CHAPTER FIFTEEN
I called Jen to tel her the good news, and of course she freaked. I love that girl. After ten minutes of screaming and answering her questions Jake came to her house and she had to go. I called my dad next....no answer. He usually always answers his phone though....I decided not to worry about it. I'd see him at home anyway.
Shawn told me that I should come to the studio with Cody the next time he comes, so that we could set up some recording sessions. He also informed us that the song would be released tomorrow.
We all drove home and Cody decided to come back to my house. When we got back we discovered my dad wasn't home yet. It was only 9:30 so he was probably still out with his friends. He usually didn't get back until around 11:00 when he was with Chase. Chase is a bit of an alcoholic, and when he's drunk he does some pretty crazy stuff. He almost accidentally killed someone one night.
"Campbell just text me. He's in town. Want to meet him? Maybe Jake and Jen can hang out too." Cody said.
"Sure! I'll text Jen. We should go to the park." I say with a smile.
"Okay there on their way over!" Cody said very excitedly. I could tell he had missed Campbell.
Ten minutes later the doorbell and I answered it. Jen was the first to attack with a hug. Then Jake did the same while Cody and Campbell caught up with each other.
"Okay Camp, this is my girlfriend Ryan." I still get butterflies whenever he says that. I put my hand out for him to shake and he pulled me into a hug. We all laughed, including me even though i could barely breathe.
"FOR THE PARK!" I say trying to sound like a child. Everyone ran to the park and headed for the playground.
I grabbed the first swing I saw and Cody started to push me on it. Jake and Jen did the same while Campbell made fake puking sounds at us.
Jen was tapping away on her iPhone when I saw her face go pale.
"Um, Ry? Can I talk to you for a second..." Jen said. She sounded worried but i agred and we went just out of ear shot of the boys.
"Read this." She handed me her phone and her hands were shaking.
It was a newspaper article. The headline read "LOCAL MAN FOUND DEAD IN QUARRY"
"A young couple with their 2 children ages 4 and 7 were taking a walk by the quarry downtown. They were sitting along the edge of the rock when they saw a dead body. They called the paramedics right away, but unfortunately it was too late for the man to be saved. He had head trauma, and a broken neck which would have left him paralyzed. The police managed to find the man's friends and it turns out that his friend Chase Richards was far too drunk and accidentally pushed the man off the edge while pretend fighting. Richards passed out in the next minute and the body of the man wasn't found until 4 hours later. We have discovered that the name of the man was Gary Sarnelli, single dad of 2."
My entire body froze. I couldn't move. I couldn't hear. I couldn't think straight. I collapsed onto the floor and began to sob in Jen's arms as she tried to comfort me. Cody, Jake, and Campbell rushed over and worriedly asked what happened. Jen gave them her phone and they all went pale. They all huddled around me hushing me and holding me.
An hour later I finally couldn't cry anymore. My eyes were red and puffy, and I looked a mess. Thank God no one came to the park but us. "What am I going to do?!" I say desperately. I had no where to live. No money. NO PARENTS. The only person I had left was Anthony, but there was no way I could stay with him; he was at college.
"Stay at my house tonight." Jen and Cody said at the same time.
"No, stay at Jen's. You could use some girl time or whatever you girl's call it."
They help me up and we begin walking, Cody with his hand intertwined with mine, and Campbell's arm around me, but in a friendly way.
We got back to Jen's house and we said goodbye to everyone.
"Call me if you need anything at all. No matter when it is okay? I'm going to the studio at 5 p.m. tomorrow. I don't know if you want to come, but it's totally up to you, just let me know." He kisses me softly and I head inside.
Jen explains to her mom while I call Anthony and explain. He says he will be coming home in 2 weeks. His college is in Arizona. He's going to be a doctor like my dad. When I hung up the phone Jen and her mom knock softly on the door.
"Hey Ry, you can stay here as long as you need. I can't even imagine what you're going through. If you ever need a shoulder to cry on, or someone to listen, Jen and I are here for you sweetie okay?" Her mom says and gives me a warm hug.
"Thank you so much Jill." I said, and I really meant it.
Jill left the room and Jen put in a movie. Zombieland. My favorite! She always knows how to cheer me up. After the movie it was about 11:30. We decided to watch some Jersey Shore re-runs. Half way through the episode I text Cody.
*PHONE CONVERSATION*
Me; Hey, is it still okay if I come to the studio with you tomorrow?
Cody; Of course! Are you sure your up to it?
Me; Yeah I'm sure. My dad would want this anyway..
Cody; I'm sorry Ryan ): is there anything I can do?
Me; no, it's okay. But thank you. <3
Cody; Anytime. <3 I'll pick you up at Jen's around 1 is that ok?
Me; sounds good(: i'm gonna go to bed, night Cody <3
Cody; Goodnight. <3
After that I told Jen that I was going to Cody's at 1 and we went to sleep.
