Last Stop

Chapter five

The week passes with relative quiet, Anna and her 'squad' are ever friendly and invite me to a party happening next week. Spencer doesn't talk much, to me anyways. But he still uses his charm on everyone else. Jessica and I got partnered for a chemistry project so I agreed to meet her Friday evening at her house. The conversation happens over lunch and for some reason Spencer watches the exchange with furrowed eyebrows.

I mean I know I look like a bad influence. It isn't the first time I have been labeled as one. I am 6'2" with dark hair and even darker blue eyes. I only wear dark clothes and combat boots and I don't talk much. So people tend to make stereotypes about me but I just thought Spencer wouldn't be one of them. I mean come on the guy is friends with everyone, even known druggies in the school. He has not even heard anything to turn him against me. But there he sits, silent and brooding as I agree to meet Jessica.

"What are you guys testing?" Henry asks, he and Spencer are also in our chemistry class and they are partners for this project. I shrug as Jessica does the same.

"No idea, that is why we are meeting up."

I grin "As long as we get to blow stuff up I am fine with anything." The table chuckles, well except for mister grouchy. I could be the funniest person in the room and he would still glare.

I find myself in the last lesson of French in a flash where sir is handing out our latest pop quiz.

"Looks like you finally have a rival, Mr Rue." Sir says as he hands me my test. Full marks. I smile while Spencer spins around to watch me. Declan cackles beside him.

"Oh man that is classic, I always wished for this, my birthday has come early."

"Shut up Dec." He says rolling his eyes before addressing me "what did you get?" He asks with contempt thick in his voice and I shrug.

"A mark." He frowns before turning around and slipping his test into his bag. I see he got two answers wrong. Too bad.

I smirk the rest of the lesson as he slouches in his seat. He is the one with the issue not the other way around. However, I am not a pushover and two can play the game, his game

I meet Jessica after school and we head for her car. I already called aunt Millie who was more than happy to let me go. It is unusual for me to have to check in with someone. I am used to being a lone wolf. Answering to myself and myself only.

Jessica has a small blue fiat and I grin. It suits her perfectly. Her house is not very different from my aunts except it is a pale peach colour with a full flower bed out front.

Her mom greets us as we head for the lounge to get to work. It is getting dark by the time we wrap our heads around the project.

"Hey Jess, can I ask you something?" She nods as she relaxes back onto the couch. "Why does Spencer hate me so much?"

She chuckles "Speck doesn't hate anyone he is just stuffy with new people." I scoff in disbelief and she sits back up "It is true, when I came in junior year it took him a full two weeks to even talk to me."

I raise my eyebrows and she sighs "he will come around just give him time."

"Alright, I should be getting home." She nods and offers to drive but I tell her I need the walk. After all it is a small town you could walk from one side to the other in two hours.

The walk is soothing as I swing my arms in thought. Tomorrow I will start my job. I look forward to the distraction on weekends.

My phone rings just as I spot the house. Glancing down at the number, my chest squeezes, before I swipe the green button and place the phone at my ear. "Mom." I say breathless.

"Cam, baby." She greets her voice raspy and thick with emotion "how is small town life?" She asks and my heart clenches, despite our differences I love her with all my being. I did everything in my power to keep us together. She has to know that.

"Alright, how are you doing? Are they looking after you?"

Her chuckle is dry "Yes, no fucking anything in this prison."

"Good." I say and I can hear her small smile from here.

"I am working on getting better Cam, " I can tell she is being sincere and I appreciate it" the doctor thinks I might have depression."

"And?"

"I am sad Cam, but depressed? That is a heavy brick to lay."

"I know mom but so many people get depressed for various reasons, it might be a path you can explore."

"Ever the voice of reason," she chuckles softly "but enough about me, tell me about school and your cousins."

I sit down on the porch with the phone to my ear as I tell her about everything. I end up telling her about Spencer and his weird attitude.

"Don't worry too much Cam, if he doesn't see how great you are he is missing out. Take it from someone who watched you grow up without my help but often my hindrance. I am proud of you."

My heart clenches. My mom has apologized before but they were drug induced apologies that held little weight, this one is honest and raw and it rips at my insides.

"I am going to get better and be the mom you deserve, not the one you got."

"I love you mom, no matter what."

"I know Cam, I love you too but it is time I change."

I am not sure what to say and she sniffs into the silence.

"I bet my sister has made a delicious dinner, I would tell you to behave but I know you will so instead I will say don't be afraid to show people the amazing person you are."

"Thanks mom," I say, wishing for a minute that I can give her a hug. "Talk next week." She hangs up after that and I sigh, rubbing away at my eyes as I rest my head on my hands, my elbows on my knees. I hope this is truly what my mom needs to change.

"Cameron, you okay?" Marks voice filters through the crisp air as he steps outside.

I nod, not quite sure how to produce words right now. I feel him sit down next to me. "Your mom?" I nod and his arm comes around my shoulders "how is she?"

"She says she is working on herself, the doctors think she has depression." He is silent and I can tell he agrees with the doctors. I am pretty sure I agree with the doctors. But won't that mean more pills? More things to be addicted to?

"She is at the best place to get help with that." I nod and he pats my back "Millie made lasagna, come have some."

I follow him into the house. This week has been bitter sweet, for the first time ever I have made friends who seem genuinely nice. But then again this isn't my life. Every time I fall into my soft bed and close the navy curtains I am reminded that this is temporary and comfort doesn't come easy for people like me. Eventually I will have to go home. Face the reality that is really my life.

Back to my pale green walls and twin size bed. Back to solitude. I know my mom promises to change but a cheetah doesn't change its spots. I have to go home eventually. Even if it feels more like home here, amongst the 'cows and horses' than NYC ever did.