Quiet Enlightenment

Part 3, Chapter 13 - Sendoff

Monday, August 14, 2017

The next morning started off quietly. Sylvester woke up and checked his phone to see what time it was. Ten A.M. meant that his mother was already at work. He sighed as he got up and dressed as he knew that it would be the last time that he would be leaving his own bed for a while.

He slowly opened the door and peeked out to see if Cameron was awake. He quietly sighed again as he saw his cousin sitting on the couch watching the television. Not wanting to trigger him, Sylvester quietly stepped into the room and sat down on a chair.

"Good morning." Cameron said quietly, with a hint of shame.

"Good morning."

The two sat there in silence until the television made it to a commerical break.

"Hey... I'm sorry about what happened yesterday..." Sylvester finally said.

"It's okay. I'm really sorry for shoving you. I don't know what came over me." Cameron replied as he let his forehead rest in his palms.

"I thought that I was doing the right thing."

"I know. You were trying to be polite, and now that I think back, I didn't tell you that it was a secret. I'm the one who made this mistake, not you."

"So you don't hate me for this?"

For the first time in a while, Cameron wanted to let out a few tears.

"...I don't hate you."

"Thanks. Are we still going to that convention thing?"

"I am. While I know that you had the best of intentions, I don't think that the others are on the same page. I would appreciate it if you stay here. It will only be for a few hours and then we'll all be heading to the airport afterwards."

Sylvester looked down sadly.

"I understand. But, aren't you supposed to be constantly watching me? Are you letting me off the hook for a few hours?"

"I wish I could, Sylvester. But, I don't know that you're not going to have that girl up here again. If your mom came home early and caught you with her, I would be in so much trouble. So, I have an idea."

Cameron reached down into his pocket and held up his phone.

"I want you to send me a selfie every fifteen minutes. That, and I don't want you to leave this apartment for any reason."

"Any reason?"

"Any reason."

"What if there's a fire?"

Cameron (having been in a fire once before) sighed in irritation. Sylvester picked up on this and shut his mouth.

"Well, I guess you'll have to put on some cool filters, then." Cameron snarked.

At the hotel, Orson and Calvin walked into the lobby area for the continental breakfast.

"Thanks for staying with me all night, Pup." Orson said as they got some cereal.

"You're welcome. I'm just glad that I'm here to help you for once. Usually, it's the other way around."

Orson silently chuckled as the two went to a table and sat down. After eating for a few minutes, Toby joined the table.

"Good morning. Sorry that I didn't come back last night." Calvin said between bites.

"It's okay. I liked having the room to myself. I watched every single show that I like and you hate." Toby joked before realizing that Orson was sitting next to them.