I Ate the Apple

Chapter 13

It's New Years Eve and there's honestly nothing to do. I'm so bored. I want to go home.

I'm feeling extra anti-social, so when Channing proposes a game idea and everyone agrees, I tell them I'm not playing.

He wants to play a non-raunchy version of truth or dare.

"Yeah, I'm not gonna play." I mumble.

I've been leaning against Channing all day and I'm holding onto his bicep.

He's really muscular and he's obviously been working out.

His arms feel amazing and I don't want to let go.

He looks down at me.

When he got up to go to the bathroom twenty minutes ago, I sat there and moped until he came back.

"What's up with you today?" he asks.

"Nothing." I mumble.

He starts rubbing my shoulder because that's where his hand is.

I don't know why I'm being clingy, but as I sit and think about it, I realize what.

I'm being clingy because I'm just nervous.

James did the same thing Channing did by singing out, only, I took Channing back.

James even did it the same time of year.

What if I get pregnant after the wedding and I lose the baby?

Channing will leave.

He and James were good friends.

My eyes burn with tears.

"I'm going on a walk." I say before I start crying.

I get up swiftly.

"Cam." Channing sighs.

I just shake my head and pull my coat on.

I stop in Kathryn's garage and put on my boots, and then I go back in the house and walk out the front door.

KATHRYN'S POV

Channing doesn't even wait a minute before he follows her out the door.

"What the fuck is up with them?" Kyle asks.

"That's a good question." I mutter.

"Cam hasn't told you anything?" Mrs. Armstrong asks.

I frown, shaking my head. I open the curtains.

"Open the window." Matt shrugs.

So, I open it up.

It's silent outside, so when they start talking, I can hear them almost as if I was standing right there.

I'm nosy and I don't feel bad.

Everyone moves to the window.

CAM'S POV

I'm rushing because I know he's going to follow me.

I slip on black ice though, and right before I hit the ground, Channing catches me, steadying me.

"I don't feel like talking." I say.

"You're crying." He says, grabbing my hand when I try to walk away. "Cam, you promised me you would come to me."

He shouldn't have to beg me to talk to him.

I wipe my eyes.

"It's stupid." I mutter. "Just drop it."

"It's not stupid. You're crying, lovebug. If it's making you cry, it's not stupid."

It scares me.

I love him so much.

I can feel the we need to break up on the tip of my tongue, but I shut my eyes and cast my head downward.

I run fro every single issue.

I fuck him over every chance I get, but I love him so much.

I'm just trying to protect him.

He just wants me to come to him.

It's time I stop running.

I need to stop running.

I take a deep breath.

"I'm scared because James did the same thing you did, where he sang outside Kathryn's house." I whisper. I open my eyes and lift my head to meet his eyes. He looks concerned, but he waits patiently. "I'm scared that after the wedding, I'll get pregnant..." I take a deep breath. "I'm scared you'll leave...if things don't go as planned."

He scoffs so loudly.

I start to back up.

"Cam, that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard you say." He says. "You know I'm stuck at your hip. I'm not leaving you for anything. The only time I ever leave is when you tell me to, and that's because I know, even though you don't want me to, in the moment of the situation, you think that's what you want." He puts his hands on my cheeks. "I'm not leaving. You know that, don't you?"

"Yeah, I know." I sigh. "I'm just stupid."

"You're not stupid." He says. "It's normal to worry. It's stupid what you thought, but that doesn't make you stupid. I love you, lovebug. I'm not leaving."

"You promise?" I whisper softly.

He nods. "I promise."

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