Chapter 9

Camille arrived alongside Summer at the bus station before the designated time for departure. Streaks of tears traveled down Camille's cheeks as the reality of Summer leaving became vivid.

"You be careful and don't fall sick" Camille warned.

Summer nods "Same goes for you" She cleaned the tears on Camille's face. "You need to hurry back home and prepare for your date. Make sure you call me after and give me the full details"

"As if there's someone else I can tell" Camille rolled her eyes and laughed in-between her tearful mood.

They bid each other goodbye and Summer entered the red coaster bus parked by the roadside after securing her bags in the luggage compartment. She caught a glimpse of Ezra who motioned for her to come sit beside him. She followed suit.

"Sister?"

Took a few seconds for her to realize he was talking about Camille.

"No. Best friend" She clarified. "Looks like we're leaving for real" she whispered after settling down.

"Having second thoughts?"

"Not really. I am excited actually. I've just never been to New Orleans before"

"It's a great place to be trust me"

They chit chat for a little bit and at exactly four, the bus took off.

Summer knew Camille would get over her absence in a matter of hours and someone new. She rested her head on the window glass as her mind wandered off to nothing in particular.

The bus came to an abrupt stop thus jolting everyone awake. They all stood up to find out what hindered the drive. The driver got down and the passengers followed suit. Summer checked the time on her phone that read two in the morning. Camille was supposed to call her after the date. Did things end badly? Is she in trouble?

Summer hurriedly dialed her number but she didn't pick. She continued until she stepped out of the bus to join the others who were starting at the animal causing the delay in front of them.

The driver had stopped after seeing a wounded puppy in the middle of the road. He carried the puppy and placed it by the roadside and instructed everyone to get back inside.

The puppy looked pitiful and Summer wasn't about to leave the poor thing out in the cold and wounded.

She hurried to the puppy and lifted her up onto the bus. Everyone stared in disbelief.

"Sorry, that thing can't enter the bus." The driver said, stopping Summer from going further into the bus.

"But we can't leave her here to die"

"She's got blood all over..."

"I can clean her up"

"Five minutes" The driver finally gave in to her plea.

Summer took the puppy outside and with Ezra's help, they bathed the puppy with a couple of water bottles. Summer reached for the first aid kit in her luggage and bandaged the wound. She took the poor animal into the bus and the driver drove off.

She covered the puppy with her blanket before proceeding to try Camille's number again.

"Going to keep her?" Ezra asked.

"Thinking about it" Summer smiled at the puppy.

"Hope you know there's a no pet allowed policy on set?"

"She'll be in my room"

"That works. What are you going to call her?"

Summer smiled when the name hit her. "I'll call her Camille. "

It made sense to name the dog after Camille because it meant part of her will be in New Orleans with her. She wouldn't feel that lonely in her room.

Camille's number rang a couple of times and she didn't pick. Summer became worried. Camille always answered her call.

She was tempted to tell the driver to drop her at the next gas station so she can return to New York with the next available bus.

She was in between deciding when a message popped on her screen.

*I'll call you in the morning. *

She cursed beneath her breath at Camille's in consideration for keeping her worried.

Was this payback for going to New Orleans? Summer thought while stroking the puppy's body. She slept off after a while.

The next morning, Summer woke up around Seven when the driver made a pitstop for everyone to grab whatever they needed to eat at the supermarket by the roadside. Summer brought back a pack of marshmallows, cookies, a bag of two Sandwich, canned milk for the puppy, and a box of chocolate.

The bus proceeded into the journey while Summer decided to give Camille's phone one last ring.

"Explain," Summer said furiously.

"I'm sorry I made you worry Summer. Things got really well last night and I got back home totally exhausted to call you. I planned to call you in the morning"

Summer knew she couldn't stay mad for long which made her loosen up.

"How was your date?"

"It was amazing. He took me to a really nice restaurant in Manhattan and then we talked for a long while. He confessed to liking me a lot Summer"

"That is so sweet"

"We're meeting again this weekend"

"See, you're over me already"

"You know I can't be. "

Summer smiled.

"How's the journey?"

"Fine, named a dog after you though. I'll bring her with me when we return"

"You gave my name to a dog!" Camille asked furiously.

"Wanted to have a piece of you with me" Summer explained.

"A piece of me is a bracelet, a book, a top and definitely not an animal"

" she's really cute"

"I don't care. You are going to change her name Summer"

"Maybe when I get back but for now, little Camille here will be called Camille"

"Call me when you are back to your senses"

"Call me when you grow up and stop getting jealous over an animal" Summer laughed and hung up.

Summer and Ezra talked about random things and she asked him to explain how production works.

They arrived in New Orleans and in front of the hotel where they'd camp around five in the afternoon. Everyone got down from the car and like choreography, started stretching their arms and legs. Summer entered her room and settled her luggage in the wardrobe before dialing Camille's number. She picked on the third ring.

"Just called to tell you we just got here. I need to take a quick bath and sleep for the rest of the day" Summer was grateful that Camille understood she was fatigued and hung up to discuss later. She positioned the dog next to her bed, on the bedside rug, and switched on the AC. She slept off, forgetting to have her bath.