the three of us {chim}

Piece 129

Author's POV

Camille lies awake in the early morning, watching out the open curtains of her window.  She sits up on her own and finds herself doing more on her own now.  Without the help of anyone, Camille turns to hang her feet off the bed.  She tries to stand but must grab onto the bedside table for support.  Her first step in her damaged body was breathtaking — the teen never thought one step could bring so much joy.

"Millz!" Kimberley exclaims as she stands at the doorway, experiencing her daughter's first step since the accident.

"It doesn't hurt," Camille reassures her Mum.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, not at all." The teen gleams in joy, "I was just trying to get to the bathroom."

"Do you think you can do it?" The mother hesitantly asks, not wanting to push her daughter.

"I think so," Camille answers and grabs the crutches that the blonde hands her.  Kimberley stands back and witnesses Camille make it to the bathroom.  The teen closes the door and smiles to herself before looking in the mirror.

The bright smile fades at once at the sight of her own body.  She has never seen herself so unkept and damaged.  The teen stares at her reflection for some time, not being able to tear her eyes away.  Camille sees her body in the mirror, but not her soul.  The teen takes a moment to look at the truth the mirror shows.  She is hurt and damaged — but why is that enough of a reason to lose her spirit?

"Camille?" Kimberley calls out as she knocks on the door.

"One minute," Camille answers her mother's call and goes to handle her business.

On the other side of the door, Kimberley sits on Camille's bed.  She runs her hand across the expensive sheets and feels the softness of the fabric.  She takes a deep breath, realizing that the teen has not left the bedroom in a while.  Kimberley stands to make her daughter's bed, hoping that the teen will not want to jump back into the covers.

"Hey, there's my pretty girl." Kimberley rejoices as her daughter comes out of the bathroom.  The teen had fixed her wavy hair and washed her face — looking brighter than she has in a while.

"Made my bed?" Camille asks.

"Just thought you'd want to come down for breakfast," Kimberley offers.

"Yeah,"

Kimberley walks her daughter down the steps, which proves to still be a struggle for the teen.  The blonde holds her daughter the whole way down, being patient in her steps.

"Oh, good morning." Cheryl smiles as she sees her fiancée and daughter walking into the kitchen.

"Impressed?" Camille asks as she walks by herself.

"Yes, and worried." Cheryl says as she gives her daughter a hug.

"Why?"

"Your cuts.  Looks like they've opened a bit." The mother worries as she sees some new dried blood on the teen's cheeks.

"It's okay, I think it was because I washed my face."