"Cameron! Oh, I'm so happy to see you!" His aunt greeted him, throwing her arms around him. She took him by the shoulders and gave him a once-over "Look how tall you've gotten, my goodness!"

"It's an occupational hazard of life." He joked as he set his bags down.

The house smelled of incense and Aunt Fran's favorite perfume. The air-conditioner droned on like background music to the television. The house was smaller than his, and much more crowded. The foyer was full of sports supplies, bags and shoes and the dining room in which they entered had a table piled with books.

Cameron took a moment to take a deep breath and think, This is it. This is home for the next two years of your life.

"Mind the mess. We're redecorating." His aunt said.

"Oh, okay, that's cool." He shifted uncomfortably, trying to find the words to express his gratitude.

Thankfully, she seemed to read his mind. She smiled and patted his cheek, her long nails nearly scratching him. "Don't you worry one bit, Cameron. When we say love in this family, we mean it."

He sniffed and refrained from weeping like a big baby.

"George!" Aunt Fran called into the parlor. "Why don't you help him to his room?"

"Why should I?" George said as he entered. It had been three years since Cameron last saw his younger cousin. He still had those bangs that covered one eye and a sour expression, except now he was nearly a foot taller and was riddled with acne.

"George, your cousin has gone through some awful things these past few weeks, and I won't let your attitude obliterate the only healthy atmosphere he's been in since then."

"Whatever," George mumbled. "This way, square." He started up the stairs, and Cameron quickly picked up his bags and followed him.

When they got to the room, which was plain and impersonalized, George questioned, "So, what exactly happened? Mommy and daddy find out you don't want to inherit the estate?"

Cameron scowled. "What are you talking about?"

"Did you scratch your Ferrari?" He snipped.

He gave an unbelieving scoff and threw his backpack on the floor. "Do you think I'm some uptight rich kid or something?"

The boy crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. "Well, let's see. You come riding here in your BMW, dressed like this is a job interview. I also know you went to a private school because my mom never shuts up about how Cindy's son is taking advance classes already yadda yadda yadda. So yeah, I do think so."

Cameron wanted to laugh as if all those things mattered now. "Look, kid, you don't know the first thing about me, so I think you should back off."

George smirked like he had accomplished something. "Whatever." That must have been his favorite word. He turned and left the room with a sneer on his face. Cameron was surprised he didn't slam the door behind him.

An hour later, when he had finished unpacking and was taking the time to lay staring at the ceiling in misery, Aunt Fran came in.

"Dinner is done if you'd like to join us." She said.

He tried to give a convincing smile and answered, "Thank you. I'll be right down."

It must not have fooled her because she stayed in the doorway for a moment. "You know, you don't have to go to school tomorrow." She finally said. "It's just the first day. They'll be going over the same old stuff. It'll give you time to settle in."

Cameron trembled as he imagined the trouble he'd have been in if he'd skipped his first day at Riverview Prep. "I think I'll go." He said. "It'll give me less time to sit moping."

She nodded vigorously. "Of course, of course." Then she left quickly and quietly, leaving the door slightly ajar.

Cameron sighed. He couldn't believe this was happening. He couldn't believe they'd actually done it. And now he had to spend the rest of his high school life away from the only home he'd ever known.

Well, there was at least a bright side. A very bright side.

He pulled his phone out from his backpack and took a deep breath, thumbs hovering over the keyboard.

____

He was in the shower in preparation for work when his phone went off. All he could think of was that one of the guys wanted him to summarize the summer reading for him last minute, but when he finally checked it, he didn't know whether to be relieved, angry, or scared. He settled on confused because Cameron's first text in over two weeks read:

CT: You won't believe where I am.