Camera Girl

Chapter 5

"You know you're crazy, right?" Madeline said as we were now entering back from town onto campus.

"I was determined to get back what's mine."

"But what if you get hurt while trying to retrieve the photo? You're now telling me that you're not scared of Gaige, but do you really know what he's capable of?"

Something inside me just went off. I never really thought much about that. Madeline had a point. I don't know who Gaige really is or what he can do.

The thought of him flashed through my mind. It made me feel vulnerable and sick. Gaige could be just like him.

"Hey, you don't look too good. We can visit the nurse's office if you want."

   I shook my head, and faked a smile.

"I'm fine. You're right though, maybe I should stop fighting for my photo. I have tons and I can take more if I wanted to."

"Well, I'm glad to hear. I don't want to see you get hurt."

Once we got closer to the hallways of our dormhouse, I heard a familiar voice.

"Camera Girl!?" I heard nearby. Maybe I'm going crazy. I just need to relax.

"Camera Girl!?" I heard it again.

"Hey do you hear that?" I ask hoping that I'm not just paranoid.

"Uh, yeah. Some freshman is calling out for 'Camera Girl'. What kind of name is that anyways?"

"That's what Gaige calls me..." I Said as red filled my cheeks in embarrassment.

"He doesn't call you by your actual name?"

"More like he still doesn't know it."

"Then why is someone else calling you by Gaige's pet name for you?"

"I kind of know him. I met him same day we did. I'm guessing that he's also Gaige's costumer. I need to check out why he's calling out to me."

"Wait you said you were done with Gaige?"

"I am. This kid might know where he is so I can tell him myself that I never want to talk to him again."

"Well, you don't have to say anything, but go off I guess." Madeline said sarcastically as we went over to the freshman.

"You called?" I said to the kid who was now out of breath.

"Gai- Gaige..he's- he's hurt." He tried to catch his breath.

"Go tell the nurse then, what can we do about it?" Madeline crossed her arms, but I ignored what she said.

"Where is he?" I asked.

And with that Madeline and I followed the kid over to Gaige's dorm. He opened the door to reveal Gaige lying down in bed shirtless. I had to admit, he didn't look too bad without a shirt.

"Is Camera Girl checking me out?" His voice was almost gone, but you could still hear his obnoxious comments.

"Are you okay? Your... friend told me you're injured pretty badly."

"Did he? I think Chester, who is simply a lamb without a shepherd, may have exaggerated. I am feeling a bit under the weather, but maybe you can give me a check up and kiss all my boo-boos away." He said slyly.

   I rolled my eyes while Madeline cleared her throat in discomfort which had gotten Gaige's attention.

"Who's the baby face?" Gaige said weakly pointing at Madeline. Madeline was looking at the ceiling in hopes that she'll become invisible.

"Leave her alone. She just happened to be with me when your lamb was calling out for me, Mary."

"Well I might as well get up. Either leave or turn around unless you want to meet mini-Mendoza."

I was just about to walk out when I forgot to tell him.

"By the way, you can-" there was a thud. "Shit." Gaige hissed. I turned around to find Gaige in cowboy boxers clutching onto his stomach.

Madeline, Chester, and I were now sitting in the waiting room of an emergency clinic. Once Gaige fell, Madeline reluctantly called a taxi, while Chester helped him dress, and we all carried him to the cab. We could have informed, the school about what happened, but Gaige requested not to.

It turned out that Gaige's stomach was bruised and his right ankle was twisted. The nurse had came out of Gaige's room.

"He should be good for now. Visiting is now permitted."

Chester went ahead. Madeline was adamant about wanting to leave now, but I still wanted to tell him what I wanted to say before I left.

I went over to where he was resting. Gaige looked over to me Chester broke off his sentence.

   He looked over to Chester as if they were telepathically communicating. Chester nodded and made help exit.

"Baby face decided to stay behind? What a shame, I thought we were all becoming BFFs."

"She's not really all hyped about even being here. I suggest maybe not calling her 'babyface'."

"What can I say, I'm an acquired taste. I guess we can call this squared then."

"Squared?" I was confused. I only ran into him three times, this being the fourth. What did he do for me?

"Who do you think was the one who took you to the nurse when you passed out?"

"So it was you. The nurse didn't really tell me who. Why did you though? You could've taken the photo, you could've left me to my own embarrassment."

"I didn't though. I'm not a dick, Camera Girl. I don't just leave an unconscious person in the views of many laughing. That's fucked up. Many people in that school don't give a shit about anyone. They'll act concerned at first, but once you're kicked down, they're not going to help."

"Thank you then, for helping me when no one would."

   We stared into each other's eyes Something inside me fluttered. What's wrong with me. He's just Gaige. He's just- dangerous. Just like him, just like Cole. I shook my head, and backed away from his bed.

"Before I leave, I wanted to say you could keep my picture."

"Alright." He spoke softly.

I don't know if my expression gave it away or something, but it was almost as if he knew what it would mean for the both of us- if there ever was an us. This picture that I sought after was the only thing that tethered me to him. It would be better if I stopped now.

"Get well, Gaige." I said giving him a small smile before I walked away from him.