Chapter 2 Camilla Blooms

I wrapped a towel over my body and walked out the bedroom. Rue was no longer in the bedroom but I could hear her banging her closet doors and her drawers really loudly. I guess that was code for you pissed me off and your need to come make it right. I rubbed cream all over my body and looked for the least flattering thing in my closet. Anything that wouldn't draw attention to me was good enough for me. I put on some skinny jeans and a baggy shirt with some converse sneakers. I looked at myself in the mirror. “Great! No one can see my body shape in this. Perfect!" As little attention as possible was my amo.

I walked into the kitchen, got some coffee and then pulled out some cream cheese and a bagel. Rue loved bagels and cream cheese while I was a cereal girl. I walked up the courage to walk into Hurricane Rue. I walked towards Rue's door, second guessing myself. Maybe I should apologize later? “Grab your lady balls(boobs) and gain some courage Mia." I told myself in the mirror in the hallway. I put on my cutest face and I knocked on Rue's door. “Rue can I come in?” “Why would you want to come into the room of nosey old me?”Yep Rue was angry “Please can I come in?” I opened her door before she could give me an answer. “I have bagels and coffee.” I was going to bribe her to forgive me with food. Don't we all live to enjoy good food? “I never said you could come in.” “Should I go back outside with the bagels?” “Leave the bagels and you can go outside.” “Rue I'm sorry.” I put on the face where I look like a lost puppy. “I'm sorry for snapping at you. It was my fault. Please forgive me?” I could see her resolve fading. She was struggling to stay angry at me. “Look at little old me. You can't be angry at me for long. Please, I'm sorry.” I pushed my bottom lip out into a pout. Ahahaha! Ahahaha! I watched Rue laugh at my pitiful state and I couldn't help laughing also. Ahahaha! Ahahaha! “You are such a weirdo Mia.” “Thank you, I know and I’m proud of it.” “Sometimes I just want to smack you but then I look at that face and I have to stop myself.” “You know I could totally beat you down in a fight. You're really skinny.” “You do know you only weigh 20 pounds more than me. Stop acting as if you part of my 600 lb. life.” “I’m shocked that the way I eat I haven't gained weight yet.” “That's because you walk everywhere. Even if you could have taken a bus or train you prefer to walk.” “Well that's how I stay economical. I can't be spending money on transportation when I have 2 fully functioning legs.” “You will end up in the hospital if you keep walking everywhere” “Well I use the school bus, so it's not like I walk everywhere.” “That's because the bus is free dumb ass.” We looked at each other and laughed our asses off. One thing I liked about having a friend like Rue is that we could joke around with each other and tease each other but we knew there was no malice behind it. It was just youthful fun.

“Are you working tonight?” “Yes ma’am. Why?” “I’m going on a date tonight and if everything goes well, I might bring him back here.” I hated it when she brought men back to the house but it was her house and I didn’t really have a say in it when I wasn’t contributing. “Um sure. If I come back early I will make sure I stay out of your way.” I got up to leave so that I wouldn't miss the bus.” “Mia!” I heard Rue call my name. “Remember everyone goes through pain. The difference between me and you is that I don't let it consume me. You have grown, stop letting this pain consume you into oblivion.” “Rue it’s hard to let go.” “I know but you have to try.” “Thanks.” I walked up to Rue and gave her a rib crushing hug. “Ouch! Let go! You monster. I haven't forgiven you yet.” “The smile on your face says something totally different.” “You bastard, you know all my weaknesses.” “We wouldn't be best friends if I didn't use all your weaknesses to my advantage.” I ran out of her room and grabbed my bag. I hope I don't miss the bus because that would mean I would have to walk to class and I wasn't in the mood to walk in this hot sun.

The walk to the bus stop is about a 15 min walk. We lived in a fancy neighborhood all thanks to Rue and her family. I was grateful to live in such a neighborhood. Spring in Essex Connecticut was amazing. The water glistened and the flowers on the trees were blooming. Essex is beautiful and it still feels like a dream to live here. I grew up in Derby Connecticut, which is an hour drive from here. I grew up in a low income neighborhood where I wasn't sure if I would go to bed with food in my belly. My mom didn't really care much about me. She focused on pleasing my step dad even if it meant destroying every piece of happiness her child was still clinging to. I wasn't allowed to have a dream.

From a young age I was already told that I would graduate high school and get a job to look after my mom. That was the only dream I was allowed to have. Most parents would ask their kids what they want to become in the future but my mom didn't want me to become anything in the future because she was scared she wouldn't be able to control me.

The first chance I got to leave that neighborhood I took it and never looked back. I think the reason my mom broke my confidence throughout the years is so that I wouldn’t ever gather the courage to leave Derby. I believe she thought I had no hope and would surrender to her will but I’m grateful for Rue because she got me out of that situation. I met Rue when she was going through her bad girl stage. She was dating a guy that went to the same school as me. It was the talk of the school because a rich girl from Essex was dating a guy in Derby. She approached me one day when she visited my school, thinking I sold weed because according to her I fit the stereotypical stoner emo kid. She was shocked to find out I had never smoked before. We started talking while she waited for her boyfriend. I liked talking to her because she was everything I wasn't. She was bubbly and outgoing and I wished so badly to be like her. I stubbed my feet on a bench while walking to catch the bus because I was too lost in my thoughts and how I met Rue. I looked at the time and I saw that I was late to catch the bus. “Shit! Why do I have to be late for class on a Friday? A lot happened on Fridays and this was one day I didn't ever want to be late for any of the tasks that I needed to complete because that would just screw the other tasks over.

I ran to the bus stop while constantly checking my phone. I was 5 mins away from the bus stop but I knew the driver would arrive in 1 minutes time. I know this is a shitty thing to say but I wished the driver arrived late or had to use the bathroom because they had diarrhea or had to check their tires and would be late but today none of that happened. As turned the corner, I watched the bus drive off in the distance while I tried my best to run fast enough to catch it, I knew this wasn't a movie and the driver definitely wasn't going to stop for me. Just my luck. Every time I had that dream I always had a bad day. Hopefully it doesn't get worse. That was the last bus in the morning to campus. My class starts in 30 mins and I don't know how I’m going to get there. My campus is just 5 miles from the bus stop.

SHOULD I TAKE A TAXI OR SHOULD I WALK TO BE ECONOMICAL?