NOBODY HOME

As soon as the final bell rang, I hightailed it out of the school.

      The lessons were boring, the teachers were boring, the students were boring, and I needed to get high just to endure another minute of it. My first instinct was to flee as fast as I could, but then I remembered my very own personal cheerleading chaperone.

      "Saylor!"

      Shit.

      Speak of the devil.

      Cameron found me in the middle of the hall as I was en route to the nearest exit.

      As much as I wanted to pick up speed, I didn't.

      "There you are!" Cameron came around me and planted herself in front of me with this huge high-spirited smile.

      I tried to match her upbeat persona, but I was sure my smile came out lopsided and as though I were constipated. "Here I am."

      "My dad just texted me, he's on his way," Cameron informed me. "Let's go wait out front, you can tell me all about your day."

      The crazy thing was, I could tell she actually was interested in hearing about my first day and how I enjoyed the school or not.

      Little Miss Peppy would take some getting used to.

      At my old school, I would've ditched Cameron by now, or at least made her hate me with a few choice words, but something about this move had me feeling a bit nice. Hell, there was something about Cameron that made me feel like a total dick when I used sarcasm. She was like a puppy, a blonde, happy puppy that you just couldn't kick.

      I followed her out of the school and with the flow of traffic to meet her father at the carpool lane.

      "So, how was it?" Cameron chirped up. That damn smile had to be infectious for most.

      "Oh it was just grand," I let out.

      Cameron chuckled. "Okay, I know it's not the fabulous Californ-I-A, but come on, it's not that bad. Hey, maybe I could show—"

      Her statement was interrupted by the arrival of a girl practically appearing out of nowhere.

      "What up, Pumpkin Spice Latte!" The girl enthused.

      "What up, Caramel Frapp!" Cameron responded.

      What was this? "Wait, what?"

      Cameron faced me. "We're kidding. Those are our fave Starbucks drinks. Once we know yours, we'll loop you in."

      Not happening.

      The girl, a bubbly Latina I recognized from class, peeked in my direction. "New girl, right? Navy is it?"

      "Saylor," I corrected.

      She bobbed her head. "Oh right. Awesome name, I wish my parents had of been that creative with mine." She turned to Cameron. "What even is Harmony?"

      Cameron patted her friend's shoulder. "Relax, I love it. I mean, what if Saylor doesn't even like the water?"

      And this girl could sing?

      Cameron gently touched my arm. "No offense of course."

      I shrugged. "None taken." I sized Harmony up. "Can you hold a note?"

      Cameron snickered. "Only when Ebram's on top."

      Harmony grinned. "Cam!"

      Cameron turned to me. "He's a total skeeze, but she won't get rid of him."

      Harmony rolled her eyes. "We can't all date golden boys like you."

      From what I'd seen of Aidan Church in class, he definitely was an all-around decent guy. He probably wasn't a football player because he didn't want to hurt anyone, and being a mathlete was safer and more humane.

      I totally favored his brother instead.

      "Hey Saylor." Harmony tapped my arm and I had just enough grace not to wipe her fingers off of me. "We should hit the mall sometime and you can tell us all about the golden state."

      "Yeah, have you met anyone famous?" Cameron asked.

      Typical. Although I did live in L.A., so I could understand their curiosity.

      All the glitz and glamour of the stars wasn't my thing though. The pretty people were boring and tamed, I much preferred the decadent fun the underground offered.

      "Not really," I replied. "But if you ask my mom, she once had Ben Affleck open the door for her at a coffee shop."

      Before me both girls swooned.

      "Ohmigod, have you ever met Leo?" Harmony asked next.

      Cameron's mouth gaped open.

      Okay, even I could admit Leonardo DiCaprio was pretty cool.

      "God, I wish," I said.

      In another moment, Aidan was scooping Cameron into his arms.

      This time I had Harmony to gag with me.

      Harmony had the luxury of excusing herself while I had to stay and wait until the honeymoon was over.

      "Do you have a boyfriend back in L.A., Saylor?" Cameron asked me.

      "No, not really," I told her.

      Cameron was back focusing on Aidan. "We should set her up with someone."

      Not happening.

      Back home, I'd never had someone as cute and cuddly like Aidan.

      My first was actually older than me. I was sixteen and he was twenty-one. Kevin was actually a friend of Danny's—or ex-friend now.

      We'd met at Danny's favorite bar he liked to sneak us into. Kevin and I hit it off instantly. He liked all the same older bands as I did, and he could match my smart mouth and sarcasm with ease.

      We weren't in love or whatever.

      My generation was so fucked-up and confused. None of us knew what love was. Our parents didn't even make it.

      With Kevin, I just knew I liked him a lot. I would sneak out and spend the night at his place, and we'd stay up smoking on his balcony and listening to our favorite songs and dissecting the lyrics.

      My mom and stepdaddy dearest never found out, which was good, they each would've had a conniption a piece if they had known.

      It did hurt, though. I won't lie.

      One moment we were together and it was us against the world, and the next Kevin was with some new girl, a girl his own age.

      Kevin never spoke to me or directly ended us, it was something that was just obvious by the way the guys and I'd walked into the bar one night and caught Kevin with his new girl.

      There was no text, no phone call, no apology. Not even goodbye.

      I never cried. I never let it show.

      But Danny, ah man, did I love Danny, he took it upon himself to kick Kevin's ass over it.

      It wasn't love, but it was something like it.

      Still, Kevin and I, we weren't half as nauseating to be around like Cameron and Aidan.

      He had his arms around her and she was leaning up on her toes as she draped her arms around his neck.

      The googly eyes were enough for me to look elsewhere.

      Dreux was off down the sidewalk, shaking hands and slapping five with a few equally muscular boys—jocks.

      Cameron was finishing up with Aidan, giving me a perfect opportunity for snooping.

      Cameron was friendly, like super friendly. Some kid had to read a report in English in front of the entire class, and the whole time they read theirs hands were shaking. Most of the kids were laughing at the girl, except Cameron. She had her hands clasped together, a big smile on her face, encouraging the girl as she looked really into her report.

      "You ready?" She was suddenly nudging me.

      I pushed a hand through my hair, trying to find a way to ease into my snooping. Oh hell. "What's up with Dreux St. Julien?"

      Cameron's blue eyes flickered off into his direction where he was getting into some SUV. "Oh Dreux! He's so sweet, Saylor. He's good friends with Aidan, and like a real-life Prince Charming. He doesn't stick his nose in any drama, and he always helps out at any fundraiser. Heck, he doesn't even drink or smoke at parties."

      So the guy was a real snooze fest.

      "Interesting," I let out. "He's my neighbor."

      Cameron elbowed me once more, winking a little. "Maybe you two will have a little chem-chem."

      " 'Chem-chem'?"

      "Chemistry." She leaned close to add, "And not the class."

      The scowl that had marred my face proved to be humorous as Cameron started laughing.

      "Hey!"

      Bonham was walking over. He even had this badass walk to go along with his devil-may-care exterior.

      Cameron recoiled as he got closer and this seemed to only amuse Bonham.

      "Whatever Cameron said about me," he began, his green eyes taking me in, "she was wrong. I'm not so bad."

      My eyes trailed his entire being as I took a step back. "That's a shame, I was hoping she was right."

      The corner of Bonham's mouth curled up. "What's a guy gotta do to get your number?"

      I leaned close, trying to keep my cool. "Impress me."

      Bonham devoured me in a single glance. "I don't usually chase, but for you I may be willing to make an exception."

      I feigned a gasp as I touched my chest. "Touched, truly."

      I left him standing there as I rejoined Cameron's side.

      I wasn't too sure how I was going to play my Bonham card, but having him somewhat interested was a start.

      We made it to her father's Sorento where Cameron was nice enough to open the passenger door for me.

      "You sit up front since we're dropping you first," she insisted.

      I slid in next to her father, who also was the friendly type. Must've been in their blood.

      He tipped his baseball cap covered head towards me. "Howdy."

      I managed to offer a genuine smile. "Hello, Mr. Camburn."

      "Call me Larry," he told me as he started up the car once Cameron was seated and buckled in the back. "You're practically family."

      Right, because he knew Scott.

      "You and Scott pretty close?" I wondered.

      Larry focused on the road as he began for my house. "Yeah, I've known Scott for years. We grew up together." For a second he appeared thoughtful. "Although you are quite the surprise."

      Scott probably held a pristine reputation around Meadow Grove. What a rude awakening I was.

      "You're telling me," I agreed.

      It was one thing to know I had a father out there somewhere, but it was another to be shipped to live with the guy. Really, what was my mother thinking? She had to be high off the fumes in her kiln or something.

      Larry set the radio on a modern rock station which I greatly appreciated as I glanced at the scenery out my window.

      In a way, it was kind of embarrassing to not know a single thing about my own father. If I was embarrassed, I knew for certain Scott had to be. How was he explaining my arrival to all his friends?

      "You and Scott should come over for dinner sometime," Larry offered ten minutes later as he was pulling up in front of my house. "It'd be nice to get to know you."

      Both Cameron and her father came off genuine and warm. There was no way to not be nice to these people.

      "I'd like that." I tucked some hair behind my ear, feeling awkward. "Does Scott have a girlfriend?"

      And if he did, would she know about me? Accept me?

      God, this was all so screwed-up.

      I didn't do awkward and uncomfortable situations, because that's exactly what this entire move was, awkward, uncomfortable, and foreign.

      Larry chuckled. "Scott? No, me and the missus have been trying to set him up on dates for years. I think the guy's a priest or something."

      "Daddy." Cameron came forth and smacked her father's arm as she scolded him. She faced me next. "I always thought Uncle Scott was just nursing a broken heart."

      For a split second, I almost felt bad for Scott, but then I didn't care.

      This was the same guy who had abandoned me for my whole life, and then decided to step in when my stepfather was throwing a hissy fit.

      I unbuckled my seatbelt. "Thanks for the ride, I'll be sure to pass the dinner invite along to Scott. I'll see you at school tomorrow, Cameron."

      She got out of the car as well to hop back up front, only, she reached out and pulled me into a hug first.

      "Welcome to town, Saylor, we're all very happy to have you here," Cameron told me.

      I didn't even need to judge by the smile on her face to know she meant it. It didn't take long to know that this was just the type of person Cameron was.

      "Before you go, let's exchange numbers!" Cameron's eyes brightened with her suggestion.

      For some reason, right away, she liked me. There was something about this girl that was so obliviously cute, naïve, and innocent.

      We traded cell numbers before she got back in her car and rode off with her father.

      I fished out my set of keys for the house Scott had given me the night before as I made my way for our front walk.

      "Saylor!"

      Across from me I caught Dreux jogging over from where he'd just gotten out of the SUV with what appeared to be his mother.

      Not this guy again.

      "Fuck off!" I snapped as I was determined to get into the house.

      Dreux caught my wrist, stopping me.

      Did I have mace on me? This question whirled around in my head as I turned to face the annoying boy next door.

      Around his toffee colored throat was a beaded necklace. He even wore a matching beaded bracelet on his wrist.

      As I took in Dreux's face, I slipped and wondered if he ever got so wasted he passed out, and if someone ever took advantage and played connect the dots with his freckles.

      But I knew this type of scenario never befell Dreux, he reeked of good behavior.

      Mr. Golden Boy was a pure heartthrob. So proper, polite, and clean-cut.

      Gag me with a chainsaw.

      His full lips pressed into a hard line as a serious expression coated his face. "Look, I'm sorry about earlier. It's not my way to act like that."

      "Dreux, get in this house." Next door his mother had her arms folded as she glared at me with attitude.

      No wonder he was a good kid, with a mother like that, where was the opportunity for mayhem?

      Still, though, he ignored his mother's command as he peered up at me and our staring contest continued.

      His eyes were dark voids of mystery, and the longer he looked at me, the more agitated I became. I couldn't tell what he was thinking, and while I would normally not give a fuck, something about this kid and his silent observing pissed me off.

      "Momma's calling," I said as I shoved my key into the door and pushed it open. "Don't keep her waiting."

      Dreux shook his head, opening his mouth to say something, but then he didn't. He just turned and walked away.

      I didn't give it another thought before heading inside and kicking off my shoes.

      With the house to myself, I was free to do whatever I wanted.

      So I explored.

      I tossed my bag to the floor and sauntered into Scott's living room. The fireplace was also a mantel with two bookcases on either side. On one side Scott held an impressive vinyl collection, and a record player.

      After sifting through Scott's collection, I settled on a B-sides album from the Smiths.

      Danny loved the Smiths. We used to sit up for hours and complain about being born too late to see all the greats.

      The thought made me miss home. My friends. My boys.

      I dug my phone out of my back pocket and dialed Ian.

      No answer.

      I rang Jack.

      No answer.

      Confused, I called Danny. The phone rang and rang until he finally picked up.

      "What's up, Say?" He sounded tired and stiff.

      "Hey, what's up?" I sat down on the floor, all too thrilled to be speaking to someone I knew and loved.

      Over on his end, Danny sighed. "Nothing much."

      "I tried calling the others, but they wouldn't pick up. They must be sleeping something off, it's not that early over there, is it?"

      Danny didn't return my humor. "They're probably busy."

      Hardly. It wasn't like any of them took their jobs seriously. "Too busy for a friend?"

      "Well some of us have shit to do."

      The attitude leaking into his tone startled me. Danny was the more serious one of our bunch, but he never got this upset before.

      "Wait," I said. "What's going on?"

      The silence between us caused a knot to form in my stomach.

      "Danny?" I pushed on.

      "Listen, Say, you got a lot of shit to work out down there. Get to know your dad, make new friends, turn a new leaf. Let L.A. go and move on," my friend told me. "There's nothing here for you but trouble."

      "I like my old friends," I said through clenched teeth. "And my old life."

      "You almost killed Jack and that's just not okay," Danny replied. "This isn't a joke. You really fucked-up this time. Don't call any of us, I mean it. You just...you just be good, okay?"

      "Oh fuck off, Danny, this isn't funny. I'll be back before you know it."

      Once more he sighed. "Goodbye, Saylor. Be good, I mean it."

      He didn't wait for me to respond before hanging up.

      I fell on my back and stared at my phone at the ended call.

      Seriously?

      What the fuck?

      First my own mother, and now my boys?

      A scowl formed on my face as I abandoned my phone beside me. As my eyes grazed over the ceiling, I could hear Morrissey in the background singing about being unlovable.

      Crazy thing was, I knew exactly how he felt.

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Miss You 🎶 The Rolling Stones

https://youtu.be/KuRxXRuAz-I