Page 70 of Should the Sky Fall

“But her mother wasn’t a good person. She was using her.”

He can feel Dawson freeze next to him, his body growing tight. He keeps his gaze averted as he replies, “She didn’t know that. She thought her mother loved her.”

Cal frowns. “But she kept her locked up her whole life. She controlled everything Rapunzel did.”

Dawson sighs. It’s a sound that feels like it’s coming from deep within his soul, tired and resigned. “Sometimes it’s hard to let go of the only thing you know, even if that thing hurts you or doesn’t make you happy. You don’t know any better, so you don’t even bother trying.”

That sounds…incredibly painful. He can’t even imagine. “That must be horrible.”

Dawson takes a deep breath and releases it slowly. “Yeah. It is.” He looks at Cal with a forced smile. “But she got out.”

“She did,” Cal agrees. “And she knows better now, because she has Eugene.”

“Yeah.” Dawson points at the TV. “How about this one?”

“Jumanji?” Cal reads the title, which means absolutely nothing to him.

“It’s a classic. Well, a remake of one. A bunch of teenagers are sucked into a video-game and forced to play and win, or they die.”

“That doesn’t sound funny,” Cal says apprehensively.

Dawson gives a small, frustrated huff. “I’m not good at describing stuff. I promise, it’s hilarious, but it has this deep life lesson to it too.”

Not wanting to make Dawson feel like he’s criticizing him, Cal nods. “I’m curious. Let’s watch it.”

Turns out Dawson was right—it is hilarious, in an over-the-top way, and Cal loves it. He loves Dawson’s incessant laugh and giggling even more, and makes a mental note to always pick comedies from now on if it gets him to see Dawson like this every time.

By the time the credits roll, Cal’s stomach gives a loud rumble. He looks at it with betrayal.

“Are you hungry?” Dawson asks with a laugh.

“Yes.”

Dawson checks his watch, his eyebrows shooting up. “Damn, no wonder. It’s almost seven.” His eyes go wide. “Jesus, we haven’t eaten in six hours. Are you okay? I’m sorry, I should’ve checked—”

“Dawson,” Cal says calmly, and Dawson goes quiet. “I’m fine. I told you before we watched the last movie that I wasn’t hungry.”

“Yeah, okay.” He looks over to the kitchen, then back at Cal. “So, do you still want me to cook or just order in?”

What kind of question is that? “I’d love it if you cooked.”

“Alright,” Dawson says, cheeks flushing. “Any requests? I can’t promise I’ll be able to make it, but at least it will give me an idea.”

“Well—”

“And don’t say something sweet!”

Cal seals his mouth shut, disappointed, and Dawson laughs. “Don’t give me that kicked puppy look.”

He’s not giving him—

Whatever. Crossing his arms on his chest, Cal shrugs. “You decide.”

Dawson rolls his eyes at the petulant tone. “Fine.” He makes his way to the kitchen and starts looking through the cupboards, as though they didn’t just fill them up a few hours ago. At last, he pulls out a bag of pasta.

Curious what he’s going to create, Cal walks over, pulling out one of the stools behind the island and sits down.

Dawson startles when he notices him. “You’re going to watch?”