A Drop In The Lake

Breathe

Cameron

"Cameron!" Booms my father's voice from his downstairs office.

Oh shit.

I quickly throw my Spanish textbook closed and rush off of my bed and down the stairs.

When I hit the landing at the bottom of the steps, my father's downcast gaze bores holes into his desktop computer. He doesn't even look away from whatever is on his computer as I move into his office.

I sneak into one of the leather chairs opposite him, questioning, "Dad?"

His eyes quickly cut to mine, the piercing green brewing with a raven evil.

Eyeing him suspiciously I repeat, "Dad. What is it?"

He takes a deep breath in and out, then begins, "'Cameron Salvadore, Child-Protege Moves onto His Senior Year with Long Time Best Friend Maximilian Roadmen: What Kind of Trouble Will They Get Up to Next?" He shifts in his seat, his eyes, again, moving from the computer screen to me. "When were you going to tell me Max is in town?" He interrogates.

My eyes dart around the room straining to look anywhere but at my father.

"Cameron." Demands my father.

I take in a jagged breath and relent, "I thought I could just forget about it. He was here at the beginning of the month, but I didn't think it was a big deal... we didn't even hang out that much." Each word spits out of my mouth without taking a second to think over their meaning.

"Cameron.You cannot assume that his presence is nothing. In case you haven't realised, you're a public figure, your parents have worked their asses off to give you a life without worries. But along with that, we brought the media, and you know how hungry they are for the next headline. While this may not seem bad now," he spits, turning his monitor towards me. "You're going to college next year, and whether you like it or not, the rowing world will be watching your every step -"

"But it doesn't even sound that bad -" I interject, pleading with my father.

"Yes it does Cameron! Not only does this article predict many of the antics you may get up to, but it also rehashes old ones!" He yells, standing up from his seat and slamming his hands onto the solid mahogany desk separating us.

I come home for one weekend. One weekend! And this happens!

My Father's temper has reached an all time high, and while I understand where he's coming from, his reaction is scaring the shit out of me.

Checking himself, he grabs the bridge of his nose and slugs back into his seat. "Cameron. I'm hiring you a PR agent this weekend to handle your public image. The moment she steps foot in this house, you will only attend school and practices and then report back to your dorm. I will expect a facetime call, confirming you are in your room, and you will remain there until classes the following morning. If you cannot adhere to these rules, I will have no choice but to drag your ass home and make you a day student." He demands, shifting forwards in his seat.

"But. Dad." I begin, ready to beg him to back off.

"But nothing! And don't think I don't know about Ms. Klein. Your relationship with her is fine with me as long as you keep your head in the boat and out of her pants. I may be on her side as a rower, but I will not approve of her sullying your name." He yells, gripping at the arm rests of his chair, itching to stand up again.

After that, we both fall silent as I contemplate his offer. With the whole of my being I don't don't want to agree; my instincts are fighting to stand up for Alessa.

His words mull around in my head for another five minutes, wreaking havoc on my heart. Yesterday I was celebrating the best day of my life with Alessa after asking her to the Jingle Jubilee, and now I'm having the worst conversation ever.

Breathe. Breathe.

"Dad." I plead, silently asking him to calm down.

When his shoulders settle, I continue, "Dad. I understand where you're coming from, and getting a PR agent sounds like a great idea. However, I'm not about to throw my social life out the window because I'm worried about what Max might do. I know he's here for a reason, what it is, I have no idea, but I need a life outside of him dad -"

Him sighing cuts me off. "Okay. I get it. I'll let you do your thing as long as you promise me you will tell me next time something like this happens." He relents.

My eyes soften as the usual warmth fills his features, his lips sliding into a smile while the bags around his eyes smooth out. "Thank you, and I promise, I will keep myself in check, but I hope you understand that I have to let Alessa know."

"I understand," he relents. "And by the way. You and Alessa." He points to me and somewhere behind me. "You better be wearing protection."

My cheeks instantly flare up as flem gets caught in my throat. "Got it." I confirm, coughing.

I take my leave, and trudge back up the stairs to my room, ready to finish off my Spanish work. When I settle onto my bed, a text from Alessa lights up my phone screen.

Alessa: Help! Alex is forcing me to go on a date with him and Emmy!

I cannot third-wheel!

Cameron: lmao. Need a partner in crime?

Alessa: Pleaseeeeeee!

Cameron: ok, I need to finish up my Spanish work, but I'll be over in 30. That work for you?

Alessa: perfect!

With that, I settle into memorising the new set of Spanish vocabulary we were assigned, thoughts of Alessa and I's double date flirting around in the back of my head. As my eyes skim down the page, with each new word, the realisation that I'm going to be meeting Alessa's brother for the first time has me tapping my pencil against my textbook. Fuck me. How am I supposed to concentrate now?

___________
Elo elo elo...
How's everyone doing?
Good, great.

I hope you liked the chapter.
I will say there's gonna be a bit of expose in the coming chapter but trust me, things pick up fast!

Anywho... I'm currently at my German AT soooooooooooo
Today's question is,
If you could learn one language, what would it be?

For me, it's German.
And I'm trying to learn it but it'd be so cool to be fluent.

See yah Sunday!!!!