22. Sing us a song

I was trying to process everything. I thought for sure Mom and Dad would freak. Now this e-mail confused me. Were they trying to make it sound like they were supporting me, when they were really trying to find out where I was to come take me home or visit me or something? Or were they genuinely giving me my freedom?



My fingers drifted over the keys, but I couldn't find anything to say.



I'll think about this later.



I put my laptop away and returned to the group. They were all sitting around doing whatever. Payton was leaning up against the wall, gently strumming his guitar. Cameron was talking and texting at the same time. Derek was laying on the ground, picking up fuzzes off the carpet, and Jade was sitting cross-legged, staring absently at the ceiling.



Suddenly Jade snapped out of her daze and said, "Payton, sing us a song."



"Um, ok? What do you want to hear?" He said



"I love when you do Shadow of the Day" She answered



"o0o! Me too! You haven't done that one in ages." Cameron piped up.



I sat down against the wall next to Cameron and watched Payton as he started the song.



"I close both locks below the window..."





I was blown away by. I had no idea he sang that well. His voice was basically perfect. I could feel my jaw drop, and I quickly snapped out of it and shut my mouth. I threw a look around the room to make sure no one saw me. There was so much emotion in his voice. Like he felt each note he sang. For someone who wasn't extremely outgoing, he sang like he owned the stage. I mean, IF we had a stage anyways...



I sat there soaking it in, and wishing the song could go on and on.

21. You do your best not to show it

After unloading our meager possesions, I turned on my laptop and checked my e-mails. My mom had replied back to my message.



Dear Jamie,

Way to set a somber mood there Mother...

We were quite shocked to wake up that morning and find you gone. I found your note and I understand about needing your independence, but couldn't you have talked this through with me and your father? We realize you are an adult now, but you still need to remember we're your parents. We need to know what's going on. We are not mad at you and we still love you. If you do decide that you want to come back, you'll always have a room here with us. If you need anything or ever need to talk, please let call me. I miss you.

Love you,

Mom

P.S. Could you send me an address of where you are staying?

I couldn't respond. I just couldn't.

20. I've got troubled thoughts

I hadn't even realized until then that we were sitting on a bench. It just goes to show you how observant I am. Guess I was so absorbed in our conversation and my thoughts that....wait...what was I even thinking about? Oh yeah, Jade.


Here was a girl who's appearance was always meticulous, her clothes were always folded nicely, and her bags were always in order, but she didn't appear to mind that our situation really was hanging by a thread. That thread being me.


Her brother was the same way, except his crap wasn't in as perfect order as hers.


UGH! I hate being so analytical! Somebody slap me please.


I put aside my thoughts and returned to the present situation. Jade was studying her nails and filing them. I quickly stole a glance at my own nails. Eww. I shoved them in my pockets. Note to self: CLEAN THEM. PRONTO!


I looked around and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. "Wanna go back now?" I asked.


Jade also looked around. "Sure, why not."


I felt something hard poke the underside of my foot. "OWW! DANGIT!" I had brilliantly forgotten to put some form of shoes on before I left the apartment. Now I was rubbing the underside of my foot and mentally kicking myself.


"What did you do?" Jade said, laughing.


"Stepped on a stupid rock."


"Smart."


"Shut up."


"Want me to kiss it?"


"Wanna get punched in the face?"


"Not particularly."


I limped back to the apartment and swore to never again leave without shoes.

19. Something's gotta give now.

Finally it was moving day, even though there really wasn't much to "move." Just the suitcases and such in the car, but we made a big deal out of it. None of us liked living in the hotel. Having our own place gave us a renewed sense of why we were here. To live on our own and start afresh. Our dream was becoming a reality and we were ecstatic.


"When I get a job, I'm going to buy curtains and other things to brighten up this place. It's so boring." Cameron said, practically dancing.


Oh yeah, about them finding jobs. Since they had pretty much combed the entire city without luck, they decided to take a break from job hunting for a month. Pretty smart eh? I just bite my tongue and work my hardest. No one can say I havent' been pulling my weight. In fact, I'm really the only one working. Sure Payton is working for the landlord, but that's just to keep the rent down. It's not bringing in any actual money. That's left up to me.


"So where are we all gonna sleep?" Derek asked. "Hey we should get a TV." He walked over to a spot in the room. "Right here would be a good spot for it."


Why don't you go out, get a job, and buy one then?


After I unloaded my stuff, I quietly slipped out of the building. Jade followed me.


"What do you think of it?" she asked.


"It's pretty good. I just hope we can keep it." Shoot. Why did I say that?


"What do you mean?"


"Well," I started slowly, "I hope we can keep up with the rent and stuff, since we're not getting much in the way of income."


"Yeah, but pretty soon the rest of us will have jobs and it will be easier." She picked up piece of grass and twisted in several knots. "It must be frustrating being the only one with a job and not being able to really keep any of what you've earned." She tossed the sad piece of grass aside and twirled her hair. "But, it must also be nice knowing that you're the first one to get a job get us started in the right direction. I mean, without you, we'd probably still be sleeping in the car in an abandoned lot somewhere, without any food."

It amazed me how this "emo" girl could be so optomistic. I mean, weren't they supposed to be all like "I hate life" and "leave me alone?" Hm..maybe I shouldn't pre-judge people based on stereotypes...

Oops

Sorry guys for not posting in a while. Life is just so hectic right now...I am working on ideas and i'll post them as soon as i put them together and have time. =]