Hey Guys, so this is the long awaited sequel to Best Friends Together Forever, my first Gallagher Girls story. For those of you who are reading Not Who You Think I Am, I think I'm going to postpone that story until Summer because I don't' have a whole lot of time to write that story and I'm having massive writer's block for it. I'm sorry to all those readers, but it will be finished later. So anyways, I know that I said I don't have a lot of time to write, but this story comes super easily to me, so I'll try to update as much as I can, but for me third trimester in school is really important so I have to keep my grade up if I want to take the four honors classes I want to next year. I've already written some chapters though so hopefully I'll be okay with updating. Anyways, the long awaited sequel! PS guys I hate happy endings... most of the time ;).
How Long Does Forever Last?
Starting Up Again
As much as I would love to admit that the years without him have been amazing, that I don't regret telling him not to go, I can't. I would, but then I'd be lying. I can't really say that I wish he were still here. I know for sure that I'd never be able to look him in the eyes the same way again. His bipolar attitude, his annoying smirk, his deep eyes that made anyone weak in the knees. At the times when I need him, depended on him, he took off, left, abandoned me. But, I guess, it was partially my fault; I left too, didn't I? I bet he wouldn't want an amnesiac either, but in this case though, being an amnesiac didn't matter, I remembered him, and he left, without a trace, gone with the wind. Zachary Goode left me. Alone.
Bex and I left on that fatal day, condemning me to a life I wish I didn't want. I wish I didn't want to be away from everyone I love, to be alone, to suffer the solitude he inflicted upon me. I know it wasn't his choice to leave, had it been me in his shoes, I would have jumped at the chance, but it seemed as if he gave up on us so easily. There were so many things I wish didn't happen. I wish I didn't get a brain tumor. I wish he didn't cheat on me. I wish I didn't catch him. Most of all, I wish he didn't leave.
Stability is a fragile part of the human mind. It can break with the touch of a memory, or the wisp of a dream, the influence of an idol, or the passion of a love. Stability keeps a person in check, demanding that its actions be defined by the emotions of a person's character. My stability broke the day that I came back from my trip to realize that he was truly gone. On the outside I kept the dazed, oblivious persona I had adopted during my travels, yet I knew that inside of me, a part longed for him to be waiting for me, a smirk on his face, and his arms wide open. To just look me in the eye and whisper into my hair, "Just kidding, I would never leave you." I longed for his hot breath to wisp past my ears, sending shivers down my spine. For his strong arms to wrap around my waist and dip me, much like the night I agreed to be his. But as the days numbered down, and the time to return grew closer, the scene replayed in my head, remaining there, and no where else.
Now, I lay in my bed, hair spread around, clothes disheveled, scattered around the floor, while discarded midnight meals lay strewn across my studies desk. The seconds hand on the analog clock in the corner ticked, slowly causing a quiet chime, noting the hour had passed. It was another day in the dreadfully dreary life of Cameron Morgan. Most of my friends, including Macey, are attending Super Bowl parties at the moment. Football had once appealed to me, but do to unfortunate events, the sport had lost its allure. Who was I to complain though; I had been invited; yet I wasn't ready. Some may say that five years is more than enough time to get over one boy, but they obviously didn't know him, not like I did, or, at least, I thought I did.
A rapping at my door stirred me from my thoughts. My legs slid slowly from the safety of my bed, as scattered shirts and displaced pants fell to the floor. Rubbing my eyes as I begrudgingly walked through Bex and my apartment, I opened the door. In the frame I saw two people I did not expect to see.
"Um," I stuttered for words as I stared to the two people in front of me, "Not to be rude, but mom, Abby, what are you doing here?" Abby cocked her head to the side and gave me a sly smirk, while my mother extended her arms and wrapped them round my slim frame.
"Heya Squirt," Abby replied cheekily, "No hugs for your favorite aunt?"
"Again," I groaned, both of them pushing their ways past me and into our apartment, "what are you doing here?"
"Well, it's Super Bowl Sunday, and you're not even watching T.V. There has got to be something wrong there." My mom walked over to our living room, which consisted of a couch, a coffee table (which rarely ever actually had coffee on it), and a television.
"I don't exactly do football anymore," I reminded her. My mom moved some of our old Chinese take out boxes into the trash, while Abby just cleared everything onto the floor. I laughed as she swung her legs over the side of the couch and landed with her arms behind her head. My mom glared at her sister, as Abby shrugged.
"Honestly Cameron," My mother scolded as she picked up more discarded food take out boxes and various pieces of clothing that did not belong in the living room, "You'd think that you and Rebecca would take better care of your living quarters."
"Bex prefers the 'lived in' look" I replied, putting air quotes around "lived in". Most of the stuff my mom was picking up was hers anyways. What really struck my mom was when she found a very questionable sock and a pair of underwear that definitely did not belong to one of us. At this she raised her eyebrow at me and I just shrugged it off. Abstinence is a virtue my friends.
"Are you really going to force me to watch that?" I asked Abby.
"Bet your buttons we are Squirt, we did not just drive all the way from Virginia to New York not to watch the Super Bowl, now pop a squat and let's get our game on." Abby then proceeded to flip through all twenty channels that we received on our television. Thank you cable television. When Abby finally found the channel, I tuned out the screech of the overly perky newscaster lady.
The game started in about fifteen minutes and we had been watching Ms. Perky-Pants for about ten. I don't think my mom understands why I didn't want to watch the Super Bowl, not only did I not do football anymore, but I especially did not do this particular team.
"-And congratulations to their new star wide receiver! Zachary Goode may be smaller than most players, but his speed definitely makes up for it." The announcer continued to drone on about what a "lucky break" it was that Zach was on that team. My mom turned to me with a concerned look; I shrugged it off, hoping that now she'd understand why I wasn't in the football mood. However, my mom made no motion to turn the television off.
"I think you need to watch this Cam," Abby consoled. She moved into a sitting position and patted the seat next to her.
"Why?" I sneered in returned, "I'm over him. He left me when I need him and he's nothing but heartless. I remembered most of my life without him. You, Bex, mom, Macey, Liz, Jonas, Grant, Graham, for Pete's sake even Preston was there, and he barely even knows me. He left. He wasn't here, and I've moved on with my life." I turned away from Abby and reached for the remote, in a failed attempt to change the channel.
"Okay Squirt," Abby sighed defeated, "I believe you." No, you don't. I could see it in her eyes that she thought I was lying. "But we're still watching the game. I don't care how much you hate, despise, or resent this kid, but we're still watching the Super Bowl. We didn't drive all the way here to stare at a blank T.V. for a couple of hours. Now, at least get dressed. Your rinky-dink apartment isn't cutting my standards." I glared at Abby in return, knowing that when she tells you to do something, you better.
I walked back to my room and groaned at my reflection. My sloppy bun was on the side of my head and strands of hair were falling around my face. I had a crusty looking blob on my right cheek that could only be identified as dried drool, gross. I still didn't wear any makeup so I didn't have to worry about smudged mascara or blotched lip-gloss. I was in my usual sleepwear, a large shirt and a pair of sweatpants. Begrudgingly I slipped on a pair of jeans and an old football jersey my dad had gotten me for my birthday one year. Maybe not his smartest choice, but I'll give him points for trying.
Returning back into the living room, I found Abby and my mom already had their shoes and jackets back on and were twirling the car keys idly. We left my apartment and drove a local sports bar. I had been here before, during my sophomore year of college (yes, I have graduated already) I used to come here to study, well not study per say, more of procrastinate as much as possible. The bar was full of football fans swinging beers to and fro, clinking glasses as a pass was completed or a fumble was recovered. Abby and my mother found an available table and looked over the menu as I dazedly twirled a piece of hair around my finger. I heard an uproar of cheers screech behind me, and I could only conclude that there had been a touchdown.
"And another beautiful touchdown made by the brilliant Zachary Goode!" The announcer on the television cheered. The screen flashed to a close up of him on the field. He took of his helmet and shook out his hair. It did do much though because his it was sticky with sweat, attaching firmly to his forehead. He hadn't changed much since high school. He still had stunning emerald eyes and prominent dimples when he smiled. He hair was still the same wavy, shaggy brown it had been years ago when I first met him. As he jogged off the field, he held up one finger in a "number one" motion and gave the camera a smirk. Typical.
I returned my attention back to the menu and examined it intently, trying to avoid watching the screen as much as possible. The bar was a mix of hurrahs and boos. Unaffected by the loud atmosphere, my mother and Abby remained silent, their stares not on their menus anymore but on me, studying me as if I were an organism under a microscope.
"Cammie!" A voice yelled from beside me. "You made it!" I turned to see one of my many partners in crime with her large groups of friends.
"Hi Liz," I responded awkwardly, Liz, Macey, and Bex all knew that on football days I tended to stay locked up in my room and sleep all day. "Um, what are you doing here? I though you were going to Tina's for the game?"
"Ya, about that," Liz said rubbing the back of her neck, her other hand subconsciously stirring her drink with her straw.
"Oh gosh Liz, what'd you do this time?" I joked, laughing. I smiled and Liz began turning a dark crimson.
"Okay," she began, "It wasn't my fault for once, it's going to be kind of implied that if you leave a shrimp on the ground, someone is going to step on it. And then when you leave a tower of cups of water right next to the television, you're definitely asking for it." I replayed the scene in my head as Liz described it to me. Typical Liz. "And that's basically how we ended up here."
"Are Macey and Bex here too?" Looking behind her, I tried to locate my other two friends, but it was nearly impossible in this obnoxious crowd.
"Ya!" Liz exclaimed, "They're sitting over there with Grant, Graham, Jonas, Preston, and the rest of the gang. You should come sit with us. I know today's got to be kind of hard, but I think spending it with friends will make it a little easier." I heard her words, yet as I thought about it, I could feel my face freeze up: brow furrowing, lips turning into a distasteful frown. Did they really think I wasn't over him too?
"Cam, earth to Cam," Liz tapped my shoulder and yanked a little on my wrist.
"What? Ya. What were we talking about?" I laughed at my own confusion as Liz gave me a tisk tisk look. I just chuckled and rolled my eyes.
"So are you going to come sit with us?" Liz repeated, pointing to a table on the opposite room. I saw Grant and Graham staring intently at the game, while Bex was chatting with Eva; it was almost like a mini high school reunion. Actually, that's exactly what it was.
"I'd love to, really I would Lizzie, but my mom and Abby are here, and I feel like I should spend some time with them, you know after they drove all the way out here." I looked for some excuse not to go and be near even more people. I didn't even want to be here in the first place.
"They can come too!" Liz encouraged. I was about to argue more about why I should be staying as far away from people as possible, maybe I had some sort of major migraine, just something to get away from being with even more people, when my mom interrupted us.
"Elizabeth!" She acknowledged giving here a large hug, "Good to see you, how are you?" My mom was being the stereotypical mom-meets-daughter's-old-friend kind of person. The overly enthusiastic lady who sounds too happy about everything, I swear right now she could say "I ran over your new puppy with my monster truck" and you could still be left in a good mood…. well… maybe not.
"I'm great Ms. Morgan," Liz replied, "I was just wondering if you, Cammie, and Abby would like to join the rest of the girls and me to watch the second half of the game."
"Oh Abby and I are much too old for that, why don't you go spend time with your friends Cammie, we can all meet up at your apartment later." My mom gave me a wink as I glared in return to her suggestion.
"Sure," I managed through gritted teeth. Liz then proceeded to pull on my hand, leading me over to the table where everyone else was situated. I was greeted with choruses of "hello" and "good to see you". They act like they haven't seen me in years, well some of them haven't, but there was no need for celebration.
"Cammie!" Grant yelled, coming and engulfing me in a hug.
"Hey big boy," I remarked poking his stomach.
"Big boy?" He inquired, "What's that supposed to mean? Are you saying I'm fat? Hmph, well then Cameron, I guess you'll just have to apologize." Grant turned away from me while crossing his arms.
"I'm sorry Grant you aren't fat." I giggled and looked over at Bex, she had a smirk on her face while she shook her head at her friend's stupidity.
"So," Grant continued while dragging out the 'o', "I hear that you could use a good time." He slung his arm around me as I sat down on one of the bar stools.
"Well, my mom and aunt are in town, so if you mean board games, then my mom beating up my aunt after accusing her of cheating, then sure, I could definitely use a good time."
"Well, after the game, the gang and I are heading over to a friend's house. I think you should come. It'd be fun. I mean seriously Cam, when was the last time you got out?" Grant raised an eyebrow skeptically at me. I placed my hand over my heart in fake shock.
"I get 'out' all the time, if you must know," I retorted, while putting air quotes around 'out.'
"Whatever, you in or not?" He asked quizzically. I looked over at my mom and aunt. They met my eyes and gave me a shrug. I'm almost positive this was their plan all along. Besides, even I don't want to get in between those two when they play board games.
"Fine," I relented, "but whose house is it at?" My question was ignored, however, due to Grant's eyes being intently glued onto the screen in front of him. The ball was played to the wide receiver, and run down the line. After avoiding almost five guys, the receiver dove into the end zone for a touch down. We were now up thirteen to zero, because we had missed the P.A.T.
By the end of the game, we had won, but only by a hair. The last play of the game was a close Hell-Mary, but luckily our defense was able to knock the ball down, running out the clock. Had the previous play been complete, we would have lost for sure. People began to file out of the bar, and only then did I notice my mom and aunt were gone. Great, I thought to myself, they left me here, with no ride home. Thanks mom, thanks Abby, you two are just so freaking amazing.
"Bex!" I hollered, "The fam left me without a ride home, and I told Grant I'd go to that party with you and the rest of the group, can I catch a ride with you two." I know that after previous experience that driving with Bex probably wasn't the best idea, seeing as she still thinks that we drive on the left side of the road, but Liz definitely was not in the mood to drive. I don't even think she's in the mood to stand. That food poisoning must have been horrible for her to blow chunks like that. Tina had already left with Eva, Kim, and Courtney so I was left with the terrible twosome. Aren't I lucky?
"Sure Cam, but did you really tell Grant you'd go with us?" Bex looked quizzical, her eyebrows were raised in surprise and her mouth was slightly agape.
"Ya, I did I guess, why? Do you not want me to come?" I'd totally understand it if she didn't, I'm not much of a partygoer.
"Um, you do know whose party we're going to right?" I had a thought.
"Please don't tell me we're really going there." I begged.
"I would, but then I'd be lying."
Well, I'm officially screwed. I guess, Zach, here I come.