Caleb was just casually laying in bed, thinking about the days events when his phone rang.
Looking at the caller ID, he saw it was Nick, the annoying sarcastic brat he was forced to protect, and answered with his usual chiding tone "You dying?"
"Not exactly..." Nick had responded.
He let out an exhasperated sigh and followed up with "What is it?"
There was a pause on the other end of the line.
"Nick?"
He heard the phone hit the pavement, followed by the sound of Nick vomiting.
In an instant he had flashed to Nick, and found him on his knees, his stomach contents aiming for a second round at escape.
He put a comforting hand on Nicks shoulder, worry clouding his features.
"What happened, Nick?"
There was a pause as Caleb looked at Nick, tear streaks clear on his face.
"I was jumped.." Nick mumbled.
"You're kidding.." Caleb responded, an incredulous look on his face.
Silence befell them once again.
He could feel Nicks discomfort, and tried to search for something to say.
"Nick-" Caleb started, but was interrupted.
"I... I was raped.." Nick said. He stiffened, his lower lip trembling in anger.
He saw how much distress his friend was in, and that made him even angrier.
He wanted the throat of whoever did this to Nick.
"Who?" Caleb growled. He got on his knees and grabbed his friends shoulders.
"Caleb- " Nick tried to interject.
"Who. Did. This. To. You." He growled again.
Nick flinched.
Caleb realized then that his friend needed support.
His temper cooled and he softened up his grip on his friends' shoulders.
His gaze softened, too, as his friend began trembling slightly.
He stood up, and helped his shaken friend to his feet.
"Lets get you home-" Caleb was quickly cut off by Nick.
"I would rather stay at your place tonight... I dont wanna have to explain this to my mom."
His eyes were full of grief and shame, as if he was worried that it would hurt his mom more than it had him.
"Then my place. You're always welcome there, and I can come up with an excuse to tell your mom."