How I See It

Chapter 9 - Surprise Visit

It's been one week since people found out I was alive. People got used to seeing me and hugging me. But now they've gone back to their plastic lives again. My mom met a guy about 2 days ago and they seemed to hit it off. He has a 13 year old daughter who's too big for her shoes.
It was still summer and there was nothing to do. So I decided to go online and fill out applications for Summer Camp. I wasn't really in the mood for that, but I had to get out of this miserable town. When I was finished, there was no way that I didn't fill out less than 20 applications.

I heard a knock on my door and my door screeched open. I turned my head around from the computer on my table that was well-built in my room and recognized the tattooed guy. Gray.
"Sorry, I just wanted to get some fresh clothes if that's okay. I still have to go buy me some clothes. I feel bad wearing yours all the time."
"It's fine. Really. You can borrow it for as long as you like." He took a shirt and then looked at me. "Yeah, um, about that." He looked down to the shirt that he was holding in his hand and looked back up again. "I'm thinking of leaving soon..."

I looked at him with confusion. "What? Why."
"I just feel like I'm over stepping the boundaries of living here and I don't want to intrude anymore."
"Your not intruding at all." There was a moment of silence. I looked down at my hands that were folded and them unfolded them. "So where will you go?"
"I'm not sure yet, but I saw online that there are a few jobs that are available with housing."

"That's really great man, but are you sure you want to go? I mean like it's going to be difficult, don't you think?" "It'll probably be hard in the beginning, but I think that it's for the best." I shook my head.
"So, where are these jobs located?" "Two are in Georgia and four are in Cape Town. The jobs in Georgia pay for all expenses to get there." "Georgia!? As in the USA? Are you crazy! Everything's double the price. Come on man, aren't you overthinking this?" As soon as I finishes, he takes the shirt and throws it on the ground. He leaves my room and shuts the door closed.
Shit.

The following morning

The song of my alarm starts to play at 06:00 on a Sunday morning. I lead my hand towards the table next to my bed and turn it off. My eyes open and it's a bit blurry. It takes a few seconds for my vision to become clear. I stay in my bed, thinking. All of the mess that's happened and I'm still here. I should be thankful, but I can't seem to find the thank in any of it.

The floor outside my room creaks and I remove the blanket from my rested body. I walk to my door and turn the knob. I pull the knob towards me and see that Gray is standing in front of my door with his hand in a fist, ready to knock.
"Hey..." he says. "Good morning. Sleep well?"
"Yeah, thanks. Listen, I'm sorry about yesterday. I didn't mean to make a scene." "Don't worry, it's all good. I was actually planning on apologizing myself. I didn't mean to judge your decisions. I'm sorry." He gives me a hug and taps me on the back.

We went downstairs to make us some coffee, but then we heard strange noises coming from the living room. I tried to listen but it was unclear. I walked closer and heard my dad's voice.
"Dad?" He looks up to me from the couch after having an argue with my mother. "My boy, I've missed you. Come here." I stand closer and wait for him to get of the couch. As soon as he does, he gives me a tight hug and grabs my head. "Look how much you've grown. It's only been 2 months!" "Yeah, but only in length" I laugh.

"Don't worry, we'll fix that very quickly. But for now I want to know how your doing. You know after the whole 'getting arrested and almost died' situation."
"I'm doing okay. I actually applied to some summer camps that are starting on Tuesday. Everyone who applied will be getting their results today. I hope that's okay with you mom?" She looks at me and nods. "Listen, I came here to tell you and your sister something. Where is she?" "Still sleeping. My alarm went off too early." "She's coming" Gray suddenly says, coming from down stairs.

My dad's eyes move to Gray's movement. "Who are you?" Gray looks at my dad. "Hi, I'm Gray. I'm a friend of your son's." They shake hands and my dad grips awfully tightly. He releases his hand and Gray shakes it from pain. My dad looks at him and starts to laugh. "That's how a man is supposed to shake!"
The staircase creaks and suddenly everyone's attention is on my sister. "Dad? What are you doing here?" She hugs him and sits down on the couch. "You haven't changed one bit. You're still as beautiful as always. How are you doing?" "I'm doing great, thank you. How are YOU doing?" My dad takes her hand and puts it in his hand.

"I'm doing great, thanks sweetie. Now that you're both here, there's something I have to tell you." Silence takes over once again. "I met someone. Someone special. I would really like it if you meet her." My eyes move to the side of my eyeballs and I take a deep breath. "Okay" my sister says. "But I hope she isn't like Victoria. She was rude and she had no respect whatsoever." "I understand that. She is so nice and she has a good heart. She loves animals and she has children. Two, a boy and a girl." "Okay" I say softly. "Great! It'd be great if you could meet her maybe tonight at dinner? I'm only here till tomorrow."

"Okay, how about 7?" I add. "7's great. See you then." We hug each other and wave our dad goodbye as he drives away from our front yard. Hours pass as we take the Sunday afternoon to rest. Nighttime came and we got ready to go to dinner. My dad's hooter honks and we leave the house and get into the car. The whole night was kind of awkward but then it got comfortable, in a way. Hannah, my dad's new girlfriend, was nice and was very comfortable. We had a great time together. We got home and said our final goodbyes to our dad.

I went up to my room and took a quick shower before I checked my computer. I was quite surprised after I got an acceptance letter from one of the camps. Camp Kuwala. I searched it again just to check which one it was. With excitement, I started packing my bags, because it was the camp I was hoping I'd go to. Monday came and then Tuesday morning came. I was elated and a bit nervous. The whole point was to get away from Hazardville. The worst town ever existed.

I said goodbye to my mom and sister after they dropped me off at the bus station. I got on the bus that was heading to Barthaley. From there I would get on one of the camp busses where all the campers would be on. I stood in front of the doors and after they closed, I let out a breath that felt like it was there for a long time. Three full weeks of camp, here I come.