Caleb Xia

Caleb holds out a hand to help her into the passenger seat. Once Ella is comfortable, he carefully secures the seatbelt around her.

Caleb gets back into the car and closes the door with a thud. He pulls out his phone to check the location one more time, purposely hiding the screen from her view.

Her mind wanders to the last time both of you met. Most people wouldn’t be able to see it, but there was a faint dark circle below his eyes. And there was a fraction of second his eyes droops as he blows the candle. Happy, but tired. She realized how busy Caleb was, is, but she can’t help but sulk.

♫ Prismatic Wind - Kumiko Kotera ♬

“Caleb?”

He answers with a low, light hum, his focus shifting completely to her.

“What if…”

Noticing her hesitation, Caleb gives her his full, undivided attention just as the traffic light turns red.

“What if one day… you find someone?”

The words spill out with subtle tremble she can no longer hide. The flowers, the lingering touches, the quiet devotion—what if she’s just reading into things that aren't there? What if all those moments where he crossed the lines of sibling—although adopted—were just in her head, and she’s the only one drowning in this unnamable feeling?

“Someone you actually fall in love with, and—” the words threatening to stop at her throat. Ella has to push her cord just to let the strained words out, “with our busy lives, we can’t see each other anymore?”

“But, you are kind of right. I have found someone. Someone special that I love very, very much. And that someone is…” He pauses, leaving Ella in suspense for just a second.

“You.”

Caleb brings Ella’s hand up and presses his lips to her skin. He lingers there for a moment, looking up at Ella as he kisses the back of her hand.

Caleb holds out a hand to help her into the passenger seat. Once Ella is comfortable, he carefully secures the seatbelt around her.

Caleb gets back into the car and closes the door with a thud. He pulls out his phone to check the location one more time, purposely hiding the screen from her view.

Her mind wanders to the last time both of you met. Most people wouldn’t be able to see it, but there was a faint dark circle below his eyes. And there was a fraction of second his eyes droops as he blows the candle. Happy, but tired. She realized how busy Caleb was, is, but she can’t help but sulk.

Caleb holds out a hand to help her into the passenger seat. Once Ella is comfortable, he carefully secures the seatbelt around her.

Caleb gets back into the car and closes the door with a thud. He pulls out his phone to check the location one more time, purposely hiding the screen from her view.