Cass and Cam

The Fountain

  Sometimes the things you never knew you wanted are the things you need most. At least that seems to be the overall theme of 95% of romance novels. I personally believe this is complete hogwash. You either know if you want love or not. Causing unnecessary drama about a guy is stupid, especially in life or death situations.

 And yet, I still read stories like this like a junkie waiting for their next fix.

  

I look up from deep thought to make sure I'm not in any immediate danger. It's a good thing to be aware of your surroundings. You never know if a certain Time Lord with a blue box might show.

Today the park is peaceful. Afterall, it is the day before a new school year. No one's top priority is to head down to the park for some me-time. There are a few people splattered here and there; A stressed out looking mom pushing a drooling 3 year old on a swing, a dude rocking a gorgeous man-bun walking his dog, a fellow nerd on a park bench with a book in hand. Lolita. I walk a little faster away from their direction. 

The autumn breeze blows against my face, causing hair to stick to my mouth. I open my book and begin walking in the direction of the fountain while spitting out hair. 

I drift into my mind palace. Tomorrow is officially the first day of senior year. Reese says that I should be excited, but my excitement is killed by crippling anxiety and a sense of dread.

Unlike Reese, people are not my thing. Fictional people are a different thing. I understand them, I know the insides of their heads. Plus, they're not flesh and blood. They don't smack when they eat. They don't do stupid things like talk about someone behind their back... I suppose my real problem with real people is that I just don't like them.

Suddenly, I am thrown forward. My precious Fullmetal Alchemist Volume 12 flies from my hands. It lands in the huge fountain, inside the statue of some saint giving me a smug look. Someone puts their hand on my shoulder and turns me towards them.

  I put on my Angry Pissed Off Teenage Girl face and begin yelling at the manga ruiner before his face even registers in my brain. "You flippin' assbutt! What the heck dude?" I jab my finger in his chest. "You're buying me a new one ASAP. Really, do you get a kick out of ruining books or something?"

I finally finish ranting and observe his face for the first time. He actually looks sort of familiar. He's attractive with a few moles splattered here and there. He has messy dark brown hair, the kind that comes from running your fingers through it a lot. He has a somewhat athletic build. He probably runs or something.

I look into his eyes. They're wide and he looks slightly frightened. 

Light Nutella. That's what his eyes remind me of.

 Book ruiner clears his throat and grabs my hands. "Hi!" he says a bit too loudly. His voice lowers.  "I am so, so sorry. I swear I did not mean to do it. Here-let me get it for you" His long legs swing over the edge of the fountain and he jumps in.

My mouth drops open.

What the heck?

  I regain control over my body and shut my mouth. Book ruiner is splashing through the water in search of my book. This guy is strange.

Well, I guess I have to go help him.

I groan and jump into the water. The impact causes a wave of water to splash Book Ruiner. 

Serves him right. 

His eyebrows go up in surprise then he smiles. "You're joining the hunt?"

I scowl at him. "I joined the hunt 6 seasons ago."

  He gives me a look of puzzlement but shrugs me off. I close my eyes and pray that my glasses don't get lost as I dunk my head under the water. Using my glasses as goggles, I look around. My book lays at a corner of the fountain. A pair of hands grab my waist and pull me out of the water. 

I scowl at him. I hate it when strangers touch me.

Book Ruiner wears a look of concern. "You okay?"

I nod and try to get rid of the water in my ears. "It's over there," I say, pointing.

 He nods and retrieves it. We both climb out of the fountain.

He hesitantly hands me the book. "Here you go. I hope you won't bite my hand off." 

I smile evilly, showing off my teeth, and growl, snatching the book out his hands. He looks around for a way out. His fingers run through his now soaking hair. 

  "Alright Rapunzel, you done there? You now owe my a book." I hunch over to grab my phone from my bag I had the sense to ditch earlier. I hand him the phone. "Put your number in."

"Doctor Who, huh?" he shows the case and with a smile, adds his number and I put in mine into his phone. "You know, this is the fastest I have ever gotten a girl's number? You're really easy. By tomorrow I'll have you begging to come to my room of love." 

I snort. "The only Room of something I want to go to is the Room of Requirement." I hand him back his phone.

He smiles and offers his hand. I ignore it. "The name's Cameron by the way." He smiles like a happy child. My heart flutters and I curse his child-like smile. It's getting in the way of me hating him.

 "Well hello-" he looks down at the phone- "Cassidy. Hmm...Cass and Cam. I like it." He smiles again and runs his fingers through his hair. Cameron does this a lot, doesn't he?

  "Don't call me Cass. Nice meeting you, but I have to go." I sling my bag over my shoulder. "Text me okay? We can meet up later-" 

  "So eager to see me again Cass? Man, you are easy." I frown. This is why I hate people. He throws his hands up. "Just kidding! Yeah, I'll text you and we can go to my Room of Requirement-" 

"And train with Dumbledore's Army, gotcha." I turn away from him and begin my way home.

"Bye Cass!" he yells at me like a madman. This gains looks from people but I choose to ignore them. 

"Goodbye Cameron!" I roll my eyes and smile a little to myself. He waves at me and begins texting as he walks away.

Maybe he won't be so bad after all. Now I frown. Ugh, I am such a sap.