The Stay

Chapter 1

It was the beginning of summer vacation and I didn't have any plans. Some people were going on exotic trips to another country, some people were going to different states, hell some people were going to the ice cream parlor down the street, but me? I was doing absolutely nothing. Well if you call listening to your parents argue something then I guess I was doing that. My parents didn't want to get married or have me. The only reason they did was because their parents threatened to cut them off and disown them. Both of my parents come from wealthy families.

When my parents were younger they attended a party. Too many drinks and one thing led to another. When my grandparents found out my mother was pregnant they were furious. The pregnancy would have ruined them, especially since they were still teenagers. So they came up with an arrangement. If they got married and kept the baby they could still be heirs to the company. My parents were actively a part of my life until I reached the age of five when they figured I could take care of myself.

I had to learn and adapt quickly if I wanted to live. I had to learn to cook. The first couple of meals I made for myself obviously sucked, but with a bit more practice I got the hang of it. I was more independent than the other kids and because of that I wouldn't let anyone do anything for me. I still don't let anyone do anything for me to this day. My best friend Keegan is always trying to spoil and take care of me and I refuse to let him. I must've spoken him up because here he goes calling. I answered with a simple hey.

"Hello my talented, handsome best friend, how are you today?" Keegan asked enthusiastically. It was like I could feel him smiling through the phone. "What's got you so happy?" I asked, rolling onto my stomach. Keegan scoffed and said "I can't be happy to talk to you?" "You're usually not this enthusiastic so what's the good news?" I asked. Keegan chuckled "Alright you got me" he said "So Sebastian and I were talking about our yearly trip to the summer house and I asked if you could come and he said yes. He would love to finally meet you" I knew of Keegan's boyfriend. I've heard his voice while he and Keegan were on the phone and I saw pictures of him on social media, but never met him in person.

I've never been on a trip before. My parents would go on business trips and leave me to tend to myself as usual. This could be a good chance to get out of the house and see something new. "Tell him I would love to go," I said. Keegan began to cheer. It was so loud I had to move the phone away from my ear. "You heard that!?!? He said he'd go!!!" Who was he talking to? "Yes baby I heard" I knew that voice that it was Keegan's boyfriend Sebastian. He was on the phone the whole time?!?! Guess that answers my question. "Hi Sebastian" I said not to be viewed as rude. "Hi Tiger, how are you?"

Tiger was Sebastian's nickname for me. He started calling me that one day and I didn't say anything because I didn't mind. "I'm alright, but I've been better," I answered. I heard his deep chuckle over the phone. I had always found Sebastian attractive, but I feel it's wrong to have a crush on my best friend's boyfriend, so I kept it to myself. "Awww poor tiger. Hopefully this trip will help you get your mind off some things hm?" I nodded my head realizing he can't see me. "Well we're going to let you go so you can start packing and figuring out what you need. We'll pick you tomorrow at eight. Okay bye", and with that he hung up on me.

Tomorrow at eight!!! I didn't know we'd be leaving that soon!!! He just sprung this on me at the last minute!!! It was already four-thirty-two pm!!! Well complaining doesn't get anything done. I plugged my phone in then sat up. I'm not even sure if I have a big enough bag. I've packed a bag before when I spent the night at Keegan's house, but I used my school backpack since it was an overnight trip. This trip was most likely going to be a one to three week trip so I definitely need a bigger bag. My parents have one somewhere I just have to find it. I looked at my window to see if I could see either one of my parents' cars. Both cars were gone. They left without telling me again.

I didn't care and I was used to it. It'll make it easier to find a bag. I walked out of my room and down the hallway to the hallway closet. If there was a bag in here it would be easy to find. We didn't keep any decorations for holidays. My parents didn't celebrate holidays with me. They would go out to coworker parties or go see their families and leave me at home. It was okay because I never got them anything for mother's or father's day. Those days were just another regular day for us. For my birthday they threw fifty dollars at me and continued doing whatever they were doing.

Looking through the closet I was able to find a blue duffle bag. I would probably need money. I don't want them paying for everything. I knew where my parents kept a stash of money just in case of an emergency. It was downstairs in a vase. They put fake flowers in the vase to make it look less awkward and every time they got paid they would put money in the vase. I've been taking money out of the vase for several years and they haven't caught me yet. Heading downstairs I looked at our walls.

We didn't have any pictures together as a family, there were just plain white walls. I've grown used to these walls. I took about five-thousand dollars out of the vase. That should be enough. I stuffed the money in the bottom of the duffle bag. I went back upstairs to start packing. I pulled out eight pairs of shorts and one pair of pants in case it got cold. I also grabbed eight short sleeved t-shirts and one button up shirt. You never know, we may go to a nice restaurant. Eight pairs of underwear, eight pairs of socks and two sets of pajamas. I really hope the house has a washing machine or I'll have to hand wash my clothes.

I packed everything in the duffle bag and stuck my deodorant on top. I will get my toothbrush out of the bathroom tomorrow after I brush my teeth. It was only five-twenty-two so it was too early to go to sleep. I guess I'll watch some t.v. I grabbed the remote of my night stand and turned on the t.v that was mounted on my wall in front of my bed. Now here's the problem: what did I want to watch? There was Hulu, Netflix, Disney plus, Paramount plus, HBO Max, I just didn't know what I wanted to watch. I could watch my comfort movie The Emperor's New Groove or I can try something new.

Actually I haven't watched Wall-E in awhile. I'll watch that. I settled under my blanket with my bear waffles. He was a gift from Keegan on my thirteenth birthday. I find it very difficult to sleep without him. I don't know why I'm so emotionally attached to this bear. After Wall-E it was about seven o clock. It was still too early to sleep so I needed something else to watch. I switched over to Netflix to see if I could find something else to watch. I came across a show called Re:Mind. There were thirteen episodes and each episode was at least twenty-three minutes except the last episode that was thirty-one minutes. I could watch this.

I ended up binge watching the whole show and it was twelve-thirteen. "Well damn" I said to myself "And I still haven't eaten". I looked out my window to see if my parents were back and guess what? They weren't back yet. Are we surprised? No we're not. I really don't feel like cooking. Cup of noodles here I come. I wrapped my blanket around myself and headed downstairs. I tripped on my blanket and fell down five stairs. "He lives!!" I yelled standing up doing one of those poses the female gymnast does. I shuffled to the kitchen to make my noodle cup

I walked into the pantry and grabbed a noodle cup. As I was making it I decided it was too quiet in here. "Hey Alexa, play Bootylicious by Destiny's Child". The song started playing and I immediately started dancing. No one was here to watch me so I might as well enjoy myself. I stayed downstairs to eat my food so I didn't have to bring the trash out of my room before I left. After eating I threw my trash away and trudged upstairs to brush my teeth. After I went to my room to go to sleep. I turned on my t.v and switched over to YouTube.

I found it easier to sleep when I watched cartoons. Yes I sleep with a bear and watch cartoons judge me all you want. Tonight's cartoon was Peppa Pig. I hate that bitch Peppa but if it puts me to sleep I'm not complaining. I made sure to set an alarm before getting comfortable. Within a few minutes I felt my eyes getting heavy. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.