by Kate Gavin
“Wh—” The timer went off. “Well, looks like no more gross revelations from you,” Riley said with a grin.
Cam playfully pushed her shoulder. “Shut up. It’s the best way to eat it. Just like how I eat the marshmallows in Lucky Charms last.”
“But, do you take a bite of cereal and then spit them out?”
“No, I eat the cereal pieces around them first.”
“Why can’t you just do that with the ice cream?”
“Because it’s not as easy!”
Now it was Riley’s turn to hold her hands up in surrender. “Okay, my apologies, oh wise one.”
“You’re forgiven.”
“I appreciate that.”
She repositioned herself so she was lying on her back with her head at the foot of the bed and her hands behind her head. Cam stretched out her legs and leaned back against the headboard.
“So, returning to the question you refused to answer even though I got the question in on time. Who are you interested in? I know I’ve seen several guys checking you out. Got your eye on somebody?”
She avoided Cam’s gaze and looked at the ceiling instead, silently praying that she wasn’t blushing too badly. “Nah. I’m not much of a dater. What about you? It’s been a little while since you’ve broken up with Danny. Thinking of dating again?”
“Um, eventually, I guess. I don’t really seem to have the time for it right now.”
“Fair enough.”
“Are you adjusting okay since you’ve been here?” Cam asked as she tapped Riley on the foot to get her attention. “Was it awful to leave your friends?”
“I think I’m doing okay. The summer was a little lonely and moved slowly at times, but once soccer and school started, things got better.” She paused to take a deep breath. “I mean it wasn’t my favorite thing in the world. I had a few months to prepare myself for leaving them, but it still sucked. Being busy now and meeting you and Claire has helped, so thank you for that.”
Cam cleared her throat. “You’re welcome. Do you talk to them a lot? Will you get to see them?”
“I talk to them every once in a while. They’re just as busy with school and sports and things as I am.”
“What are they like?”
That question brought an immediate smile to her face. “They’re great and all a bunch of goofballs. There was a group of five of us that hung out all the time: Mike, Brian, Katie, and Abby. I’ve known Mike the longest—since seventh grade. We both moved to Champaign that year, so we were each other’s first friend. Katie and I played travel soccer together, and she started dating Brian during freshmen year. And then Abby…She, um, she was my best friend,” Riley admitted hesitantly.
“Were you mad when your parents said you were moving?”
“At first, yeah. Even though it wasn’t our first move, I think I gave them the silent treatment for about a week until we had a few family talks about it. My mom explained how she got this awesome job offer with someone she used to work with, and with me going off to college soon, she was scared to miss out on the opportunity. After that, I just sucked it up and moved on. I totally miss my friends and wish I could see them more often, but I try not to dwell on things like that. I can’t change it. Plus, I like trying new things. It can be exciting. And of course, we wouldn’t have met if I hadn’t moved here so I consider that a win.”
“Me too,” Cam replied softly.
Riley sat up and looked at her since her voice sounded so sincere. Could she possibly feel the same way Riley did? But before she could search Cam’s expression for clues, she asked Riley for stories about her friends. Any hint of want she saw on her face was just wishful thinking.
Chapter Eight
For Riley, the fall semester was flying by and she couldn’t believe it was the middle of October already. While she missed her friends in Champaign like crazy, she found that she really didn’t have a lot of time to dwell on it. Developing a close friendship with both Cam and Claire had helped. Plus, she got along with most of the girls on the soccer team and she was friendly, but not all that close, to several kids in her classes.
She was amazed at how well she gelled with Cam and how she wanted to spend as much time as she could with her. They began confiding in each other about seemingly inconsequential likes and dislikes but also bigger issues like how scary yet exciting it was going to be to start college.
She also noticed that her parents seemed happier after the move. Both were settling into their new jobs, and they each had made their own little social network with friends from work. She was glad they had been able to keep up their family traditions of movie and game nights. She was even more thrilled that her mom had taken her usual Sunday night shift off for her birthday. She hadn’t really expected anything less from her mom, but she was still excited that they were going to get to spend the time together.
For her birthday dinner, her parents always insisted she choose any restaurant she wanted. When she was a little kid, she usually went the route of fast-food places for the toys or the play areas. This year she had chosen a local, well-known steakhouse. It was her birthday, so she was going to do it right.
As they settled into their seats, she quickly scanned the list of steak offerings and decided on the filet with a side of mashed potatoes. Her parents each ordered similarly but swapped out potatoes for veggies—a travesty in her book.
“Okay, before our food comes, I’d like to say something,” her dad said as he raised his glass of beer. “First of all, thank you for letting your tastes mature. I am so grateful that this is not another birthday dinner at some kiddie restaurant.”
She rolled her eyes in response. “Ha ha, Dad.”
“But, most importantly, happy birthday, Riley. I can’t believe you’re eighteen. It seems like it was just yesterday when I was at work and got the call from your mom that you were on your way, which meant she was on her way to the hospital. I barely made it there in time because you came so quickly. You have grown into a smart, compassionate, and beautiful young lady. Your mom and I are proud of all your accomplishments. We are also amazed at how well you’ve adjusted to this move. We love you.”
“Thanks, Dad. I love you guys too. And thanks for bringing me here.”
“You’re welcome, honey.”
Their food arrived, leaving them to focus on eating instead of chatting. Once most of his meal was gone, her dad asked, “So, how is school going?”
“It’s going really well, actually. My grades are great, and I feel like I’m really settling in now.”
Her mom said, “Sorry I’ve missed a couple games. You getting along with your teammates?”
“It’s okay. You’re busy. I get it. And yeah, for the most part the team is great. There are a couple of girls that can be mean, but we just avoid hanging out with them. How’s your job going, Dad?”
“It’s great. I’m working on some really amazing projects that I think will bring about more advancement in alternative energy.”
He went into detail about one of the projects he was heading, and Riley hung on to every word. She had always shown an interest in technology, especially in the past couple years. Her dad hadn’t wanted to sway her or push her to be like him, but he still encouraged her interest in his field. Riley had been having so much fun talking and laughing with her parents, she was surprised when the waitress brought the check.
As her father signed the receipt, he said, “Let’s head home so I can beat you both in rummy.”
“Bring it on, Pops!”
They had decided to skip dessert at the restaurant, partially because they were so full and they needed a break from eating, but it was mostly because butterscotch pie was waiting for them at home. The rest of their night was filled with pie, presents, and card games. And, for that, she was happy as she fell asleep that night feeling full and loved.
Riley arrived early to school the next morning and was surprised to find Cam already at her locker.
“Morning, Riley!” Ca
m said with a smile.
“Hey, Cam. How are you?”
“I’m okay, a little tired. I was up late working on my English paper. How was your night? I tried calling but you must have been busy.”
Shuffling her feet, she replied quietly, “Oh, sorry. Yeah, my parents took me out to dinner for my, um, birthday.”
“Your birthday? Was it actually yesterday?” She nodded. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
She shrugged and said, “I don’t know. Guess I didn’t want to make it a big deal or anything. It’s kind of weird being the new kid and then mentioning your birthday. It makes me feel like I’m saying, ‘Look at me and now come celebrate with me.’ I didn’t want to seem self-involved or anything.”
“Riley, I wouldn’t have thought that.” She dropped her backpack on the floor and wrapped her arms around Riley’s shoulders. Squeezing her tightly, she said, “Happy birthday, Riley.”
She squeezed Cam a little tighter and quickly breathed in the scent that she had come to realize was distinctly Cam. “Thanks.”
Cam looked her in the eye and sweetly, but firmly, said, “I am so taking you out to dinner on Saturday night. Your choice. Make it nice.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I know I don’t, but I want to. You deserve a celebration. Pick the place and I’ll pick you up at six, okay?”
“That sounds great. Thanks.”
“No need to thank me. I should head to class. I’ll see you later,” Cam said with a wink as she walked away.
Riley couldn’t stop herself from watching Cam as she left. She knew she should look away and forget that the wink caused her breath to catch. With each day, it was getting harder to shut down her feelings. She noticed how Cam tucked her hair behind her ear or averted her gaze when she was embarrassed or at the receiving end of a compliment. It was these seemingly small quirks that had the biggest effect on Riley.
The first warning bell rang which made her snap out of her daze, grab her backpack, and close her locker. Now, she had another birthday dinner to look forward to.
* * *
Saturday night brought an influx of nerves for Cam and she wasn’t exactly sure why. She was excited to take Riley out to dinner and had made reservations at an upscale restaurant. She decided a dress was the best outfit choice so she put on an olive-green one, dark brown ankle boots, and a long gold necklace. As she checked herself out in the full-length mirror, she refused to dwell on why she was okay—actually somewhat excited—to wear a dress for Riley, but she fought it whenever she had to wear a dress for her mom or Danny.
She didn’t have a lot of experience when it came to hair or makeup, so she decided against doing much with either and just straightened her hair and pushed it behind her ears. She took one last look in the mirror before taking a deep breath, placing Riley’s present in her purse, and making her way downstairs.
Her mom looked up from the mail and did a double take when she noticed Cam. “A little fancy, aren’t you?”
“I guess. Riley and I are going to a nicer restaurant for her birthday,” she replied with a shrug.
“Still, I can’t believe you chose to wear a dress,” her mom said as she looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “Is Claire going?”
Cam bristled at the scrutiny. “It’s no big deal. And no, she’s probably out with Luke. I won’t be late.” She grabbed her keys off the table and leaned over to give her mom a kiss on the cheek.
“Love you.”
“Love you too,” Cam replied as she headed out the door. She settled into the driver’s seat and turned on her favorite radio station. As she drove, she nervously tapped her fingers on the steering wheel. Why am I so jumpy?
Once she pulled into Riley’s driveway and shut off the car, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She wasn’t sure why her heart was beating faster than normal. It was dinner to celebrate a friend’s birthday. But why do I feel like I’m picking her up for a date? Did I ask Riley out, like Danny used to ask me out? Cam shook her head at the ridiculous thought.
She rang the doorbell and within seconds Riley had opened it and they both stood there staring at each other. Riley was wearing a sleeveless, maroon dress with a thin black belt and black flats, and she was holding a black cardigan. Cam thought she looked beautiful, but she didn’t think she could verbalize that without sounding like a dork, so she just went with the standard, “Hi.”
“H-hi,” Riley stuttered. “You look great, Cam. I really like that dress.”
She felt the heat rise to her cheeks. “Thanks. So do you. Ready to go?”
“Absolutely,” Riley said with a radiant smile.
They got into the car and the ride to the restaurant was relatively silent. It seemed as if they were dealing with their own thoughts instead of making conversation. As soon as they arrived, their table was ready, so they sat down and listened to their waiter explain the specials of the night.
Once he was gone, Cam raised her water glass and said, “Happy birthday, Riley.”
Riley touched her glass to Cam’s. “Thanks. I really appreciate you taking me out tonight.”
She slightly shrugged and looked down at her menu. “No biggie.”
“You’ve been so nice since we’ve met. I know I’ve said this before, but I’m happy we’ve become friends.”
Cam looked up at her with a smile. “Me too.” They stared at each other until Cam took a deep breath, and asked, “So, what are you having?”
“Hmm, I think I’m going to have the salmon special. What about you?”
“I was debating between that and the lamb chops.”
“Well, how about you get the lamb and then we can share?”
Cam closed her menu with a snap, and said, “Sounds like a plan.” The waiter arrived and took their orders, leaving them in silence until Cam spoke up. “So, what did your parents get you for your birthday?”
Immediately, Riley reddened in embarrassment. “You have to promise you won’t laugh.”
Cam looked surprised. “I won’t laugh. I promise.”
Riley let out a sigh. “I’ve been interested in learning about computer programming as a possible job, so they bought me a couple coding books.” Cam’s mouth turned up at the corners, but Riley continued before she could say anything. “I told you not to laugh. They also gave me clothes.”
Cam let out a small chuckle. “I’m not laughing, Riley. I think that’s great. So, that’s what you want to study in college?”
Riley nodded as the waiter placed their entrees in front of them. “I think so. It’s one of my options, at least. I mean, it’s a great field to get into, and I’ve always been interested in tech. Plus, my dad is a software developer so I’ve been talking with him about it a lot. I don’t know exactly what I’ll do with it, but I can definitely see myself in the tech field in some aspect. What about you?”
They each transferred half of their meal to the other while they chatted. “Well, that’s the million-dollar question, and one my mother would love the answer to. Now I feel like I should make you promise not to laugh. Turns out I really like my job at the library. I love books. Always have. I try to read a little every day. And I often find myself losing track of time and staying up super late just to finish a book. They’ve always been a comfort and an escape for me, I guess. While I don’t see myself working in a library for the rest of my life, I can see myself doing something related to books. Publishing maybe? Editing? I don’t know.”
“Sounds like a good plan to me. I think it suits you.”
“Thanks,” Cam replied, a hint of a blush forming on her cheeks.
Taking a deep breath, she asked, “How have you been after ending things with Danny? You haven’t really talked about it much.”
Cam spun her water glass before taking a sip. “I’m fine. It’s still awkward around him, and we haven’t said a word to each other since that weekend. I’m sure I sound like a bitch when I say this, but I think I’m happier now that things are ove
r with him.”
“You’re definitely not a bitch. You need to take care of yourself too. I know he was hurt, but you had to do what was best for you.”
“Thanks, Riley.”
“So, are things that bad with your mom? You don’t really talk about her much.”
Cam let out a small sigh and sat back in her chair. “Things aren’t bad with her, and I meant it when I said Claire can be a little dramatic. Yes, we butt heads every now and then, and she sometimes says things that get under my skin. But, we love each other. She really is encouraging and fun to be around. I know the divorce has been a source of some of her bluntness, so I’m just going to blame it on being a stressful time for her.”
“But isn’t it stressful for you as well?”
“A little,” Cam replied softly as she brought her hands to rest in her lap.
“Don’t want to elaborate on that?”
She just shrugged.
“You can tell me anything, Cam. I’m here for you if you ever need to talk.”
“I know.”
“Is there some reason you don’t like to talk about what’s bothering you?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’ve never been one to share my feelings. I don’t like feeling vulnerable.”
Riley’s gaze softened, and she said gently, “No one does. But, you shouldn’t bottle it all up. You can tell me anything. I will listen. I won’t judge you, and if you want advice, I promise to be completely honest with you.”
“Thanks. I hope you know that goes for you as well.”
She looked down before answering, “I do.”
The waiter cleared their plates and placed the check on the table, which Cam quickly took, despite Riley’s protests. “It’s your birthday, and I said it was my treat. And speaking of birthdays…” She grabbed her purse and extracted a small, square box wrapped in green and white-striped wrapping paper. “This is for you. Happy birthday, Riley.”
“Thanks,” Riley said as she reached across the table for her present. She gave it a little shake, which caused Cam to roll her eyes, before taking her time as she opened it. Instead of just ripping through the paper, she slid her finger underneath each instance of tape.