Pitbabe S2, Chapter 13 pg5

 Pitbabe S2, Chapter 13 pg5

   Normally, I’d think the same, but this time was different. I didn’t feel like we could talk again. This wasn’t just another fight or petty spite like before.

   “We’re done…”

   “How could you be done?” Jeff hugged me tighter, his small hands rubbing my back as if to comfort me, but it didn’t help at all. “Phii Babe wouldn’t break up with you.”

   “No. He made me choose,” I sobbed, tears flooding out like a dam had burst. I had no control left—not even over my own body, which refused to obey me anymore.

   “I chose… I chose this.”

   “And do you want to break up with Phii Babe?”

   I don’t know.

   I don’t know a damn thing.

   “…Why did it have to be today?”

   I’m annoyed at myself for constantly sobbing; it makes breathing harder, and my chest feels twice as tight. It’s like my heart is being squeezed, and eventually, it’ll explode. I’ll die instantly, just like Babe said, “Go die somewhere.”

   “Charlie…”

   Jeff hugs me, crying. I want to comfort him, but I have no strength left.

   I’m going to die too.

   “It’s his birthday today…”

   Just thinking that from now on, Babe will have to remember this on every birthday makes me feel like the worst person in the world.

   Not just today, but I’ll be the reason Babe is unhappy for years, maybe forever. At least one day a year—his birthday, a day that should be special and joyful—my stupidity will haunt him, ruining his good moments like an evil curse.

   

   ALAN:

   This year’s birthday for Babe is the worst. Usually, we make it great every year. Everyone gathers at my place in the late afternoon, preparing food and drinks, cooking (mostly my job), setting up the place and extra stuff. As the sun sets, the party starts. We eat and drink to our hearts’ content, talking about deep life problems, silly nonsense, embarrassing stories, and secrets we’ve never told anyone. When we’re tipsy enough, we play pranks. Last year, Babe was punished to wear a mermaid tail and perform an underwater show. Charlie kissed me (I still want to puke thinking about it). North had to end every sentence with “Ping.” It was crazy, but we had so much fun we didn’t want Babe’s birthday to end.

   But this year, things went weird when Charlie didn’t show up. Babe seemed fine at first, but as time passed, his worry slowly showed. Eventually, he left the group. I was concerned but didn’t do much beyond thinking to myself, hoping some quiet time alone would calm him. Reality proved the opposite.

   The commotion from the front yard silenced our drinking circle without anyone needing to say a word. Everyone exchanged nervous glances. No one dared move, except Jeff, who got up the moment he heard the noise. He didn’t get close to the two but peeked from inside the house, just enough to grasp the situation, then returned to his seat and said flatly, “Same old fight.”

   At first, we weren’t too worried. Simply put, those two always argue. Often, Babe overreacts. This time, it was probably about Charlie being late—maybe a bit bigger than usual since it’s an important day, but not alarming. Everyone resumed drinking, relaxing.

   Until we heard Charlie’s shout.

   That stopped the party instantly. I looked to Jeff for his take. He seemed calmer than the rest, but his eyes betrayed him. Babe’s yelling was almost like his normal voice; we’re used to it. But that tone from Charlie wasn’t normal. The kid is always calm and composed. I think he’s more mature than an old captain like me. In all the time I’ve known him, I’ve never heard Charlie’s voice so loud and filled with such rage.

   All we could do was hide in a corner, watching from the house. Their voices rose in bursts, letting us catch some words but not others. I was pretty sure it was serious—not just their usual bickering. Babe looked furious, and Charlie was no different. They argued, hurling emotions and harsh words at each other for a long time before things slowly quieted. We didn’t hear Charlie and Babe fighting anymore. I sighed in relief, thinking the two kids finally sorted it out. But they disappointed me again. Suddenly, Babe drove off, while Charlie sat clutching his chest on the ground, looking like he was about to die.

   “Hey!”

   I let out a yelp. Suddenly, the bespectacled kid who had been sprawled out on the sofa shot upright, even though I thought he’d passed out after Jeff gave him those meds.

   “Where are you going?” I asked as Charlie pulled car keys from his pocket and strode quickly toward the front door. “Charlie?”

   He didn’t answer, acting like he hadn’t heard me.

   “Cha…”

   I was about to run after him, but Jeff grabbed my arm. He watched Charlie’s back, then turned to meet my eyes. He shook his head slowly, as if saying, “Let him go.”

   “Is it okay to let him leave like this?” Despite Jeff’s words, I couldn’t help but worry. Charlie didn’t seem normal at all. He wasn’t his usual fully lucid self, and that pain from earlier—there was no telling when it might flare up again.

   “I’m worried too, but we can’t lock him up,” Jeff sighed, slumping onto the sofa where Charlie had been lying. His exhaustion was obvious. “At times like this, Charlie won’t listen to anyone. If we don’t let him go, his condition will only get worse.”

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