James kept shaking his head, "N-No. Just g-go away.." He kept shaking. He kept crying, even though he shouldn't be. His small body kept crying. "T-this is fake....y-your not h-him"
"Please, Jamie! I'm sitting in my room reading 'A Night Divided' right now, I promise. Just open your eyes and look at the goddamn phone! This is the first time we've talked in over fifteen years, and you're already scaring the shit out of me!" His voice cracked a little, despite his efforts to keep his shit together. "It's been eighteen years, Jamie. . Please." He leaned over, putting his head in his hands. He could feel the tears streaming down his face, and there was no stopping them now.
James slowly blinked open his eyes and he swallowed. He saw Karlie's number and he seemed to break down more. "K...Karlie?" He said hesitantly almost like he was terrified that if he said his name he would vanish forever.
Karlie's eyes widened a little when he heard his name, and he looked back to his phone. "Y-Yeah! I'm right here, okay?" He repeated, doing his best not to break down crying. "Please just take a breath, and get your hands out of your hair. You're gonna hurt yourself." He begged, standing up and pacing around his room.
James let out a sob as he curled in on himself. Hearing Karlie's voice after so long...it felt like it was tearing him apart but also building him back up. He kept his hands in his hair as he spoke, "I-I need to go."
He suddenly felt a spike of panic inside of him, and he worried James might hang up. "James, wait- Please, please don't go. I can tell you're still panicking, and I'm sorry I can't be there. I want to help, but I need you to calm down first. I-I'm afraid you're going to do something stupid, Jamie." He muttered that last part, almost afraid to say it.
James shook his head, "I-I won't do something stupid.....I-I have a son.. I-I cant do that t-to him." He said as he kept his hands in his hair. His shaking was worse now. "I-I need to go.....y-you can't h-here me like this"
"Jamie, I've heard you like this a thousand times. I was there when you tried to off yourself, and I promised you I'd help. I'm not going back on that now, so please for the love of god, get your hands out of your hair and take a fucking breath. I'm not asking anymore. Cherii knows to stay in the car with Blake until you've calmed down. I'm begging here, James." He sighed, managing to keep his tone steady.
James swallowed and he spoke a shaky reply, "o...ok.." he said quietly. He slowly removed his hands from his hair keeping them into clenched fists. He closed his eyes tightly and felt tears still falling
Karlie let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding when he heard that. "G-Good job. Now take a few deep breaths, and tell me what caused this episode." He smiled softly until he heard the door click. He looked up to see Caleb standing in the hallway with an irate look on his face.
