Love Misunderstood

"When's your birthday?" "

"Twenty third February, why?"

It is now Thursday, and Caden and I are sitting on the floor under the tree like usual. Ever since we made up, we have spent all week sitting with each other; we have been inseparable. He has been coming round my house nearly every day, Brody was so happy to see him again, but I can tell mum doesn't really approve of him being around us, maybe it's his leather jacket.

"I just realised we don't really know each other well, and your birthday is... wait the twenty third is this Saturday. Why didn't you tell me?"

"It's not important. I don't really pay attention to it; it just reminds me of Rose." I put my head on his shoulder, feeling sad for him, I wish I could do more but I hope be being here for him is enough for now.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to bring that up."

"It's okay; don't worry. I've accepted she is not coming back; it just gets harder with each passing year." My arms are round my legs up against my chest and I snuggle into his neck more for comfort and I notice him smile down at me.

*

The bell rings, and that means it's the end of the day. Caden and I arranged to meet at the tree before class ended. So we can go to the park with Brody. We start walking near the car park, and as we are walking, I can't help but remember those words that have stuck to me like glue.

"You know what you did!"

But that's the problem; I don't know what I did to make him so angry with me, maybe it wasn't at me but someone else?

He is still not fully recovered from when I saw his dad beat him. He flinches more, and he is more aware of anyone coming near him. I asked him why he didn't just leave and get away from the source of the pain.

"I can't tell anyone that my own father is beating me because he is paying for my mother's health and wellbeing. He may hate me, but he still loves her, even if he loses control most of the time. He threatened me once and said that if I told anyone anything about what he was doing to me, he would stop paying for my mother's treatment. That is how sick that man is; if his son tells someone the truth, he will put his own wife's life in danger."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Just be there for me, and I will be okay," he smiles at me.

"Just, okay?" I say it in a teasing way.

"Okay, just be there for me, and I will be very happy."

"That's more like it."

We were busy laughing until I got a text and read that it was from my mom.

Mum:

We are having a barbeque later, so make sure to get a nice outfit and tell me what food you want in case I forget. A few of our neighbours are coming (a few means every single one of them); you can invite some people if you want. I will see you later.

"Anyone interesting?"

"Just my mum about tonight; we are having a barbeque, and she has invited a lot of people, none of whom I will really care about, so I'll just be bored." He just hums in response, and I want to invite him, but I don't know how to ask him.

"Unless...maybe... I don't know; you wouldn't mind coming and keeping me company? You don't have to if you don't want to-"

"Yes." Laughter fills the air.

**

It is now almost five, and the barbeque starts around six, so I have a bit of time to kill, so I decide to call Clara.