P H O E N I X

Kaden didn't come to school for the next week. In fact, he hadn't spoken since the night we were in the tub. He wouldn't tell me the reason behind his tears despite me asking.

Instead, I bought him the mountain of work he had to do. With finals just around the corner, the stress was piling up. But then I figured maybe school might take his mind off other things.

Once I rode my bike to his place and heaved the heavy backpack off, I spotted someone coming out of the house.

He was much older looking. I recognised him as Kaden's dad. He stopped when he spotted me, rubbing his head in thought.

"Phoeb. . . no, Phoenix isn't it? Julie's daughter?"

I nodded. "Nice to meet you."

"And you. It's been a while, how's your mother doing?"

"Good," I answered, looking past his shoulder to see Kaden standing against the doorframe, arms folded.

His father noticed my gaze and sighed. "He hasn't been doing well lately. I've considered taking him to a doctor but he refuses."

"Kaden's strong. He'll get better in no time." I said hopefully.

He nodded along with what I was saying. "Thank you. For being a friend to my son. I know it's not easy."

I had nothing to say to that so I nodded. After that, he bid me farewell and I went up to the front door. It was already open but Kaden was further inside.

I found him in the kitchen, drinking straight out of a carton of orange juice. In the space of a week, his exterior had rapidly changed. His cheeks were hollower. The shadows under his eyes were darker. He seemed to lose a considerable amount of pounds too.

"Work?" He wiped an arm across his mouth under his bright red nose and motioned to the bag.

"To help with finals." I heaved the bag off and pulled out the sheets and books on the counter.

He came closer to sift through them, keeping a considerable gap between us. Clad in a thick sweater and coughing every other minute made me realise that his dad was right.

"Maybe you should go to a doctor."

"I'm fine." He responded and then immediately stiffened when there was a ping from my phone.

I took it out slowly, reading the text from Kat which told me to pick up a snickers bar on the way home because she was craving. By the time I texted back a reply, Kaden had already left the room.

I found him on the couch, staring aimlessly at the t.v. It was like watching a ghost. The more I watched him, the more I wanted to do something about it. So I crouched down before him, placing my palms on the side of his face and forcing him to look my way.

"Talk to me."

He stared back at me for what seemed like ages before cracking a small smile. "You worry too much." And brushed me off.

"Do you blame me?"

"It's just a virus. It'll go away in a few days."

"You know that's not it." I sighed and then in a much quieter voice, "What happened that night?"

There was nothing from his end. Not a crease showed on his face or even a muscle twitch. It was like talking to a rock.

After a few minutes of an intense staring competition, I eventually looked away. As I was getting up, he laced his fingers around mine, again not saying anything but he didn't have to.

I let myself be tugged onto the couch. I let my fingers stay interlocked with his and we stayed in that position for some while. Images flickered before my eyes but none of it registered. What did though, was Kaden's soft snores and when I looked up his chin was tucked into his chest as he was fast asleep.

Slowly, I got up from my slumped position and gently pushed him until he was lying on his side. I went into the kitchen looking for something to eat but all I found was microwave meals. Even then, the expiry date showed they were inedible.

So I decided to go shopping. I checked on Kaden, seeing the steady rise and fall of his chest before grabbing my jacket and the keys from the counter. As I was doing so, my eyes caught Kaden's phone. He'd gotten a new one recently. It was cheap looking and when I unlocked it, I saw there were only three contacts: his mom and his dad. And me.

The trip to the supermarket was short. I browsed the shelves for something, microwave meals mostly but as I was about to put one in my basket, I decided against it. Instead, I went into the fruit and veg aisle, picking out the ingredients for a stirfry. I got some meat, pasta and other things that didn't need to be microwaved.

By the time I got back, it wasn't just Kaden and me in the house. I knew as soon as I shut the front door with my foot since my hands were full carrying groceries. I went into the kitchen to find Kaden on a stool.

And the detective.

They both looked up as I entered.

"What's going on?" I addressed Kaden but it was Callum who answered.

"There's been an incident. I just need to ask Kaden a few questions."

"What kind of an incident?" I prodded.

"I can't say much but I can say that a life has been lost. A young life." He looked at Kaden and sighed. "I'll try again. Where were you on the 19th between the hours of 11pm to 3am?"

"He was with me." I instantly blurted out, putting the bags to one side and approaching the detective.

"Phoenix--"

"I stayed over that night." I said a little more forcefully. "We were together the whole night."

Callum turned to Kaden. "Is that right?"

He nodded.

"I noticed your car is missing too." He raised a brow in inquiry.

"I left it at the garage," Kaden said. "Engine problems."

"What has this got to do with anything?" I questioned.

"Nothing." Callum straightened up to his full height. "Thanks for your time. If you hear anything, you know how to contact me."

I nodded, watching his back disappear and then the sound of the front door closing. What followed after was silence.

I stared at the bags I'd left by the doorway and then at Kaden, ready to find out what I wanted to know. Except when I turned to him, he abruptly got off the chair and stumbled to the sink.

I followed, placing my hand on his back and rubbing it as he puked into the basin. He turned on the tap and pressed an arm over his eyes.

"Go." I heard his muffled voice say.

"What?"

"Go home, Phoenix."

"I'm not leaving you like this." He was still hunched over, not seeing me.

"You can't do anything about this-- about me."

"If you let me--"

"No, there's nothing to do."

I went to place my hand on his arm. "Ka--"

"Just go!" He almost yelled, his words were laced with venom. He dropped his arm and looked me straight in the eye. "Just go home."

I should have stayed. Ignored the bitterness in his voice. But I backed away and kept on backing away until I couldn't see him anymore. Until he was out of my sight.