[GL] Black Gold

Chapter 26

Camie could finally run towards Théa's street, waving the treat in front of the dog. She did feel bad for making him run so much for a single treat but she didn't have time for guilt right now. She was in a rush and she thought that she would buy him a box of treats once they were through with this day.

Camie had only half an hour left before the attack and she was still rather far from Théa's house. She started thinking that she wouldn't be in time but she didn't expect to spot Théa, not at her house, but in a park not far from her. Camie remembered from the visions that Théa really liked that park and she did come out there a lot to draw in peace. Camie felt bad disturbing her but she didn't have any choice.

Théa was sitting at the edge of a fountain, in the shade of a tree. She had one leg up, her sketching book resting on her knee and her other leg swinging in a slow pace. Camie stared at her for a few seconds, trying to walk up to her but having no idea what to say. Théa seemed very absorbed by her drawing and the pencil that she stuck behind her ear was very cute.

Just as she was thinking that, Théa suddenly flinched and just as if she had felt Camie, she looked straight at her. Her eyes locking made Camie jump and she felt that she looked like a creep at that moment. Théa didn't seem to mind because she let go of her sketching book and ran up to her with a bright smile:

"Camie!

She looked so happy to see her that Camie felt something weird in her stomach and looked away:

"I... I wasn't staring."

Théa laughed, changing the subject:

"What are you doing here? I didn't know you had a dog."

Camie looked at the Saint Bernard and finally gave him the treat. Good boy.

"He's my neighbor's dog. He didn't want to walk. Fortunately I ran into Opal and she gave me a treat to give him motivation."

Théa frowned for some reason:

"Opal? The same Opal that you met at the library?"

Camie was surprised that she remembered that and nodded:

"Yes. I was surprised to run into her."

Théa bent down towards the dog to pet him:

"How long do you have to take care of him?

-I only have to walk him once today.

-That's good."

Camie frowned but didn't ask. Théa finally straightened up and said:

"He looks very well behaved.

-Yes. And he is very cute.

-Not only the dog."

Camie looked up at Théa with a frown:

"What?

-Do you want to sit down in the shade? it's rather warm.

-Okay."

Camie started following Théa but she didn't have time to get far because as they were walking Théa turned back towards her:

"And by the way, I wouldn't mind you staring at me."

Camie got so confused that she forgot how to walk and just stood there. Théa on the other hand acted as if nothing and she picked her sketchbook up before wiping off the dust. Camie finally got back to her senses and followed Théa to the fountain:

"What were you drawing?"

Théa flinched for some reason and Camie quickly said:

"You don't have to show me.

-Give me a few more days. It's not good enough yet.

-Okay."

Camie sat down, her legs shaking:

"Are you okay?

-Yes. I just ran here.

-Do you like running?

-No, I hate it."

Théa frowned but didn't dare ask more in fear that Camie would feel burdened and run away. Not that she could really move at that moment.

"Do you want to drink something? You look a bit red."

Camie touched her cheeks and noticed how warm they were.

"Yes, please.

-Don't move. I'll be back in a minute."

Camie was going to let Théa leave but she suddenly remembered that the attack was going to be soon and she grabbed her wrist:

"Wait!"

Théa turned back to her with round eyes. Camie immediately let go of her and started apologizing:

"I'm sorry. I..."

The next second, Théa kneeled down in front of Camie, her eyes worried:

"Are you okay?"

Camie backed away a bit, feeling suddenly shy seeing that Théa was staring straight into her eyes.

"Did something happen?

-What? Not ye... I mean, no. Why?

-Are you okay?

-Yes. I just... Could you stay here? Or maybe we could go drink something together. We could finally have that coffee that you wanted."

Théa's eyes started shining:

"Really?"

She tried her best to calm down but Camie could see her smile:

"Are you sure? We don't have to.

-I want to."

Théa seemed so happy that she almost skipped to the coffee shop. It wasn't very far from the park and Camie tied the dog outside while she ordered. There was a huge line that day and seeing all those people made Théa rub her chin:

"We could go somewhere else if you want.

-No, it's okay."

It was perfect. The longer the line, the longer Théa would be occupied. The attack could be taking place any second and Camie tried her best not feeling proud yet.

"What are you going to order?"

Camie pinched her lips:

"I... I can't read."

Théa frowned:

"What is it?

-It's too far..."

Camie felt shy saying that for some reason and hearing that Théa wasn't saying anything made her look back up. Her eyes were shining for some reason but when their eyes locked she quickly shook her head and started reading out loud the whole drink menu to Camie.

"Caramel milkshake? That sounds amazing."

Théa laughed:

"I really like this place and come all the time. I tried almost all the milkshakes and they were incredible.

-Then I'll have that."

Théa hesitated a second before asking:

"I guess me paying for you would make you feel burdened, right?"

Camie looked up at Théa with a frown:

"Why would you pay for me?

-I..."

Théa didn't have time to answer because the next second they heard an explosion.