For the past year, 18 year old Camille has been getting away with four hours of sleep, a nine hour school day and an eight hour work day overnight. That is until her three teachers and a mystery guy walk into her diner one night.
NOTE: THIS IS A 'W...
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"Miss Owens to the principal's office, please," the tannoy system pipes up, pulling me out of my daydream.
Surely not again.
I need to get an education, for god's sake.
I raise my eyebrow at Luka but he shrugs, nodding his head to the door.
I grab my bag and walk out heading to the office quickly.
I storm into the office, ready to tell Zander off for dragging me out of class but I stop in my tracks when I see my brothers there with grave faces.
"W-what's going on?" I ask, staying in the doorway as I look between them all. Anxiety begins to bubble in my body and I start to feel a sense of dread.
"it's Dad, cami, "Oscar looks to me and my face drops.
"W-what's he done?" I ask, pushing the door closed and using it for support. I can feel Zander's concerned eyes boring into me but I keep my gaze on my brothers, flicking between them for answers.
"He's in hospital," Noah adds and my legs buckle, making me slump against the door.
"He overdosed," Oscar looks down at his hands.
Fuck.
I look to Zander, desperation in my eyes before snapping into survival mode.
"Let's go," I say to my brothers, pushing my bag up my arm more.
"Wh-" Noah starts to say but I interrupt him.
"Let's go. You have the car, since dad gave it to you so let's go," I instruct, my voice more firm now.
"I'm not going," Oscar stands up, glaring at me. Noah stands too and I flinch slightly.
"He's your father, too? How am I supposed to go look after him if you won't take me?" I ask them, anger rising in my voice.
"I don't care," Oscar says and storms out, leaving me looking speechless at Noah.
"Just figure it out," he shrugs and follows his brother out.
I turn to Zander, shocked at my brother's reaction.
"I'll take you," he says softly and I nod, heading out the door for him to follow me.
I head to his car, feeling him hot on my tail.
He unlocks the car and I climb into the passenger seat, immediately starting to play with my cast in nervousness.
He starts to drive us as I go deep into my thoughts.
Why now, Dad?
Why have you done this?
Zander snaps me out of my thoughts by placing his hand on my thigh, squeezing it comfortingly. I look up from his hand to his face, smiling at him slightly.
At least I don't have to face this completely alone, this time.
As soon as we reach the hospital, I rush out of the car and run inside, already knowing where he will be. As I head towards the psych ward, I feel myself internally cringe at the fact I am taking my headteacher/guy I'm seeing there.
And the fact I know where it is.
I buzz the door and say my name, it being immediately opened for us. As we walk through the halls, nurses greet me as if we are old friends. I smile at them all, not engaging in small talk as I just want to find my dad.
I read his room off the whiteboard and head to it, faltering slightly at the door. He's hooked up to several machines, unconscious amongst the cacophony of beeping.
Zander hovers behind me but I don't acknowledge his presence, too wrapped up in my emotions.
Walking round to the side of his bed, I sit down next to my Dad, grabbing hold of his hand with mine.
"Why have you done this again, Dad?" I whisper to him.
He lays there, peacefully asleep whilst I suffer his guilt and suffering for him.
A tear slides down my cheek and I try to wipe it away but Zander notices before I can hide it. He walks round to me and stands behind, placing his hand on my back and rubbing it in soothing circles. The action makes more tears fall and I rest my head on my Dad's chest as I sit next to him.
I stay there until visiting hours are over and we are told to leave.
My heart hurts with every step I take, feeling the pain of having a Dad with an addiction all over again.
Just another flare up.
It's a disease.
We get into Zander's car in silence and sit there in the dark for a few minutes as I try to gather my thoughts.
"Do you want to go home?" he asks, his voice soft as he stares at me in concern. I shake my head, sniffing and wiping a tear away.
"I want to stay with you," I whisper, letting my heart take over my brain.
He nods, turning the car on at the ignition and setting off. I bite my lip and curl up on the seat as I stare out the window whilst crying.
We drive in silence as I stay in my own world.
I don't even realise that we have arrived until someone opens my car door. I look to who it is and jump when I see Gabriel's concerned face.
He helps me out of the car and a wave of emotions hits me, making me throw myself into his arms. He holds me tight to him and a sob escapes my lips as my legs shake.
Lifting me up, I wrap my legs around him and he carries me upstairs, Zander close behind us.
I keep my eyes closed, trying to keep the tears inside as we ride the elevator.
I feel him walk into the apartment but exhaustion hits me, making it almost impossible for me to open my eyes again.
I'm passed onto someone else. I sniff their aftershave as they walk upstairs and I realise it's Josh.
He walks a bit further and then I'm placed on a bed, making me open my eyes in shock at the lack of contact.
He soothes me, shushing me as I am about to protest. He climbs onto the bed, lying down and pulling me onto his chest. Luka lies behind me, spooning me and rubbing soothing circles on my hip with his thumb.
Someone takes my shoes off and starts massaging my feet. I look down to see who it is and see Gabriel smiling sympathetically at me. I send him a small smile before looking to Zander but he is nowhere to be seen.
"He'll be up soon," Luka whispers, noticing me looking for him.
I nod, closing my eyes as I let them comfort me into a slumber.
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