11:11 | Cameron Boyce Story

Fifteen

Bonnie

"Lila," I turn to my sister as she sits on the floor with her toys, a serious look on my face, "Do you promise me you'll be good when Cameron gets here?"
She grins, "I promise."
The doorbell rings a few seconds later and I let a very tired-looking Cameron into the house. He has a cigarette balanced loosely in between his lips, "Yo," he grins.
"Don't think you're bringing that thing in here." I fold my arms, glaring at him.
He rolls his eyes and puts it back in the box, "Relax. You actually think I'm that rude?"
"Yes, I do," I tell him, chuckling a little, "Make yourself at home, by the way. And this is my sister Lila, I'm on babysitting duty."
Cameron leaves his backpack by the stairs and enters the family room, picking up Lila and smiling at her, "Aren't you just the cutest?! Just like your big sister, huh?"
Color rushes to my cheeks and he sticks his tongue out at me, "Can I get you anything, besides my dignity?"
He laughs, "I'm good thanks."
"I'll just put Lila down for her nap. Then we can talk about stuff."

After laying my sister in her bed and singing her a little lullaby, I head into my bedroom and sit next to Cameron, "So, how have you been?"
"Better, I guess." He pauses for a while and then makes eye contact with me, "Look, Bonnie, I'm sorry you had to see me like that, it's just that sometimes everything gets too much for me and hurting myself is the only way to feel calm. I'm an idiot, I know."
"You're not an idiot, it's my fault for snooping around in your private life. Hurting yourself in never the answer. I'm always here for you, whether you like it or not. And it might not seem like it, but your family will always support you. We all love you, y'know, even though you're kind of an asshole sometimes...."
"Thank you Bonnie. I really appreciate it."
Our little moment is interrupted when the faint sound of crying comes from Lila's room.
"I'll just go make sure she's okay. Give me a few minutes."
He stands up with me, "Alright. Is it cool if I just use your bathroom?"
I point toward the door at the end of the hall, "Sure, it's right down-"
The sleeve of this hoodie catches on my hand as I pass and I get a good look at his arms, "You're still cutting? After everything that happened?"
"No, it's just my dog, I promise." He lies, aggression in his tone.
I grip him by the wrist and pull him closer to me, "Fine then. Show me."
"I don't have to do that."
"Well, I'll continue to believe that you're lying to me."
"I am not lying to you."
Anger boils up inside me. It's so obvious how fresh those cuts are.
I shake my head in disappointment, "And to think, I tried to help you. I actually thought you'd care. Of course you wouldn't; you're just a selfish little bitch."
His hand skims my cheek, leaving a sharp, stinging sensation after it.
He slapped me. He just fucking slapped me.
"I-I could have you arrested." My voice breaks as I speak, tears falling down my red cheek.
Cameron stares at his hand in disbelief, "Bonnie, I am so sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"You did!" I yell, "You hit me."
I grab him by the arm, not caring if my nails dig into his skin, and shove him out the door, "I don't care anymore! Never come to me for consoling again, and don't talk to me unless we're at work."
"Please, Bonnie, I need-"
I slam it shut in his face and watch him walk away, feeling the heat from his hand still stinging on my cheek.
"You've blown it this time, Cameron. I've got all this evidence for the police, and now there's no one to watch your back."