Wednesday rolled around pretty fast, and I was in a good mood. That person must have had the wrong number because I haven't received anymore text messages.

I skipped down the steps as my mind was racing one hundred miles per hour.

I walked into the kitchen where a pancake came flying past me. I looked at the pancake which is laying on the floor before looking at Nick and Elliot. The twins were sitting at the table, eating their pancakes with smiles on their faces.

"We're are so sorry, Cam. It was this idiot's fault," Elliot said, pointing to Nick.

Nick gasped,"How dare you? We were partners in this crime."

"I have no clue what you are talking about," Elliot said before sitting down with the twins.

Elliot gets his cast taken off this weekend, so that's exciting.

"It's fine. Where is Micheal?" I asked the boys who shook their heads.

"Talking to Jordan, again," Gavin said before taking a sip of orange juice.

I smiled before looking at my phone.

No notifications.

"That's weird," I mumbled, quietly.

Usually Brent texts me good morning. He is probably still sleeping. I decided to call him so I went into the living room. I pressed the button.

"Hey, you reached Brent. Leave a message and I'll call you back. Bye," his voicemail said as I scrunched my eyebrows together.

"Hi, Brent. I just was checking if you were still asleep. I guess that you probably are since you didn't text me or answered the phon-which is completely fine. I'm just-.." I said quickly, but the button cut me off.

I bite my lip before walking back into the kitchen. Micheal was in there, and they all were getting ready for school, and I grabbed my bag before walking to Nick.

"Hey, mind if I ride with you?" I asked him.

"Sure. Did something happen between you and Brent?" Nick asked, raising an eyebrow.

I shook my head, quickly,"No, nothing like that. I think he's running a bit late or something. He'll be at school."

"Okay, well, Anna is picking up Elliot and Micheal, so it will just be me, you, and the twins," Nick told me, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.

"Alright, let's go," I said, walking towards the garage where Nick's car is parked.

Nick followed behind me, and the twins were already in the car, waiting for us. I sat in the back with Gaberial while Gavin sat upfront with Nick.

Nick started his engine before leaving the garage. I looked at my phone to see that Brent still hasn't seen my message.

Nick drove off towards the school, and we listened to the radio. I didn't really listen to the song, but, instead, I was thinking about Brent.

He seem fine yesterday, nothing wrong. I know he was a little down because his parents were leaving in a week.

"Campbell," Nick said, shaking me out of my thoughts.

"Hmph," I said, looking around to see that we were at the school.

"You going get out of the car, or am I going to have to drag you out?" Nick asked me.

"Sorry. I was in my thoughts," I said before opening my door.

"About Brent, I assume," Nick said when he got out of the car.

I grabbed my bag, and I shut the door before we walked together to the school building.

"It's just that Brent doesn't ever ghost me. We didn't have a fight or anything so I don't know why he hasn't told me he was okay. I'm starting to worry," I blurted out, sounding like an over protective girlfriend.

Nick stopped me, and he stood in front of me before saying,"Cam, it's Brent. He's probably running late. Plus he has never missed a school day."

I nodded,"You're right. I'm being a little dramatic."

"Now that you are not being over dramatic, let's go to homeroom," Nick said with a smile.

We walked inside, and to our lockers. We met the girls who were already inside. We talked until the bell rang signaling us to our homeroom.

"That's weird. Brent never would do that," Nichole said as we walked to homeroom.

"Girls are so over dramatic these days," Nick mumbled making Nichole hit him upside his head.

"Ow! What was that for?!" Nick exclaimed, holding the back of his head.

"Nicklaus, you are probably the most dramatic person on this Earth," Nichole objected as we walked in the classroom.

"No I'm not," Nick said, sitting in his desk.

"Please, you couldn't last a day without saying a dramatic thing," Nichole replied, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger.

I zoned out by looking out the window. Before I knew it, homeroom was over, and Brent still hasn't shown.

Nick noticed this too because he looked a little worried.

I slowly made my way to my first period when Clary stepped in front of me. I haven't talked to her ever since she told everybody about me.

"Campbell, just the person I was looking for. Where's Brent? Please tell me he broke up with you," Clary said with a wicked smile.

I sighed,"He's....home sick."

She purses her lips,"You don't deserve him. He deserves more. He deserves a girl who doesn't have mommy and daddy issues."

That made me snap. "Look here, bitch. I'm tired of you. The whole reason you started bullying me is because Brent started to like me not you. For that I'm sorry, but you can't just treat me however you want. I'm a human being just like you. The only difference is that I'm not a cold hearted bitch like you. Now excuse me, I have a class to get to."

Clary was shocked by my outburst, and so was I. I walked passed her, and into my next class.

I sat down in my desk, quietly. Man, I really wish I knew where Brent was at. He would make me laugh.

I just hope he's okay.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

The last bell of the day rang, and I was at my locker, switching out books. Nick walked over to me, and he leaned against the lockers.

"We need to find Brent. Something doesn't feel right," Nick said, making me shut my locker.

I nodded,"I know. Something feels off."

"Come on, we're going to go find him," Nick said, getting off the lockers.

"What about practice? Coach will kill you if you ditched," I asked him, pointing behind me.

"Finding my best friend is more important to me than practice," Nick replied.

"Then let's go. I say we go to his house first," I said, throwing my bag over my shoulder.

"Alright, I'll drive," Nick replied before we walked out of the school.

We walked to Nick's car, and we got in the vehicle. He started the engine, and we drove away from the school.

I, anxiously, tapped my finger on my leg.

When we parked in Brent's driveway, I didn't see his car anywhere. Nick and I quickly walked to the front door, and we rang the doorbell.

"Can I help y-" The door revealed Xavier in his pjs. He looked at Nick and me before crossing his arms against his chest.

"Have you seen Brent?" I asked him, not skipping a beat.

Xavier shook his head,"No. The last time I saw him, he was leaving for school."

"But he didn't come to school," Nick said.

"Xav, who's at whe dwor? Is it Mommy and Daddy?" Vanessa's tiny voice asked from the living room.

I looked at Xavier, confused. He sighed before saying,"No, sweet pea. Just some people. I'll be right back."

He shut the door before saying,"Our parents left this morning before we woke up."

"But they were suppose to leave in two weeks. That's what Brent told me," I said.

"They were. They left today leaving no note, no goodbyes, nothing. I wasn't planning on sending Brent and Vanessa to school, but Brent left. Vanessa and I have been watching Disney movies all day," Xavier said, trying to cover the fact he was upset too.

"That's awful. Why would they just leave?" Nick said, shocked.

"Because they chose work over us. Like usual," he answered before looking at me. "I'm sorry about what I said at dinner the other night. I was just angry with my parents, and I took it out on you."

"What is he talking about?" Nick asked, frantic, looking at me.

"Nothing. Was there anything that you can think of where Brent might have went?" I asked Xavier.

"The only place I can think of is that diner is always go to," Xavier said, licking his lips.

"Okay, we'll check there," Nick said as he walked down the stairs.

"Please let me know when you find him, please," Xavier said, gently.

I nodded,"You'll be the first person we'll call."

Xavier walked back inside, and I walked to Nick's car. We got in the car, and we drove to the diner.

"Why would he lie about where he's going?" Nick asked, turning around a corner.

"He must be upset about his parents. I just wished he let us know he was okay," I said, looking down at my hands.

Nick parked in a parking spot before we got out. We walked in the diner, and I saw Mrs. Linda wiping off the counter.

Nick walked around, looking for Brent, leaving me by myself.

"Mrs. Linda, hi, are you doing?" I asked her, making her eyes look up from the counter.

Her face lit up when she saw me,"Campbell, it's nice to see you again. What can I get you?"

I shook my head,"I'm not here to stay. I need to know if Brent came in here at all today."

She pondered for a moment before saying,"Yes he did. First thing this morning. He was acting a bit strange though. He didn't order his usual instead he ordered just one black coffee."

"Do you know where he went?" I asked her.

"No. He looked upset. Is everything okay?" She asked me.

"Yes ma'am. Everything is just fine," I lied with a fake smile on my face.

"He's not here," Nick said, walking back to me.

"Bye, Mrs. Linda," I said, waving bye to her.

"Bye, sweetie," she replied.

When Nick opened the door, I said,"I know. Mrs. Linda said that he came in first thing this morning, but left after he was finished his coffee."

We got into Nick's car, and we sat there in silence for a moment. Where would Brent go?

Then it dawned on me.

"Nick, I know where he's at," I said as my eyes widen in realization.

"Where?" Nick asked, turning the engine on.

"The meadow. The meadow you, Brent, and the boys found a couple of years back. He said that was like his safe spot."

Nick nodded before driving out into the road. Since we were in middle of town, the drive would be at least thirty minutes and ten minutes of walking to get to the meadow.

But by the way Nick was driving, it would take fifteen minutes to get to the trail.

And it was fifteen minutes.

"Alright. Let's go find Brent, shortstuff," Nick said when we got out of the car.

I nodded,"Gotcha, hotstuff."

Nick smiled,"Finally. Somebody said it."

We walked along the trail for ten minutes, but stopped when we saw Brent. He was sitting on the ground, admiring one of the flowers. You could tell he has been crying because his nose is a bright red.

"Brent," I said, softly.

He looked up at us, and his eyes widen. "Guys, what are y'all doing here?"

"What are you doing here, Brent? You scared the shit out of me and Campbell by the way. We have been looking for all over town from your house to the diner to here," Nick asked him as we walked to him. I sat down next to Brent.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you guys. I guess you guys know about my parents, huh?"

"Xavier told us. I'm so sorry, Brent," I said, holding his hand.

"You know the worst part about it. They chose work over us, their own children, again. They didn't even say goodbye," Brent's voice cracked.

"Do they even love us?" Brent asked.

"Of course they love you, Xavier, and Vanessa," Nick said, sitting down in front of Brent.

A tear rolled down Brent's cheek, and I wiped it away.

"I thought things were different this time. I thought they would stay, and we'll be a happy family. I'm so stupid for believing that," Brent said as his lip quivered.

My heart dropped at his lip quivered. I hate seein

"You're not stupid, Brent. They're the ones who are stupid for leaving you guys. Y'all are the best people ever, including Xavier, and they are stupid for not seeing that," I said.

Brent nodded,"You're right. God, I feel like an idiot for showing you guys this side of me. I feel so vulnerable."

"It's okay to be vulnerable, Brent. That's what makes you human," Nick said.

"We love you, Brent," I said, making Brent look up from his lap.

"I love you guys, too," Brent said, looking at me and Nick.

Nick smiled, and he looked at me. We nodded to each other as we thought the same thing. We hugged Brent at the same time, almost making him fall over.

"I'm ready to go home," Brent said.

We nodded, and we all walked back down the trail.

"I'll drive you, home," I told Brent.

He raised an eyebrow,"I don't know. You could crash my baby."

I rolled my eyes, playfully,"Please. I'm a great driver. Give me the keys."

He stood there for a moment before giving me this keys. I smiled, and I skipped over to the driver's seat. Nick got into his car while Brent and I got into Brent's car.

I started the engine, and it purred to life.

"Promise not to kill us," Brent said, uneasy, as he put his seatbelt on.

"Promise," I replied before backing up.

It's been a while since I have driven. The only reason I got my permit and driver's licenses in the first place is because Rachel. She basically taught me how to drive.

I drove onto the road behind Nick, and I smiled. I saw Brent extremely nervous out of the corner of my eye.

He was like that the whole ride to his house. When I parked the car, he finally stopped looking nervous.

I handed him the keys, and said,"See? I'm not a bad driver."

"You missed a stop sign," Brent argued, making me wave it off.

"I have no clue what you are talking about," I said as I walked up the steps to his house.

"Hmph. Right. Thank you for driving me home, and walking me to my door. You're such a gentleman," Brent joked, making me giggle.

Before I could say anything, the door opened to reveal Xavier.

"I'm so glad that you're okay. Don't ever lie to me again about where you're going, got it. Come here," Xavier said, worriedly, before hugging his brother.

Brent was shocked because it took him a moment before hugging Xavier back.

"I won't. I'm sorry," Brent replied.

They broke apart, and they looked at me. Nick honked the horn before yelling o the window.

"We gotta get back home. Dinner will be done soon," Nick yelled, showing me his phone.

I nodded before looking back at Brent. "I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow, right?"

He nodded,"Yeah. Bye, princess. I love you."

He gave me a kiss on the lips, and an awkward cough broke us apart. Xavier stood away from us, looking away. Brent playfully rolled his eyes, and I smiled.

"I love you too, Mason," I replied before walking down the steps.

When I got into the car, Brent waved goodbye. I waved back before Nick drove off towards the house.

I laid my head back against the seat, and I thought about what happened today. I never saw the pain Brent was going through.

I should have noticed. I was so wrapped up in my problems that I didn't see what was happening to Brent.

He was so scared of showing his vulnerable side. Nobody should be scared to show their vulnerable side. That's what makes us human after all.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

⭐️⭐️

•