Sunshine & City Lights | Cameron Boyce Story

Chapter 6 ~ Suspicious Birthday Shopping

"What's next on the list?" I ask Maya as we exit the card shop and head back out through the mall.
She crosses 'funny pun card' off the list, "We need balloons. Have you bought his present yet?"
"No," I say, "I never got the chance to ask him what he wants. What stuff is he into nowadays?"
She thinks whilst we look around a decoration store for balloons and...decorations, "He likes basketball, dance, sporty stuff."
"I know but I wanted to get him something cute..." I groan, picking up a Jake and the Neverland Pirates balloon.
Maya grins at my choice and we take it to the counter to pay.
"How about a little charm bracelet thingy?" She suggests. We leave the store and make our way to Nike because Maya decided she needed some new shoes.
I try to brainstorm for other ideas but fail to come up with any, "Hm, that's kinda girly."
She bites her lip and nods, neither of us could think of anything good enough.
"Screw it. I'll just buy him a basketball jersey and some sneakers." I get up and abandon Maya with the shoe fitter guy. I don't think she notices, he's too cute.
I look around the shelves for a pair of Nikes that I think would suit Cameron until a worker speaks from behind me, "Need a hand choosing?"
Recognizing the voice, I turn to face Kai in his uniform, "Kai! I didn't know you worked here."
"Yeah, a little extra money to go towards a new car." He smiles.
I smile back, "Well, in that case, some help would be nice. I'm trying to find a gift for Cameron. Keep in mind he likes sports, what do you recommend?"
"He likes sports so...Jordans are cool. If you have 130 bucks." He points to a wall of Jordans and I pick out two pairs that I like.
"Holy crap, $130?! Money doesn't grow on trees, Kai!" I put the sneakers back on the shelf and run my hand through my hair.
Kai grins, "Look, I'll pay for them. Consider it 'on the house'."
"That's awful nice of you, Colburn. There has to be a catch." I smirk back at him.
"Well," He pecks my cheek, "Sorta. I'll buy you the Jordans if you agree to be my girlfriend."
I raise my eyebrows at him as he takes my hands.
"Carsen, I like you a lot. You're beautiful and smart. Whatever people have told you, I think you're different and I honestly want you to be my girlfriend."
I giggle, "Alright, loverboy, I like you a lot too. I'd love to be your girlfriend."
He kisses me before handing over the money to buy the Jordans, "See you at school, princess."
I grin like a psycho after he leaves and in my lovestruck daze, I head back to Maya.
"Jeez, you took your time. Who was he?" She laughs.
"Sorry, that's my boyfriend, Kai. I got Cam a gift, by the way." I shrug off her glare as I tell her about Kai and then show her the Jordans.
Her eyes widen, "They're awesome! Go pay for them and then let's get lun-- is that Eli?!"
I look over my shoulder to see Cameron's best friend, Eli, reaching, slipping, and then falling inside the soccer ball stand.
"We should go now."

***
"Okay, let's check that we have everything." Maya says as we read through the list.
"We have balloons, banners, cake, gifts, hats, plates-" I stop when I notice Cameron at a table in the restaurant opposite us, "Wait a second, Maya. There's Cam over there with a girl."
"Ooh, who's she?" She peeks over the wall and stands next to me. We duck as he looks around and then either kisses her or whispers something to her.
"Hm, I'm getting kinda suspicious. He told me he was going to play basketball with Eli." I frown.
Maya laughs, "Yeah, well, we know that Eli's got other problems."
"Hide, she's turning around!" We duck a little more but manage to see her face clearly as she kisses my cousin's cheek and leaves.
Maya chokes on her drink, "Oh, would you look at that? It's Kyla."
"Oh, I see how it is," I say, glaring at Cameron's grinning face, "The Colburns are a bad influence, huh? Then why is he over there making kissy-face with my best friend?"