Cam Cameron // Summer Again

8

I wake up on the couch in my house. I start to sit up and take in my surroundings and someone hands me a cup of water. I sit all the way up before I take it and follow the hand to a tanned body still in uniform.

"Thank you," I whisper before taking a small sip. I look at the cup again and realize it's the one Cam made for me last summer on our first date. He must've found it in our cupboard since I never got rid of it. He painted it yellow with little blue stars all over and told me it was because I was like his light. He always told me that.

"How are you feeling?" Cam asks. He's sitting on the couch with me by my legs.

"What happened?" I ask rubbing the back of my head.

"You fainted and uh- I took you over here while everyone else deals with Julia and the house. I think it was a lot for you to handle..." he explains.

"You carried me all the way over here?" I raise my brows.

"Uh- yeah... it was no problem," he says sadly. "I can go if you want to rest-" he says getting up but I grab his arm.

"No! Um... no. Please stay," I ask looking up as he towers over me. He sits back down and silently nods. "Thank you," I say still holding his arm hoping he lets me keep it there. The front door opens and Cam stands up. Liam leads in everyone and they all check on me.

"I'm fine I'm fine!" I laugh as Taylor and Belly sit on either side of me inspecting me. "So what happened?" I ask.

"She moved all of moms stuff. The house is empty!" Conrad yells upset. Right.

"Conrad that's not the main issue right now," Jeremiah tries to calm him. "We need a place where we can all stay."

"Well I would offer our house but our parents wouldn't let all of us stay plus there's not exactly enough room..." Liam says looking around at our already crowded summer home. I look to Cam as he looks around. I wonder how much of this house he remembers.

"Wait a second... I have an idea," Jeremiah smiles.

We arrive at the country club and Jeremiah tries to use his keycard to enter but it doesn't work. I look to Cam knowing his mom is the restaurant manager and I wonder if he knows the key code still. Or if he'd even be willing to use it. He catches me staring and I look back at a frustrated Jeremiah. Cam caves and let's us in emphasizing how important it is that we don't make a mess. The group walks in one by one thanking Cam and I'm the last one to go in while he holds the door.

"Thank you Cam," I nod. I stop and stare at him for a second and want to say more but the words don't want to form. Thank you Cam and I'm sorry. Sorry for being a total bitch and for not loving you the way you loved me.

We split up and go on a scavenger hunt of sorts. Jeremiah and I look for the "perfect place" for us to sleep (so he says), Steven and Taylor go look for blankets or at least linens that can be blankets, while Liam, Skye and Cam to look for snacks leaving Belly and Conrad alone.

"Never in a million years did I think this would be our summer," I think out loud.

"Yeah I know what you mean..." Jeremiah trails off.

"Thank you for letting us help. And- thank you for forgiving me, Jere," I look over at him.

"Hey. You're my best friend. No matter what. You were there for me until you couldn't. Maybe I should've thought about that more," he shrugs. He looks over at me and we exchange small smiles.

As Jeremiah and I walk the halls, we hear footsteps running behind us. Belly catches up and joins us in our little adventure.

"There's our little trouble maker," I say as she arrives next to us.

"What?" she giggles. I raise my brows at the obvious.

"Okay maybe I might've pushed it with Cam..." she says innocently.

"Maybe?" I raise my voice a little.

"Okay okay I'm sorry, I should've asked," she apologizes.

"It's okay. I deserve the torture," I roll my eyes at myself.

"Yeah... what happened anyway?" Jeremiah asks. I bite my lip looking down trying to find the words or the will to relive the memory even through words. Belly takes my hand and looks at me sweetly. I sigh.

"I broke up with him because I wasn't in the right place," I pause to think. "And I didn't want to be something he needed to fix just to be with me. I was- I was supposed to be his girlfriend. Not his- his patient," I let out angry with myself. I take a breath and look up. "The worst part is... he would've given all of him just to fix all of me. He didn't deserve that. So I didn't let it happen," I let out softly. "He was the first boy I ever loved and seeing him today... I know I still love him," I shrug.

We stop walking and Jeremiah and Belly hug me in the middle of the hall. I cant remember the last time we did something like this. I feel so safe. I feel loved. I feel better. I feel Susannah around me. I think they do too.

"I know it's not my place, Gracie... but you should talk to him. The whole day he's been looking at you and like- longing," Belly says as we all separate.

"I agree, Gracie. Your feelings are real. Remember?" Jeremiah winks at me. I smile and push him away knowing he's right.

We find the screening room Jeremiah was looking for and we get the projection working. I laugh as Belly and Jeremiah do shadow puppets and I lay low as they flirt. The movie starts and we text the others where to meet us and Liam agrees to come over as soon as he finds the bathroom. Belly and Jeremiah sit and chill and I decide to go find Cam.