Our Beloved Summer | A TSITP Story

Chapter 10

Coming up to Nicole's party, Taylor and Belly got out of the back seat of Cam's car. I watched the lights bouncing off the giant house until Cam came around and grabbed my hand.

"Not so bad, right?" He asked.

"We haven't even walked in yet." I said, matter of fact-ly. At least one of us was optimistic.

As we stepped inside, Nicole came to greet Belly, giving her a hug. She seemed nicer than at the house this time. Cam and I stood awkwardly with Taylor, stuck at the door behind Belly. But, she was soon dragged away to another room. Taylor went to get a drink.

Cam and I stood around, talking and sipping soda. He was making me laugh more than I'd ever done before. I felt happy, until he told me he needed to use the restroom.

"If I end up dying, I'm holding you responsible." I yelled over the music, as he walked away.

"Then don't die!"

I smiled and looked around. My feet were starting to hurt so I looked for a place to sit. The only visible open spot was on a sofa, crammed with people, besides the spot next to mopey boy Conrad. I contemplated going over there, but the pain in my feet won me over.

"You couldn't find anywhere else to sit?" He said, just I had fully sat down.

"I wanted to sit on this comfy sofa. Got a problem with that?"

He rolled his eyes, and moved his shoulder between us. "Whatever."

I sat there waiting for Cam to come back and save me. But he wasn't anywhere.

"So what happened with Toby?" Conrad asked. I looked at him from the corner of my eye. I didn't respond at first. I wasn't sure if I should have. It wouldn't be like I was trying with him again. Right?

"He broke up with me because I wouldn't sleep with him." I put it simply - straight to the point. Honestly, that was the only reason Toby gave for the break up.

"Told you he was an asshole."

"Do you want a cookie?" I said faster than I could even think of the words. He stared at me, but it wasn't out of discontent. He was just staring. I never liked when people looked at me for too long, so I looked away first. It was then that I found Jeremiah leading Cam over to where we were, with his arm around Cam's shoulders.

"Who's up for some beer pong?" Jere yelled out. I immediately got up from the sofa and let Cam lead me to the front porch.

I wasn't much of a thrower so I let Cam take the first turn. I leaned against the window sill that was behind the table, watching the boys play. It was pretty entertaining hearing Cam talk so much smack before shooting his shot. Not much actual conversation was happening between us, until, "So, man, did you get your tux yet?"

Conrad said, looking at Cam. Why would he bring that up?

"Uh, for what?" Cam asked, taking a sip from his 'no alcohol' cup.

"The deb ball? You know, to be Dani's plus one?" I watched as Conrad tried to play Cam. I didn't know what to say. To him or Cam.

"Uh, I haven't been asked, so...." Cam only looked at me for a second. I pushed off of the window and put my back to Conrad.

"I was actually going to ask you, I just have a crippling fear of rejection, so, thank you for that Conrad." I said looking at Cam then to Conrad and back to Cam. I could feel my heart sink at the possibility he thought I didn't want him to go, I just hadn't hyped myself up for it enough. But he just grabbed my hand and brought me closer to his side.

"I'll go. As long as I don't have to dance."

"No, you don't have to dance." I gave him a quick kiss, and turned back to the game. He had his arm around my waist and my hand was resting on his opposite shoulder. I looked at Conrad. His look of defeat proved to me that he had ulterior motives. Why? I don't know.