Promised- Rafe Cameron

chapter 1

"Kaylee, wake up!" My mom yelled from outside of my door. It was the first day of summer, but it was 12pm and she didn't like me sleeping all day.

I groaned, throwing the covers off of me. The sun was shining brightly through my bedroom window and I smiled as it warmed my face.

I walked to the living room where my mom had on her work uniform. I'd be working all summer, too, but thankfully I had the day off.

"What's the plan for today?" Mom asked as she continued preparing herself for work.

"I don't know, JJ is free so I'm probably hanging with him. Don't know about everybody else." I replied bluntly, not in the mood for small talk.

"Ok, I hope you guys have a great time." She smiled at me. She liked my friends that I made over the past couple of years. John B, Pope, Kie and JJ have really taken me under their wing and haven't made living on the cut too miserable.

"How long are you working?" I asked as I shoveled my breakfast in my mouth.

"I have to be there by 1 and I work until 12am. If you get scared being alone, you can always come up there and hang out?"

"Nah, that's ok, I'll just stay at John B's or have someone stay over here." I gave her a flat smile. She nodded, looking a little disappointed but she shook it off like she always does. She's strong, I'll give her that.

"Ok, well if you get hungry there's pizza in the fridge. I gotta go, text me if you need anything. I love you." She pecked me on the head as she scurried out the door. I let out a sigh.

No, I don't hate my mom. We've just had a strained relationship since moving to the cut.

I pulled out my phone and found that JJ already texted me.

JJJJ

What's the plan for today?

Oh, ya know, sleeping around. Not sure what else.

With me?

Not like that, ya nasty

Want me to come over and we can chill on the bach?

Duh, get over here

The Bach is the stupid name JJ gave my boat. It has a saying on the side, "life is better on the beach", but the 'e' in 'beach' is rubbed off.

Of all the things we had to sell, my mom miraculously let me keep the boat.

It wasn't long before JJ arrived at my house. It was a modest place; 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom. It's close to John B's and we're right by the water. We used to have bigger, but I've grown to enjoy the tiny home life. It's easier to keep clean since my mom is barely here.

"Never thought we'd make it out of that place. I barely passed. Swear Mrs. Jones did something to my math grade so I wouldn't fail and she wouldn't have to see me again." JJ laughed as we worked together and got everything ready on the boat. It's true, Mrs. Jones made it clear she hated JJ's guts. A lot of people do, but I could never.

"Yeah, I can't believe we're basically seniors. What colleges are on your radar? I'm thinking for myself, a full ride to Harvard." I joked, knowing good and well that would never be a possibility. I barely passed my classes, too.

"Oh, definitely Juilliard. I have an opera voice that needs to be heard by the people."

"Yeah? Let me hear it." I challenged.