Sonder

002

I park my car down the road, so not to make my self known to the Cameron family. The last thing I would want is everyone knowing about my family affairs, and though time has passed and things can change I doubt the Rose Cameron and her love for gossip is one of those things. I jump the stone wall, making my way across the garden to the house. I start to climb up to the second story, hoping Sarah's room hasn't changed. As I get onto the roof I peek my head into the room, thankfully I'm met by the view of my Bestfriend's familiar room decor. I tap on the window, not long after Sarah come into my line of sight. You can clearly see the shock on her face. She opens the window and without a word I enter her room.

"Hey" I whisper

Sarah smiles before stepping forward to embrace me in a hug.

"How long have you been back?"

"I just got back today. Look I know this is out of the blue but do you think I could stay the night?" I have no doubt Sarah will say yes but I can feel the seed of doubt in my stomach. I wouldn't blame her if she was upset with me, we were best friends and then one day I was gone and didn't contact her for 2 years. Not to say I didn't try.

"of course, we have a lot to catch up on"

Sarah walks past me to her closet and get out some pjs, turning around she hands them over to me.

I walk over to her bathroom and get changed. When I come back out Sarah has made her bed and I sitting on the edge on her phone.

"Should we invite Kie?"

Sarah stays silent. Not meeting my eye.

"Um, we're not really friends anymore."

My stomach drops. How much has changed? Sarah and Kie were best friends before I left. What went wrong?

"What happened?"

"I don't want to speak for Kie, I don't think that's fair but after you left, that summer I found out that Kie and Rafe had a thing going on, I was pissed and basically I shut her out."

"Oh that's shit"

"and maybe I over reacted, but it changed everything. Every time we hung out and she came over I could help but wonder if she was here for me or him."

I can't believe it, Kie? Rafe? That's so unlike Kie. But I don't even really know who she is anymore, I don't know who anyone is anymore.

"But that's just my side, I think you should talk to her. I bet she misses you."

"Who does she hang out with now?"

"The Pouges, like John B, Pope and JJ... I think"

I haven't heard those names in a while. I knew Pope from work experience at the library when we were in grade 8 and I had seen John B and JJ around but I never knew them.

I can feel this topic of conversation is making Sarah uncomfortable but I need to know what happened to our group, so I shift to ask about the next person.

"What about Rafe? How is he? I saw him today but it was only briefly."

Sarah sighs before answering. Another complex answer.

"He just dropped out of collage and dad giving him hell for it. I've walked in on him doing a few lines but I know my brother, he's not the type to use recreationally. I think he has a coke addiction and I think he hates me."

Oh, so it seems that my family's not the only one falling apart.

"How about Topper?"

Sarah pauses, looking down before meeting my eye.

"We don't talk anymore"

• • •
I find Sarah's side of the bed empty when I wake up. Checking the time I realise I don't have time to look for her if I wanna meet Topper on time.

I make my way back to the car and drive to the country club.

I find Topped waiting at one of the tables. He fits in here. He look like he fits in here, unlike me. I stick out like a sore thumb.

" hey, you find somewhere to stay last night?"

"Mmm I just crashed at the Cameron's, did you talk to mom?"

Topper takes a sip of his drink before bad wearing me.

" I tried but she was.. you know."

I finish the sentence for him.

"Drunk"

Topper nods.

"I think maybe what's best for now is if you just give mom some space give her some time."

I scoff. Time? Space? I've been gone for 2 years?

"Hmmm okay" the annoyance is clear in my voice.

"What?"

"I just think it's funny that she wants more space as if that isn't what she's had for the last 2 years. It gets to a point where you begin to wonder if this 'space' is ever gonna fix anything or if it's just gonna become your new normal."

Topper sighs, clearly sick of being stuck in the middle.

"You know what I meant. I think you should try and get a job if your not living at home."

A subject change, Toppers always been good at avoiding, always finding a way out.

"Yeah I saw a help wanted sign at the counter so I'll talk to Raz after we finish up here."

"Okay well I've got to go but I'll call you later."

Topper makes his way to the car park and leaves me at the table. I get up and make my way to the front desk in search for Raz.

I see and employee and decide it's best if I ask for some assistance. Walking up to the blond head of hair, I tap on his shoulder. He turns around and I'm met with the bluest eyes I've ever seen.

• • •

Hey!
Sorry it took me so long to update but I hope you enjoy this. I know it's a tad bit slow but I hate to rush it and give you a shitty story.

Thanks for reading!

<3