A Drop In The Lake

the picture

Cameron

My head is pounding like a boxer hitting a punching bag after that blow of information rocked my system.

    He did it. He actually did it. The fucker.

"Cameron. Can you please calm down? You're beginning to scare me." Whines Alessa, her arms latching onto mine.

The crack in Alessa's voice along with her hanging onto me, looking like a small broken girl, is like being whipped out by a ten foot wave.

I quickly turn and grab her arms, begging, "Alessa. I'm so sorry. I. I don't know how to respond. Shit like this has never happened to me before. Not to people I love."

As my words stammer out, Alessa's face brightens in realization. It isn't until her shoulders relax that my words swing back at me.

Alessa's mouth quivers as she asks, "Cam. Do you?"

My mouth floods with saliva. And as I feign to correct myself, the truth slips, "I mean. Yeah."

Alessa's expression turns cold at my admittance.

Out of fear for her trying to shut me out, my grip tightens. "Alessa. I, if you're not okay with that, with moving this fast—"

"That's not. I swear. I love hearing it," she corrects. "I just. I don't know if I can say it back quite yet."

My heart skips a beat, but before it can run off I amend, "That's fine. I get it. And. There's other stuff we need to figure out first, it just... it just felt right."

Alessa's eyes soften as she moves her arms out of my grasp and moves me towards her bed.

"Now," she begins, taking a deep breath in. "Tell me what happened on that phone call?"

The memory of the phone call comes flooding back, refuelling my anger. Alessa notices this immediately, taking my hands into her own.

My breath eases back into my lungs when I begin. "That was my PR agent."

"You have a PR agent?" Asks Alessa.

"The day after I asked you to the Jingle Jubilee, an article was published about Max being in town. My dad got supper pissed about it and said I either had to move home, or get a PR agent. And it's not like I was just going to leave you Alessa. And my friends in general." I confess.

"You're not going to lose me Cameron." Chuckles Alessa, grabbing my head and cuddling it to her chest.

"Alessa, what are you doing?" I question, a bumbling chuckle fumbling out of my lips.

Alessa's chuckle builds into a full-body laugh, gripping my head tighter.

"Alessa." I continue to laugh, pulling my head out of her hands. "Why are you laughing?"

"I don't know," giggles Alessa. "I just don't know how to react. Am I gonna be famous now?"

Alessa's words pang through me like a bullet. Her question screams nostalgia when I remember the first time my father showed me an article with my name in it. My face instantly lit up and even though the focus of the piece was on my parent's developing charity, there I was, baby suit and bucket hat. My name was mentioned in the caption of the picture and when my dad showed it to me I felt this impending sense of gratitude.

While the whole "in the public eye" lifestyle has taken on a different tone for me, just seeing Alessa this excited is refreshing.

I wrap my arms around her shoulders and pull her into me, mumbling, "Yes."

We both sit there for a few minutes, complete messes of emotions as the laps into hysteria from the whirlwind of sensations that preceded us settle. It isn't until Alessa's shoulders begin to shake, and a pool of liquid drips onto my arm that I realise she's crying.

I quickly pull back, the life draining out of me as Alessa's puffy red eyes soak into my heart.

"Shit Alessa. What's wrong?" I begin, panic eating up my insides.

"What if they. What if they find out about what happened with Rhea? What if they look into my family and my parents get blasted for the world to see? What if —" She begins, but her exhaustion takes over her as her mouth trips up on the thoughts scrambling her brain.

"Alessa. I don't know what to tell you. I. That stuff is probably going to happen, but I want you to know that I'll always be here. I don't care what kind of BS they spew in the paper, you'll always be Alessa." I plead, my heart aching for the world I'm bringing this girl into.

"When did he take the picture?" Asks Alessa through choked out sobs.

"At the race against Loveladies. He must have been watching when you got done with the race, the sick bastard. He was probably waiting for the right shot." I grumble out.

Alessa's sobs turn into dry heaving, her body expunged of all its tears.

"Alessa. Sh. Calm down, I'm right here." I sooth, moving Alessa so that we can lay down on her bed.

"Can you stay the night?" Gurgles Alessa.

"Of course. Do you want to change into a pair of pajamas, or are you okay wearing what you have on?" I ask, moving to slide the white textured sheets from below us.

"I'm fine." She relents, her sorrow turning her drowsy.

Alessa's eyes begin to droop close as I move the blankets on top of us, shuffling my own body so I'm hugging the wall that lines the side of her bed. I pull Alessa's body on top of me, her head settling on my chest. As Alessa's breathing subsides into light whistles, my heart rattles from the juxtaposition between this moment and the thoughts whooshing around my head. I want to protect Alessa, but as the reality of my situation begins to fall onto me, I realise that I'm not sure how to keep her safe. The only thing I can think of is getting to Max before he lets stuff out to the public... again.

____________________

Sooooooo.

I really hope you guys are liking the book,

I know that it can be boring at times,

but I'm really trying here.

I'm a one woman show so it's a lot of work,

but I'm pulling through.

Anyways, for today's question I wanted to ask that you guys send me questions.

Not about the book, but in general.

I want to do a "get to know the author" at the end of this book,

so leave your questions here.