Waiting.

Four

"Boo!" Cole said to my ear, his breath touching my face. I almost fell off my seat! "Damn it, Cole!" I yelled.

"Dude the bell just rang.." he chuckled while giving his hand out for me to grasp.

I grunted as I stood and dusted the dirt off my shirt. He just laughed and we made our way to lunch.

But sadly, I wasn't in the mood to eat. So what I did was I called Jules from the basketball team and we went to the Stadium to shoot some hoops.

"What's bothering you, Dre?" he asked, observing me seriously from the bleachers. I took a deep breath, ran 'cross court and threw in a lay-up. I won't answer him. He could read me anyway.

I took the ball, went for the three point line. Dribbling, I let the ball slowly bounce back to me. Too deep in thought, I had to let the stress out.

I fixed my eyes on the net.

Deep breath.

Shoot.

"Camille?"" he guessed.

The ball didn't go throught the net. Instead, it bounced back from the wall. I sighed again.

He sighed heavily.. as if bearing my pain too.

I've been sighing a lot today, huh?

He went down, grabbed the ball and took a step forward.

"Sometimes, you gotta take a brave step forward, crouch a little.." he said as he crouched and got ready to shoot.

He shot and scored.

"..and keep your eyes on the prize" we said together.

We've had this same conversation for years.. and I still don't get it.

I shrugged, "Still don't get it".

He grabbed the ball again as it bounced back to us, and handed it to me.

"You need to free your heart and let it lead".

"But how?" I asked again.

"You gotta figure that one out on your own, dude" he shrugged.

Aaaaaaand he left me alone to think- as usual.

Ugh, dammit. I won't get anything with this. Then, I heard the door slightly creak open, "oh shit!". Thinking it was a teacher, I went to the side, hiding behind the bleachers. Smooch? Kissing noises? WTF?

I moved my head a little and peeked.

I rubbed my eyes as I couldn't believe what I was staring at.

Jules.. and CAMMIE.

They were touching and kissing at what seemed to be the perfect spots. And I could seriously tell they were loving every touch and second. He went for her bra, I think.

Suddenly, Cammie pushed away, but why?

She smiled at him and said, "Not you, Julian".

"Aw, c' mon, CC! We almost had it!" he called after her as she made her way out.

She stopped on her tracks, as if pissed by what he just said, "Correction, Julian. WE never had it" she spat before the doors slammed.

I heard him sneer. Son of a-

"So, Andre.." he called, voice echoing the Stadium.

His cold voice sent goosebumps on my arms. And it slowly froze my heart.. and made it crack.

He meant for it.

I strode out, furious as hell.

"She can't do me. She loves someone else" he said with a hint in his voice.

I don't understand, and I won't understand. I have no fucking plans to! I don't do riddles! DIE FOR ALL I CARE!

What a day. What a mess. So going beyond my limit.

I stormed out to the parking lot, got my car and went home. And when I say home, I mean Home-Home. Not bachelor pad-Home. Home as in, Cape May, New Jersey.. my childhood town.

My dad's house.

It was a three hour drive from New York. And I was pretty much exhausted. I just left my car on the drive way and checked for signs of mom.

One- the garage.

No Porsche, No mom.

Crossing my fingers, I checked into the potted plant for the keys. Perfect. There they were! I dusted the soil off and slid it into the keyhole and entered the house- worry-free. Damn, a rober would love to steal from this house!

Two- the kitchen.

No sweet smell of tomato sauce. No spaghetti. No mom.

Three- living room.

Not messy. No mom.

Okay, great. I switched the lights on, turned the TV on and scanned all the channels to my heart's content. Bored, I stood up, thinking I could get some vodka right now. Oh. It's still four in the afternoon. I'd just get some and drink 'em later then.

I took my hoodie and went out to the street, to the nearby Convenience store and got something to drink. I slowly walked, taking in the scenery, I missed home. With my hands deep in my pockets, I set my eyes on the other house directly opposite to mine. As I took a deep breath, the memories flashed in my head.

I wonder if they're still there..

..the same scent, the same colors, the same panels and wooden boards.. and the same warm smiles.