Summertime - June 2007

Camdyn's POV - 12 years old

Ugh, Tosca is having another sleepover tonight. Giggling girls again - I can't take it. I'm going to ask dad can I go over my friend's house.

"Dad, can I go over to Chen's house? I don't want to be in a house filled with girls."

"Do you need a ride?"

"Yes, dad."

"Okay, get your jacket and let's go." So, I went back to my room and got my jacket. As I was making my way towards the staircase, I didn't notice the girl that was running my way. "Ouch!! Tosca, watch where you are running!" We both fell on the floor. After we helped each other up, I noticed it wasn't Tosca.

"I'm sorry for knocking you over. You must be Tosca's brother, Cam. I'm Cocoa, her best friend."

I couldn't open my mouth to say one word. I just stared at her - mesmerized by how pretty she was. "I never recall seeing her before." I was red as a tomato after what came out of my mouth. "You're pretty."

"Thank you for the compliment." Ms. Pretty blushed as she told me.

Everything about her is pretty - from head to toe. I was snapped out of my thoughts by Tosca's annoying voice.

"Mom, Cam is bothering Cocoa!!!"

"Camdyn Alessandro Calabro, leave Cocoa alone and get your butt down here now!"

I gave Tosca a dirty look. "Thanks for getting me in trouble again." Tosca then stuck her tongue at me.

So, then Cocoa spoke again. "Tosca, it's not your brother's fault. Remember why I was running. I didn't see him, and we crashed into each other. It was my fault, not his. He was just helping me up."

"Gosh, even her voice is captivating. I could listen to her talk all day." I inwardly mumbled to myself.

"Well, it was nice to meet you, Camdyn. Hope to see you again." Cocoa mentioned before walking away. Even her freckles are cute. And, then she went into the bathroom.

"Why were you staring at Cocoa like that?" Growled a scowling Tosca.

"She's pretty. I want to marry her one day." I said with a huge grin on my face.

"You want to marry Cocoa? Boy, please. Not even in your dreams." Tosca chortled while laughing hard.

"Laugh all you want Tosca, but it is going to happen." I know I am only 12 years old now, but I can't help it. She is just so pretty."

Then, I heard dad's voice, "Camdyn, get down here now!"

So, I just sighed and made my way downstairs.

****************************
Cocoa's POV - 12 years old

After leaving the bathroom, I went back to Tosca's room. "Tosca, I know you told me you had a twin brother, but you didn't tell me he was cute."

"Eww, Cocoa. Cam is an annoying, troublemaking boy. He always teases me and gets on my nerves."

"That is what all brothers do. Michail does it to us too. But, his blue eyes are beautiful. And besides, I see the way you look at Chen missy." Leilani and Lalita started giggling.

"Well, that's different." She says.

"Care to explain how different?" Tosca paused for a minute but didn't say anything.

"That's my point. Camdyn is cute to me just as Chen is cute to you."

I heard Mrs. Eliana coming into the room. "Okay girls, how would you like to watch some movies and stay up late? Popcorn and snacks are ready. Let's just pick a movie."

"Thanks, Mrs. Eliana," Leilani says.

"You're welcome, honey. Let's go have some fun. And no boys will be allowed to spoil our fun." So we made our way downstairs to their movie room.

"Wow, Mrs. Eli, look at all the snacks." She had everything - popcorn, chicken tenders, fries, candy, and soda to drink. "Thanks, mom! You're the best!" Tosca said.

"That is what cool mom's do best. What would you girls like to watch?"

We were not your typical group of girls. None of us liked romance - eww. We all liked sci-fi movies. Kimmie asked, " Mrs. Eli, do you have any of the Jurassic Park movies?"

Mrs. Eli checked the movie channel that you pay to watch movies. "Yes, we do. The Lost World: Jurassic Park it is. Girls, would you like the lights on or off?"

"We all looked at each other and chimed, "Off, Mrs. Eli."

Mrs. Eli turned off the lights and we watched our movie.

******************************

Cam's POV

The whole time on the way to Chen's house, all I could think about was Cocoa.

"You are awfully quiet this time. What's up?"

"Dad, am I too young to date?"

"In my house, yes you are. And, where is this coming from? You never took an interest in girls before."

"Tosca's friend, Cocoa. She is really pretty dad."

"And, since when did you take an interest in Cocoa? She has been over the house numerous times, but you always wanted to go to your friend's house."

"Since I saw her tonight. I think she likes me too. I want to marry her when I get older."

While at a traffic light, my father felt my head to see if I was okay. "Where is the Camdyn Alessandro Calabro that I know? You know, the one who constantly stays in trouble and teases his sister? What happened to that Cam?"

"Ha ha, laugh it up, dad. He is still around. That will never stop. But, now I am interested in girls. Well, specifically, one girl - Cocoa."

"I know your sister likes your friend, Chen, so here is how things are going to go. You both can invite Cocoa and Chen for dinners. You all are never to be left alone. Either me or your mother must be near, understand? If either of you break it, that will be the end of it. Got it?"

"Yes, dad."

We reached Chen's house and I was about to get out. "Have a good time with your friends."

Dad waited until I got in Chen's house to pull off.

"Hey Cam, the fellas are all in the basement. Why are you grinning like a fool?"

"I can't help it."

"Uh-oh, I know that look. Camdyn Calabro likes a girl. I thought you swore off girls?"

"That was until I met her - Cocoa."

"She is Tosca's friend. I always see them hanging out together in school. She is pretty."

"I'm going to marry her one day."

"Now that I would like to see."

"Laugh now, but it is going to happen."

"Well, worry about girls later. Let's go downstairs and play games with the guys."

Throughout the whole weekend, all I could think about was her - Cocoa. They can laugh and make jokes all they want. I meant what I said - when we are older, I am going to marry her.

*********************************

Narrator's POV

Both Camdyn and Cocoa thought about each other throughout their sleepovers. So, Camdyn vowed the next time that he saw Cocoa that he would try to talk to her.

Cam remembered what his dad told him. He was sneaky and slick. First, he asked Chen to come for Sunday dinner. Once Cam came home from Chen's house, he noticed that Cocoa was still at his house. So, he talked with Cocoa for a few minutes. He admitted to her that he liked her. And, Cocoa admitted she thought he was cute. Then, he asked Cocoa to come over for Sunday dinner.

It had been this way from June to the first three weeks of August. Until it happened.

*************************************************

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Cocoa's POV

"Cocoa!! Cocoa!!"

"Cocoa, mommy told me to wake you up! We need to leave immediately! Grandma is in the hospital and very sick." I heard my sister, Lalita say while crying.

I looked at my alarm clock and the time was 2:00 am. After that, I jumped up and ran to the bathroom to take a shower.

After I finished my shower, I went back into my room. "While you were in the shower, I packed a few things for you. We will get more when we get down to grandma's house. As soon as you are finished getting dressed, come straight out to the car."

"Yes, mom." Then, she carried the suitcase she packed downstairs to our truck. I did exactly as she told me to - ran downstairs after I was dressed, locked the door and got in the car.

**********************************************

I sure did fall right asleep in the truck. When I realized the car stopped, I opened my eyes and saw that we were at an airport. Then, it hit me - I left my phone and bag at home. "Oh no! I left my phone home."

"Sweetheart, I'm sorry but we can't go back home to get it. I got us the soonest flight I could. The plane leaves in about an hour."

"Okay, daddy." Once we went through the security check points, we made our way to our gate and waited for our plane.

**************************************************

Later during the day.

Cam's POV

"Tosca, didn't you say Cocoa and her sisters were coming over today?"

"They sure are not coming over to see you. But, yes. They should have been here by now. Let me try to call her."

A minute later. "She is not picking up. Maybe she has her phone on silent and they are on the way. I thought you didn't like it when I have my friends over?"

"Trust me, I don't. But for Cocoa, I will make an exception."

******************************************

A few hours later, dad came home. "Something is not right. I knocked on the door several times, but no answer. I saw Alyshea's Suburban but didn't see Richard's vehicle." My father mentioned.

"I keep trying to call Cocoa but no answer. I hope everything is okay. I'll be in my room." Tosca walked out of the living room with a sad look on her face.

******************************

As time progressed through the day, no word about Cocoa and her family. No one knew anything.

Tosca called Cocoa's number every hour - but nothing. The phone always went straight to voicemail. Both Tosca and I started worrying.

"Tosca and Cam, your mom said dinner is ready. At least try to eat something. I am just as worried as you both are."

"Okay, dad." Tosca and I moped all the way to the dining room.

Mom had fixed us both a plate and sat it in front of us.

Normally, I gobble my food. But this time, I twirled my fork around in it.

"Cocoa, where are you and your family? Wherever you are, I hope everyone is safe."

************************************************

Thank you all for reading the prologue.

Thank you all for the votes and comments. 😘