More Than Enough

Chapter 8

Cami

"Where did you get that necklace?" Rachel asked at the breakfast table as she leaned in to inspect it.

"Nico gave it to me," I told her.

"Why would he give you a necklace like that? Are you sure it wasn't meant for me?"

"It was a birthday present."

"Birthday?" My mom asked. "That's not until-"

"Two days ago," I finished for her.

The room went quiet and I excused myself to go wait on the porch for Nico. When he pulled up, I got in his car before he even had the chance to get out.

"Everything ok?" he asked.

"Yeah. My family just figured out they missed my birthday. It was uncomfortable so I left."

"Hm," Nico hummed.

I was wearing the hoody he'd given me. It was cold out today and his hoody kept me warm. It was my favorite jacket.

I relaxed against the window like I always did in Nico's car and felt myself drifting off. I fought my heavy eyelids, but they won in the end. I'd been so tired lately. Resting my eyes for a moment or two wouldn't hurt.

"Cami, you've gotta wake up. Class is going to start soon."

I woke to a gentle caress on my cheek and Nico's sweet voice. I yawned and sat up. We were in the parking lot at the school. How long had we been here? I looked at the clock in the car and class really was about to start. We'd been sitting here for fifteen minutes. Nico had let me sleep.

"You didn't have to let me sleep," I told him with a blush.

"You needed it and I didn't mind."

I smiled and my hand rose to the butterfly resting on my chest. Nico took my other hand and we walked to class.

"Ugh, I'm so jealous," Taryn said when I sat down.

"Of what?"

"You girl," Taryn said and my eyebrows shot up.

"Me? Why?"

"You don't even know, do you?"

"Know what?"

Taryn didn't answer and I was going to pry for more information when Mr. McGuire started class.

I couldn't stop thinking about what Taryn said through the whole class and it was driving me crazy not knowing what she meant. What was it that I didn't know?

I pulled Taryn aside after class and tried to pull the answer from her.

"What did you mean?"

"Nothing," she answered with a shrug.

"Taryn."

"You'll figure it out sooner or later."

Taryn turned and walked away and I shouted after her "Not helpful!"

I spent the whole day thinking about Taryn's riddle and I couldn't figure it out. What was I missing? She was jealous of something I didn't even know I had. How did that work?

I explained it to Nico on the way home and he chuckled.

"It's not funny. This is driving me crazy," I whined.

"I'm sorry, you're just really cute when you're all flustered."

"I'm not flustered," I argued, but a giggle slipped past my lips and betrayed my serious expression.

"Oh yeah?" Nico asked.

"Yeah."

"So you're fine not knowing the answer to Taryn's riddle then."

I kept a straight face and nodded, but then blurted out "no". My stupid mouth. But I had to know. I'd already spammed Taryn's texts but she'd stopped responding. This was torture.

"What could it be?"

Nico shrugged and I huffed in frustration.

Nico parked and I thanked him for the ride before heading inside. When I got to my room, I flopped onto my bed. Maybe Sammy would know what Taryn was talking about.

I dialed his number and waited as it rang.

"Hey Cami. What's up?"

"Taryn."

"Ah, she told me you might call."

"So what does she mean?"

"I can't tell you, but I can help you."

"Ok."

I'd have to settle for help and hope I could figure it out.

"We first noticed it three weeks ago in math. We weren't one hundred percent sure, but your birthday solidified it."

"Solidified what?"

"Now that, you'll have to figure out on your own."

Sammy ended the call and I was left even more confused than before. What happened three weeks ago and again on my birthday? The only thing that ever happened in math was Taryn copying my homework. Ugh.

Cami: this is driving me insane

Taryn: you'll figure it out

Cami: if I don't die first

Why wouldn't she just tell me? What was so big that she couldn't tell me? And if it was that important how did I not know?

I gave up on solving the riddle for the day and got started on my homework.

____________________________________

Nico

Seeing Cami going crazy over Taryn's riddle was the most adorable thing I'd ever seen. Her nose was scrunched up while she was thinking and her brow was furrowed.

I could help her with the riddle, but I wasn't sure I was ready yet. And besides, I liked seeing her all flustered.

I don't know how long I can wait to tell her though. Maybe she'll figure it out on her own and I won't have to. That would be great.

I can't believe I'm so nervous about this, but I don't want to mess it up.

And is Cami ready to know the answer yet? Am I?