A Drop In The Lake

daze of anxiety

Cameron

"Mr. Salvadore if you are done with the quiz, please step out of the classroom. You do not have to wait for the class to be over." Orders Mrs. Wailey for the third time today.

"Oh. Sorry. Yeah." I reply, still feeling the daze of anxiety sweep over me. Since Sunday, I've been hella distracted by planning out my date with Alessa this afternoon. On Wednesday, Alessa and I met up to talk a bit about what we wanted to do, and I found out that she's a pescatarian leading me to the perfect idea. I've been trying to keep it a secret from her, but it has not been easy.

"Please come to class a bit more attentive next week, Mr. Salvadore." Sneaks my history teacher as I make my way to the front of the classroom, and grab my phone from the phone cubby.

"Will do!" I clip as I skip out of the classroom door. As I leave the history house, I notice a text from Alessa.

Alessa: 1:30 right?

Cameron: Yeah. You out of class?

Alessa: Yeah. I had a test in psych today so I got to leave right after. I'm in my room now getting dressed.

Cameron: kk. I'm heading to my dorm now, so see you in 30.

Alessa: ok : )

Breathe. Breathe. You got this.

"Cam!" A voice comes from behind me. When I turn around, I notice that the voice is coming from Mary's boyfriend Marcus.

"Marcus. What's up?" I reply, friendly.

"Nottin'. What's up with you?" He replies, looking me up and down.

"What do you mean?"

"What do you mean? Literally the whole class could tell how nervous you were about who the hell knows what." Replies Marcus.

I go silent for a moment, the nerves pounding through me all over again.

"I have a date with Alessa." I mumble.

"Oooooooo. A date. That's right, Mary told me. You need help?" Asks Marcus, sympathetically.

"Wait, really?" I ask incredulously.

"Yeah. I was nervous as fuck for my and Mary's first date, so I know how you feel."

"If you could, please." I beg.

"Hundred percent." Chips Marcus.

"Okay, I'm gonna go back to my dorm and shower. Meet me there in ten?" I confirm.

"Of course." Smiles Marcus.

I turn to head in the direction of my dorm, a new sense of excitement fueling my legs into a brisk walk. My emotions are all over the place today. It seems any slight happening triggers the tornado of emotions floating at the tip of my fingertips.

Before I know it, I'm running into the dorm, up the stairs, and into the shower. I try to let every emotion rinse off of my skin and down the drain, a wall of calm cleansing me.

Let's do this.

Three minutes later I'm jumping out of the shower, a towel tied around my waist, and towards my dorm room. Just as I'm about to reach for my phone to text Mary for Marcus's number, there's a knock at my door.

"Come in." I yell from the far side of the room.

"It's Marcus." He replies, edging the door open.

When Marcus comes in, he's sporting a pair of grey sweatpants and a wife beater.

"So. What do I have to work with?" Begins Marcus, rubbing his hands together.

"It's all in there." I supply, pointing towards my closet.

With that, Marcus moves towards my closet and shuffles through its contents. Five minutes later, he emerges with a white, short sleeve, button-up and a pair of light blue, ripped denim jeans.

"This." Points Marcus, thrusting the clothes in my direction.

"Okay." I reply skeptically.

"How long you got till you're meeting up with Alessa?" Asks Marcus.

"About fifteen minutes, so please, give me all of your wisdom as fast as you can." I beg.

"Okay. I'll turn around, you get changed, and I'll supply you with as much wisdom as I can in that time." Offers Marcus, turning to face the front door.

For the next ten minutes, Marcus gives me a list of do's and don'ts as well as good conversation starters so I don't get tripped up on all the emotions that are brewing in my being.

"Okay, and Cameron. Just be real with her, Alessa is the type of girl that appreciates honesty, so just don't cross her, and you'll see how genuinely amazing she is." Finishes Marcus as I move to collect my phone and keys.

"Thank you Marcus, I mean it. Your words have definitely helped me calm down a bit." I supply, feeling a new sense of strength crack up my spine.

I walk Marcus out of the dorm and head towards Alessa's dorm. I send off a quick text to Alessa, telling her that I'm waiting right outside her dorm. I'm just about to settle against the concrete half-wall outside of her dorm, when I see Alessa skipping down the stairs in a short white skirt and navy blue floral shirt.

The smile on her face slaps a sappy attitude into the whole of my being.

"Well?" Questions Ale, twirling around to show off her whole outfit.

I remain silent for a moment, taking in her simple white vans and matching gold necklace and bracelet. Her cheeks flare up with beautiful innocence and my heart skips a beat.

Bruh. That's your girl. Get it together and reply.

Without much thought but that Alessa is killing me right now, I grab her left hand and pull her in for a kiss.

"Beautiful." I reply once our lips part.

Her blush spreads down her neck and across her collar bones.

"Thank you." She gushes, grabbing my hand back.

We walk together, sharing nervous conversations about classes and practice.

"So. Where are we off to?" Chips Alessa.

"That is a secret, but I will tell you, we are headed to my house first. We gotta pick up my car." I reply ominously.

"Okay. Well. I can't wait!" Exclaims Alessa, jumping up as she does.

"Me neither." I supply, walking up my driveway and to my car, opening her door and letting her in with a kiss before I make my way over to the driver's seat.

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Ok, so I gotta admit that... Sunday's chapter bout to be hella cute 🥰
Anyways. I'm very tired today and I hv a German exam tomorrow so imma make this kinda quick.
What's one fun fact you know, but is really random?
I'll go first... did u know that they're called wifebeaters because of the historical association to men wearing undershirts and men that go out and drink, then come home to beat their wives. Fun right? Anyways... good night and I'll see u Sunday!