Just Scraps

✰chapter thirty-two✰

-Elias

I couldn't go to sleep last night, I managed to get an hour of sleep and that was it. I'm excited and I'm afraid, why am I? This is my dream, I'm catching a closer look of what could be me in a year or two. My life has already taken a turn for the best, imagine me in two years! I'll be one of the greatest artists to ever set foot on this planet.

My bags are already packed, I've visited everyone one last time and gave them all my love. On top of that, East Camden will be at the bus stop and will say their final goodbyes. I'll be spending the rest of my summer in New York with Monty Diaz, my mentor. It'll be a rough time for me, but I know there will be a positive outcome.

I walked into the kitchen and poured myself a bowl of cereal. My bus arrives at noon, so I need to hurry up! Before I go there's one thing I want to handle, and that's what happened at my going away party. Xael managed to find her way at my party and saw things that she shouldn't have seen. I never wanted to hurt her, nobody deserves to be left with a broken heart.

She's changed me completely, I was an anti-social boy who refused to make friends and engage with anyone, then she came out of the blue and turned my world upside down. Our relationship may be over but, I don't want to lose her!

Now that she saw me and Rowan kiss, she'll never look at me the same way again. I'm dead to her...

I won't be able to live with myself if I leave without showing her that I still care.

Raul helped me carry my bags down to the living room, "How're you feeling? You excited?" He asked with enthusiasm. I nodded my head up and down, "Yeah, it's like a dream come true y'know!" I sighed. "I'm going to miss you, Elias. We're all going to miss you,"

I chuckled, trying to hold back my tears, "I'm not dying or anything, I'll be back,"

Raul scoffed, "I know that, kid. What I'm saying is that when you come back, things will be different for you and everybody else. Camden is ranked number five on the most dangerous cities in America list. Now that the world sees that you are making it out and doing big things, you'll be put on a pedestal. And when you come back, you'll no longer be an ordinary kid, you'll be our personal trophy,"

"Are you for that kind of title?" He asked.

I stood still and thought about it, I know that when I come back here in mid-September that I'll be looked at as a different person, that's just how fame work.

"Yes, I am," I said proudly. He and I high fived and I decided to go out and enjoy my last couple of hours in Camden. While I walked through the town I noticed Jamar walking his pit-bull, Kwame. I whistled at him and waved, trying to get his attention. Luckily, he noticed and walked across the street.

"How're you doin' big man? I'm excited for you man, this is a big deal!" He gave me a hug and a pat on the back.

"Remember, success comes with a price, often a huge price! People are going to pray for your downfall, begging for you to fail! You're a strong kid, Elias. You got this!"

"Thanks, Jamar, I appreciate your words of wisdom!" I said with sarcasm. He gave me a soft punch on the shoulder and laughed, "Don't get smart with me man, I'm trying to help you out! But don't forget to open the box I gave you... it's important! Get outta here,"

"I won't!"

I ran off to carry on with my day. I had one last stop... Xael's house. Man, I shouldn't be going over there anyway. What she saw yesterday must've torn her apart, she's made it clear that she still loves me and only God knows how she reacted when nobody was around. Rowan's the one girl that I could never see myself with simply because of how she treated Xael in the past, and for me to engage in such stupid activities with her is horrible.