Not So Perfect (West Coast Campus Book 4)

Chapter 7

hello readers!

i couldn't edit this chapter because of some circumstances so if there are any mistakes, please KINDLY let me know in the comments.

it's not my best by any means but enjoy💗

Tatum

I've done four treatments of chemo and yes, even though my body feels like it's on fire and my eyelids are so heavy I'm surprised they haven't dropped to the floor, I still manage to plaster on a smile when I knock on the front door of Ava, Cam and Mike's shared apartment.

The door swings open and I'm expecting Cam to answer but-

The Allie Wes, two time Olympic gymnast stands in front of me, a green mini dress on that hugs her amazingly and pairs beautifully with her gold hair. "Holy shit," I blurt. "Oh my god. You're-you're-"

I mean who wouldn't? She was my fucking icon a couple of years ago-and is a huge inspiration to young girls everywhere-and she's only twenty one. Fucking crazy.

I'm gonna kill Ava for keeping this huge of a secret.

"I know I'm Allie Wes," She laughs, holding the door open for me. "It's Tatum, right?"

She knows my fucking name. "Uh, yeah. I'm sorry, I bet you get that a lot. The fan girling."

Allie waves me off, shutting the door behind me. The apartment looks like a pink explosion, balloons and streamers everywhere.

Just Dance fills the TV in the living where Cam and Liam are dancing to Rasputin, Ava and Maeve huddled together on the couch. Players from the hockey team fill the kitchen, no doubt eating all the food.

It's like one big family who care deeply enough about each other they'll spend the day celebrating each others birthdays-how it should. I smile, glad Ava has these types of people surrounding her.

"It's fine. You get used to it," Allie jokes, thanking Noah fucking Carter-one of the best hockey centres in the world at the moment and who also happens to be Allie's boyfriend-when he hands her the red solo cup he was holding.

"Tatum," He nods, wrapping his arm around Allie's front from behind. I swallow down unwanted memories as the two of them take a spot on the loveseat.

Ava smiles when she notices me, brushing a piece of her newly pink highlighted curls out of her face. "Got me anything good?"

"Depends if you like books or not," I sign, laughing when she squeals loudly. Ava is the biggest bookworm ever and that's why I asked Cam a few days ago to snoop through her book shelf to make sure I wouldn't be buying her the same book twice. Speaking of Cam...

"What? What is it?" He signs, worry creasing his baby face. Ava frowns and I laugh at the confused look on her face.

Ava, who's completely deaf, forgets everyone else around her is hearing so when she makes loud noises-without knowing she's making them-Cam always worries his fucking head off.

"Nothing is wrong. Tatum got me books!" Ava exclaims and Cam rolls his eyes, leaning down to kiss her forehead before going back to playing Just Dance.

"It's cute how in love you guys are," I nudge her shoulder and she blushes, her eyes on her boyfriend.

"You'll find your person one day again, T. I know it." She signs enthusiastically, looking over my head towards the door where more people filter in.

I wish I had her optimism. And when I glance around, everyone's just so fucking happy. It pisses me off.

Maeve's now draped over Rhys's lap, her face pinched in pain while he rubs circles all over her back and shoulders, whispering something in her ear as he takes photos of Liam dancing his ass off.

I would go over and ask what's wrong with Mae but I don't wanna get my head bitten off so I refrain.

Ava's watching Cam, who blows her flirty kisses every few minutes, causing her cheeks to flame up. Even Noah seems happy-which isn't an emotion I see from him during practice as Allie chats his ear off.

Suddenly everything spins and my chest flutters tightly. I excuse myself but no one's listening, all in their own little world.

I scramble down the hall, suddenly feeling so fucking tired and-and longing? Is that what the hell I'm feeling?

I open the first door I see and slam it shut behind me, nails digging into my palms. God, it feels like I ran a fucking marathon, my heart beats so fast and I'm practically drowning underwater with the big gulps of air I'm sucking in.

Something ruffles in the corner of the room and when my eyes peel open, I notice I'm definitely not in the bathroom like I hoped I was, but a bedroom.

And Mike is staring at me with a raised brow from his bed, sighing. "Can I help you?"

Blinking, I plaster on a smile and plop down in his desk chair. "Nope. Can I help you?"

"Seeing how you barged into my room like your ass was one fire-"

"You need to stop looking at my ass. This is getting out of hand."

He rolls his eyes and huffs. It's only then do I notice the Spiderman comics and figurines above his desk, the dozens of Spiderman posters above his bed and on the walls.

Holy. Shit.

"So I'm guessing you like Marvel? Or just Spiderman?" I ask, standing to get a better look at everything.

He glares at me instead. "Why are you here? Why are you everywhere?" He waves a dramatic hand through the air.

I snicker. "To torment you, duh. I could ask you the same thing. Why are you hiding in here instead of celebrating?"

He takes a moment to reply. "Everyone is just so.... Living with Cam and Ava is already a lot because of how in love and happy they are but then you add everyone else in and it's...depressing."

Damn. He took the words right out of my mouth. "Can't dare even think about being happy for just a second? I knew-"

"You're in here for the exact same reason, aren't you?"

"Yep." I say sheepishly and he barks out a laugh, sighing almost peacefully.

"Are you-" I start after a few minutes, swallowing and unsure of how to ask. "Are you still coming tomorrow? With me? To the Cancer Agency?"

"Of course," He says, looking anywhere but me. "I said I would, didn't I?"

"Yes. But you don't have to, you know?"

"I know. It's just...I can't let you go alone. That's a terrible thing to experience all by yourself."

"Speaking from experience?" I joke, really hoping he isn't.

He blows out a breath, hesitates, then shakes his head. "No. Not really, I guess."