Chapter Seventeen
Unbelievably, considering the time of year, Cameron an her three friends were able to get plane reservation. They quickly packed their stuff up before making their way down to the Bucket house to explain.
"Why are you leaving?" Charlie asked.
"I told you. Willy and I just aren't ganna work out. Cameron frowned.
"But why?" Charlie asked still confused.
Cameron smiled. "You'll understand soon enough." She ruffled his hair to try and cheer him up.
"I'm so sorry Cameron." Mrs. Bucket gave her niece a hug.
After saying goodbye to everyone, the four of them headed back up to their rooms to sleep. Cameron slept in Jodie's room and they stayed up half the night in bed talking to each other about random stuff and about when they were kids. Cameron had known Jodie and Julie almost as long as she had known Damion. She had only known Angie for a few years now but they had become quick friends and she was always there for her just like Jodie and Julie.
"Could I stay with you, Jodie? Until I can get my own place." Cameron asked her.
"Of course! You know I have enough space." Jodie laughed.
"Why did you buy such a large house anyway? Even if you do have the money." Cameron asked.
"I don't know." Jodie looked over at her and laughed making Cameron smile.
Early next morning Cameron called Mr. Sparrow's office hoping he had come in early for work.
"Hello?" A tired voice answered after Cameron had been on hold by the secretary.
"Mr. Sparrow, it's Cameron."
"Morning, Miss Sullivan! I heard you were getting married to Mr. Wonka. It's in the papers this morning. Congratulations!"
Cameron sighed. "The wedding is off. That's why I'm calling you. I'm going home and I was wondering if you could just send the two copies of my book that I asked for to me there."
"Yes, of course. I'm sorry." Mr. Sparrow apologized.
"Don't be, I'm fine." Cameron said before she told him her address and the number she could be reached at.
"Will do, Miss Sullivan."
"Thank you Mr. Sparrow, goodbye!" Cameron smiled.
"Ok, goodbye now!" They both hung up the phone and Cameron sighed as she hit the end button.
Soon after, the four girls were making their way to the small airport. Before getting into the taxi Cameron turned back around to wave to the Buckets who were watching them leave. She smiled at them before taking a good look at the factory once more. She had given Mrs. Bucket her new number and address and only hoped that Willy would come around.
"Call me when you get home ok?" Mrs. Bucket called to her.
"I promise!" Cameron said blowing them a kiss before getting into the black taxi.
No one had noticed the flying elevator high above the ground where Willy stood watching as Cameron left. Tears had unnoticeably started falling once more before he pressed a button and the elevator took off back to his hideout.
After the long drive to the airport in the taxi they quickly boarded their plane, Cameron taking the window seat and immediately getting lost in her thoughts. She listened to her ipod as it started to play Bad Day by Daniel Powter: (This song is free this week in the itunes music store, you scroll down under free downloads and click on his name and you can listen to it. It's a really great song; I love it.)
Where is the moment we needed the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue skies fade to grey
They tell me your passion's gone away
And I don't need no carryin' on
You stand in the line just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee you go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces everytime
And I don't need no carryin' on
Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
You had a bad day
Well you need a blue sky holiday
The point is they laugh at what you say
And I don't need no carryin' on
You had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
(Oh.. Holiday..)
Sometimes the system goes on the brink
And the whole thing turns out wrong
You might not make it back and you know
That you could be well oh that strong
And I'm not wrong
So where is the passion when you need it the most
Oh you and I
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
You've seen what you like
And how does it feel for one more time
You had a bad day
You had a bad day
Had a bad day
Had a bad day
It was long flight back to the U. S. of A. a good 8 or 9 hours at least. This gave Cameron plenty of time to think over her situation, unfortunately. She couldn't believe how fast all this had happened. Just a few days ago she and Willy were happily content as they sat in the library together reading; Willy pointing out all the funny things about the book making Cameron laugh. Cameron frowned at her thoughts. How could this have happened? It seemed so right to her; maybe it hadn't to Willy. Maybe she should have said yes to Damion, but he had betrayed her at the time that she needed his friendship the most. An even bigger frown graced her full lips which were red from her biting at them nervously.
"You know your face will stay like that if you don't stop." Jodie remarked as she went back to reading her magazine. "You've only been frowning at the window for the past hour." Cameron looked over at her friend; her face unchanging. Jodie looked over at her smiling. Cameron tried her hardest not to break her frown but Jodie was so good at making her smile. "There's that smile. Now keep it that way!" Jodie ordered going back to her magazine.
They had to switch planes in Virginia before finally getting to the Florida airport in Tampa. Cameron gave a sigh of relieve as she got of the plane. 'Finally home!' She smiled to herself.
"Let's go!" Julie took Cameron's arm as they walked out to catch a taxi. They all ended up staying at Jodie's the first couple nights back. Jodie's house was a five bedroom, 2- story studio; not quite as big as a mansion but definitely bigger then an apartment or condo. She had a pool in the backyard surrounded by the usual black screen to keep all the bugs at bay. A two car garage stuck out of the left side of the house in it Jodie's yellow comfortable mustang sat unused until they decided to go out. For four days Cameron and her friends did everything they could possibly think off to keep their minds off what happened. They went to the beach, they shopped, but most importantly they went to Busch Gardens; one of Cameron's favorite theme parks. Cameron had a blast riding every roller coaster that she could set her eyes on. They were all exhausted when they got back to Jodie's place.
"You guys really don't have to stay. I'm fine and I'll call you if I have any problems." Cameron said to Julie and Angie. "You guys should really get back to work."
"Are you sure?" Angie asked hugging her friend.
"Yes! I'll call you guys later ok." Cameron gave Julie a hug as they walked out of the house. Julie's boyfriend had come to pick her up and offered to take Angie home as well. Cameron waved as they drove off before walking back into the house with Jodie.
"So what is this book that you said you got published?" Jodie asked closing the door behind her.
"I would have called you but I was kind of in a hurry and Mr. Sparrow said he knew you." Cameron took a seat on the huge blue sofa with Jodie following.
"Yes I do know him, but I have only spoken with him a couple times because of work. It's ok that you went to him, I wasn't available at the time." Jodie explained.
Suddenly Cameron's cell phone rang. She was relieved she could finally use it without paying extra for the service in England. "Hello!" She answered.
"Cameron!" She heard Charlie's voice excitedly on the other end. She could now keep in close touch with him since he now had a phone available.
"Hey kiddo! How's it going?" Cameron smiled.
"Great! Except..." There was a pause which made Cameron frown. "Willy he's...not too good. He stays locked in his room now, for hours on end. I hardly ever see him anymore." Charlie said sadly.
"Is it really that bad?" Cameron asked disappointed.
"He is very sad and I've tried everything to cheer him up, but nothing works."
Cameron sighed. "I still love him, Charlie."
"And he love you I know it, but there's something important I gotta tell you."
"What?" Cameron asked concerned.
"The oompa-loompas...they saw what happened between you and Damion. They saw it but Willy wont listen to them even though he knows that they see everything that goes on. They keep telling him that it wasn't your fault but he wont listen. We've tried everything." Charlie said desperately.
"Well what could I do. If he wont even listen to his oompa-loompas then why would he listen to me?"
"I don't know. I just wish there was something I could do." Charlie sounded defeated.
"Don't worry Charlie, just keep trying to talk to him. I'm sure he'll come around for you." Cameron also sounded defeated as she spoke.
"I hope so. Well I gotta go school starts soon." Charlie replied. "I love you, hope to see you soon."
"You too Charlie, hugs and kisses." Cameron said before they hung up.
A few weeks past and Cameron talked to Charlie everyday as soon as he got home for school. Charlie explained how everything was the same. Mr. Wonka had lost all his good ideas and his inspiration to make good chocolate and only recently made a candy that was half way decent. Cameron frowned at this taking it as a sign that he was moving on. She got a part time job at Barnes and Noble and went back to college to take a few extra night courses on writing to catch up with the latest techniques. She made sure that she kept herself busy so that her mind wouldn't wonder to Willy. Her friends found this to be a good sign, although Cameron was working her ass off she hadn't had any break downs or any outburts. Mr. Sparrow had kept his word about sending her the two books she requested and the public copies had just hit the shelves of the book stores. She thought about sending them but everytime she decided to she would hesitate.
Cameron sat on her bed one evening and looked at the two copies; one with a silver cover that was suppose to be for Charlie and the other with a gold cover that was suppose to be for Willy. She grabbed a pen and reached for Charlie's, opening the cover to write a messege.
Dear Charlie,
I wrote this book especially for you. This story is one of a kind because I have added some of your own personal experiences within. Although I have never spent all that much time with you, you are one of my greatest friends and I would like to thank you for that. You are a wonderful boy Charlie and I congratulate you on receiving Mr. Wonka's factory. You deserve it entirely. Always keep you head held high and most of all always believe. You never know what amazing things may lay ahead of you.
Your loving cousin and friend,
(signed) Cameron Sullivan
Cameron closed Charlie's book lying it beside her before picking up Willy's. She sighed as she opened the cover and began writing.
Dear Willy,
I honestly don't know what to say except that I'm sorry. I never meant for you to be hurt. I love you and I always will; even if you don't. I wrote this book for you and for you only. I have written in here some of my most secret thoughts; those that should only be read by yourself. The time that we spent together was the greatest few months of my life and I want to thank you for giving them to me. I will cherish these memories forever. Please get better. Please continue to make those amazing chocolates that the world loves so much. I promise to be the first in line to buy your newest invention. If I could have one thing in the world it would be your forgiveness. That is all I ask of you although I know it maybe hard. If you cannot forgive me, I understand and I'm not mad at you. Please take care of yourself, Charlie needs you and he worries about you; leave his worries to rest. He is such a good boy. Lots of Love!
From your biggest fan,
(signed ) Cameron Sullivan
As Cameron finished writing she could feel the tears streaming down her face some trickling onto the paper of the book causing dark splotches to form. She quickly closed the book sitting it on top of Charlie's. She began packaging them back up which she had down several times only to un-package them again when she lost her courage. After each one of them was packaged separately she sat them on the small nightstand. She would make sure that they were sent as soon as she woke up in the morning.