[Kitsumi]

The box that Callie carried in her arms wasn't necessarily heavy, but it was large and awkward to hold. Not only that, but it was too tall, making it difficult for her to see over the top. She staggered forward, trying to keep her balance as she tried feeling her way up the stairs with her feet.

[Kitsumi]

"Let me grab that for you," Jack reached for the box, effortlessly taking it into his own arms. "Is this the last one?" he asked.

"It's the last box, but I still have a duffel bag I need to grab," Callie said. "Could you leave that in my bedroom while I grab the bag?"

[Kitsumi]

Jack nodded. "Sure thing." Then, over his shoulder, he added, "Want me to call in a pizza order? I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

The woman immediately nodded. "Yes, please! I want my usual."

"Got it," he said. "Cheesy breadsticks?"

"Obviously," she replied. "And code red mountain dew, too!"

[Kitsumi]

Although she knew that she still had to unpack, Callie wasn't ready for that just yet. After dropping the duffel bag off in her room, she dragged her exhausted body over to the couch and sprawled out. With one hand thrown over her eyes, she let out a contented sigh, happy to be done.

[Kitsumi]

"C'mon, scoot over," Jack said as he came into the living room.

"Nh-nn." Callie didn't budge. "My couch now."

The male rolled his eyes. Reaching for the woman's feet, he lifted them up, sitting down on the end of the couch and dropping her feet down on top of his lap.

[Kitsumi]

After a few moments of comfortable silence, Callie spoke. "You know, I don't think I've thanked you yet for letting me move in on such short notice. You sure are a life saver."

Jack waved away her thanks. "Don't mention it," he said. "That room's been empty for months. It's just nice to have someone paying half the rent."

[Kitsumi]

"Besides," he continued. "We always said that we were going to get an apartment together once we graduated, remember? Before life got in the way and changed our plans."

"Oh, yeah!" Callie exclaimed. "But then I moved in with my douchebag boyfriend and you had to find another roommate to pay the rent."

[Kitsumi]

At the mention of her boyfriend, Jack's expression became grim. She felt him tense, and immediately regretted bringing up the man that had wasted three years of her life.

"I hate that guy," Jack said. His voice was silent, a sign that he was far too close to exploding in anger.

[Kitsumi]

"Yeah, I was pretty stupid for dating him, wasn't I?" Callie sighed, sitting up and pulling her knees close to her chest. "I ignored all of the red flags in the beginning."

Jack reached out for her, bringing her close in a hug. "Hey, don't do that," he said. "Don't blame yourself."

[Kitsumi]

"Who else am I supposed to blame?" Callie asked, her voice slightly muffled since her face was currently smushed against his chest. "Everyone warned me about him. My parents, my friends... you. But I didn't listen to any of you. I thought that I knew better, and then I let myself get hurt."

[Kitsumi]

When Jack felt the wetness soaking through his shirt, he hugged the woman even more tightly. One hand raised to stroke her hair, and he rocked her gently. "It's not your fault, Cal," he assured her. "You were a teenager. Dating a creep is a dumb teenager thing to do."

[Kitsumi]

"That asshole knew what he was doing," Jack continued. "He pretended to be a good guy. Then, once he had gotten you to fall for the false him, he began breaking you down, slowly. By the time you realized who he really was, he had shattered your self esteem and made it seem as if you had no choice but to stay."

[Kitsumi]

Unable to think of a reply, Callie simply shrugged. Placing one hand solidly on her friend's chest, she pushed, putting some space between them. "I should probably go unpack," she said. "Just let me know when the pizza is here."

Although he wanted to talk longer, Jack simply nodded. "Yeah, okay."

[Kitsumi]

Inside of her room, Callie closed the door and then leaned back against it. Sliding down until she was sitting, she buried her head in her hands. No tears came; she had already cried enough over the loss of her first serious relationship. Now she just felt exhausted, and embarrassed, and... stupid. So very, very stupid.

[Kitsumi]

Part of her recognized the truth in Jack's words. She couldn't blame herself for the things that her ex had done. The abuse, the gaslighting... he had done everything that he could to make her feel so insignificant. But she had stayed. Despite it all, she had stayed, and that was her own fault.