by Kate Gavin
Claire and Riley exchanged a brief, knowing look. “Well, how are things with your mom?” Riley asked Cam. Claire let out a snort. “That bad?” Riley’s eyebrows shot up and she looked back and forth between Cam and Claire.
Cam sighed heavily. “No, it’s not that bad. Claire can be a bit dramatic.”
Claire rolled her eyes. “Cam’s mom just likes to make veiled comments every once in a while that get under Cam’s skin a little bit.”
“Like what?” Riley asked with a furrowed brow.
“Geez, Claire. You’re making it sound like we hate each other, which isn’t even close to the truth.” She looked at Riley. “It’s nothing. Just things about what I choose to wear, or my grades, or how I’m doing on the team.”
“Have you guys ever been close?”
“We spend a lot of time together as a family, and I could probably talk to her about stuff, but that’s hard to do when you’re someone who doesn’t talk much. I’m not much of a sharer, so we’re not as close as you are with your mom.”
Claire snorted louder and covered her mouth to stifle it. “Jesus, Cam, that’s an understatement. How long did it take you to tell me your parents were divorced?”
Cam just shrugged.
Claire looked to Riley and said, “Three months, Riley. And, that was only because I had spent most of my free time over here last summer, and I mentioned that I never saw her dad anymore. Cam is a horrible liar, so when I asked about it, I knew something was up, and she finally confessed.”
Horrible liar? I guess I can be. If someone asked Cam about something trivial or embarrassing, she couldn’t hold back a smile while she tried to fib her way out of it. But she knew she had been lying to Claire all this time about the strange feelings Riley had surfaced. Claire hasn’t really figured that out, right? She began to panic and abruptly got off the bed. “I’m going to get some snacks,” she mumbled.
Riley and Claire watched Cam leave, and as Riley looked over at Claire, she realized Claire was just as surprised by Cam’s hasty departure as she was. “You don’t have to tell me, but what does her mom say to her?” Riley whispered.
“It’s really not that bad. Just that if she gets a B, it should have been an A. She needs to put more effort into her appearance, and sometimes her shyness makes others think she’s a bitch.” With that last remark, Riley winced. “Stuff like that.”
“Yikes. How often does that happen?”
“Not very often, but only one comment like that in her life and Cam will remember it. Unfortunately, she internalizes a lot of her feelings. She was completely right when she said she’s not a sharer—she’s not, at all. You have no idea how many times I’ve been frustrated with her because I can tell something is wrong, but she just doesn’t want to say it.” Claire shook her head, and continued. “Ms. Leoni is a fantastic mom, don’t get me wrong. She’s incredibly sweet and you always feel cared for when you’re around her. She’s been like that ever since I can remember, and it continued even when she was going through the divorce. I totally see her as a second mom.
“I just think the divorce is taking a bigger toll on Cam than she wants to admit. She feels like she needs to meet these expectations her parents are setting for her, and that she should pick up all this responsibility with her brothers and her job. Frankly, I think she’s starting to resent her mom for all of it.” Claire stopped talking as the stairs creaked. Quickly and quietly, Claire covered Riley’s hand with hers and said, “Please don’t tell her I told you all that. I just thought you should know not to expect Cam to share all her feelings with you, and it’s not because she doesn’t want to be friends. It’s just who she is.”
“I won’t,” Riley assured her. Claire released her hand and they both looked toward the door as Cam walked through it. Riley tried to mask her concern by plastering a smile on her face and asking, “What’d you bring us?”
“Pretzels and pop,” Cam replied, handing each of them a can of pop and placing the bag of pretzels in the middle of the bed. “You guys want to watch a movie?”
“Sure,” they replied.
Cam scanned her movie collection. “How about Mrs. Doubtfire?”
Claire replied in the affirmative, but Riley took in a sharp breath.
Cam turned around, and asked, “What’s wrong? I can pick something else.”
Riley shook her head, and replied, “No, no. That’s fine. It’s just that it is…It was my grandma’s favorite movie. I used to watch it all the time with her.”
“Was?” Claire asked as she squeezed Riley’s hand.
“Yeah, she died last year.”
“What was she like?” Claire inquired.
Riley looked down at the bed as a smile tugged at her lips. “She was the best. She lived alone because my grandpa died when I was about five. I spent the night so many times over the years. She would always take me out for some sort of fast-food dinner, and then we would make popcorn and watch a movie before bed. She was funny, smart, caring, and beautiful.” Riley let out a chuckle as she looked at Cam and Claire, and said, “And, she had this crazy obsession with owls. I mean, she was totally obsessed. There were little figurines all over the house, and potholders, some paintings, and tons of other stuff. It was a bit much, but it was all a part of who she was.”
“She sounds amazing,” Claire said with another gentle squeeze of Riley’s hand.
“Oh, she was. I miss her.”
Cam put the movie into the DVD player and looked at Riley. “Then we will watch it in her memory.”
Riley wiped away tears. “Sounds perfect.”
Both Claire and Cam gave Riley a quick hug, and they all settled against the headboard with Riley in the middle. As the movie began, Riley gave Cam a quick smile after Cam had briefly squeezed her hand in support. She was incredibly thankful she had met these two girls and that they had welcomed her into their group. While she was still holding out hope that something could develop between her and Cam, she felt like these two would be as close to her as Abby and her other friends were back home.
Riley returned home the next morning to find her mom had already returned from work. She was reading the paper at the kitchen table, which was her usual routine after a long night shift. She always said it was a way for her to relax before trying to get a nap. Riley came up behind her and wrapped her arms tightly around her shoulders.
“Love you, Mom.”
“Well, good morning. What was that for? I love you too, just so you know.”
Riley shrugged as she sat down next to her. “Just because, I guess.”
Her mom looked intently at her expression. “Riley, is something wrong?”
She let out a small sigh before answering. “No, I just know we’re lucky to be as close as we are.” Her mom’s brow quirked, yet she stayed silent. “I spent the night at Cam’s last night, you know.”
“I do. She’s cute, by the way. I saw you two chatting before the game started.”
Riley blushed slightly and smiled. “She is. Anyway, it just seems like her relationship with her mom isn’t as close as ours, and I kind of feel sorry for her because of that.”
“Riley, not all relationships are going to be like ours. People have lots of complicated things in their lives that can cause problems or rifts.”
“I know, and I know that Cam isn’t always the easiest to get to know. She doesn’t like to talk about her feelings, and she’s much better at listening. Her mom also works a lot and expects her to help with her brothers all the time. I just know that I’m lucky.”
Her mom squeezed her shoulder. “That you are, as am I. Don’t fret too much on the type of relationship Cam has with her mother. Just be there for her if she decides to open up and needs a friend.”
“Oh, I will.”
Her mom snorted. “I’m sure.”
Her blush came back with a vengeance and she looked down at her hands.
Her mom stood and gave her a quick kiss on her cheek. “I’m going to go get some sleep. I’
ll see you in a little while. Love you.”
“Love you too, Mom.”
Chapter Seven
On the last Friday of September, Claire asked Cam to meet her for dinner after school. They hadn’t hung out much as the semester progressed because Cam was busy with work and family obligations and Claire had been all about Luke. So, Cam was excited to spend a couple hours with Claire. She was also looking forward to the day when soccer would be over and she would feel like she could breathe easier.
Cam walked into the restaurant and Claire waved from a table in the back corner. She sat down with a smile on her face. “Hey. I feel like it’s been a while. We haven’t really spent much time together outside of school and soccer.”
“Yeah…about that. I—”
“Hey.” Luke came from behind Cam, leaned down to kiss Claire’s cheek and took the seat next to her.
Cam looked surprised before narrowing her eyes at Claire, who shifted uncomfortably.
“Cam, I’m sorry. I know you thought this would just be us, but Luke’s plans with his brother fell through, so I said he could join us. That okay?”
“Um, sure,” Cam said as she sat back and grabbed her menu, hoping to hide her face. I don’t really have a choice, do I? She couldn’t believe Claire. Well, actually she could. Claire had been so wrapped up in Luke from the moment they started dating.
“Thanks, Cam,” Luke said.
“No problem.”
They all looked over their menus and placed their orders with the waiter. Throughout dinner, Claire had done a decent job of bringing Cam into the conversation, but Cam still had the third-wheel feeling all night. The one positive aspect was that she got a good look at how Claire and Luke interacted with each other. In the past, Cam knew right away whether one of Claire’s boyfriends would be around long or not, but Claire reacted with so much more excitement and interest to what Luke had to say compared to her previous boyfriends.
Cam sensed how comfortable they were together. They already had their own private jokes, and Claire often touched Luke softly on the arm or back, which was a big difference since Claire had never really come across as tender in her displays of affection with other guys.
Cam had to tamp down a surge of jealousy throughout the meal. She knew she had been like that with Danny when they started dating, but eventually that faded, and she was now left to wonder when she might have that excitement of a new relationship again.
Soon after they had finished, they went their separate ways with Claire promising Cam she would call her later. As she drove home, Cam tried not to be upset about the night, but she was. She couldn’t help it. She was starting to really miss her best friend and she didn’t know if Claire was even aware of how little time they were spending together. She knew she should bring it up, but she didn’t want to be a downer or seem selfish. Maybe she would give it a little more time.
Cam found her mom sitting at the kitchen table and paying bills online.
“Hey, sweetheart. How was your night?”
“It was okay. Just dinner with Claire and Luke.”
“What’s wrong? You seem kind of down.”
“I’m fine. Just tired. I think I’m gonna go to bed early.”
As she passed her mom’s chair, her mom squeezed her arm. “You know you can tell me anything, right? I know I’ve been working a lot, but I will always make time if you need to talk.”
“I know, Mom. Don’t worry. Long week at school, you know?”
“Okay, honey. Sweet dreams.”
“You too.”
Cam trudged up the stairs to her room and got ready for bed. As she pulled back the covers, her phone rang.
“Hey, Claire.”
“Hey,” Claire replied softly. “I’m sorry I didn’t warn you that Luke was going to meet us.”
“It’s fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Claire,” Cam said in a clipped tone—a tone that Claire didn’t pick up on.
“Okay, great,” Claire said cheerfully. “We just got to Luke’s house so we’re going to go hang out. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, okay?”
“Sure. Have fun.”
“See ya!”
She rolled her eyes and tossed her phone onto the mattress. She picked up a book from her nightstand and started to read. After a couple pages, she knew she couldn’t focus, but she also knew if she tried to fall asleep, she would just be tossing and turning. She picked up her phone again and texted Riley instead.
Still awake?
Within seconds, Riley replied. Ha ha yeah. You do realize it’s only 9 right?
Oh, um, yep. Long day. Sorry.
Everything okay?
Yeah, just rough night.
Just as Cam was about to explain that she was upset with Claire, her phone rang, and she saw Riley’s name appear on the screen. “Hey.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, it’s okay. You didn’t have to waste your time calling me.”
“Cam, we’re friends. Talking to you is never a waste of my time,” Riley said, which brought a small smile to Cam’s face. “Now tell me what’s wrong.”
She told Riley about dinner with Claire and Luke and how she felt a bit slighted that Claire invited him along. “I don’t know, Riley. She and I just haven’t hung out much lately. I don’t want to be the annoying friend and ask to hang out all the time. And I don’t want to take her away from her time with Luke because I can see how much she likes him. It’s just weird not having her as readily available as I’m used to.”
“I’m sorry. Maybe this thing with Luke is just too new right now and she’s too obsessed with him to notice. Don’t you think you should talk to her?”
“Probably.”
Riley let out a quiet chuckle. “Easier said than done, huh?”
“Yeah. You know me so well already,” Cam replied with a laugh.
“Well, I’m trying.” Riley cleared her throat and said, “You know, you’ve been the best thing about moving here. I really didn’t want to come here and start somewhere new for senior year, but… You’ve been the bright light through it all.”
She couldn’t contain her smile and she was grateful Riley couldn’t see her blush. “Thanks, Riley. I’m happy you moved here too.” She took a deep breath and released it slowly.
“So, how about this? Why don’t we get together tomorrow night for a movie marathon and junk food? We can have our own hangout.”
“That sounds great. Want to come over around seven?”
“Perfect. Well, I’ll let you get some sleep.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
After they said their goodbyes, Cam felt more settled than she had earlier in the night. She was about to drift off to sleep, smiling, as she thought about how excited she was to see Riley tomorrow.
* * *
Saturday night found Cam and Riley sitting on Cam’s bed with their typical spread of snacks placed strategically around them. Riley had just finished telling her about spending the day bowling with her dad, when Riley suggested they play a game. While Riley had seen a few glimpses into some of the more serious and difficult aspects of Cam’s life, she still felt like she could know her a lot better, especially when it came to everyday life.
“So, this is how it’s gonna go. You get thirty seconds to ask me as many questions as you can, and I will answer them as quickly as possible. Then I ask and you answer. Sound good?”
“Yep,” Cam replied as she crossed her legs and sat up a little straighter.
Riley set the timer on her phone and pressed start. “And go!”
“Favorite holiday?”
“Christmas.”
“Morning person or night owl?”
“Morning.”
“Ugh, gross,” Cam replied. “Cats or dogs?”
“Cats.”
“Favorite season?”
“Fall.”
“Cake or pie?”
“Pie, specifically my mom’s butters
cotch pie,” Riley clarified.
“Mmm, tasty. Would you go to a movie alone?”
She shrugged. “Sure.”
“What’s your middle name?”
“Anne.”
“Cookies or candy?”
“Ooo, tough one,” she said. “Candy.”
“Who do you have a crush on?”
Her eyes widened in surprise and a hint of fear. Before she could open her mouth and come up with some sort of answer, her phone chimed. “Aw, too bad. Guess you won’t be getting that answer.”
“You can still tell me you know,” Cam said.
“Nope. That’s not how the game works. Time ran out which means it’s your turn in the hot seat.”
Cam let out a sigh. “Fine. It’s hard thinking of questions.”
“Well, now you can relax because it’s my turn to grill you. Ready?”
“I guess,” Cam said.
Riley reset the timer on her phone. “Okay—favorite color?”
“Red, but not like bright red. Maybe more like a deep red, like maroon.”
“Quicker answers, Cameron.”
Cam lifted her hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay. Please continue.”
“Any nicknames?”
“Just Cam. Someone tried to call me Cammy once. I had to shut that down real quick.”
Laughing, Riley said, “Nice. Hmm, country you want to visit the most?”
“Italy.”
“What scares you the most?”
“Spiders.”
“Texting or talking?”
Cam looked at her in disbelief. “Texting, duh.”
She rolled her eyes. “Right. What was I thinking? Dogs or cats?”
“Dogs.”
“Favorite holiday?”
“Also Christmas.”
“Something weird that you do that no one knows about?”
“When I eat cookie dough ice cream, I spit out the cookie dough pieces and eat them all at the end.”
She scrunched up her nose. “Ew, that’s kinda gross.”
Cam looked down as her cheeks reddened. “I’m just saving the best part for last.”