On Thursday the student council was selling little stuffed animals for five dollars. There were a variety of cute ones to choose from. Since I’d gotten a gigantic teddy bear Tuesday, I wondered if such a small stuffed animal would be enough for my secret admirer. You couldn’t get much more grand than the one I’d already received.
I didn’t hear a word of what Ms. Cutter said in English that morning. I sat in my seat, staring at the clock, waiting to see what my secret admirer would send. The door to the classroom opened and our delivery team filed in, arms filled with little stuffed animals. I waited to see if a fourth person came in carting a cage with a white tiger or something else ridiculous. But it was just the three of them, only carrying items the student council was selling. I breathed a sigh of relief. I wouldn’t have to make a spectacle of myself today.
“Cameron,” the first office aide called out, bringing him a cute little monkey.
“Angelica’s pulling out the big guns this week,” I teased. He looked at the card and then smiled.
“Nope.” He was obviously excited, so it must not have been from Angelica. Now my curiosity was piqued.
“Well, well, well. Which other bubbleheaded babe is it this morning?”
Cam grinned at me. “Be nice, or I’ll tell Beth you called her a bubblehead.” I was surprised, and I could tell he was satisfied by my reaction. I snatched the monkey out of his hand and read the note.
Cam,
I thought you could use an accomplice while you “monkey” around. LOL.
Love, Beth
I laughed as I read her words. “She’s sure got that one right, doesn’t she?”
Cam grabbed his stuffed animal back from me and cradled it protectively. “I think I’ll call him Mr. Monkey Pants. He can stay in my locker and help me plan all my shenanigans.”
“Bianca.” I looked up to find the same girl headed toward me, this time shaking her head. “Man, this guy must really like you. If things don’t work out with him, you should give him my phone number.”
I laughed at her as I accepted the stuffed animal. “Thanks. I’ll do that.” I set my newest gift on my desk. It was an extremely cute little white unicorn with a rainbow mane and sparkly gold horn. Looks like my mystery guy was running out of money. Thank heavens.
“Wow, he’s really outdone himself today.” Cam whistled long and low.
“What are you talking about? This is the most reasonable thing he’s done so far.”
“Guess our definitions are a little different, then, because I don’t know if I’d call jewelry reasonable…”
“Jewelry? What the heck are you talking about?” I looked back down at my little unicorn, and that’s when I saw it. There was a small gold band around its sparkly gold horn. I hadn’t noticed, because it kind of blended in. And let’s be honest, I really wasn’t expecting jewelry. I pulled the ring off to examine it. The band was thin and simple, with a small jewel set in the top, a light-green sparkling gem. A peridot, my birthstone. It was beautiful, but I started freaking out anyway.
“Oh. My. Gosh. He bought me jewelry? I can’t keep this. This is way too much.”
“Why don’t you read the card before you have a panic attack?” Cam had already looked at the note and handed it to me.
Bianca,
I thought you deserved a gift as beautiful as you are. One last thing before I take a chance and tell you who I am tomorrow. Hopefully you aren’t disappointed.
Yours - ?
P.S. Don’t freak out; it wasn’t as expensive as you think. ;-)
I sat there, mouth agape. I didn’t know what to say. After a minute, Cam broke the silence. “What’s the big deal? The guy told you it wasn’t that expensive.”
“It’s not about how much money it cost. Ok, well, it is a little, but it’s more about what it means. Think about it. Jewelry is something you get a girlfriend. Someone you’re committed to. Someone you have a relationship with. It’s not something you give a stranger.”
“He isn’t a stranger. He obviously knows you pretty well. I mean, the guy knows where you live, he knows your locker combination and your class schedule, he knows you frequent 7-Eleven, he even knows your birthday… That is your birthstone, right?”
“Yes.” I looked down at the ring, the panic welling up inside of me. I faced Cam with fear in my eyes. “I can’t believe it. I have a stalker.” I shook my head. There were no words to describe how I was feeling right now. “The guy is an obsessive lunatic. What on earth could I have possibly done to make him like me enough to buy me jewelry?”
“Stop being so dramatic.”
“I’m serious, Cam. This guy could be a deranged maniac. My life could be in danger. What do I do with it? I can’t wear it; he’ll think I’m agreeing to marriage or something. But if I don’t wear it and he sees my empty finger, it might make him upset. He’ll probably sneak into my room one night and try to kill me. Remember? The guy knows where I live.”
Cam laughed…and laughed…and laughed. “You need to chill out. He isn’t a stalker. What happened to thinking it was Brady? He could have done this, you know.”
“Nope.” I shook my head emphatically. “It’s not him. This isn’t his style. He sent me a flower on Monday, and he signed his name. Why would he do the rest secretly? We’re already going to homecoming together, for crap’s sake. What’d be the point in keeping up the act?”
“I sent you a flower, too. Maybe I’m your secret admirer?”
“Stop messing with me, Cam. I’m really freaking out here.”
The bell rang, and Cam sighed as he stood up. “I wouldn’t worry, Bebe.” I jumped out of my seat and I leapt into his arms, squeezing him tight.
“Hey, now.” He tried to comfort me. “I really don’t think you have anything to worry about.” Cam patted my back reassuringly and rested his chin on the top of my head. “But just in case, I’ll bring my pepper spray tomorrow.”
I snorted into his chest. “You carry pepper spray?”
“No.” He chuckled, and I relaxed a little. “I don’t need pepper spray, silly. I carry the guns with me at all times.” He flexed his biceps around me, and I laughed. “If the guy is a creeper, I’ll protect you.”
I looked up at Cam, blowing out a breath. “One more day, then I guess we’ll know for sure. I’m never going to sleep tonight.”
He let go of me and headed toward the door. “Just fall asleep thinking about my guns. You should have no problem, then.” A wink and a smile, then he was gone, leaving me to stress on my own. I looked down at the beautiful ring and slipped it in my pocket before I walked out.
. . . . .
CAMERON
I lay on my bed, staring at my ceiling. I wasn’t going to sleep any better than Bebe was. I’d meant for the ring to be sweet and meaningful. I guess I didn’t think about how Bebe would react. I knew who was stalking her, but she didn’t. I really hoped she wasn’t freaking out right now. That might make what I had planned for tomorrow go less smoothly than I was hoping. I was getting nervous about revealing myself.
After Saturday afternoon, I’d had a burst of confidence. She’d come home from her Slurpee run less than forty-five minutes from the time she’d left, which had me hoping that she hadn’t really wanted to go in the first place. Not to mention the fact that I felt her body tense up and cover with goose bumps when I ran my nose up her cheek. I’d been ready to kiss her, and for the briefest moment, I’d felt like she wanted me to. It was the first good sign I’d ever had that she might return my feelings for her.
I knew that waiting until Friday to tell her would kill me. Maybe if I’d told her sooner, I could’ve convinced her to stand Brady up and go with me to homecoming. I’d spent the weekend coming up with a plan. The only problem was that it would involve other people. Unfortunately, it would take time to execute, and Friday was the soonest I could make it happen. So, I’d spent all week sending her gifts during first period. Her reactions had been very encouraging, until today. Maybe the ring had b
een a mistake. I pulled out my phone.
C: Do you think the ring was overkill?
B: Yes and no.
C: What does that mean?
B: Well, yes, because a ring is something that would imply a certain level of seriousness. And since she doesn’t know you’re the one that gave it to her, she’s been really stressed out all night.
B: But no, because once she realizes it’s from you, I think she’ll love both the ring itself and what it represents.
C: I hope you’re right.
B: Trust me. So what do you have planned for the big reveal tomorrow?
C: Not telling, but it IS big, and I’m going to need your help.
B: Intriguing… What do you need from me?
C: I need you to sit with her at lunch tomorrow. Make her sit at the table by the lunchroom door. The one where nobody ever sits. And save a seat for me.
B: If we suddenly switch up our lunch seats, won’t she be suspicious?
C: Probably, but it doesn’t matter. After lunch tomorrow, she’ll definitely know I’m the one and I want to be sitting right next to her when she realizes it. I hope she doesn’t slap me or run away crying or something.
B: She won’t. Stop stressing. You’re just as bad as Bea.
C: Is she stressing right now?
B: I already told you she was. Wouldn’t you be? She’s finding out who’s secretly in love with her tomorrow.
C: Yeah, I guess I’d be stressed. Maybe I should call her?
B: I think that would be a good idea ;-)
C: So, can I count on you getting her to the right table tomorrow at lunch?
B: Are you kidding? I want a front row seat to the show. Of course I’ll do it.
C: Thanks, Beth. You’re the best.
B: I know. ;-) BTW, Cam, I’m proud of you. I didn’t know you had all this in you. I think that Bea is one lucky girl.
C: Night, Beth <3
B: Goodnight, Romeo.
I dialed Bebe’s number, and she answered on the second ring. “Hey, what’s up?” she asked.
“Nothing; just wanted to see how you were doing? Beth said you’re still stressed.”
Bebe sighed heavily. “I’m trying not to be. But I don’t know how I’m supposed to react tomorrow. This guy has put in a ton of effort, not to mention he’s spent a lot of money. I feel like I’m obligated to give him a chance even if I don’t want to. Like I owe it to him to be super excited, regardless of who it is.”
“Listen to me. You don’t owe this guy anything. He had to have known he was taking a risk by putting himself out there. That’s probably why he’s done everything in secret. I’m sure he’s just nervous about how you’ll react. He can’t blame you if he tells you who he is and you aren’t interested. You haven’t done anything to lead him on. How could you have?”
“I don’t know. I’m already sure I won’t be into him. And he’s been super sweet. Probably the nicest that any boy has ever been to me. I feel guilty, and I haven’t even had to turn him down yet.”
“How can you already know you won’t like him?” This was not sounding good. Did she have a suspicion that it was me? Was she trying to tell me something? “Is it because of Brady?”
“What do you mean?” Bebe asked.
“I mean, you said this morning that you don’t think your secret admirer is Brady. Are you disappointed that it might not be him?” I’d been wanting to ask this question, but couldn’t find the right way to bring it up. I waited for her response. She took forever before answering.
“No, that’s another problem I have. I like Brady, but I’m not sure I like him enough to date him seriously. He’s really great, but I just can’t seem to feel for him the way I feel for…” Bebe paused for a second. “Well, the way I think I should feel. Does that make sense?”
The way she felt for who? She changed her words at the last second, but I caught it. I was a fool to hope that she was thinking about me, but I’d been awfully foolish lately, so I might as well hope. “It makes sense. If you aren’t feeling it with Brady, then you aren’t feeling it. You have to follow your heart.”
“Wow. That was way deep. Have you been binge watching Dr. Phil or something?”
“Nope, The Bachelor. I can’t get enough of that show.”
Bebe laughed; the mood had been successfully lightened. “I actually hope that my secret admirer isn’t Brady. If it’s some random guy I don’t really know, it would be easier to turn him down. But if it is Brady and I’m not ready to be more serious with him, it’ll make Saturday night super awkward. I just want to go to homecoming and have fun. Not spend the night stressing about expectations.”
“I know it’s cheesy, Bebe, but I meant what I said. You have to follow your heart. If you find out who this guy is and you aren’t feeling it, then be honest with him. He’ll move on. Maybe as a shell of a man, but he’ll move on.”
“Gee, thanks. Like I could feel any guiltier. If you were here, I’d slug you right now.”
I laughed. “I’m sure you would. Why do you think we’re having this conversation on the phone?”
“Because there’s no way my dad would let you up in my room at this time of night.”
“Ok, that too.” I was smiling now. I wished I was there, so badly. “Promise me one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Give the poor guy a chance. I don’t mean go out with him even if you don’t want to or anything. I mean, consider him. Take a minute to really decide if you could make something work, before you break his heart. I think he deserves at least that much.”
Bebe sighed again. “I suppose that’s fair.”
I needed to get off the phone before I told her how I felt, right now. That would ruin my big slam-bang finish. “You should get some sleep. You have a big day tomorrow,” I teased.
“You’re right. Maybe I’ll lie down and start thinking about your big guns. You promised they’d help me have sweet dreams. If they don’t, I’m holding you personally responsible for my poor night’s sleep.”
I was already responsible for her poor night’s sleep. Hopefully I wouldn’t be the cause of her sleepless night tomorrow, too. With any luck, she’d go to bed tomorrow night dreaming about a lot more than my muscles. “Goodnight, Bebe.”
“Goodnight, Cam.”
BIANCA
I fell asleep eventually, but I wasn’t thinking about Cam’s guns when it happened. Well, I suppose I was, but they weren’t protecting me from a creepy stalker. They were holding me as he whispered in my ear and trailed kisses along my neck. Ironic that last night I didn’t want to go to sleep, but this morning, I’d give anything to stay that way.
I decided to make extra effort with my appearance today. I woke up an hour early so that I could flat iron my hair. All of my wavy, tangled locks needed at least that long to get under control. I also put on more makeup than normal. Not enough to look cheap and plastic, but enough that it was evident I’d put the stuff on. I wasn’t known for dressing up, but it wasn’t unheard of, and I did own plenty of girly clothes. This morning I chose a jean skirt that hit me mid thigh, a pink racer back tank top with a cream-colored lace overlay and a pair of brown flip-flops with a wedge heel. I appraised myself in the mirror before heading downstairs. This is as good as it gets. He can take it or leave it.
“Wow. You clean up nice.” Beth smiled, taking me in from head to toe. “Busting out the fancy flip-flops, I see.”
“Technically, I don’t think they’re considered a flip-flop if they have a heel. At least, they shouldn’t be. I get extra points for wearing the ones with the heel, don’t I?” I heard the side door open and shut. Cam walked in to the kitchen.
“I don’t know about that,” she questioned as she turned to Cam. “Let’s get his opinion. Do Bea’s shoes still fall under the flip-flop category since they have a heel on them? She says they don’t, but I say they do because the strap still runs between the toes.”
Cam looked me up and down, just like Beth had, but
his gaze was much slower and deliberate. Especially when examining my legs. Finally, when he’d stared at me long enough to make me think there was something wrong, he spoke up. “I don’t think it matters if they’re flip-flops or not. They make her toes look cute and her legs look sexy. Good enough for me.” He walked over and gave me a hug. “What’s up with the dressy clothes? I’m not complaining, but I figured you’d want to look extra sloppy today, to deter any potential stalkers. You know, baggy sweats, skip the shower, et cetera.”
“I thought you told me that I should at least consider the guy?” I argued. “What if he’s super hot? Maybe you’re right, and I should give him a chance. If you were him and you admitted your feelings to me today, wouldn’t you rather I look good when you did it?”
Cam was grinning at me now. “You make an excellent point. And yes, if I was going to confess my secret feelings for you today, I’d want you to look good when I did it. In fact, I’d want you to be wearing that exact outfit.”
He winked at me, then stole the bagel from my hand and walked out to the car. Good thing I was getting used to this whole breakfast-stealing routine. I’d actually just finished my own bagel and had made that one for him. He didn’t need to know that, though. I reveled in my small victory as I grabbed my bag and headed out the door to the car.
I sat in English class, wondering if my secret admirer’s declaration would come during first period like all of his other gifts this week. I knew the student council was selling cards for a dollar, but that seemed anti-climactic compared to the jewelry I’d received the day before. I honestly didn’t know what to expect.
At ten minutes before the end of class, the office aides entered the room. A few of the kids who sat around me looked at the cards that were being held by the messengers and then back at me. This kid in the front row named Dustin spoke loudly to no one in particular. “Looks like Bianca’s boyfriend is running out of ways to one-up himself.” The class snickered.
Perfectly Oblivious (The Perfect Series Book 1) Page 19