Don't Go. (EDITING)

Chapter 21

"Get a job or something." Mom says, for probably the third time today.

It has been exactly a week and three days, since the day at the pool with Jax and Piper. Every time my mind isn't busy, I start to think of him. Not Lorne. Jax. Which scares me.

This morning, I woke up at 5:48. So I quietly went downstairs, and focused on frying eggs. First I tried making them scrambled. The first batch burned quickly, and the second, was perfect. I added a few other eggs, and a pinch of cheese, to the mix in the pan. I finished them up, placed them on a plate, turned the oven on low, and set it inside to keep it warm.

Than I made two sandwiches. One for Dad's lunch, and the second for Mom's lunch.

Now I sit at the table with Mom and Dad, Piper still sleeping, and chew on a forkful of scrambled egg.

"I can't. I'll need a work permit." I say. Although, it would be another thing to busy my mind.

"You could get one easily. It's summer, Camellia." Mom says. Dad nods, his mouth full. "Plus, it would be good for you, to get a job. You'll learn responsibility."

"But Lorne's coming back soon. In like, a week or two." I say. I set down my fork, as another image of Jax's face pops into my head. I stand, and pace around the table. The movement helps slightly, and the image fades.

As I stop walking to take another bite of my eggs, Dad says, "Two weeks are two weeks. You'll be making money too. I think your Mom's right." I swallow, and shove the rest of my plate's contents into my mouth quickly.

"Fine. What do I have to do to get a permit?" I ask. Eyeing the empty plates before Mom and Dad, I grab my own. "Done?" I ask. They nod, and I take them in my hands.

"Thanks for breakfast, Camille. And school's out, so you'll need to go to City Hall." Dad says. I nod, and carry the dishes to the sink in the kitchen. Grabbing the dish soap, I turn on the water. Attempting to wash the dishes by hand, to take up more time. I fetch a sponge from the bucket under the sink. Mom appears at my side.

"You're welcome Dad," I say, beginning to scrub the plates. Mom sets a hand on my shoulder.

"Have a great day sweetie." She pecks my cheek, and grabs her lunchbox from the counter.

"You too Mom. Bye." I say. She disappears behind the front door as she waves goodbye. Dad follows her, saying bye as he leaves. I sigh, and set the plates out on a towel to dry.

Looking around while drying my hands, I spot a crumbled piece of paper stuck under one of the dining room chairs. I rush over, trying to keep my mind busy, and fetch the paper from under the chair leg. I smooth it out on the table, and lean in close to read it.

Hello Piper,

How are you? I haven't seen you in a long time, and I was wondering if you wanted to come back home? I'd hate for you to miss my birthday party. Anyway, I miss you, I lost your phone number, so could you maybe give it to me, and write me back? Okay, bye.

Love, Jade

I stand, the note clasped in my fingers. I start towards the stairs, to ask Piper about this. Jade was her friend back at our old house. Surely she would have told Mom or Dad about this. Or at least me? Unless she doesn't want to go see Jade. What did Jade do to make Piper not want to see her?

I crumple the piece of paper back up in my hand, and stuff it into my jean shorts pocket.

The home line rings, and I take my time shuffling over to where it sits on the counter. I wrap my fingers around the warm plastic, and bring it to my ear.

"Hello?" I breath out the words, the towel still held in my other hand.

"Camille, hey."

My throat clogs, and I feel myself tense up. But not for the right reasons.

"Lorne!" I choke out the words, feeling like an idiot. I try to smile through my betrayal, but just end up coughing.

"Are you okay?" Lorne asks, true concern in his voice.

"Yeah, I'm good." I swallow sharply. "How are you? How's California?"
"It's... okay. I wish you were here with me." Longing is rich in his voice, and I feel a sharp pain in my chest.

"Me... me too." I mumble.

"Listen, I have something to tell you. I was hoping I would catch your parents, so I wouldn't have to tell you directly. That's why I called so early in the morning."

My stomach drops lower than it already is-which is very low.

"What do you mean?" I ask. I hear a soft sigh come from the speakers at my ear.

"It's about the funeral... my mom wants to have it in California. Because that's where most of my family is... but that means we have to stay here for even longer. Just... tell me... if you would want to go to the funeral. If I can convince my mom to have the funeral back at home, than I could come home a week early." Lorne's voice is soft and sad.

"Of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world." I know how much this mean to him.

"Really?" He asks. I nod, than respond "yes" after remembering that he can't see me. "That's great! I-I'll tell my mom right now! I'll let you get back to whatever you were doing before, bye. I love you Camille."

My chest aches again.

"I love you too." I say. Than the phone beeps, telling me that the call is over.