Camden Thomas's Story

Shoving the phone back in his back pocket, Brandon looked over at Camden, who was once again awake. She had asked if Kellan was on the phone. Smiling slightly at the question, he nodded. "Kelly's....fine. He's wondering the streets as he usually does."

As Camden said 'I love you', Brandon did not respond. He wasn't sure if the statement was intended towards Jordin's sleeping self or him. Trying not to frown, he took his place back in his chair, then kept his gaze on Camden, running a hand through his hair. "...Are you positively sure that I'm the person you want to be with, Camden? I don't want you to make the wrong decision..."

Hearing Camden exclaim that she was talking to him, he sighed with relief, then took her offered hand and squeezed it. "I'm sorry...I love you, too...I'm sorry for over-reacting...why didn't you tell me about him sooner, Camden?" he then asked, not out of anger but out of pure curiousity. It probably wasn't a fair question, it's not like they both shared their life stories over the past few days of being together. Hearing Camden simply say that she loved him was enough, at least for now.

Listening to her answer, Brandon nodded to himself. It made perfect sense, he knew he would have jumped to conclusions as soon as Camden would have said something about Jordin, and they probably wouldn't be where they were at the moment. He knew exactly where he'd be. "Oh," was all he replied to her, not knowing what else to add in. Looking at Jorin now, Brandon frowned.

He didn't see the kid as a threat anymore, but as meerly more than a broken heart. It was crystal clear that he loved Camden more than his own life...was it fair to take her away from him? Life's not fair, Jordin. Shit happens, and life goes on. The quote which he had heard so many times before spun around in his head now. Life goes on. Whatever you do, life always goes on.

Jordin would probably never get over Camden, how can someone possibly get over their first love? Asking the question in his head, Brandon felt like a thousand bricks hit him straight in the chest, in the heart. That's when Kellan came to mind. How would he get over Brandon? Would he be able to eventually move on with HIS life? The question had been retorical. Kellan would continue to get sucked into his downwards spiral of drugs. Maybe he would drag others in his sick addiction, but not Brandon. Not anymore.

Smiling as Camden kissed his cheek, Brandon squeezed her hand even tighter, then looked at her, trying to remember all of the details of the events that occured just before Camden had left. "Well, let's see...Jamie, one of my friends, had walked up to us near the ice cream shop...she had said that Kellan had hit her or whatever...then you started feeling ill and you just left, started walking away from us...Kelly was passed out against a building so he doesn't even know half the shit that happened...then Jordin came up to me and asked me if I've seen you, so of course I followed the way you went...and that's what happened."

Looking up at her, he waited for a response.

"I think he suspected we were dating," Brandon replied to the question, then sat where Camden gestured for him to. Looking down at her, he gently cupped her face in his hand and smiled at her. "I love you, too, Camden. And once again, I'm sorry if I freaked out," he said, then looked up at Jordin, who was sleeping in the chair like he has been for a while. "I just wish he'd find someone. KELLY would find someone so we could all be happy. I just want everything to end on good terms, I want to be with you and I want these other two people to be happy."

Keeping his gaze down on Camden's, Brandon waited a long time before answering, wanting to make it as clear as possible. "...I thought about what would happen IF I ever went back to Kellan. If he were to drag me back in. But I never thought of going back to him and being with him. Technically, we were never 'together'...I don't even know what we had together. It seemed like he changed his mind every other day," he sighed, then ran his fingers through Camden's soft hair. She was still beautiful, even in a hospital bed while wearing a night gown. He then asked his next question. "Camden, after tonight, what exactly are you gonna do...? in the morning."

It felt as if a thousand pounds have been lifted off of Brandon's shoulders as Camden said she would get help. That was all he wished to hear, that she would try and get better, not only for their relationship but herself in general. He would do everything in his power to support her, but coming down to it, Camden had to want to get better. It wouldn't work any other way.

Her next question was an odd one, but he supposed he should answer it, for she was entitled to a response. "I felt...I felt as if my world came crashing down. I felt like I would never be able to speak to you again, like you would die in that alley. It was a horrifying feeling. Something no one should have to feel..."

Glancing at Jordin, Brandon bit his lip. The kid was sound asleep, dreaming his own dreams. Maybe he was happier in his dreams than in reality.

Brandon shook his head at Camden's statement, then hugged her close, being careful not to hurt her or squeeze her the wrong way. "I don't hate you. Jordin doesn't hate you. Everything's going to be okay, Camden." He could only hope that the statement was accurate, and that in the end, things would magically settle in place and everyone could be happy. But life didn't work that way, and it would never work that way.

As he noticed Jordin wake up, Brandon stood up and looked over at him, not saying anything. He figured Camden would answer his question, so he just chose to sit back down in the chair where he previously sat, placing both his arms on the arm rests and looking off at nothing. For a second, he had the slightest thought that maybe when he finally went to bed and slept for twelve hours or so, everything that happened would be just a dream.

The vibration in his back pocket stopped Brandon from replying to Camden's statement. He didn't even have to take out his phone to know who it was, Kelly. Who else would be calling at this time, anyways? Standing up from his chair and reaching in his pocket, Brandon took out his phone, then unlocked the screen and put it up to his ear, wishing he was deaf for a second so that he wouldn't have to hear what Kellan would say now. "What do you want, Kelly..."

His voice sounded tired, monotone. "Come outside. I'm right in front of the hospital. I have to talk to you."

Closing his eyes, Brandon wished that he could dissapear into the solid floor of the hospital and melt into the ground, if only for a second just to get away from everything. He had to settle everything, and do it now, before things could escalate and get worse. He waited until he could find his voice so he could answer. "Fine. I'll meet you outside in five." With that being said, he hung up the phone and put it back in his pocket, then looked at Camden. "I'll be right back, okay?"

He didn't give her a chance to answer, because he knew the would tell him to stay, not to go out there. It would have been good advice at the moment, but Brandon was tired of good advice. His impulsive mind was starting to take control once again, and there was nothing he could do about it. He looked around the room once more before making his way out swiftly, then down the hall, dashing past nurses and doctors who barely paid him any attention. It would have been easier to take the elevator, but instead Brandon chose the stairs, another impulsive decision. Racing down, he finally reached the exit on the side of the building, then jogged around the side of the hospital until the street came into view. He waited until traffic slowed down so he can cut across, not having the patience to go to the crossing sign.

In a few seconds he spotted Kelly, leaning against the wall, right in front of the hospital like he said he would be.

"You came," Kelly remarked when he saw him, then looked around, as if they were making a dangerous drug deal and could be caught at any given moment.

"Yeah, I did," Brandon replied, boredum showing in his voice. "Listen, can we make this quick? I have Camden inside and--"

"Sure..just follow me," Kelly interrupted him, then gestured with one of his hands for Brandon to follow him down an alley, not illuminated by any street lights. It was a desicion which he would soon regret. Keeping up with Kellan, Brandon walked behid him, shoving both of his hands in his pockets.

"Why do we have to be all the way out here?"

Kellan turned so he was facing Brandon, his pale face revealing a sick smirk. "Just because. So tell me, are you ready to come with me so we can just be togther or not?"

The question pounded its way into Brandon's heart, wrapping around his muscles and squeezing tightly, not willing to let go. "No, Kellan."

"WHY NOT," he screamed, throwing his hands up in the air. "JUST COME ON, you know you miss me, and I miss you, and let's just--"

"NO, I do not want to come with you, I want to be with Camden and care for her and watch her get better, Kellan, there is NOTHING between you and me anymore. There never will be again. So if you will please--"

It happened in a blur. With one swift motion, Brandon felt himself getting knocked down, all the air escaping from his lungs before he could respond. The next thing he knew was that Kellan jumped on top of him, pinning his arms down with one of his own, not allowing Brandon to move out from under him. "Don't make me do this," Kellan growled between his teeth, his brown eyes fixed on Brandon's.

"Do what...what, Kellan," Brandon responded with the air he had left in him. Kellan's weight was crushing his ribs, so he couldn't get fresh oxygen in.

With one swift motion, Kellan pulled something out of his back pocket, and before Brandon could realize what it was, he felt a devestatingly sharp pain in his abdomen, then saw stars above him, darkness clouding his vision. "If I can't have you, no one can," Kellan whispered, but his voice sounded as if it was a thousand miles away. The weight on his chest dissapeared, and the last thing Brandon heard before darkness took over was the sound of someone running away.