the need to jump to his girls' needs. "He said he'll be fine, I wouldn't worry about it." Kaleb said nonchalantly before the girl could ask.
Summer rolled the joint, and Kaleb could see a burning blunt in Tristan's hand. "Pass that shit, homie." Plucking it from the boy's hand, Kaleb neatly brought the blunt to his lips - taking a slow and long hit. He felt like he owed Brik nothing, he had just saved the damn kids life! Brik should've been kissing Kaleb's ass right now, but instead Kaleb was made to feel like the bad guy for being the one to grant him another chance, sometimes Brik could be..."So selfish." Kaleb thought out loud acidly, spitting onto the floor a piece of the broken up Cannabis that had flew into his mouth as he took his last hit, handing the blunt to Bones just next to him.
Sodapop, who he was sure would be angered as well at Brik's indifference to his friend's concern, took out her cocaine once more, taking a few bumps. He thought about his cigarettes, he definitely needed one after all this. Detaching himself from Bones, Kaleb saw where Summer had laid down his cigarettes, plucking the red and white pack to withdraw one tobacco packed paper, lighting it with his zippo that he also had left in his jacket.
Bones had returned the blunt to Tristan, Kaleb noted, eyes then shifting to Jaylene as her body began to shake, a sure sign that she was getting sick. She walked to the lake, Kaleb watching carefully but remaining where he was. Jaylene didn't like being babied, Kaleb had learned, if they all were to rush to her as soon as she keeled over it would most likely result in her making a witty remark that they were worrying too much. However as the girl landed on all fours, heaving into the water, Kaleb rushed to her side. Reaching her once she brought herself upright, murmuring "That's nice, just beautiful.", Kaleb gathered her into his arms, helping pull her to her feet and keeping her small frame pressed against his chest. Sweetly his hand petted her hair, then rubbing her back in a soothing movements.
He loved his friends, it pained him to see Brik treat them like strangers and hide his pain. It hurt him to see Sodapop's body betray her and get sick from being overwhelmed with drugs and drama. He remembered the words Soda had whispered in his ear just before he set her down.
"Your good at making me feel alive."
It was a tender notion, that the boy who set fires to tell alive could ignite life in another. But Jaylene was his girl, as was Madison and Avery and Summer. He tried to be all they ever needed in a man. It was easy to be sweet and kind to a friend, they were all such affectionate people their sentiments to one another seemed to lose its sexual appeal and just seemed normal. None of his girl friends really had a serious boy friend, but to a few that he knew were talking to his girls it would be lying if Kaleb said he hadn't had a "talk" with them - intimidating them into never breaking their hearts.
But he had to admit he couldn't do everything for them, a girl had needs after all. Kaleb figured that's what flings were for, or masturbation. But besides that, Kaleb would be the only boyfriend they would ever need. Holding Jaylene close, he softly swayed to the music the radio played although the beat of the song was much quicker than the rhythm he moved in. "You know when we first thought about your name Sodapop, I was reminded of that book the Outsiders - have you ever read it?" Albeit her response he continued, "I thought it was so perfect for you, the kid Sodapop in the book was this happy guy that all the girls loved, he had blonde hair like yours. Anyways, what made me think it fit you the most is because of how sincere he was. This dude would do anything for his homies," he smiled down to the gorgeous girl he held in his arms, gently kissing his forehead, "just like you would. Brik will come around and tell us what's up eventually, just give him time. Maybe he needs to figure something's out himself before he lets us in." Kaleb wasn't very good at calming himself down, but he thought he was a damn pro at helping others. He looked back to where the group stood, feeling his gut wrench in discomfort as the drugs began to take more of an effect. That was what he really enjoyed about molly, the high just kept growing more and more until you fell into a hallucination filled dreams.
The had made this life for themselves, fueled on drug spun memories and partying teens had put the selves in a life so many looked down on. Kaleb closed his eyes, images running through his mind of their days. Sodapop posing for a picture he had taken - tongue blue and looking beautiful as always. The one day he had gotten so drunk he had fallen, a vision of red heels and the woman who wore them legs, and her friend. It had been his last memory of that party that had been so wild he woke up on a floating device in their pool with no recollection how he had gotten there. It was nights like that they lived for, but were they just living life now to only struggle later?
