After having the heart to heart with his mother Dean settled oh his bed and texted Camille.
Hey, it's Dean
I was wondering when you were going to text me lol. How'd it go with talking to your mom?
I told her she should get a divorce... I think she will... How has your night been?
Well for once my mom isn't home, I think she's seeing someone, her coworker, his name is Mark, which is funny because my dad's name is Mike, and well I've seen his name pop up on her phone quite a few times now.
Maybe he'll help her, make her happier, maybe she'll ease up on you
I doubt it lol, she's always been this way
Well, never say never, I'll be hoping for you...
Goodnight Dean
Sweat Dreams Camille
Dean clicked off his phone, feeling the sense of satisfaction in his heart. He was always so used to Camille. It was crazy how she could make his heart beat out of his chest this way. That when he was with her, he wished so badly to kiss her again.
The two days of In-School had passed, Dean was let back into class with a warning.
He hadn't gotten to see much of Camille lately, she was busy in the student government association, planning the graduation.
After school his friend Lia, who in the previous timeline had confessed her feelings to him, but he was dating Camille then... He didn't know if it was different this time around because him and Camille were never together. But it seemed like old times with her.
Lia nudged him as they joked around. Dean threw his head back in laughter.
As he opened his eyes again he saw Camille watching them.
He went to wave but she turned and ignored him walking away. He would've followed after her, but Lia had asked for a ride home.
It was April now, the time nearing and getting closer. Camille hadn't showed any signs, but Dean hoped they could get past that day... And that she wouldn't do anything sooner than he expected.
Thursday came and Dean saw Cami at her locker he tried approaching her and saying hello, but she just slammed her locker door shut and walked away without paying him any mind.
Dean stood, feeling hurt and confused. What happened?
The next day it was the same. Except he couldn't get to her after school, he heard from someone that she had left school early for an appointment.
Dean texted her.
Camille can we talk? Did I do something wrong, I don't understand why you're being this way, I don't want things to be like this between us...
It caused him a great deal of anxiety, he was so unsure of everything... Right now it didn't feel like there was much for him to do, but like the previous timeline Camille proved herself to be very spontaneous in making bad decisions.
Camille read his messages and didn't respond.
Dean gripped his hair and closed his eyes sighing. What did he do wrong? Why was she being like this.
It was a Friday. April 8th. The school had announced the seniors had the opportunity to go on a camping field trip for the weekend. It was at Sun Retreats Seashore.
Dean remembered before that Cami hadn't been interested, Dean wanted to go. Instead he hung out with Cami for the weekend at his house. They stayed glued to his couch watching movies as it had rained all weekend... Dean wondered if it would rain this time.
The sign ups were posted in the hallway on a bulletin board with a list of things you needed to bring.
As Dean scanned the list he saw Cami's name.
Camille James: Volunteer as Camp leader
Dean figured this might be an opportunity for him to talk to her. So he signed up and hoped that he'd be assigned to her group.
He'd know by tomorrow.
After school he went to his attic and found a sleeping bag, a flashlight, and a tent. He had gone camping once with his uncle and his older brother. It occured to him that he hadn't seen his brother in a very long time...
His older brother was about 21, and he had taken off as soon as he graduated. His name was Dante. His mother had wanted to keep a pattern going with their names. Their father was Drew, then Dante, then Dean, and lastly Daniella.
Dean looked through his phone for his contact... Hoping that he still had the same number. After all he hadn't contacted him in nearly two years.
Dean took a deep breath and then hit the call button.
It rang a few times and just as Dean was about to hang up, the call went through
"Hello"
Dean was silent for a second.
"Hey, Dante... It's me... Dean"
Dante was silent for a moment.
"Dean? How are you man, how's mom, and Daniella?"
Dean felt his tears rise, and he felt a bit of resentment towards Dante for running out on them.
So he decided to tell him the truth.
"Not too well really, if I'm being completely honest. Mom still hasn't left that piece of shit, though she's in the process of filing for divorce now... You know after you left he got more violent, at first it was just mom, and I know sometimes he rough-housed you... But after you were gone he started on me... And then onto little Daniella. Not only did he beat on mom, he drank more... And one night he was hurting her badly, I was scared... I was 14 back then, I tried to help her... He was so drunk... He..."
Dean took a deep breath.
"He beat me until I almost passed out... I felt the weakest I ever did and helpless, and mom she was just a wreck... She was bleeding, but there she was trying to help me and take care of me... One time after that me and Daniella came home a little late from our bus stop... I was too terrified to say anything but Daniella talked back. He hit her, knocked her into the floor.. she was 10 back then.. It made me so angry I could feel my blood boil, but I didn't want to get the living shit beat out of me, so I just picked her up and we walked away."
Dante didn't speak, but Dean knew he was listening.
" Just recently, a few weeks ago, I came home. Mom was crying and screaming, she tried to run away, he dragged her back and slapped her face... I saw red... I couldn't take it anymore. I dragged him back, he punched me in my face. He tried to go after mom again... I got him away from her and eventually I ended up on top of him... I was punching his face in... If it hadn't been for mom I feel like I would have beat him to death... He hasn't been home since."
It was quiet for a second.
"I don't know what to say Dean..."
"I don't expect you to say much... I just want you to know what we went through... You broke mom's heart when you left... It broke all of us. And I can only imagine how mom must feel knowing she has a child somewhere out there in the world, and she doesn't know how he's doing, if he's even alive, where he is... The least you could have done was checked in with us. Mom doesn't talk about you, but I know she misses you."
"I'm sorry Dean... I really am, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left you guys behind... But I had to get away... I selfishly hoped Mom would be enough to protect you... I guess I also hoped dad wouldn't turn out to be that terrible, that he wouldn't hurt you guys..."
"But he did." Dean replied sharply.
"I know... And for that I won't forgive myself..."
" Dante I don't expect you to apologize towards me, you should call up mom, apologize to her, and promise that you'll keep in touch... I'm going to hang up now, so call mom."
" I will... Dean?"
"Yeah?"
" I missed you man."
The phone call cut off.