A Drop In The Lake

He's staying

Cameron

After all was said and done, we took home the victory this time by fifteen hundredths of a second. All of the girls team's boats were able to beat Loveladies, but only our A boat could swipe past the finish line. With that being said, this next week of practices is going to be rough as we gear up to compete in our first 4000 meter race against Ship Bottom and North Beach Haven.

Fuck this is gonna hurt.

"Cam!" Comes Kaya's voice.

At the same time, Alessa rounds the corner to center campus and comes face to face with me, Kaya and Max, the rest of my boatmates surrounding us. Alessa has also come with her own army of supporters, consisting of the entire girls crew team.

After today's races, we agreed to go out to dinner as a winning team. We invited the other guys to come, but they declined, and knowing them, they're beating themselves up about their loss in the gym. I'm not complaining.

"Ale!" I scream, jumping over to join her in the middle of all of her friends. Since our conversation with Alessa's boat mates and mine, they've backed off a bit and allowed us time to figure our own way through our relationship.

To my surprise, Alessa greets me with a wide grin and openly takes my hug, slinging her arms over my shoulders and around my neck.

"Are we gonna leave soon, love birds? Or are you trying to piss off Antonio?" Calls Anthony.

There's this pizza shop down the street that many Harvey Cedars kids frequent because it's right on the bay. However, Antonio has a bit of animosity towards the crew team because we come with big appetites and bigger egos. And we are kinda reckless.

"Right! Let's go!" Yells Brooklyn

"Cam. Can you stay back with me?" Questions Alessa quietly.

"What? Sure." I respond, slowing my step.

Up front, Max and Kaya are engaged in a conversation of their own, while one of the rowers from the girl's team chips in every few minutes.

"Why are they here?" Whispers Alessa.

"I don't know. Really. Kaya only told me she was gonna be here when she was already here, and that she had a surprise for me. It seems that the surprise was Max." I reveal, my body going on guard.

"That's evil." Chips Alessa.

"Yeah. It would be, but I never told her." This causes Alessa to stop in her tracks, drawing the attention of a few other rowers that held back.

"You didn't tell her?" Asks Alessa, almost excitedly.

"Kaya was dating Max at the time, and I didn't want to ruin her relationship with him too. Plus, my family tried to keep the whole ordeal under wraps, so I was basically forced to keep quiet." I reveal.

"Shit. I'm sorry. And for the record, it seems like they're still dating." Confesses Alessa.

"I know. What's worse is that Kaya told me she was staying at her boyfriend's house, so that means—" I begin.

"He's staying?!" Screams Alessa, now garnering the attention of the entire team.

"Oi! What's going on back there?" Pipes Max.

"Ah. Nothing." Replies Alessa, the embarrassment lighting her face on fire.

"Hey Cam. Why don't we celebrate like we used to after dinner?" Offers Max.

My whole body stiffens at the mention of even spending a minute alone with this asshole.

"Like we used to?" Questions Alessa, quietly.

"Yeah. At my place. I've got a guy here." Supplies Max. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.

Alessa gives me a quick glance, irritation radiatiating out of every pore in her body.

I'm sure everyone is paying attention now, and that they understood what Max said.

In an attempt to shift the topic of discussion, I brush off Max's comment and let out an easy scoff before turning my attention back to Alessa.

Everyone else seems to have accepted my changing of focus, but Alessa still radiates curiosity and anger.

"This is not over Cameron." Clips Alessa, speeding ahead of me slightly.

Before she has a chance to get too far ahead, I reach out to her and grab her around the waist, pulling her towards me.

"Not so fast. I'll tell you everything, but until you hear what I have to say, you can't judge me." I protest, my childish nature breaking free.

Alessa's body relaxes slightly.

"Fine." She huffs out, "but only because I said I would give you a chance."

My heart lights up at her words. I stuff my face into the crook of her neck and plant a slight kiss on the vein that is throbbing on the side of her neck. At the slight touch, Alessa instantly melts into a puddle, the only tension remaining is the bubbling in the pit of her stomach.

"Hungry?" I tease.

"Oh hush." Replies Alessa, pushing at my arms.

We both laugh off any remaining tension and make our way to the pizza place, hand-in-hand while the rest of the group trudges ahead. Once we arrive we all place our orders and head down to the bay, sitting with our feet hanging over the water and our plates on our laps. I snuggle up next to Alessa, milking every second I can get with her before the inevitable hounding of my hometown friends.

Her presence alone makes me forget about everyone else in our friend group, a growing sense of loyalty floating off of her and into my soul, making me feel as though I have the strength to get past whatever history Max or Kaya brings up. Her presence is addictive.

"Cam?" Questions Alessa.

"Huh?" I reply.

"If you have time, could you stop by my dorm later tonight?" Continues Alessa, shaking slightly.

"Sure. Should I come through the front door or the side door?"

"The side door. If you're okay with that." Blushes Alessa.

"Of course. I'll be there at ten. That okay? I still have to find a way to please my guests." I reveal.

"I get it." Alessa pauses for a moment, letting out an exasperated breath, "Please don't get into any trouble."

"Promise."

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Oioioi, so today's chapter was pretty cute, lots of tea 🍵... hope you liked it 😊
For today's question I want to know what is one thing you did as a child that you wish you could do again?
Mine would probs be just running around wreaking havoc, because I can't even muster up enough energy to walk to class and not get winded...
Anyways, lmk, and I'll be back on Sunday! 🌞