A Drop In The Lake

how's Alessa?

Cameron

This week's classes passed by in a surprisingly eventful flurr. I've distanced myself a bit from Alessa, despite my better judgement, because I'm not sure how to bring up the subject of her role in Rhea's death.

Tomorrow we have our race against Loveladies High School, but I have a shit ton of work to get done before then. Boy, were my teachers not bashful with the amount of work they assigned.

I'm halfway through trying to find the area under the curve of a rollercoaster ride, when my phone pings.

Kaya: CAAAAAAaAaaaaAAAmmmmmmm!

Cameron: Raya! Wth, what's up?

I haven't been great at keeping in contact with a lot of my friends from California, so to hear from Raya, out of the blue, is a huge surprise.

Kaya: Hubby, I'm in town! Didn't u see my snap?

Not only have I not been good at keeping up with my friends from home, but I also have completely abandoned my socials.

Kaya:Ugh, you men and your flaky personsonalities.

Cameron: Hey, it's not my fault they're keeping me busy.

Kaya: ok, so when ur not busy, u better find some time to come hang out w/ ur favs.

Cameron: kk. Well if ur free today, I'll be done w/ work @ around 2. Got no practice cause race tmrw, but I can meet up w/ u @ my fam house @ 3?

Kaya: Perfect. I got a surprise 4 u 2.

Cameron: intriguing. Can't wait!

For the next two hours, I hustle through the rest of my math work, and start work on my science assignment that's due Tuesday. When my alarm goes off, signifying it's time for me to start getting ready. I jump out of my basketball shorts and crew t-shirt, and into the shower, rinsing off the stench of hard work and sleepless nights. When I get back out of the shower it's about two thirty and I find a text from Raya, saying she's on her way to my house. During our text conversation earlier she told me she was staying farther north, in Barnegat Light at her boyfriend's house.

Before I left California, Raya was dating Max, and even though she doesn't know anything about what happened between him and I, she must have felt some of the tension, and broke it off with him. I wasn't expecting her to find somebody in Jersey, but I guess she got tired of all of the stuffy golf-club boys in Chico.

Cameron: I'll be at my place in 10, so I'll be there when you get there.

Kaya: kk. See u in about 20 mins.

I throw on a pair of jeans and an off-white t-shirt. I grab my keys, socks, sneakers and fob, and rush out of my room. We're not allowed to keep cars on campus as borders, so I begin the trek home, passing by Alessa's house. When I finally reach the walkway that leads to the front door, I am surprised to find my mother's black Mercedes Benz parked outside of the garage.

"Hello. Mom?" I call out, the moment I step in the front door.

"I'm in the kitchen Cam." Calls back my mother.

"What are you doing at home? I thought you and dad were going to the dock with dad?" I question.

"I was going to, but your father said he had to talk with the dock manager before we could have our boats brought in, so I opted to stay home." Reveals my mother.

My parents have been looking for a place to store their boats from the Olympics, and our new speed boat. I know, I know. Privileged priss. Leave me alone.

My mom has one of the eights that she coxed in the 2000 Olympics. My dad has his boat from the 1996 Olympics, where he won gold in the single sculls event.

"What are you doing at home?" Questions my mother, moving to put the fruit she was washing into the refrigerator.

"Oh, yeah. Kaya's coming over." I reply.

"Kaya's in town?" Celebrates my mother.

"Yeah. She texted me this morning saying she was staying with her boyfriend in Barnegat Light." I answer.

"Oh. She's dating someone in Barnegat Light? Did she break up with that boy in Chico?" Spits my mother.

"I guess so. She didn't say anything, but I assume so." I reply flatly.

My mother's mood seems to shift as she moves back towards the sink to clean up the packaging from the blueberries and raspberries.

"Just be careful with that girl, I don't need you getting mixed up in that stuff again." Lectures my mother.

"I know, I know, you don't need to remind me." I sigh.

"Oh, yeah, and I was going to ask, how's Alessa?" Chuckles my mother.

I choke on my saliva for a moment before collecting myself.

"You know about Alessa?" I question shockingly.

"Of course. I happen to be pretty close with Alessa's mother, and after she texted me asking where Alessa was so late, last Friday, I tracked your phone and found you both sitting on a lifeguard chair at the beach." Reveals my mother.

Of course.

Before I have a chance to respond, the doorbell rings. I quickly make my way out of the kitchen, leaving my mother with a mocking smile painted on her face, and yank open the front door.

The moment the door opens to reveal Kaya, a familiar figure peaks out from behind her.

"Surprise!" Yells Kaya.

"Max?"

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Okay, so I finally got some time to upload today's chapter and actually look through it and whatnot. Sunday's chapter might hv mistakes because I uploaded it with little time because of orientation stuffffff. So. Today's question,
what is your dream job?

As of right now I really want to be an author, obv, but I'm also interested in journalism and German, so... figure that one out. Anyways, I hope you're having a great day! And I'll be back with another chapter on Sunday!