Labyrinth

Chapter Six

The two boys ignored each other for the rest of the night. That was until it was time to wake up and tend to the farm.

The kitchen was overtaken by Garrison's whistles and Elise's giggles while Cameron and Christian wouldn't spare each other a glance. Christian didn't know how to approach Cameron and Cameron didn't know what to say to Christian. He wasn't giving mixed signals, was he? How can he when he's straight?

Garrison plated everyone their breakfast, certainly picking up on the tension in the room.

"Okay you two don't worry about the regular chores, I will do those, I need you two to move the chickens into the new pen, clean the horse's stables, and then go into town and get some paperwork from the town hall for me. Elise you're not going into work today, you need to help me too." Garrison demanded.

"Yes, father." Both of the younger Lee's replied.

Cameron finished his food and went to put his plate in the sink. He couldn't stand being in the room anymore. Christian, unfortunately, was right behind him. Cameron walked right into Christian and dropped his plate on the floor. Loud breaking of glass shattered the silence and tension in the room, followed by Elise shrieking in surprise.

"I'm sorry," Cameron said and went to pick up the glass. Christian also bent down and the two bumped heads.

"I'll just go start outside," Christian said to everyone.

"Lord, give me strength." Garrison breathed out.

Cameron met with Christian outside and decided to help Christian with the chickens even though he was deathly afraid of them.

Christian had a system of doing things that Cameron was not accustomed to. Cameron jumped in going to grab a chicken startling them and they all ran off in different directions.

"Jesus Christ, why would you do that!" Christian cried out.

Cameron was panicking thinking Garrison would yell at him, but he should be more afraid of the look Christian is giving him.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what I'm doing!" Cameron defended.

"Clearly." Christian mumbled.

Meanwhile, Elise was done with breakfast, finally eating after the awkwardness left and walked into her room.

She saw a chicken on her bed and wasn't even surprised. What did surprise her though was the note left on her bed. It was a note saying Elise was beautiful and smart and the person was too shy to tell her. Elise thought it was Cameron from the phrases that were used in the note.

Deciding this was more important than chores, she took the note and left for her friend Chelsie's.

The two boys were now cleaning the stables which was better for them because each boy took a side and didn't have to interact with each other. Cameron was just about to enter the last stall when he heard Garrison scream out.

"Where is she?" Christian and Cameron heard Garrison yell.

"Who, Elise?" Christian asked.

"Yes, she knew she had to help me. You two go check Chelsie's. I will check her room."

"Let's go, Cameron. You finally get out of doing your work." Christian chuckled.

The two walked down the road only to learn Chelsie's house wasn't that far. Christian knocked on the door which was answered by a man.

"Christian!" The man said happily and brought him in for a big hug.

"Who's at the door?" Another man came over and wrapped his arm around the first man.

Cameron was surprised but now it made sense since this is the first outsider who looked excited to greet Christian.

"Hi, is my sister here?" Christian asked.

"She was, but she left about twenty minutes ago. Did she not go home?" The second man asked.

"No, is Chelsie still home?"

Upon hearing her name, Chelsie came over and introduced herself to Cameron.

"She was here, but she seemed upset about something. She told me she was going home." Chelsie said.

"That's strange." Christian said.

"Please let me know what happens. She's my best friend." Chelsie looked down and visibly looked upset.

Her parents went over and hugged her.

Cameron got a lump in his throat from the sight, why couldn't he have parents like that.

"We will." Christian answered.

Christian started panicking which was noticed by Cameron. Christian started to ramble things.

"We have to find her"

"She's my little sister"

"Dad will freak out"

"I hope she's not hurt"

Christian's hands were shaking now, and Cameron decided he had to do something.

Cameron brought Christian in for a hug which startled Christian.

"It's okay." Cameron said over and over like a mantra.

Christian instantly felt comfort being in Cameron's arms and the warm scent eased his negative thoughts. Cameron smelled like cinnamon.

Christian hugged Cameron back tight which made Cameron smile a little.

"Let's go home and talk to your father." Cameron said with a voice he didn't know he had.

Cameron felt Christian nod against his chest. The two boys now walked back home.

-Time Skip-

Garrison was ripping Elise's room apart when he heard the front door open.

"Was she there?" Garrison asked.

"She was, but Chelsie said she was upset about something and was coming back home." Christian replied.

Cameron saw Garrison's whole demeanor change.

"This is all your fault." Garrison yelled toward Christian.

Cameron looked between the both of them bewildered. How was it Christian's fault? The look on Christian's face told Cameron he was expecting this. Christian looked down letting his father yell at him.

"...if you wouldn't have been so fucking worked up this morning, you're such a disappointment." Cameron heard Garrison yell out.

"Hey, don't say that. How could you possibly be blaming him?" Cameron said, surprising both the elder and younger Lee.

Garrison walked up to Cameron and slapped him across the face. "You don't stick your nose in this family business, do you understand?"

Cameron pushed Garrison away from him. "I do when the head of it is an asshole blaming Christian for something he had no control over."

Cameron didn't know where this confidence was coming from.

Garrison looked to Christian who looked back down, and Garrison angrily stormed out of the room.

As soon as the two boys were alone, Christian ran into Cameron's arms giving him a hug. "Thank you, Cameron."

"Is he always like this?" Cameron asked. He genuinely thought Garrison was a good man. 

"It's worse when he drinks, but yes. He puts on a facade for people." Christian said.

"Now you have someone in your corner." Cameron said.