How I See It

Chapter 14 - Summer's Over

It's been 2 months since Maggie shot herself. 2 months since Ander killed that man and I got rid of the body. 2 months since I've seen or heard from anyone at Camp Kuwala. I've tried to forget what happened but because my mom keeps bringing it up, there is no hope of forgetting at all. The last bit of summer I had left was quite boring. All I ever did was watch Netflix and sleep.

School was finally about to start again and Prom was coming up. I've never really given any thought about it, but I guess now is the perfect time to do so. It was Sunday morning and everyone was sitting around the table and eating breakfast. Everyone except Gray. He was upstairs busy packing for Georgia. He made up his mind and decided to take the job that's almost 36 hours away from us. By plane. But we supported him all the way.

We talked at the table and I drank my orange juice and that's when we heard it. The stairs being used to help a suitcase get down. We all looked back and and walked towards the door. Gray only had one suitcase and a hat with dark glasses. He had to cover his face to hide from the police. "I guess this is it." He looked at my mother and gave her a hug. "Thank you so much for letting me stay here. You have been so welcoming and nice. I'll never forget what you did for me." She smiles. "It's been a big pleasure helping you. Remember that you'll always have a place right here in our home." He looked at my sister and did a weird handshake. "Thanks for helping me train Landy. I've always struggled training that dog." What can I say? I'm a dog person." The both laughed and shared a hug. He looked at me a also gave me a hug. "Man, what would I have done without you? Your like the brother I've never had." I look at him and give a quick nod. "I have no doubt that you'll live the best live. You deserve it." After my words, he picked up his suitcase and took a deep breath.

A taxi honked and he opened the door. He looked back and gave one last smile. A smile ready for a new life. He left the door and closed it behind him. A few seconds later, the taxi took off and all that was left of Gray, was his kindness wandering around in our hearts.

The Next Morning

It's Monday morning and summer has left us. My bed is as comfortable as socks on a cold day. All I want to do is sleep in, but I know that's never going to happen. I check the time on my clock and get up with a groan. I can already smell the bacon from my room. 15 minutes after I changed and showered, I grab my bag and skip breakfast. The bus approaches and I get in. I look around and see North. I smile at her and she waves at me. I go sit next to her and put my bag on the floor. "Holy shit. I didn't know you were going to Hazardville High." She laughs at me and shakes her head. "Me neither. My parents got divorced and I had to go with my dad. He got a job at a law firm, so we moved." I look down and scratch my head. "Look, I'm sorry I haven't texted you or anything. This is going to sound crazy but I was heading to juvie." There's an awkward silence. "I know." I look at her with a frown. "You do? Of course you do. The whole country probably knows. Great."

"Noah, there's something I have to tell you." She takes my hand in hers and whispers into my ear. The words that came out of her very own mouth made me feel a lot of different feelings. Confused was the winner. She takes her hand away from my ear and waits for a response. A hug was my response to her. "Thank you. I don't know what I would've done. Thank you." She smiles with no teeth and lets go. "But how did you..." Before I could finish my sentence, the school bus stops and everyone pushes each other out of the way just to get out. "Look I'll explain everything later. I have to find the councilors office. I'll see you later, okay." She stands up and I nod, looking up. She exits the bus and I'm the last one to leave.

I look at the school building and I'm kind of pissed to be back at this shithole. I let out a loud sigh and start walking towards the building. A hand on my shoulder suddenly appears and makes me turn my head. "Hey stranger. How are you?" "Hey Brooke, I'm okay. How was your summer?" She looks at me and rolls her eyes. "Shit. How bout yours." I tell her about the camp but ONLY the camp. No details. She lits a cigarette and takes a puff. "Shit. Aren't you going to get in trouble or something?" She looks at me and blows into my face. "Probably, but hey. You gotta live and this shitshow doesn't let me. Fuck the world and fuck everybody in it. So, did you find out who helped you and handsome escape from that van?" My eyes go wider and I think of a memory on the bus. A whisper. "Me and my dad was following the van just to make sure you arrived safely but then it crashed. So we helped you out." I'm lost in my mind when Brooke suddenly shakes me back to reality. "Helooooo. Are you here!" I shake my head and look at her. "Yeah, no I'm here. Sorry. Um what did you ask again?" "Did you find out who.." "Oh. No. No idea."

She looks at me strangely and then breaks the gaze. She throws her cigarette on the ground and step on it. The school bell rings and we all walk faster than usual. We get into the hallway and walk to out lockers. "So, who are you taking to prom?" "I'm thinking of taking that new girl, North. I met her at my grandfather's funeral. You?" She laugh sarcastically. "Reggie asked me. That son of a bitch. You know I caught his cheating ass with that girl Laila. He basically begged for forgiveness. I always forgive him. But I told him that this was his last chance. I should just leave his ass." I giggle and shake my head. "He's a dick." "Preach."

Hands attack me from behind that cause me to fall to the ground. I look back up and see Reggie. "The fuck you say about me? You talking shit bout me? Come on big boy. Get up freak!" Anger takes over my body and make me feel scared of myself. I get up and with all the power I have, I push him against the locker. "Say that again." He spits in my face and his eyes crimp. "Freak." My body has no control and without a doubt, I swing my fist into his face. I grab him and throw him to the ground. All I can hear is a high pitched sound. Before I know it, I punch him again. As I get my hand ready for the third swing, Mr.Clipster takes my hand and pulls me up.

I shake his hand off of me and I run away from the scene. I find the cafeteria and see that North is sitting around a table with some other girls. I walk towards her and wait for her to finish her sentence.
"Hey, Noah." "Hey, North. Can I ask you something?" She looks at me and smiles. "Sure." She stands up and we go to another table. Not knowing what I'm doing, I go down on one knee and her eyes go wide. "Noah! What the hell are you doing? Get up!" I get up and scratch my head. "Shit, I'm sorry. I don't know how to do this." She laughs and places her hand on her mouth to stop. "North?" "Yes?" "Will you please go to prom with me?" She laughs and shakes her head. "Of course!" She gives me a hug and I giggle thinking about me on my knee. Real mature.

"Noah Miller, please report to the principal's office." She loos at me with an eyebrow higher than the other one. "What did you do?" "It's nothing. I'll see you later." She smiles at me and I smile back. I exits the cafeteria and enter the hallway. While I'm walking, I look down and smile. When I looked back up, I saw two police officers, heading my way. I stood still and got cold. Did they find out about what happened at Camp Kuwala? Shit. The one police officer grabs me and pushes me against the lockers. "What the hell!" "Noah Miller, you have committed a crime by escaping a police van and not turning yourself in. You have the right to remain silent." I can't believe this. It's all happening again.