A Drop In The Lake

this girl

Cameron

I arrived five minutes ago, and nobody but Anthony has acknowledged me.

On my way off of the bus, Anthony asked me to join him at the library because he had calculus homework to do and I took calc last year, so easy answers. Plus, I have no other homework to do, so I don't really give a shit. Now that I'm here though, I realise it's because Tony wants to get a read on my relationship with Alessa.

I slide my hand into my pocket, my backpack still hanging onto my shoulders, and grab my phone.

Alessa: Whyyyyyyyyy?

A slight chuckle slips by my poker face. This girl.

Cameron: Why am I here, or why is everyone being eerily quiet?

Alessa: I can figure out why they're being quiet. Why U here?

Cameron: Ant. Invited me.

Alessa: &_& oh give me a break. He's here to play spy. Ask him to stop for me, would yah?

Another chuckle rips through me.

"What's so funny?" Asks Anthony, way too loudly.

I look around at all the eyes now staring me down, Brooklyn's eyes cutting me the deepest.

"Yeah. What's so funny Cam?" Interrogates Brooklyn.

I shift uncomfortably, sliding my phone onto the table and hands into my hair. My eyes drift over to Alessa for help, but she returns my stare with red cheeks and a close lipped grin.

"It's nothing, just a funny instagram video." I reply coldly, hoping to God they'll drop the conversation.

"Ah, ah, ah, not so fast. I can see Ale's face." Brooklyn chimes, glancing between Alessa and I.

"Brook, do we have to do this here?" Begs Alessa, eyeing everyone in our vicinity.

The library is relatively quiet tonight except for a few people floating about, their heads ducked, and earbuds in. Theoretically no one should care, but based on the creaking of a few peoples chairs, others are intently listening in.

"I'm afraid so, Love. Now tell me what is going on between you two." Brooklyn reiterates.

"It's ju—" I begin.

"And don't tell me it's just a friendship. You guys have been eye-fucking each other since the beginning of practice, so you either tell me the truth or I'll interogate it out of you." Warns Brooklyn.

Alessa mumbles something under her breath, but none of us are able to hear it.

"What was that Lovely?" Slides Brooklyn, her attitude throwing the rest of her boatmates into the background.

"We kissed." Concedes Alessa, barely above a whisper.

My whole body goes rigid as Anthony moves to get up out of his seat, across from me.

As Anthony packs up his bag and storms out of the library, I remain frailty still.

"You what!?" Yells Brooklyn.

"Miss Hennings! Keep your voice down!" Yells the librarian.

We all turn to nod in solace as Brooklyn's hushed screams take center stage.

"When were you going to tell me?" Interrogates Brooklyn.

Alessa and I reply with an equally blank stare.

"I cannot believe this." Sighs Brooklyn.

"Brook, it's really not that big of a deal." Supplies Mary.

" Isn't it?" Brooklyn looks between Alessa and I. "Did we or did we not promise we would tell each other everything? That after everything that happened we could trust each other?" Whines Brooklyn.

Alessa's body goes frighteningly pale.

"Brooklyn, it's really not your place to be saying stuff like that. Alessa is her own person, the kiss we shared was just that, a kiss, we didn't tell anyone because we wanted to explore for ourselves what it meant. You constantly berating her with questions like this is only forcing her into a corner more. Don't you see that?" I finally pop, after the shrivelling of Alessa's body likens her to a raisin.

My words whisper through the ears of onlookers and the group of girls sitting in front of me, each syllable making their eyes grow wider. My guess is no one has ever spoken back to Brooklyn before, and judging by the cold stare she is focusing on me, Brooklyn has never been left speechless.

To the outside world we look like a group of friends engaging in a heated study session, the occasional conversation jabbing into our productivity. But as the heat of our encounter sizzles, a strange sense of appreciation floods our senses. The thankfulness to be stood up to. The grace given to someone who can stand up for them. The thanksgiving of pushing someone to voice their beliefs.

When ten o'clock finally comes around, and the librarian shoos us out of the library, Alessa and I linger in the main hallway outside of the library.

"Thank you." Alessa begins.

I pause for a moment to marvel at the sincerity of Alessa's words.

"You know, that's funny cause, I was actually going to say that I'm sorry, but I guess because you already said thank you I'm in the clear." I joke.

"Oh hush. I said it because it's the polite thing to do, now walk me back to my dorm because you owe me." Alessa challenges.

"Oh I owe you, do I?" I mock.

"Yup! Now get movin' I'm fuck'n tired." Shoots Alessa as she heads towards the side doors of Anderson Hall.
Do not think about how hot that was... no... Noooo. NO!

It's too late, the sound of Alessa yelling 'fuck' is drumming through my bloodstream.
Oh God. Get a room.
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I hope you enjoyed today's chapter! It's so nice to see some new people leaving comments, it really warms my heart! Thank you so much, everyone! 😇💜