Chapter 6
Chapter Six
CAMERON
M y day was supposed to end around five o’clock, but ended up finishing at one instead, due to my visit to the health center after Kamila’s meltdown. Thankfully, nothing is broken, and it’s only an ugly black eye. I got the medical excuses I needed for class and iced my face on and off for hours in the confines of my room.
My parents paid a little extra for a room with no roommate so I could focus on my studies . Whatever their reasoning was, today I’m thankful that I don’t have to explain this damned black eye to anyone.
I’ve been lounging around for about two hours since I finished a short essay, and I’m bored out of my mind. Why did Kamila have to go and pull a stunt like that? It ruined my whole fucking day academically and socially. She’s gotten inside my head, and now it’s time to get her out. I should’ve never listened to that little devil on my shoulder, he’s already gotten me into enough trouble in the past. Hell, that little voice was the thing that got me into this mess during my senior year of high school.
My phone rings, and Ethan’s name flashes across the screen. I roll my eyes, knowing that I have to pick it up or he’ll keep calling .
“Ethan.”
“Someone’s in a mood.”
Shit, am I really that crabby today? “Bad day,” I grit out.
He makes a grunting sound. “Dude, it’s your first day, and you already pissed someone off?”
“Did you call me for any particular reason, or was it just to annoy me?”
My cousin whistles. “Sheesh, someone really did a number on you.”
Now is not the time for this. “And you called because?”
“To check up on you, you ass.” He laughs, not giving a shit what mood I’m in, thinking it’ll go away in a matter of minutes. Little does he know who the person to ruin my day was.
This time, I exhale deeply, shaking some of the frustration off. “Sorry. Like I said, it was a bad day. Nothing I can’t get past.” Because Kamila will not be a problem again.
“Good. Don’t get too distracted. Have fun, but you know, be responsible, focused, and all that shit. You’re the brains behind our future.”
I’m very aware of what my role in our future is. Part of that future plan rides on me learning everything and anything I can here at Driscoll about how to run a business. Ethan has always been like a brother to me, so when he knew that he wanted his own tattoo shop, I quickly hopped on board, offering to be his partner.
He’s been an artist for the past five years and gave me my first tattoo before I was of legal age. I ended up loving the art form of tattooing, but had no interest in doing the art itself. Hence, why I’m studying the ins and outs of the business side of things.
“Don’t worry about me, Ethan,” I say honestly. “You know I’m always on top of these things. You focus on practicing, saving up, and recruiting other artists.”
“Already on it. Keep me updated, and let me know if you need anything. You know I’m always here for you, brother. ”
“You got it.”
“Before I let you go, I gotta ask. Have you seen her?”
Closing my eyes, I mouth a curse. I knew this was going to come up at one point or another.
“No.” The lie comes out a little too easily. “And if I do, I’ll just ignore her. No drama or distractions, right?” Another lie.
Hello, little devil, welcome back.
He scoffs. “Right. Seems like everything is set then. Good luck, Cam.”
“Bye, dude.” We both hang up, and I stare at my phone screen, wondering how I already broke my promise to Ethan about no drama or distractions. After a while of watching YouTube videos, my eye starts to throb again. Popping in a few ibuprofen, I close my laptop to get some shut-eye.
Memories of Kamila make their way to me while I lay down. How do I explain this black eye to my friends? None of them know about my past, and I’m not one for having deep conversations. I’m sure Ana is so proud of her sis for doing what she did. Although if Kamila is anything how I remembered her to be, she probably hasn’t told her yet. I often wish I would’ve never said yes to becoming Ana Morales’s boyfriend.
A little under four years ago
It’s been two months since my first day at Green Hills High School, and so far, it’s been great. Kamila has easily become my closest friend here. Her sister Ana is pretty cool, too. She’s more intense than Kamila, which can be frustrating at times, but she’s hot. Like really hot and fun. We’ve been flirting here and there, but still, I don’t think much will come out of it since she’s Kami’s sister.
The three of us hang out together inside and outside of class all the time. We go to the movies and the local bowling place a lot. Kami and I go to the planetarium near school every weekend and sometimes during the week. Ana comes with us sporadically but doesn’t seem to find it as interesting as we do. I met their parents at their birthday dinner, and they love having me over. Turns out I’m a couple of months older than them.
It is weird how different they look for a pair of twins. Sure, they’re fraternal twins, yet I can’t get over how fucking different they are. Kami has light brown hair, and Ana’s is a reddish brown for starters. Kamila has light brown eyes, almost like amber, and naturally tanned skin. Meanwhile, Ana’s eyes are so dark they look almost black, and she’s about three shades lighter than Kamila.
“Hey, Cam!” I hear Ana yell from across the cafeteria, letting me know that her and Kami already got their trays and secured our seats.
“Be right there!”
My tray is filled to the brim with food as I make my way over to the table.
Once I sit down across the girls, I notice Ana staring at me with a wide, almost creepy smile while Kamila hasn’t taken her eyes off her tray.
“Hey, Kami,” I say, hoping she’ll look at me.
“Hey, Cameron,” she responds absentmindedly and continues to pick at her food.
Weird, she usually calls me Cam. I notice that she’s wearing her cheerleading uniform today. She tried out for the team and ended up having a natural talent for it. I go to every game I can, which is usually all of them. Meanwhile, Ana is wearing a tight, long-sleeved navy shirt and black jeans. They both look great in their own unique ways.
“You okay?” I ask Kami while taking a bite of my sandwich.
“Oh yeah, I’m good. I didn’t sleep well last night. I’m stressed over a test that’s coming up.”
“I feel you on that one. Mr. Trist gave us this impossible project to do, it’s on ? —”
“Cam, will you be my boyfriend?”
I’m mid-chew when I turn to Ana. Did I hear that right? Did she say boyfriend?
“See, I told you, you should’ve waited till classes were done for the day.” Kami points at her and then me. “You okay, Cam? ”
I nod, still looking at Ana. Her expression changes from one of eagerness and excitement to embarrassment.
Shaking my head, I find my voice again. “Wow, Ana. I obviously wasn’t expecting that,” I laugh awkwardly. Kami’s stare is back on her tray. “Do you mind if we talk about this in private?”
“Sure, let’s sneak out and meet at the lockers. There’s no one there at this time.” She steps out of the table and looks at Kamila. “Could you please take care of our trays for a couple minutes? Thank you, sis. I owe ya one.” Ana walks away without looking back or waiting for her sister’s response.
“Will do,” Kamila says indifferently. She still hasn’t moved her stare. So I leave to follow Ana.
I make it outside of the cafeteria doors and find her leaning against the lockers.
“Okay, Ana, this was completely out of the blue. We haven’t even been on a first date yet. What the hell?” She frowns at me. “Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to raise my voice. I’m just confused.”
“I get it, and it’s okay, but think about it.” She stands straight and takes one step forward. “We hang out all the time, almost every day since you’ve gotten here. When I first met you, I told Kamila that I knew we were going to be together.” That’s surprising, to say the least. “You’re good-looking, funny and we have so much in common. We’re both outgoing and spontaneous.” I’m not really spontaneous, but I don’t bother correcting her. “And I know for a fact that you find me attractive too.”
I smirk. “Oh, you do, do you?”
“I’ve noticed you checking me out.” She moves a little closer to me, a flirtatious smile playing on her lips.
“Well damn, I thought I was smoother than that,” I tsk.
“We’ll work on it,” she laughs. “Would it really be such a bad thing?” She wiggles her fingers in the air. “Us?”
Shit, I am attracted to her. Really attracted to her. She’s brought up some good points, still there’s something holding me back.
“What about Kamila? I like our trio and I don’t want our relationship to ruin that. ”
Ana rubs her hand on my chest, and I feel my neck heating.
“I already spoke to Kamila, and she was worried about that too. Still, I promised her, and now I’m promising you that no matter what happens, I want you guys to stay friends. Hopefully, all of us can stay friends. I’m never going to hurt you intentionally, and I wouldn’t have asked you this if she felt uncomfortable about it.”
That explains Kami’s weird behavior in the cafeteria. She’s probably nervous about the same things that I am. Should I really take this chance? She’s a great sister to Kami. We’re close friends, and I think my parents will like her. It seems like something is still holding me back, though.
I look back down at Ana, who has gotten even closer to me. “I’ll say yes, on one condition.”
“Name it.”
“We can never make Kamila feel like the third wheel. Well, almost never. It’s bound to happen at least once. We will have our alone time to do…things, but the three of us remain close friends. We still do our regular activities together as a group and we don’t become that couple that makes out in front of everyone. Deal?”
Ana smiles, stands on her tiptoes, and puts both her arms around my neck. “Deal.”
Leaning down, she gives me a light kiss on the lips. I pull away, satisfied with the simple kiss. Ana apparently isn’t. She grabs my cheeks and tugs my lips to hers again, deepening the kiss. A small moan escapes her, and now I’m in a highly uncomfortable situation when it comes to being in public. I’m not sure if it’s my raging teenage hormones or if I already have some sort of feelings towards this girl, but when her second moan reaches my lips, I’m a goner.
I’m brought back to the present when there’s a loud knock on my door. I let out a groan, not wanting to deal with anyone. The knocking continues.
“I’ll be there in a second!” Fucking people. Looking for the closest pair of sweatpants, I don’t bother putting a shirt on to greet my annoying guests. I open the door and look down.
Well, fuck me.