the three of us {chim}

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𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲'𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘃

The rest of the afternoon was surprisingly fun. I've never loved talking to one person for so long. Being with Kimberly feels like reuniting with an old friend. She understands my humor and seems to hang onto every little word I say.

"He just got up and left?!" I ask, barely being able to make a full sentence because I am laughing so hard.

"Yep! My dad told me to stop embarrassing him," she giggles as she finishes telling a funny story about her brother.

"Well, one time I—" I trail off because I'm interrupted by my phone ringing. Mum's name pops up on the screen, making my heart drop. Hello?" I answer.

"Hey, we're going to be late tonight," she says, making my smile fade instantly.

"Nothing I haven't heard before," I snap at my Mum and see Kimberley frown from across the table.

"Don't speak to me like that, Camille. We will be home as soon as possible. Where are you? I can barely hear you," she demands an answer from me.

"I'm at the diner, the one a couple blocks from home."

"Okay, well hurry on home. Piper needs to be fed."

"Yes, Mother," I sigh. She makes me call her "mother" in front of others. I'm only allowed to call her Mum at home or with family around.

"I will see you soon, Camille. Behave."

And before I knew it, she had hung up the phone.

"Yes, Mother," Kimberley mocks me, which makes me giggle.

I put my phone down and notice that Kimberley is smiling at me. I can tell that she secretly wants to say something, seeing as she has a look of sympathy with a hint of despair. Maybe she has never seen a mother-daughter dynamic like me and Mum's. A lot of my friends haven't seen anything like it either.

"So, how's about some ice cream?" Kimberley exclaims as she tries to lighten the mood at our table.

"That sounds amazing! What flavors do you have?!" I accept and let my smile quickly crawl back to my face.

"I've got vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, cookie dough, pistachio, banana, cotton candy—"

"I'll have the strawberry! It's my favorite."

"Coming right up!" Kimberley beams before dashing back to the kitchen.

I wait around for Kimberley to come back, thinking that maybe she wouldn't come back. Something about my brain has trained me to doubt everyone and everything. I never allow myself to fully believe that anyone can truly like me let alone love me. My mother and father have done it to me. They loved me, but they don't really seem to anymore.

"Here ya' go," Kimberley says as she sets the ice cream bowl in front of me. I notice she got herself one as well.

"So, how exactly did you end up working here?"

"Well, I don't just work here, I own it—"

"You own Cheryl's?!"

"Yeah, I opened it 10 years back," she replies.

"I can't believe you own this place. I've always wanted to meet the owner," I admit.

"And why's that?"

"So I could compliment you. I love this place, it always makes me feel happy. It's cozy and feels inviting and welcoming. It's refreshing," I let out, suddenly gulping down the lump in my throat. "So who is Cheryl anyway?" I let my curiosity take over as I put a spoonful of the fruity strawberry ice cream in my mouth.