Chapter 18
Hope sat on the bed still a little shaken she wasn't sure what had gotten into Joshua yesterday, but he had no right in saying what he had to her about Caleb. If that was the truth, why hadn't he thrown her out in the morning instead of spending the whole day with her? She'd know the truth later when he came around and she'd prove Joshua wrong. She'd thought he'd changed, but after yesterday she wasn't too sure. They'd all be heading to college in a few days so she sure hoped this shit would blow over.
Caleb had already told her he'd be studying at the same college as her, he wanted to be a gym instructor so he'd be taking the same course as her for a totally different reason. She'd told him she'd be going back to the camp next summer not to train, but to help train. He was happy for her the camp had done her a world of good she wasn't that scared little girl anymore and she could take care of herself. But last night she felt like she was falling apart she had no choice in doing what she did she was fucking scared. Scared of what he'd do if her training hadn't kicked in.
She'd been on her laptop Scar and the others had sent her some techniques they wanted her to try until they returned home in six months, he'd told her that he'd sent it to is brother to so they could train together.
The dial tone rang out. She smiled when she who was calling. She answered the group chat. "Hey guys."
"Hey Hope how's things?"
"Weird."
"How?"
"I don't know."
"You can tell us hun, we're all going through the same thing."
"I don't know. Things were on track for a few days."
"But?"
"It all seemed to change."
"How?"
"Erm."
"Tell us Hope. He's not hitting you again is he?"
"No, he just went el psycho on me."
"What do you mean?"
"I went out with Caleb."
"He's the boyfriend right?"
"Yeah."
"His BFF?"
"Yeah, but they're two different people."
"So why happened Hope and no cutting corners."
"I stayed over at Caleb's."
"Mmh Mmh."
"We spent all day yesterday together and when I came home he had a fit."
"Did you and Caleb do the deed?"
She flushed.
"Oh my god girl you're no longer on the v club congrats.'
She sat flushed.
"Anyway back to it. Why did he snap at you?'
"I don't know he said he was worried.'
They scoffed yeah like right.
"He and my step dad had an argument he practically accused Caleb of being a rapist. When he's not. We had consensual sex for fuck sake, if I wasn't ready he would've understood."
"He's lost it, Hope."
"I know."
"There's something else isn't there?"
"He came to my room and started hurling abuse about how Caleb only wanted me for sex and now he's had it he's going to throw me to the curb."
"And what do you think Hope?"
"I haven't known Caleb long, but he seems genuine he's always taken care of me since I got here."
"There's your answer right there Hope."
"I know. I snapped back at him and he went loop the fucking loop he pinned me down."
"He did what?"
"He pined me to the bed, after I told him what he'd told me over and over again that I wasn't his sister and he hated me.'
"Shit Hope are you okay?"
"I don't think I would be, he fucking scared me my training kicked in and I threw him across the room."
They smirked. "Good on you Hope, we're all proud of you."
"I was scared shitless and I didn't think I would be with all other training we all had."
"It's understandable Hope with everything you had to endure from him. Once a bully always a bully hun."
"I know."
The door knocked. "Are you decent Hope?"
"Yeah sure, come in."
He stepped on the room kissing her. "How are you babe?"
"I'm fine Caleb."
Cough cough.
"Oh sorry guys this is Caleb Caleb my friends from camp."
He looked at the screen. "Hey guys. It's nice to meet you even if it isn't face to face Hope has talked none stop about you and the camp."
"Same she never shut up about you either."
He smirked.
"We have to go Hope, but we'll talk soon, we have a surprise for you."
"What kind of surprise?"
"It wouldn't be a surprise if we told you would it?"
"I guess not." She said, disappointedly.
"Later Hope, Caleb."
"Later guys."
She looked off after the call ended. "Your friends seem cool."
"They are."
"I wonder what the surprise is?"
"I guess you're going to have to wait til you talk to them again." He said, kissing her neck.
"I guess."
He tuned her to face him. "I'm sure it's nothing bad Hope surprises can be fun."
"I guess."
He smiled at her pressing his lips on hers kissing her.
Caleb had said his goodbyes after supper leaving Hope to her thoughts of how Caleb had proved Joshua wrong.
"Hey Hope Con I come in?"
She looked at the door. "So you're asking now instead of barging in."
"Please Hope, can we talk?"
"Yeah sure, come in Josh."
He smiled stepping in closing the door making her nervous. He strode over to the bed sitting next to her. "Look Hope I'm sorry about everything that happened yesterday. I know I was wrong and it was none of my business. I should've listened to what dad said and I'm sorry, I freaked out. I should never have said those things about Caleb."
"But you did."
"I know and I'm sorry. He's my best friend and I've never seen him like this with a girl before. He doesn't do relationships for along time usually Til they put out and he leaves them. I thought he would be like that with you too. But, I was wrong and you both proved me wrong, so I'm sorry."
"It's fine Josh, really."
"It's not and I should never have scared you like that either. I don't know what got into me."
"It's fine, all forgotten."
He smiled. Pulling her in for a hug. "I hope we can be friends Hope and try and be brother and sister too."
"Me too."