Cam Cameron // The Oceans in our Hearts

5

Laurel drives us to the country club and let's us know that she will immediately come and get us if we don't like it. And she claims she wouldn't even say "I told you so." Belly and I laugh and head over to the building. We see Jeremiah handling some towels while in his lifeguarding uniform.

"Jere!" she calls out. He doesn't even look up. "Jeremiah!?" I call out too. We look at each other and laugh at this clueless boy. We get closer and both shout "Jere!" He looks up and his eyes widen and his mouth follows into a smile.

"Belly? Gracie? I didn't even recognize you guys."

"Do we look like fools?" Belly asks.

"No, no," Jeremiah stutters. "You guys look great," he finally admits and collects himself. He turns on the charm and offers to walk us in taking our arms. He teases us the whole way.

We are greeted by a woman named Paige who I assume is the organizer of this whole operation.

"Jeremiah," she greets annoyed.

"Paige," he responds smiling.

"Where is your shirt?" she scowls.

"I was just dropping off these two, this is Belly- Isabel Conklin, and this is Gracelyn Fabroa, one of these ladies will be my future wife," he smirks.

"They're late," she remarks.

"Oh, we're so sorry," Belly and I apologize softly. She tells us where to sit and we are seated with the girls we saw with Steven and Conrad. We watch as Jeremiah teases Paige and steals some food quickly running over to us telling us to knock 'em dead before leaving. We giggle softly trying not to upset the woman even more. We are all introducing ourselves and learn the names of the girls. Shayla is the girl that was with Steven and Nicole is the girl that was with Conrad. Though they seem nice, I am not a fan of the way they talk about us right in front of us. Shayla seems the nicest in my opinion so I stick close to her and I think she reciprocates. We exchange contacts as well.

I meet my big sister for the Deb Ball and her name is Olivia. She has super long dark hair and seems sweet unlike the other girls as well. I will say, it may be because the elevator doesn't reach the top floor but she's kind nonetheless. Belly gets up from the table and runs out quickly. I look over and see her talking to Cam. My Cam. She's giggling. He looks inside and notices me and I quickly turn away. He looks so cute in his uniform. I totally forgot he worked here. Olivia reaches over and pats my knee which brings my attention to it bouncing. I look up at her and she gives me a small smile.

"You okay?" she asks.

"Yep," I respond quickly.

Belly comes back and whispers to me that she needs to tell me something later. I hope and pray it's not what I think it is.

-

After the tea, we part ways and Belly and I walk together to my moms car as it waits to pick us up.

"So?" I remind her.

"I asked Cam on a date!" she says excitedly.

"That's great!" I exclaim trying to shield my pain. I want to be excited for her, I really do, but I can't help thinking about him when he took me to my car.

"We're going to the drive in tonight!" she giggles.

"That's great Belly," I sigh. "Let me help you pick an outfit when we get back?"

"Of course!" she exclaims. "It's refreshing not thinking about you-know-who for once."

And yet she still is.

-

"What about this?" I offer holding up her knit top and some shorts.

"Oh yeah I forgot about that top! This is perfect, thank you G-lyn!" She grabs the clothes and I head downstairs to wait for her big reveal.

"Hey." Steven acknowledges me quickly before turning back to his game. Conrad looks up and nods and I do the same. He's always just there and I love him like a brother but sometimes it's easier to just let him be and not pry. I like to think he appreciates it.

"Hello Gracie," Jeremiah greets me in a sing song voice.

"Hello Jere," I greet back in the same way.

"Boom!" Steven yells. "Yeah! That's what happens when you let your little crush distract you!"

"Ugh whatever," Jeremiah scoffs. I laugh and take the controller from him. I jump over the couch and land on the seat between Jeremiah and Steven with a bounce and I play next game with Steven while Jeremiah chills on his phone. His arm is around me but at this point I don't care, it's just Jeremiah.

Belly walks downstairs and Jeremiah gets up to spin her.

"You... look... hot..." he emphasizes every word. Belly giggles and I look back quickly and yell, "agreed!"

"Stop flirting with my sister Fisher!" Steven complains.

"OH EAT IT CONKLIN!" I yell as I do a combo attack finishing him off in Street Fighter.

"WHAT? NO!" he yells spamming every button he can. "Ugh! You got lucky!" He complains. I just laugh and toss the controller to Conrad. Laurel and Susannah come into the room and Susannah tells her about Belly's date. Her book event is tonight so she looks a bit sad but she wishes her daughter fun. We send her off and I walk her to the door. I look out the window and see Cam open her door for her. Of course he's the type of guy to do that. I sigh internally and head home to get ready for Laurels event.