Last Stop

Chapter twenty four

"So Spencer won the crown?" Millie asks the next morning at breakfast, everyone is in their fluffy pj's, hands around either hot chocolate or coffee. 

"Yes." I smile remembering the shock on his face when it wasn't the football captain and cousin but him who won, I think everyone was shell shocked before the whole gym exploded into cheers. "And Sara-Jo the cheerleader." Millie chuckles shaking her head.

"What was everyone wearing?" I smile, taking out my phone where Anna and Audrey and even Spencer have been sending me tons of pictures. I hand over the device so Millie and Mark can see it. In the end I was so thankful that I went, even if it was a cliché tradition that I had never seen myself partaking in.

"You have play practice then work tomorrow right?" Mark asks as he dishes up pancakes onto everyones plates. It was one of those rare mornings when everyone slept late. "I was thinking of inviting Eddy over for dinner tomorrow night but only if you think it is a good idea?" 

I nod "That would be nice."I say and he nods.

"On other news your aunt and I have found someone perfect for you to see in town, a Dr Gerry Lancaster, he is one of the best."

"Are you sick again?"  Lola asks and Millie sends her husband a look as if to say 'why did you bring it up now' he shrugs before telling Lola that I am not sick.

"Anyways he has agreed to see you Wednesday after school." Mark says as we all begin eating "And he seemed rather nice."

"Thanks."I say, not sure how I am ever going to thank them and pay them back for all they are doing for me. 

"No worries, Cam, we all want you to have the best." Millie says with a kind smile "Now tuck into those pancakes everyone because there are a lot of things to get done around the house today!" I am sure Lola eats extra slowly after that.

Monday morning comes and I am happy that I am getting back to school and the routine of it. I missed a week and it honestly feels like a month.

"He hath returned!"Henry says giving me a hug and a fist bump. "Back from the dead" I smile easily as I greet everyone else. Who were talking about friday night. 

"His face was comical!" Anna says leaning against Henry, I guess that is a thing now. "I think the football team lost a whole lot of cred."

"Nah, they are still the main MVP's." Henry says as we glance at said group who are goofing around as usual and  having a blast. "And to think he was running against his own cousin." Everyone chuckles as the bell rings and we head back to class. Spencer is late, as usual and only arrives five minutes into homeroom. Flustered from running in the cold and saying that the chickens got loose. An obvious lie since his chickens are allowed to roam the farm. I roll my eyes as he gives me a shrug before slipping into the seat next to mine and pulling out his phone. He shoves it in my direction and I glance down. Eyes widening when I see the twins dressed in dresses. 

"My mom was punishing them for breaking her favourite vase, they had to wear dresses the whole weekend!" He snorts under his breath and I chuckle softly "It was classic, don't tell them I said anything I value my life."I nod passing his phone back as we chuckle under our breath. 

"Hope you found all your chickens."Audrey says with a grin when we head to the next class. 

"Shut up." Spencer says before beginning to tell us about his weekend of helping his father prepare for the farmers market on Wednesday. Another town tradition. It is a Christmas Market and it always happens before the school play so that everyone can get their festive jackets and decorations for the show and the movie night after. 

"We going to meet there at five?" Anna asks and Spencer shakes his head

"I was thinking we could all head to my place after school then straight to the market if everyone is game."

There are various forms of agreement before everyone turns to me and I realise I haven't said anything.

"Urr, I have to be somewhere afterschool on Wednesday but I can meet you at the market. Mark asked me to help him set up his stall."

"Where do you have to be?" Anna asks as we all take our seats.

"Anna!" Spencer says with a hiss 

"What?" She asks "I am just making sure he isn't driving off a cliff or something." 

Everyone pauses and even Anna flinches "Sorry, too soon?" I shake my head honestly she has much tack as a bull.

"No, but if you must know I am heading to see a psychologist in town after school."

"Well good for you!"Audrey says "My therapist has helped me so much, especially after- well you know." I nod and she smiles at me "You are going to be just fine, Cameron."

My heart warms at her words, especially when everyone nods in agreement. 

"How are you?."Spencer says as we are waiting for the play practice to start. Anna and Henry are fooling around with fake swords to the side and Audrey is talking to the guy at the piano. I forgot his name. I turn my gaze to him, legs dangingly over the stage and I know I can be honest.

"I am getting there, "I say, fingers fiddling with the pages of his script. I have all of ten lines whereas he has about fifty.  "Everyone is being super nice to me."I smile but I know it looks more like I am in pain than anything else. "I just wish everything could stay like this for just a minute."

He smiles, knocking shoulders with me "I am proud of you."

I raise my eyebrows and he colours "I mean you are helping yourself and everything, getting help."

"Thanks, I guess." I sigh as I watch Henry and Anna fall in a fit of giggles "I have never had anyone to rely on, never had anyone sticking in my corner and now that I do it just feels like I have a whole lot more to loose."

"I get it." He says with a sigh looking down at our shoes as they swing back and fourth. "I wish I could take that from you, the fear that you are not good enough for someone to care about you."

I grin at him "I am apparently good enough for you to care about me." He colours and I chuckle as he shoves me. "I am sorry by the way."

"For?" He asks furrowing his eyebrows. 

"Having to cancel our date, I promise I will make it up to you." He smiles, leaning against me slightly.

"I know, just focus on feeling better first." I nod and we fall into silence that is both comforting and full of promise. Promises of  a future, uncertain as it may be. But a future where I can take him on dates and we can grow closer. But first I have to heal a little or at least start the process.