The Summer I Met The Girl

eleven

"Tell me about these headaches." Cameron says softly.

Matt sighs. "There's nothing to tell. I just get them a lot."

"How often is a lot?"

"Caaaammmm," Matt whines.

She huffs. "Fine, I'll get you a hot rag."

"Thank you."

Cameron disappears from his bedroom. It's a rare occasion, but they are in the house alone. His parents and aunts and uncles are out on the boat for the day. His cousins and siblings are either working or at the beach. Matt and Cameron were out all morning, walking around town together when Matt got a migraine.

Cameron returns and plops down on his bed next to him. "Here." She sets the rag over his eyes.

"Thank you." He says again.

She presses her body up against his and rakes her fingers through his hair. "What usually helps when you get these?"

"A hot shower, caffeine, sleep," Matt says softly.

"Do you want to take a nap? Or I could run you a bath. I can go down to the coffee shop and get you coffee."

Matt pulls the rag off his eyes and looks over at her. She's not wearing makeup today, and Matt loves her the most like this. Just natural. Her hair is wavy, and even though she's tried to pull it back, it's still falling around her face. "Puddles?"

"What?"

"You don't need to fix this for me."

Cameron sets her chin on his chest. "I know, but I don't like seeing you like this."

Matt runs his thumb over her eyebrow, "I'm fine. I promise."

She pouts. "Okay."

"I'm going to just lay here. The medicine will kick in soon."

"Do you want me to leave?" She asks, almost pathetically.

Matt smiles, "No, I don't want you to leave."

This pleases her and she grins widely. "Can I ask you something?"

Matt puts the rag back over his eyes, "Yes."

"Are you ever going to stop calling me Puddles?"

Matt chuckles. "No, you haven't gotten any better at surfing."

She hits him lightly. "Maybe it's my teacher."

"It's not. All of my students are exceptional learners."

Cameron throws a leg over his waist, bringing them even closer. "There's a slight chance I'm not totally paying attention to the lesson. I'm more often than not staring at you."

"Mhmm."

"What can I say? My teacher is a a total dish."

Matt smiles. "Shhh, I'm sleeping."

Matt isn't sure how long they're asleep for. But he's awoken to a slamming door downstairs, which means someone is home. Cameron is snuggled into his chest, and although nothing has happened, their position isn't exactly juvenile.

Matt unwinds himself from Cameron quickly and jumps out of bed. "Cameron," he hisses.

She slowly opens her eyes and stretches, "What?"

"I think my parents are here."

"Seriously? What should I do?" She scrambles off the bed, "Should I go out the window?"