You Live And Learn

17 | bliss and beauty

It's been a week since Camille kissed me. Everyone was shocked, especially me. After the incident, I got a scolding from her. In her opinion, I shouldn't have given those girls any time of day. I tried to plead my case but she wasn't hearing any of it. I made a promise to her that if the same thing happened again, I would handle it better.

The past week was amazing. Dating Camille has its perks. I usually get respect from guys who aren't jealous. My followers on IG skyrocketed since Cami revealed our relationship. Former bullies have stopped bullying me now. In our friend group, I've surpassed most of the guys in popularity. Taylor and I are tied for Mr. Popular now.

That was enough for me to grin to myself in class. The Economics teacher was going on about Supply and Demand, but I wasn't focusing that much. It wasn't just me either. The majority of the class was knocked out. Only the brainiacs were paying attention and taking notes. 

"Honestly, I don't know why you don't pay attention in class. This will be very important to you in college and the rest of your life!" Mr. Kragnar said in front of his desk. His face is borderline red with frustration. "Out of all the classes to doze off in, it shouldn't be this one." 

Yeah, I'm sure he's right. The other students though could care less. I doubt some of them would even go to college.  I want to go, just to get that  ' college experience'. It'll be even better if I go to the same college as Camille. However, I doubt it'll happen given her GPA. What school is she going to? We haven't discussed that yet.

The bell rings and Kragnar dismisses us. It's lunchtime and I'm going to find Camille. She should be in History now. After thinking it over, I'll just go to the cafeteria and get something to eat. It's Camille we're talking about. She'll always find her way to me.

I get some chicken nuggets and other unhealthy food and sit down at a table. Usually, Camille and I eat there, now it is reserved for us. That's another advantage of dating the prettiest girl in school. I don't see Taylor and the rest in the cafeteria, so they're probably in the gym playing basketball. It's not allowed at all, but we're seniors so the teachers don't care that much. I would be right there with them, but my girlfriend had other plans.

I felt someone playing with my head as I was eating quietly. I look up to see Cami smiling ear to ear. 

"Hey, you," Camille greets.

"Hey, stranger." She walks over to the other side of the table and sits down. "You seem happy today."

She rests her backpack on the floor. "Of course I'm happy," she says, "because now I get to see my boyfriend." 

"That's a good reason. How come you're late though?"

"I was looking for you." I raise my eyebrows at her response. 

"Why were you looking for me?"

"Because I didn't get a chance to see you this morning. And I won't be able to hang out with you after school because I have a game." That's right, she did tell me about it last night on the phone. I totally forgot about it.

"You're going to do just fine, Ms. Captain." 

She reaches over the table and grabs my hand. "That's not the point, babe. I want to spend as much time with you as possible."

Taking a look at her serious face made me chuckle. "Okay fair point, so where did you look?"

"The gym." She takes a bite out of her homemade sandwich. Even though she doesn't have to, Camille cooks most of her meals. I've never seen her eat anything from this school. That's good because this cafe food is mostly responsible for all trips to the nurse. 

"Why there?"

"Because I know that's where you and your friends hang out during lunch. That's not allowed by the way, just for your information," her tone switched for the latter part of that statement. I don't find it intimidating anymore, just cute.

"Yeah, yeah I know, what happened when you got there?" I ask as she drinks some water. 

"Well, Taylor and Leo were playing something called 1v1 and the others were eating lunch. I asked them if they saw you and they said you were missing all day. Then I got worried. I thought you got sick and went home."

"That's quite the imagination you got there."

"Shut up. Anyway, I took a couple of shots then came here."  And that wraps up her story. I'm glad she was worried for me though, it makes me feel wanted. Without warning, she breaks off a piece of her sandwich and hands it over to me. I look up with confused eyes. "Just take it, I can't stand seeing you eat that junk."

"Your wish is my command," in a few seconds the bite-sized sandwich was in my mouth. My taste buds were in for a special treat. That small little bite was delectable. It almost made my mouth salivate for more. I don't even want my school food anymore. Camille gazes at me with expectant eyes.

"That tasted amazing Cami," I praise her. Her face lights up at the compliment. 

"I'm glad to hear it. Starting from tomorrow, I will take care of your lunch. As your girlfriend, your health is the most important thing to me." She flashes her signature smile.

Every day, I fall more and more in love with this girl.

"Well look what the cat dragged in," a voice says. My eyes immediately narrowed. The grin on Camille's face vanished. 

Standing in the back of me was Mitchell, there's no doubt about it. I can tell from how Camille was glaring. He walks around and puts his hands on the table.  "Don't worry I'm not here to stir up any trouble. I just wanted to say congratulations to the newlywed couple." Mitchell turns his head to face me. "Enjoy your food, bitch."

"Go to hell, asshole," Camille growls at him. Mitchell puts his hand over his heart as if he just suffered a heart attack.

"Oh my, I'm so scared right now," he whines. The facade drops and he goes back to normal.  He just begins laughing for some strange reason. There's an air of the Joker about him right now as if he knows something I don't. "Oh, this is going to be good." He steals one of my nuggets and walks off. 

"I'll see you two losers later, I have to go find my girl for the night." Having said that, he vanishes into the crowd within the cafe.  I release a breath I didn't know I was holding in. 

"He annoys me so much," Camille complains.

"Trust me, he's not on the top of my list either. He just doesn't like seeing us happy."

"Did something happen between you two?" Camille asks. "It seems like this testosterone battle has been around for some time now." Flashbacks of Mitchell and his friends jumping me take over my head.

"Yeah, but I don't want to talk about it right." 

"Okay, but tell me one day, please. I want us to be honest with one another."

"Of course, one day I'll tell you. It just won't be now Cami."

"Cool." In the silence that followed, Mitchell and his majestic curls ruined our mood. It will come the day when he pays for all that he put me through. There will be no warning, but I will strike when the time comes.