Dad listens to his music while I wash the dishes. I can hear the classical notes blasting from the speakers in the living room from the kitchen. Sometimes it's high. Sometimes it's low. I try to listen to the pieces, occasionally trying to predict what will happen next in the song
I turn the tap of the sink off, using the wet sponge in my hand to wipe the plate in my other hand. The bubbles on the surface of the flooded sink pop one by one and sometimes I lower the plate to make a bubble pop.
I suddenly stop. The song stops.
I dip my hand all the way into the water. It feels cooling. The other plates and bowls and forks and spoons all stirring underneath.
Mom comes in and I turn the tap on again, continuing to wash my dishes.
"Lisa, you've been washing dishes in the morning for hours already. Go get ready for school." She says and puts a hand in my shoulder.
I stop and turn around, grinning. Mom smiles back, but she looks tired. Maybe it was from taking care of Albert. I walk away from the sink and go to my parents' room. Albert is in his crib. I go to the crib, leaning over the railing to look at him. His skin is so smooth yet so wrinkled. Why?
I try looking into his eyes but hey are closed and I am hear his little breath. It's peaceful. Instead, my eyes sweep around the corners of his crib. I see his stuffed toys everywhere. I spot an elephant. It's blue. And made out of cotton. Stuffed.
I reach and grab it, holding it in my hand before taking it away from Albert. His face contorts a bit and I put it back.
I walk to school. Step step step on the concrete. Grendale High boasts about their academic success. But it's stupid. Our brains and what information it contains doesn't determine who we-
I feel a tap on my shoulder. A familiar tap.
My face breaks into a huge grin and I whip around. But nobody's there. I turn back around, disappointed. But there he is.
He stands at the steps of the school entrance, smiling at me and waving his hand.
I smile as well and I run to him. The wind feels to be pushing me back as I go forward. Weird. I reach him and he says, "Hi, Lisa Fento."
"Hello, Cameron Grant." I say quietly.
He raps his head and gives me a thumbs-up. "It's going to be your chemistry period soon."
I nod my head enthusiastically and I follow him to his locker. He pushes the button in for the password for his lock. The locker door swings open and I can feel the wind from the swing blowing softly at me. The door is the same. Rows and rows of pictures.
Pictures of Cameron and Brooklyn. Together. They look so happy. He looks so happy. She looks so happy. The door looks so happy. Maybe they feel happy when they see each other. Maybe they feel happy because of each other. He stands back up and continues to march forward. But I'm rooted in my position.
I miss Cameron. I haven't seen him for hours since yesterday in school.
He turns to me and gestures for me to come forward. "Hurry up!"
I rush to him.
"I need to go take a leak. Can you hold my book for me?" He asks and passes me his book. I clutch it tightly.
He goes into the lavatory and flashes me a smile before closing the door. I sit at a nearby bench and wait for him.
I see a boy walk into the lavatory. And another. That boy comes out. Another boy comes in. Two boys walk out. Another goes in. A group of boys walk in after the other boy. A string of boys walk out.
I wait for Cameron. Even till after the bell for chemistry has rung. I finally can't wait anymore. The clock ticks past the fourth number. I walk into the empty boy's lavatory. There is not a sound.
When I see the mirror, I gasp loudly and whimper to myself. It takes me long to remember that Cameron is gone. He is not supposed to be here. He never was here in the first place.
