November 13th

Chapter 1: Anniversary

I sighed hard. He was truthful when he said no. Once again, I felt like an asshole. But can you blame me? All those years he spent around Marco, doing war crimes?

"I... I'm fine with telling you why, though. I just didn't want to tell you in case you thought I was trying to guilt trip you into letting me stay home. I promise it's not because I want to get out of going to school." He sort of rambled without looking at me.

"I don't think you're guilt tripping me. You willingly went to school sick, I know you aren't about cutting classes," I laughed.

"Okay," he nodded, and started slowly, "Today's the day my mother died."

I immediately felt guilty for thinking he was being nefarious, and my heart sank.

Skylar came over, "Are you going to be okay?"

"I'll be fine," he nodded, "Leon used to let me skip training today because of it. I just kind of don't want to be in public."

"I forgot it was today," Glitch face-palmed.

"Well, of course you can stay home." I leaned over and put a hand on his shoulder, "I'm sorry, Zack. Sorry for asking you if you're evil."

"I understand," he laughed, "I used to be."

"Do you want me to stay home?" Skylar asked, "If you need to talk or anything, or we can play video games to take your mind off it?"

I knew Skylar wasn't asking just to get out of school either. She loves school. Her and Zack have been through a lot together, though, so I admire that she's willing to skip school to help her friend.

"Oh gosh, you don't have to skip school on my behalf," he said, "I've talked your ear off enough about that stuff."

"No, that wasn't you. Wynne took my ear, remember?"

Zack snorted a laugh, "You know what I mean."

"Well, I don't mind." Skylar said, then came over to me, "Plus, Zack said it himself- if something does happen at school today and he's not there, then what am I going to do?"

"Burn people." Glitch said, "Burn them alive with your bare hands, probably."

"Shh!" Skylar hissed through her teeth, "I'm trying to skip school here!"

"Okay, okay." I laughed, "You can stay home... but if Zack wants to be left alone, don't pester him."

"I think I can play a few games." Zack said with a smile, "But I'd definitely rather you be here than possibly in danger."

"Does that mean I can go back to bed?" Glitch asked.

"It's fine with me," I nodded and smiled. Sure, education is important, but Sky won't be far behind missing a day of school.

Glitch got up, doing a sluggish dance, and came around the table to give Zack a pat on the back, "Wake me up if you need anything, okay?"

"Okay," Zack nodded.

"Caleb and I are going to be working in our office if you need us," I stood up, giving him another pat on the shoulder.

"Thanks," Zack said, then looked at Skylar, "What games do you want to play?"

After a back and forth of "No you choose, no you choose", they settled on a game and went into the living room. I went into the office, attached to the living room. Caleb was at his desk already, typing away on his laptop. I sat down across from him at my desk with a sigh.

"What's up?" He didn't look away from his computer.

I thought for a few seconds, trying to once again process that my best friend is dead.

"The kids stayed home from school today... Zack told me today was the day Liv died."

He stopped typing and looked up at me, "Really? Today?"

I nodded, "He was hesitant to ask, but I wasn't going to say no... especially not after that."

"Oh, of course," he nodded, then asked after a moment, "Are you okay?"

I nodded, "Probably okay-er than he is. I wasn't even in her life anymore when she died."

Saying that reminded me of the last time I had ever seen her. We were getting ready to train together, which we did twice a week. She was telling me she had met a guy and was really into him and I was happy for her, but the second she mentioned who it was, I couldn't fight the panic. I said... unkind things to her. The last thing I remembered was the hurt look in her eyes when I left, and it's haunted me ever since. There were moments I considered coming back, but I didn't know how to. I didn't think I could just leave and come back, and I was even more scared of being around Marco.

He came around from his desk and put a hand on my shoulder, "You did what you had to do."

"I wish I were as confident about that as you are," I said quietly. "I just..."

I fought back tears, "I was a coward. I didn't even say goodbye..."

He hugged me, "You're not a coward. Marco almost killed you. You didn't want to be around him. If that meant giving her up too..."

"Why do I let him drive me away from everyone and everything I care about?"

Caleb let go of me and shrugged, "He has dynamite for hands. It's really hard to get around that."

I couldn't help but laugh. I didn't feel much better. I never do. But it felt good to laugh.

He smiled and rubbed my shoulder once again before going back around to his desk, "You know, I'm sure she wouldn't have held it against you. She was way too nice for that."

I opened my laptop, looking at my reflection in the dark screen, "We'll never know now..."

"Don't make me bring up Dynamite Hands again."

I laughed, "Okay, okay."