Chapter 9

15 0 0
                                    

Written by Veronica

__________________________

POV: Scarlet

"Are you sure you're okay with the couch?" I ask, tugging at the hem of my shirt while Cam pulls a pillow off his bed.

"Scarlet," he answers, "it's fine. You can take my bed tonight. I'll be on the couch if you need me."

He starts to head out the door so I add in a rushed, "Goodnight!"

He just smiles back at me before I can hear his footsteps creak across the floor to the living room.

I sigh, pushing the hair in front of my eyes up and out of my face.

I can't help but think of that kiss, no matter how hard I try not to. Guiltily, I shake my head. I should be thinking about Cass; what she meant to us and what it will be like having her gone from both of our lives.

Yet, this one thought keeps replaying itself through my mind.

'You kissed Cam. You kissed your best friend. You kissed Cam.'

The memory is a little muddy at the beginning - I can't quite remember who initiated the kiss - but from there, every detail is sharp, intensified in my head.

My cheeks warm thinking about it.

I felt (and still feel) that what had happened was the most natural thing in the world.

The only problem would be if Cam didn't feel the same way.

But, if he didn't, he surely wouldn't have kissed me, right?

But if he did, why didn't he address the kiss afterwards? Why did he avoid eye contact with me after it?

Feeling myself get too worried, I take in a deep breath and exhale after counting to ten. Wouldn't want to have a panic attack in my best friend's/boy friend's room.

The only way to find out what he's thinking is to talk to him.

Seeing no other choice, I stride out of the room, intent on my purpose.

I steel myself when I see him laying on the couch, already starting to feel the butterflies in my core.

He notices me and rises up off the couch. "Scarlet? What's wrong? Why are you out here?"

While I'm still in all my clothes, I make a quick glance at his chest and see that it's bare. I blush, the second time in a matter of moments, but go to the chair facing opposite the couch to talk.

I sit sideways in the chair, legs hanging off the side. "Cam, we should talk."

He gets an instant look of panic on his face, his eyes widening as he turns to me.

"Cam," I begin again, "what am I to you?"

He looks absolutely baffled.

I'm a little shocked at myself too, but silently congratulate the brave part of myself for taking the direct route - and can only hope the shyer part will gain a little courage to get me through the rest of this conversation.

"What... What do you mean, 'what are you?'" He asks me. "You're my friend! You're Scarlet... Aren't you?"

"Of course I'm Scarlet, Cam. I mean -" I search for the right thing to say. Instead I choose to start over. "What was that kiss, then? If I'm your friend, why did you kiss me?"

"You started it!" He exclaims, a light red rushing to his cheekbones .

I have two thoughts at the moment: one of which is just me scolding myself for not remembering I started that kiss in the back yard, and the other is scolding myself for feeling the urge to kiss him again.

I smirk through my conflicting emotions and say, "Well, that didn't mean you had to finish it...!"

I feel the tension build in the room as he calls me over to where he is on the couch.

Oh wait, maybe that's the temperature rising.

I do as I'm asked, but he doesn't move his legs, leaving me no choice but to sit on his lap. I stir, trying to get comfy without hurting Cam.

He chuckles at me and goes, "Scarlet, you're my friend," as he reaches for my hand, "but that doesn't mean you couldn't be my girlfriend."

Now it's my turn to laugh. "Who's all confident now?"

"I believe I have every right to be as cocky as I am," he notes, "as the girl sitting on my lap seems to like it when I have my shirt off!" He winks.

Cam is rather scrawny, to the point where I would think he might weigh a little less than I do, but wow - I couldn't stop staring. Must be something wrong with me.

I laugh again, shifting my position to straddle his lap.

"Scarlet," Cam starts, "would you be my girlfriend?"

"We haven't even been on a date yet! I don't know if I can say yes...!" But I smile and lean down to Cam's ear to whisper, "You know I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Why Don't You Kiss Her?" - A Collab. StoryWhere stories live. Discover now