Cam Cameron // The Oceans in our Hearts

15

The knock rings in my ears. I open the door and I'm faced with the problem that must be dealt with.

"Hi, Belly," I smile letting her in.

"Hey, Gracie, what did you want to talk about?"

We sit on the couch together and I take a deep breath.

"Belly, I love you and I hope none of this changes anything."

"You're scaring me," she laughs nervously.

"Cam asked to do the dances with me and I said yes because you haven't really asked him to be your escort and it's only temporary until I can find someone and I just wanted to tell you myself sooner rather than later and—"

"Gracie! That's great!" she exclaims.

"What?" I ask confused.

"I kinda, broke up with him this morning..." she quiets down a bit.

"What?!" I ask even more confused. "Are you okay?!"

"Gracie! I'm fine. I broke up with him!"

"But...Why?"

"Because... I didn't feel a spark. Ya know? He told me I should be with someone I want to be with. He knew my heart was with Conrad this whole time." She shakes her head at the inescapable.

"I'm sorry Belly," I say grabbing her hand.

"It's okay," she smiles. "But... you and Cam..." she smirks. I laugh.

"Belly, I swear I didn't do it on purpose I just— I think I like him," I try to explain.

"I know. I'm not mad. Whenever I was with him, I honestly couldn't help but see pieces of you in him. The passion and the poetic nature," she laughs.

"Thank you, Belly," I smile.

"Of course! You should be with who you want to be with," she giggles.

"You're the best, Belly."

"Don't worry about it, Gracie."

"So, who are you gonna ask to be your escort now?" I remember the rehearsal. "You and Jeremiah seemed like a good duo," now it's my turn to smirk.

"Maybe..." she says with a cheeky smile.

—

"Your boyfriend was here yesterday," Xavier says plainly.

"He's not my boyfriend," I roll my eyes.

"Yeah but you wish he was your boyfriend."

"Okay, why are you telling me this?" I narrow my eyes at him. He passes me books off the cart to put on the shelves.

"He bought something," he states.

"Okay...?"

"And he asked for my advice on it. For you."

"Really?" I can feel my face light up.

"Why are you excited? I thought he wasn't your boyfriend," Xavier reminds me.

"Like you said: I wish he was," I snap back realizing it doesn't actually help my case that much. Xavier just smirks. The door opens and I go to the front of the store to see if they need any help.

"Oh, hey Cam!" I smile.

"Hey, Gracie Lyn," he calls back.

"You know, you are the only person who calls me that."

"I strive to be original."

"Why are you here? Back for another recommendation?" I brag.

"No actually, Im here to give you one." He pulls a wrapped rectangle out of his bag and hands it to me.