Tame

by India Marshall

  "You take your time, don't you?" Cameron asked me simply, smiling a little. Despite his sarcastic manner, I had a feeling there was a double meaning to what he said- I just couldn't work out what.

  We set off away from school, when I remembered I needed my bag from my locker.

  "Guys, stop!" I called to them. They were ahead of me, because of my little legs- I couldn't run fast.

  "What is it?" Cameron demanded, his eyes checking behind me as if there were someone there.

  "I left my bag in my locker! Can we go back and get it?" I whined.

  "Farrah, if we go back, Mr Lopez is gonna see us, and we'll get into even deeper trouble." Cameron sighed, rolling his eyes at my stupidity. I scowled at him, storming over to his tall, muscular body.

  "Are you scared, Cammie?" I teased.

  "No, but I know you are." Cameron scoffed.

  "I'm not afraid. Come on, Cammie." I smiled, sickly sweet, using the nickname he hated. "I need it. Let's see what a bad ass you really are."

  He didn't move.

  "Because to me, you just seem like a bit of wimp." I added, winding him up.

  "You take that back." He hissed.

  "You gonna come and help me get my stuff from school?"

  "Fine. But if we get caught, it's on you." Cameron grumbled, breaking into a jog. I smiled to myself victoriously, but then jumped out of my skin when Jason's voice floated into my ear.

  "What are you playing at?" He quizzed.

  "I just want my stuff." I told him innocently, batting my eyelashes.

  Once you got a taste of exhilaration there was no going back. And Cameron was my motivation for exhilaration.

  We crept back into the French block, where my locker was. I put in my code and pulled my bag out of my bag carefully. J waited outside Mr Lopez's door, peering in to make sure he stayed in the classroom.

  "Why are you trying to prove yourself to me?" Cameron muttered.

  I stared at him, then blinked. "I'm not trying to prove myself to you!"

  "So why are you doing this? What happened to the Farrah Chambers who walked around, scared to do anything bad? Who walked around worrying about what people thought about her?" Cameron asked, just as quiet as before. Something told me he didn't want Jason to hear us.

  I sighed.

  I met you.

  "It's my last year here. I may as well make the most of it." I lied through my teeth.

  Cameron shrugged in agreement, not looking at me. I swallowed awkwardly, shutting my locker door.

  Cameron's hand reached out and stopped me right before it was about to close.

  "Wanna make an exit Mr Lopez won't ever forget?" Cameron quizzed, his eyes glinting.

  I contemplated his offer, then nodded. "What do I have to do?"

  "When I say, slam your locker really hard- and this one too." Cameron told me, pointing to the locker next to mine.

  "But that locker is shut." I frowned. Cameron rolled his eyes, and unlocked the locker.

  "Now it's open."

  "How-"

  "I'm Cameron Carter, baby." He winked. "I know everything- and everyone."

  I ignored his wink, trying to hide my blush by looking away slightly. "So what now?"

  "I'll slam these two, and Jason?" Cameron called to him.

  "Yeah?"

  "You make sure Mr Lopez hears us." Cameron told him.

  "Got it!" Jason grinned like an elf.

  "What's the point in this?" I asked quietly.

  "When he comes out, we just shout random things at him, make him real mad. Then we run for it!" Cameron explained, beaming.

  "What?"

  "It's all for the fun of it, Farrah." Jason told me. "Ready, go!"

  I didn't react at first, but as soon as I heard Cameron slamming the blue lockers, and Jason yelling, "SCHOOLS OUT SUCKERS!" I slammed the lockers with all my might. I saw Jason sprint down the corridor and Mr Lopez's head appear in front of me.

  "You three!" He roared, shaking his fist, as if it were one of those cliché movies.

  "Run!" Cameron hissed in my ear. I was too busy laughing at Mr Lopez's purple face, so Cameron grabbed my hand, dragging me along the hallway. We got to the heavy, metal door, when we had to stop. The damn thing wouldn't open- and Mr Lopez was hot on our heels.

  Cameron pulled it open and leapt out, Jason following close behind. The door swung back after him, and I tugged at it, opening it a little, when a shoulder on my hand made me jump- and drop the door.

  "Miss Chambers," Mr Lopez seethed, breathing heavily. "You're coming with me."

  Gulp.

  Mr Lopez, his face a horrible purple color, dragged me along the corridor, panting like a pug dog after a single minute of exercise. I was sweating, physically sweating, from how terrified I was. I'd never seen Mr Lopez so angry. Nor had I ever gotten into loads of trouble before- the worst trouble I'd been in was detention, and that was with Jason and Cameron. Neither was the reason I was sweating though. The reason that was causing my small body to perspire, was the fact Mr Lopez was taking me to see the Principal.

  "S-Sir..." I trailed off, not sure what to say.

  "It's too late for sorry, Ms Chambers." Mr Lopez snapped. I frowned, I wasn't about to say sorry. There go my manners, again.

  Stupid Cameron.

  Mr Lopez knocked on the door, his knuckles white. He rapped the brown door seven times, before an exasperated secretary came to the door.

  "Can I help you, Sir?" She asked irritably.

  "I need to see the Principal, if you please." Mr Lopez told her, puffing up his chest like a robin.

  "Sir-" I began, desperate to get out of trouble.

  "Be quiet!" He snapped, throwing me a glare. "If you please, we need to see the Principal."

  The secretary raised her blonde eyebrows, peering at me through her red-rimmed glasses. She extended a long red fingernail at me, then turned to Mr Lopez.

  "I suggest you let go of her, Sir." She hissed, as if reminding him he was a teacher and that he was not allowed to grab students by their wrists and hold on so a red mark formed on it.

  Mr Lopez scowled at the lady, who's name I had no idea of, and let go of me. I quickly moved my arms behind my back, not wanting to give him the chance to do it again.

  "So, can we see the Principal?" Mr Lopez asked for the third time.

  "Fine." She sighed, obviously wishing she was talking to anyone else. "Go through-"

  "I know where it is." Mr Lopez cut her off rather rudely. He pointed ahead for me to lead and I took small, worrying steps.

  Mr Lopez walked through another door, leaving me with the secretary.

  "What did you do?" She asked curiously. I couldn't even open my mouth, I was too shocked at what had happened in the space of a minute. I was also trying to not snap at her- I was angry that Cameron had just left me.

  How could he?

  "Miss Chambers?" A kind, male voice called from inside the room Mr Lopez went into to. I slowly made my way in, peering at the Principal. I'd only seen him once, when he introduced us to the school in seventh grade. He's put on a bit more weight and gone a bit gray since then.

  I cleared my throat noisily, biting my lip. "Hello, Sir."

  "Farrah-" Mr Lopez started.

  "Mr Lopez, if you would leave, I would appreciate it." The Principal said calmly. Mr Lopez looked surprised, then furious.

  "Of course." He growled through gritted teeth.

  "Sit down, Farrah." The Principal gestured to the chair opposite him. I sat on the soft, blue chair, sinking. It was embarrassing that my feet didn't even touch the ground. The Principal leant on his elbows, resting his chin on his hands. "Now, I want you to tell me the reason you think you're here."

  I swallowed. "Um, well I think it's because I tri-tried skipping...skipping school today."

  He nodded. "Go on."

  "That's...all I have." I mumbled, red rushing to my cheeks.

  He sighed. "Well firstly, you know I have to punish you for trying to skip school.
And I will need to inform your parents."

  "Mom." I muttered.

  "What was that?" He asked, cupping his ear.

  "Um, my M-Mom not my parents." I told him.

  He pulled an awkward face. "I'm sorry. But you do understand she needs to be told?"

  "Yes." I bowed my head.

  A million thoughts were running through my mind. Firstly- how would my Mom react? I'd never been in trouble before. She always got annoyed with Troy, well for the first few times he got in trouble. After a while she just expected the calls from school. But she always seemed stressed, and tried talking him into being better behaved at school. I just prayed she wasn't too hard on me. Another of the million thoughts- would she let me go camping with my friends? I'd probably get grounded. I couldn't see my Mom letting me go. I'd have to text her saying I was going tonight instead, and not reply to her other texts.

  My manners really had gone down the drain.

  Probably the most angered thought in my brain, was more of a question. Why had Cameron and Jason left me? They could have come back- shared the punishment, or took off again, but with me.

  "You are to be suspended from school. A week. Mr Lopez tells me you have been acting up in classes too? With a Mr Evans and a Mr Carter? Where are they at this moment?" My Principal asked, finally seeming the tiniest bit mad.

  "Um...I don't know." I said honestly.

  "You're not defending them, are you?" He leant forward in his chair, narrowing his eyes.

  "I truthfully don't know. Sir caught me and they left."

  "Hm. Great friends you have there." He snorted a little. "You are dismissed. Go and get your stuff, then head on home."

  "Yes, Sir." I nodded, a bit annoyed he judged Cameron and Jason.

  "Oh and Farrah?"

  "Yes?"

  "Don't try anything like this again. Maybe find some better friends to influence you."

  I stopped short, facing him, drawing up all my courage. He was already reaching for his phone and going back to his business.

  "Oh and Sir?" I mimicked him.

  "Yes?"

  "Cameron and Jason are great friends." I told him, jutting my chin out. I left, with my head held high, glad I'd stuck up for my friends.

  But as soon as I found them, I was going to kill them.

  ***

  Cameron.

  Cameron Carter.

  The Cameron Carter.

  Those were my first thoughts when I met the troublesome boy. I thought he was arrogant, cocky, big-headed, annoying, and a player. I knew now he was none of those things. Well, maybe a little cocky. I wondered if he kept us that dumb appearance to attract girls. I wondered what kind of girls he liked. What was his 'type'? Would I ever come into his ideal girl category?

  "Maybe he's liked me all along, but is too afraid to show it." I mused. I stopped in my tracks, laughing at myself. What a stupid thought.

  Cameron Carter like me?

  Nah.

  I was determined to find out his middle name too- I really wanted to use it on him. Test out the 'full name card' trick. But it could start up the whole, 'Farrah Poppy Chambers' thing again. God, my name was such a mouthful.

  I pulled out my phone, scrolling through my contacts to find Cameron's number. I quickly typed a text to send to him.

  WHERE ARE YOU? I NEED TO GET SOME STUFF BEFORE WE GO CAMPING!

  He texted back almost immediately.

  MY HOUSE. WE'LL MEET YOU AT YOUR HOUSE THOUGH.

  I trudged through little stones and broken glass to get to my street. I passed Cameron's house, looking at the fence, frowning. As awful and embarrassing as the memory was- it did lead to me meeting Cameron.

  And making me hate him, like him, hate him, like him, really like him...

  I reached my house, seeing Cameron and Jason already there. Cameron was messing around with the mailbox, opening and closing it. Jason was sat on the mat outside the door talking to him. He suddenly pointed to me, grinning.

  "Hey, Farrah! What took you so long?"

  I seethed. I stormed up to him, slapping him hard across the face.

  "Ow! What was that for?"

  I ignored him, marching up to Cameron. I raised my hand, and while he was looking at it worriedly, I slapped his other cheek with my other hand- hard.

  "Ow! That was uncalled for! What the heck is your problem?" Cameron whined.

  "You both left me! You could have come back and got me- or just shared my stupid punishment!" I raged.

  "What did they give you?" Jason asked.

  "Mr Lopez took me to the Principal's office, and then I got suspended for a week!"

  "Woo! No school!" Jason cheered. When he saw my face, he slowly put his arm down, pulling a face. "I mean, bad, bad Principal. Mean."

  "My Mom is gonna kill me!" I exploded.

  "Will she let you come tonight?" Cameron asked.

  "Probably not." I sighed. His face fell- it actually made me smile at the fact he cared I was going. "But that's why I'm getting my stuff now, before she gets home from work!"

  "That's our girl." Jason winked.

  Cameron and I looked at each other, then at him.

  "Never say that again." We said simultaneously.

  The idiot just smirked.

  ***

  The trek up the mountain, yes, mountain, to the woods we were camping in, was a lot longer than I thought it would be. Luckily for me, the boys were carrying the tents and equipment. I just had to carry myself and my sleeping things.

  "How much longer?" I whined.

  "Ten minutes?" Cameron suggested.

  "You said that ten minutes ago!" I cried, groaning.

  "Five minutes then."

  "J?" I moaned.

  "Yes, Farrah?"

  "How much longer?"

  Cameron face-palmed at my kid-like behavior.

  "We're nearly there. As soon as you see a really tall oak tree- we're there." Cameron informed me.

  "I'm gonna go ahead and beat you to it!" Jason called out childishly. He started running, but not before throwing a wink back at us. I wasn't entirely sure it was aimed at me.

  Cameron cleared his throat. "What a kid!"

  "Yeah." I nodded. I didn't know what to say. It was fairly silent.

  "Excited about this little trip?" Cameron asked, looking genuinely interested. His green eyes bore into mine.

  "Yep!" I nodded, full of enthusiasm all of a sudden. I think it was his eyes. I was drawn to his eyes.

  "Me too." He grinned.

  "So do we tell Hayley and Riley later or tomorrow?" I asked.

  "Depends."

  "On?"

  "Do you think your Mom would have caught us by tomorrow?" Cameron chuckled.

  I rolled my eyes, smiling. "Probably. I'll call them, shall I?"

  "Okay." Cameron nodded, adjusting the position of the tent bag on his shoulder.

  I dialled Riley's number, hoping he'd pick up. It was now four o'clock. School finished half an hour ago, and it took about an hour to get up this damn mountain. He picked up on the first ring.

  "Farrah? Is that you?" Riley asked hurriedly.

  "Yeah it's me. Look we're-"

  "Where are you? I heard you got-" The phone suddenly made a strange noise, as if it were being wrestled off of him. It took a minute to register, but as soon as I heard the voice, I knew the phone had been taken off of him.

  "FARRAH POPPY CHAMBERS!" Hayley's voice screeched. Cameron jumped a little at her volume. "WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?! DO YOU KNOW HOW WORRIED I'VE BEEN? PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING YOU GOT SUSPENDED!"

  "Hayley- calm down!" I laughed. Cameron smirked because I was pulling a funny face at him while talking to my girl friend. "I did get suspended. But do me a favor- don't tell my Mom-"

  "You got suspended? Oh my God! Farrah! What the hell? Did you do it to impress...?" She started. I quickly covered up the phone so Cameron wouldn't hear the rest. But I saw him giving me a curious side glance. Great.

  "Yes!" I hissed. "I got suspended
, but not for that. I- we were skipping school. Look I'm fine. Just don't tell my Mom?"

  "Ugh, fine. But she will be so mad at you!"

  I groaned. "I know, I know. I'm gonna call Troy in a second to see if he knows how to handle her."

  "All right." Hayley said slowly. "So...where are you now?"

  "That's what I was calling you about. Cameron, J and I are on our way up to the woods to camp overnight. We wanted to make sure you could come today, as my Mom probably will ground me for life and not let me come tomorrow. Pleeease?" I begged.

  "Yeah, yeah, it's fine. I'll tell my Mom and-"

  "Farrah? It's Riles again." Riley told me, clearly having taken the phone off of his girlfriend. "You girls talk for ages. In a quick, simple answer: we'll be there in half an hour."

  I laughed at his shortened version of what Hayley would have said. Cameron was looking at me weirdly. I frowned at him, and he looked away. I hurriedly said goobye to Riley, and turned to him.

  "What's wrong?" I asked.

  "Nothing." He answered gruffly.

  "Don't be stubborn. What's the matter?" I demanded.

  "Nothing." Cameron shrugged away from me.

  "Cammie, pleeease tell me what has made you upset?" I begged. He glared at me, but carried on walking. I scowled after him. It was time for drastic measures.

  "Cameron please tell...AHH!" I shrieked, pretending to fall. For once it was lucky I was so clumsy. I had mastered the falling skill.

  "Farrah!" He cried, rushing over. I felt a little bad at how caring he seemed, but to be fair, it did actually hurt now. I had fallen on loose chunks of rock.

  "Ouch." I complained, putting it on a bit.

  "What happened?" Cameron demanded.

  "I-I fell. Ooh, ow! It really hurts!" I complained.

  "Well what now?" He asked irritably.

  "I think I can walk on it." I told him, trying to hide my smile.

  "No, I'll carry you. Just hold the tents." Cameron told me.