The Summer I Met The Girl

ten

Matt doesn't see Cameron again for two weeks. He pretends not to frantically search for her name on the class list at the surf shop. He looks for her around town or at parties, but she isn't around.

And then one day, he's getting ice cream at the pier with Henry and Beck, and he sees her.

She takes his breath away. The sun hits her face so perfectly. Her hair is pulled up into a messy knot on her head, and she has sunglasses nestled into her hair. She's smiling brightly as she talks to someone Matt can't see. Matt feels an instant sting of jealousy that he isn't the one making her smile.

"Hey, I'll be right back." He says to Beck and Henry quickly.

He pushes through the crowd of people, trying to get to her. Matt doesn't know why he's so desperate to see her, but his heart is racing as he closes in.

Cameron sees him before he gets to her. Her smile grows wider and Matt feels a surge of relief. She walks in his direction until they meet in the midst of a crowd of people. Matt doesn't know what possesses him to do it, but he pulls her into a hug. He wraps his arms around her waist.

"Matt?" She mumbles, clearly confused by his hug. 

"Hi." He says back, breathing in her coconut skin.

She pulls away, "Hi." Cameron smiles up at him.

"I haven't seen you in a while," Matt says softly.

Cameron nods, "I flew back to Chicago for a few weeks." She smirks and holds her hand over her eyes to shield the sun. "Were you missing me?" She says playfully.

Matt rolls his eyes, "No, of course not. I was just going to hold a class open for you. And then you didn't show."

"I thought you said you don't do private lessons."

Shit. She's right, he did say that. Why does she unnerve him? Maybe it's because she's fucking beautiful and smart and completely out of his league. But Matt can't be imaging their connection, she has to feel something too. 

"I don't."

"Mhmm." She says with a smile.

Matt takes a step back from her, realizing how close they were still standing. "Well, I'm glad you're back."

Cameron rolls her eyes at him, "Matthew Fisher. You did not just run across the pier to see me, only to say that, did you?"

Matthew. He likes the way that sounds coming off her lips.

"Umm, I don't know what you're talking about."

She puts her hands on her hips. "Are you always this nervous around girls?"

"Historically no."

"Just me then?"

Matt sighs, "It would appear that way."

"Matt?" Beck appears beside him, flanked by Henry.

Matt smiles at her, "Hey. You guys remember Cameron."

Beck and Henry both greet her. Cameron returns the smile. "What are you guys doing tonight?"

Henry quickly jumps in, "Nothing. Why?"

Cameron looks directly at Matt, "I'm having a party. You should come."

"Is it at your brothers house?" Beck asks.

"No, I'm renting a house near his though. I'll text Matt the address."

"Sweet! Can we bring our cousins?"