novel written by: Heaven Kearns
Dear Javian, Isaiah, Kamari, Jameel, and Tyler This book I'd like to dedicate to my guy best friends. Although I may not be in love with yall like Camryn is in love with Grayson, you guys still always have my back. You would do absolutely everything in the world to make sure I was happy and safe. I appreciate all you guys for always looking out for me and loving me unconditionally. It's always meant so much to me and I couldn't show any more gratitude other than dedicating this book to you.
Are you sure you’re ready to do this?” Grayson whispered. “Yes. I'm sure, Gray. Let’s go before I change my mind,” Camryn said fearfully. They started slowly walking up to her father's bedroom door and suddenly, Damien came out of his bedroom, half asleep. “What are you doing here Grayson? It’s 2 in the morning.” Damien yawned. “Shhh. It’s okay buddy. Get into bed, I'll tuck you into bed in a few minutes, okay?” Camryn smiled. Damien nodded his head and he slowly walked towards the door and Camryn and Grayson watched him closely, giving each other the “that was close look.” They continued their walk to his room, trying to be more observant and quiet, so nobody else would wake up and catch them in the act. Camryn placed a full beer bottle, knowing that he would eventually be waking up for some, on his side table. Grayson pulled out a bottle of plant pesticides that they had found in her mother's old gardening tools, that was thrown up stairs in the attic. He slowly handed Camryn the handed the bottle, “Are you 100% sure?” “Yes I am 100% sure. Let’s do this.” Camryn nods hesitantly. Camryn opened up the bottle and slowly poured the pesticides into the half drank beer bottle. Anyone would have noticed that the bottle was filled with poison, the fume was so strong, but he was so drunk, he would have never smelt it. Camryn and Grayson hurried out of the room and back into Camryn's room. Camryn thanked him in tears, “Gray im so sorry I put you through this, but thank you so much.”
“It’s okay. Things will be better for you and the twins now, that’s all that matters to me. Now get some sleep, my love. Sleep well. I love you.” Grayson kissed her forehead and then climbed out of the window. She closed her eyes and as she was about to nod off into a deep sleep, her mind took control. She pictured her entire life with Grayson in a matter of minutes. She never thought she felt this way about him, but suddenly, she knew she was in love. She knew he was the boy she always dreamed of and she was confused on how she never realized it. The way he kissed her forehead made her heart skip a beat. She wondered if she only felt this way because of what they did together tonight. But she’s always felt this way deep down and now it was suddenly hitting her. All the daydreaming finally made her exhausted and suddenly she was passed out.
“CAMRYN! CAMRYN! WAKE UP!” Elena banged on the door. Camryn shoots up and runs out the door. “Guys whats wrong? What happened? Are you okay?” Camryn gasped “Yes, we are fine. Dad isn't waking up. He’s really cold Camryn.” Damien whispered Camryn walks over and checks his pulse. She instantly felt a drop in her stomach. “He's actually dead. He's actually gone.” she thought to herself. “Damien. Elena. Go downstairs and get the phone. Call 911. Quick!.” The twins run down the stairs, scrambling to get to the phone. Camryn sits by her father's side, praying for God's forgiveness, “It had to be done. It had to be done right? It’s for the best. Please forgive me.”
15 minutes, the ambulance came and pronounced him dead. The medic asked Camryn if she knew why her father suddenly passed. She told him he was an alcoholic and told them all about the abuse he’s put them through for the past 3 years. “So both your mother and father are gone… do you have any immediate family that would be willing to take you in for now?” The medic asked “Uhm no unfortunately not…” Camryn started “No, our dad made all of our family hate us.” Damien looked down “That's not true D! Aunt Kris loves us, she's just scared of Daddy.” Elena stuttered. “She hates us! Dad ruined everything Le” Damien yelled “Okay guys. Enough. We need to get our stuff packed. Come on.” Camryn grabbed them both. They all walked up stairs to get their stuff packed. Nobody was crying. They were all scared but it felt like a sudden bolder was lifted off their shoulders and they were relieved. Grayson comes running up the stairs and into the twins bedrooms. They jump up and hug him, “What happened? Are you guys alright? Where is Cam?” Grayson said “Were okay. Shes packing in her room...” elena mumbled Grayson starts to walk out but before he could, “Gray… What happened? This doesn’t just happen. You were here last night.” Damien asked “How would I know what happened? Guys things happen for a reason, God knew it was your dad's turn to come home..” Grayson stared at Damien with a straight face
“You could tell us the truth. We won’t say anything. We promise!” Elena promised “Guys just pack your things and hurry up.” Grayson walked out Grayson explains to Camryn that the twins are questioning him. “They can’t find out.” Camryn explained “I know.” Grayson started, “Come on you need to go.” The four of them walked down the stairs and put all of their bags into the back of the police car. They drove them to the hospital where the foster care worker took it from there. Camryn begged that the three of them stay in the same house and stick together. The foster care could make no promises. A couple hours later, the foster care worker had told them they had found a family, but they were only willing to take two children. Camryn knew that the twins had to stay together. They would be lost without each other. They sat in the hospital waiting room, huddled together, Elena on the left shoulder and Damien on the right, asleep on Camryn. Grayson and Camryn stared at each other from opposite ends of the room, in disbelief. “Camryn please. Dont let them split us up! We need you.” Elena cried in panic “I know guys. I know. I'm so sorry this is happening. In two years, I'll be 18. I'll come back for you guys. I promise. i’ll come back for you guys” Camryn hugged them as they both were screaming for her. Camryn locks herself into a bathroom, regretting everything she's done now. She just lost the last bit of hope she had left. She had nobody now. She jumps as she hears sudden banging on the door, “Cam, open up please. You can’t be alone right now. Let me help you.”
Camryn opened up the door and dropped to her knees. Grayson sat down beside her and just held her. He didn't say anything, he just held her. “Grayson, I know this is a really bad time to tell you this but, I love you. I have loved you for the longest time. I've been meaning to tell you but I was afraid. Its okay if you dont love me back, I just needed to-” Grayson pulls her in and kisses her. She pulls back in shock and he wipes the tear and moves her hair behind her eyes, “Camryn Brielle, I have loved you since we were 8 years old...”
4 years later….. “Camryn!” Elena and Damien come screaming out of the car and jump onto her. “I told you she would come for us! You should have never doubted her Le.” Damien pushed her Elena looks up to Camryn, barely able to meet her eyes, “I'm sorry I-” “It’s okay. I'm here now okay? Ik it's a little late… I'm sorry guys. Let's go home. I have some big news waiting for you guys at the house!” On the 2 hour ride back home, they talk about all the things they've missed. All the birthdays, the holidays, the families they have lived with. Everything. Camryn finally tells them that her and Grayson got engaged, and they were waiting for them to come home for the wedding. When they walk inside, they find that they have their bedrooms already set up. There exploring the house when they find a letter sitting on the kitchen table. “Can we open it?” Damien asked “Of course. Open it and read it out loud.”
Elena grabs it out of Damiens hands, “Hi guys! We are so excited you guys are finally home. We have three questions for you. One, how would you guys feel if me and Gray adopted you? Two, How would you feel about being or maid of honour and best man in our wedding? And Three, How would you feel about becoming an aunt and uncle to our baby girl?” “No way..” Damien looked up “Yes way!” Camryn smiled “Of course. YES YES YES” ELena jumped onto Camryn's back They huddled into a small group, “Thank you for saving us guys” Elena smiled and pulled in closer
Heaven Kearns, the author of the latest top novel, It Didn’t Have to Come to This, is a 14 year old girl who lives in the small town of Edison, New Jersey although she grew up in the mountains of California. She also grew up with an interest in sports, most importantly cheerleading and lacrosse. Her most valuable accomplishments would be going to cheer nationals, making the highschool
lacrosse team, countless honor rolls and completing the junior police academy in Highland park for 3 years.