The Lost One

Chapter 15

"I feel so bad about this..." My mom was saying as we packed up the car. Kale and dad were putting the suitcases in the trunk while mom and I were packing up any food into the cooler. I just shook my head. "It's alright mom. You have a demanding job. It's fine." I knew she wanted to get along with me better, and I wanted to try too...I think.

Lately, I've been feeling split between two feelings. Half the time, I want to crawl under a rock and be left alone until the end. The other half, I want to laugh, have a good time, and be with friends. I don't know why...

"I just wish we could have stayed another few days." She said as we carried the cooler to the car. "It is alright mom." I repeated again. "I had fun." She looked up at me in surprise, astonished by the word 'fun'. "Really?" I nodded. "Yea." That made her smile and we put the cooler in between Kale's and my seats. When I turned around, Kale was there, smiling at me. "So you had fun?" The idiot smile. On second thought, that name was getting a little too old. A new name for that look...hm...the dumb ass smile! Yes.

I frowned, but grinned at the same time. "Yes, I had fun." I stuck my tongue out and went back into the house to get my sweatshirt, the one he gave me. It was on the bed. Quickly grabbing it, I looked back around the place before leaving. I always use to love this place. It's been so long since I was last here...I wish Kale and I could come back again.

I turned around, locked the door, and shut it behind me. "Are you all ready?" My father asked as I climbed into the seat behind him and shut the door. I nodded. "Yup." Kale smiled at me as we drove off. I smiled slightly before looking away from him, out of the window. The lake was completely still. No one was near it. It looked so peaceful. This place always was.

My own little sanctuary. Every time we came here, it always felt like an escape from the outside world. I could sleep, relax, and forget everything. Last time, I was always going off by myself and forgetting about everything and everyone, not wanting to be found. Now...Kale was apart of that. I was glad.

I closed my eyes, just wanting to sleep again until we got back to the school. I did. This time, though, I didn't budge until I felt a hand on my shoulder. I woke up quickly and looked around. Kale was standing in my doorway, smiling. We were in the parking lot of the school. My father was taking out my suitcase. I didn't see my mother anywhere. "We're here sleeping beauty."

I yawned and stretched my arms out. "Sleeping Beauty woke up from a kiss." I pointed out. "Okay." Kale shrugged and kissed me quickly. I flopped down in the seat again. "Oops, you put me to sleep." I heard a sigh. "Damn it. How to wake you up again..." He started tickling me mercilessly in the sides. I laughed until I was red and grabbed his hands. "Good morning again."

My mother appeared and started laughing. "You two are so cute." I looked away and dropped Kale's hands. "Where were you?" She walked up to me as I climbed out of the SUV. "I had to go to the bathroom." She smiled and gave me a hug. "We're off now. We have to catch our flight." I nodded and hugged back. "Alright, be safe."

"We will. I love you honey." "I love you too." I turned to my dad, who was between the trunk and the bags. "I love you." He said as I hugged him. "Dido." I said with a smile. They left quickly, leaving us both there with the bags. Kale looked at me and smiled. "Let's stop by at your room first." I nodded, getting my suitcase handle and rolling it across the floor on its wheels. He did the same.

The school felt completely empty. There were a few people there, but we didn't see more than ten. I sighed as we took the elevator up to the second level. I didn't want to even think about carrying it up the steps when I was like this, half awake. When we got to my room, I opened the door and took a big breath. It felt like a month since I was here, even though it's been less than a week.