Celebrating Milestones
One year and six months later, Caleb finally completed his online course in game development and design. It had been a grueling journey balancing work, study, and the emotional weight of being away from Preston. But the sacrifices were worth it. Not only had he excelled, but he had also emerged as one of the best in his cohort.
The final project he submitted—a complex, visually stunning, and emotionally engaging game—had earned him top honors. The judges were so impressed that they rewarded him with a substantial cash prize to help him start his own development journey.
As Caleb stared at the email announcing his reward, his heart swelled with pride and disbelief. "Finally," he whispered to himself, tears welling in his eyes. "Finally, things are falling into place for me."
He closed his laptop and leaned back in his chair, reflecting on how far he had come. For years, he had been plagued by self-doubt, questioning if he could ever rise above his circumstances. But now, he saw himself differently.
"I thank God for the day Preston's mom dropped him at the orphanage," he thought aloud. "That boy… he made me want to be somebody big, someone who could protect him. He made me see potential in myself when I couldn't. Everything I do, I do for him."
That evening, Caleb and his roommate, Jason, decided to celebrate. They headed to a lively bar downtown, the neon lights and upbeat music setting the perfect mood for their small victory party.
"To your success!" Jason cheered, raising his glass.
Caleb clinked glasses with him, smiling. "To the future!"
As they drank, laughed, and talked about their plans, a woman in a striking green dress approached their table. She was beautiful, with a confident smile and a sparkle in her eyes. She leaned in slightly, her tone flirtatious.
"Hey there," she said, directing her attention to Caleb. "Mind if I join you?"
Caleb glanced at her, taking in her beauty, but felt nothing. She wasn't his type—not that he even had a type. His mind, his heart, were elsewhere, tied to someone he couldn't and wouldn't explain.
"Sorry," he said politely before turning back to his drink.
The woman looked slightly taken aback, but she shrugged it off and moved on. Jason, however, was baffled.
"Dude," he said, leaning closer. "She was gorgeous. Why weren't you interested? I've never even seen you with a girl before."
Caleb took another sip of his drink, avoiding his roommate's gaze. "A girl's the last thing on my mind right now," he said casually.
Jason shook his head, laughing. "Man, you're a mystery. But hey, more for me."
The night wore on, and Caleb's happiness turned into indulgence. He drank more than he usually did, letting the stress and triumphs of the past year and a half wash over him. For the first time in years, he allowed himself to let go completely.
By the time the night ended, Caleb was thoroughly drunk, laughing at jokes that didn't make sense and stumbling as they left the bar. Jason had to help him back to their apartment, all the while shaking his head in amusement.
"You're a lightweight," Jason teased as they climbed the stairs.
Caleb laughed, leaning against the wall for support. "I'm just… happy, man. For once, I feel like I'm getting somewhere."
Jason smiled, clapping him on the back. "You deserve it, Caleb. Just don't forget to sleep off all that 'success' before work tomorrow."
As Caleb collapsed onto his bed that night, his mind wandered to Preston. Even in his drunken state, the boy's face was vivid in his mind—his bright eyes, his mischievous smile, his unwavering trust in Caleb.
"Everything I do… it's for you," he murmured before sleep claimed him.