Camryn Quinn is finally getting what she wants...sort of. Moving into a dorm and away from her not so supportive father is a good first step, but like everything with him-it comes with strings. She must attend the college of his choosing for at leas...
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I hold the door open for Camryn and patiently wait as she hesitates briefly before entering the bar. Beside me, the bouncer barely glances at both of our ID's before opening and holding the second set of doors for us. Camryn freezes again as soon as she crosses the threshold. I watch as her body becomes stiff and rigid, the only motion is when she begins rocking back and forth on her feet. Her eyes survey the crowd from where she stands, but I can't tell if she's just assessing the situation, or reconsidering our agreement altogether.
I expected this type of delay at least once from her. She wouldn't be Camryn if her first reaction wasn't to maneuver a way to take control of the situation. It's the whole reason I was a little surprised that she agreed to it in the first place, and as quickly as she did. I may or may not have been shitting myself in her dorm, but I needed her to say yes. I used everything I could to sell it, and was fully prepared to take it even further with actual pictures and lists. I was willing to do anything to make the deal sound like she was getting the most out of it. I knew she would want to know what's in it for me, but honestly I just needed to do something to not just be the piece of shit taking her brother's money, not after learning the real motives behind Cal's offer. So if the least I have to do is not drink when I'm around her, I'll be the best damn sober student this university has ever seen.
It was one thing to see her drunk at my house and to find out it was all because of her mom. That her depression was just a precipitating factor of the loss causing her to feel singled out in her feelings of grief when her family didn't confirm them. I could completely see her side of it. If I was in her shoes I would react the same way, hell I would probably be worse. But without Cal's money, I could be there a year from now, two years from now. I push back the feelings of what that means for my mom, for me.
I could never have imagined the position Camryn is in now though, that those feelings of loss and isolation have led her to where she is now. I had no idea she was feeling stuck in place, and without options. Instead of celebrating her accomplishments, her milestones, she's biding her time until her dad will finally release the hold he has. Even if he hasn't noticed the strides she's made yet, I will make sure he does. I know the way Coach works, on and off the field. I know that the only way to help Camryn is to mold her into what her father wants. I have no plans of changing her, but I need to help accentuate the positive details her father attributes with success.
If I don't accomplish anything else through this plan, it's still a way to see more of the Camryn I now know. Not the one who uses hurtful words and aggression as a defense, but uses her honesty and humor to make others feel important, to feel noticed. It's only a few more months and then she will be free. I only have to fake it for a few more months.
"You have to make it past the door, Capt." I nudge her in the back with a finger. Aside from making her wiggle, it has little effect in moving her further into the room.
"I already feel so out of place. How did I let you drag me here without at least a promise of something tangible? Concert tickets, your vintage jean jacket," She says, holding her hands out as if she's pretending to feel the weight of her imaginary reward in them.
