I was having breakfast when Casey calls me, at first, I ignore the call, because I don't think that I can have a conversation with her without talking about everything that's been going on.

But when she calls for the third time in a row I have no choice but to call her back. She picks up from the first ring. Not a good sign.

"Where are you? Why haven't you been answering to me?" She asks in a rush. "I was a bit busy, sorry. What happened?" I ask, and she sighs in a relief.

"Oh god, I thought something have happened to you. Have you seen the news?" Casey babbled on. "Casey, I am fine. I didn't have time for it yet. What happened?"  I put the call on loud as I open the news. One of the biggest highlights is a fire.  "The café, the one you work in, was burned down. They found several bodies there and I remembered that you had a shift there today. I thought...." Casey didn't need to end her sentence.

"I was there, but I felt bad, I think I got food poisoning, so I left early." I explained to Casey. I could have died there. I was supposed to die in there. If I didn't listen to Elyssa I could have died there. Fuck, Lexi was still there, at the time of accident. Oh my god. She is probably hospitalized. And it's all my fault.

"Oh, thank god, I was nearly calling the police and your parents and..." Casey went on with the panic before I cut her off. "I am fine, Casey, please calm down. Do you want me to take video of my fine self and send to you as a proof?" I tried to make a joke out of it to calm both of us down. I need to be calm, its nothing. I am fine. I can't let Casey know. I can't endanger her.

She chuckled and sighed. "Do you want me to come there? Do you need anything for you stomach? I can send them over." Casey asked with another wave of small worry. I shook my head while answering as if she could see me through the phone. "No, no, don't worry. I am better now. If you want I can come visit you tomorrow." I suggested knowing that Casey won't calm down until she sees me.

"Tomorrow I can't. Its Daren's birthday. He told me to tell you too, he doesn't have your new number or anything." Casey hesitated to talk about Daren but went on anyway.

"I can't go there. I can't." I said and Casey groaned on the other side of the line. "Don't make me go in to another lecture about your parents. Your problem is with your dad not him. Stop punishing him for nothing. He really misses you." Casey went on and I rubbed my head with my hands.

I hate the fact that she is right.

"I just can't go because of my exams and the café stuff. It is a bit stressful. Maybe another time." Also, I can't leave my house for the fear of dying. Casey sighed and didn't press on the matter any longer.

"Liv, I really love you, and I worry about you. And I am not gonna lie you sound like shit. I am coming over whether you like it or not." Casey said in a tone that didn't leave any place for arguing. I sighed. "Bring food then." I said. She chuckled and hung up.

I sighed and looked around the apartment. Most of my art supplies were scattered around everywhere and house had a heavy smell of paint. I sighed and opened windows to let in the fresh air and cleaned up a bit to make this place seem livable. 

Soon enough Casey arrived with take-out food and medicine. I hugged her tightly and she chuckled. "I know, I am your savior, now eat up." I chuckled and pulled away from her. We talked about everything but the incident and fire. It was clear that Casey was trying to distract me from it. Only if she knew that there were much more to the fire and so-called accident of it. 

Casey went over to take a look at my paints and brushes while I cleaned up. "Wow." I heard her say and looked at her direction. She was standing in front of my latest painting. My storm, my sea and my boat.

Shit shit shit. I don't think that one is for viewing. I did it just to clean up my mind. I walked towards her and noticed the glow in her eyes as she was viewing the painting. "So, what do you think?" I asked with caution. I was so afraid of her hating it or worst, loving it.  She smiled. "It is beautiful. I think you really outdid yourself." I sighed and looked at the painting. From the outsiders' point of view, it was a beautiful landscape. But I could see the story behind it and it made me feel like shit.

"I know you don't want to hear it or even talk about it. But, here's Daren's number. Just call him from my phone. He would love to talk to you or even know that you are alive."

I took Casey's phone and looked at the number. Daren's number. I could talk to him but so much is going on in my head right now that I don't think I can. I can't add another problem.

"I heard you cry last night. Olivia, do you need my help? You know whatever it is I am always here for you okay?" Daren moved closer and took my hands in his. "I am your big annoying brother, that's my duty. Just please, talk to me. I know you are not alright."

Memory of us in living room popped on to my head. Back then I smiled and shook my head. I am fine, just a headache. I never told him anything, when all he did was wanting to help me. But how do you talk about such horrid thing with him?

Thing is I told him I am going away because mom and dad won't let me pursue art as a career. But truth is much more twisted.

"I know that you hate you parents with passion. I understand that. But you don't have to punish your brother because of their mistakes." Casey said and brushed my back with her hand. "I know but what do I tell him if he asks about it?" I whispered and Casey. "He won't. I talked with him and he just wants to know how you are doing. Nothing else, nothing more."

I sighed and dialed the number. "Hey, Casey what's up?" Daren picked up from the third ring. My breath caught up in my throat. I forgot how he sounded. "Hey Daren." I said, and noticed the shakiness of my voice.

I took deep breaths in effort to calm myself down. Casey squeezed my hand, encouraging me to go on. "Oh gods, Olivia. How are you?" Daren chuckled nervously. "I missed you, Livy why didn't you call?" He added immediately. I cleared my throat. "I am sorry, I should have. But I couldn't. Then I got lessons and... I shouldn't have cut you off." I admitted and waited for him to speak.

"It's okay, I just missed my sister and you promised you would keep in contact." Daren accused me again. Yeah, I did promise that. But as soon as I got far away from them all I got afraid of being pulled back in. So, I cut off everything.

"But anyway. You said you are taking lessons? Can you draw a perfect painting of me yet?" Daren joked and I chuckled. Conversation went over from there and I felt fine, for the first time today, I didn't worry about anything.