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Chapter 7.

Slowly, I opened the closet door and checked my clothes deciding what to wear for today. I looked out the window and noted that it was cloudy and some few droplets were on my window pane already. I took out some patterned leggings and high boots along with dark jeans-shorts and a red sweater. I combed my auburn hair, curled it and went down the stairs, had an apple for breakfast and headed straight out of the house.
It was Thursday and it was still early for school so I decided to drop off at Cameron's. I knew it wouldn't be the perfect timing but I also knew however that we needed to talk about what I came to acknowledge yesterday's evening.
"What are you doing here?" Cameron asked the very first second he saw me standing outside his apartment.
"I told you I wanted to see you,"
"Alright then, come in." He said and pecked my cheek. It was reviving at six a.m. I walked inside to the center of the room and stood there just crossing my arms.
"Cameron, is there anything - of what you said to me - that is not a lie from the day I had met you till now?" I asked coldly but yet feeling my face grow hot.
"What are you talking about?" He asked.
"You tell me,"
"Well, besides the scholarship lie and  the racing car trouble-"
"Hold on - the racing car trouble? That was a lie?" I asked, my voice pitching to a higher tone.
"Yes, but I didn't lie to that, Diego did."
I turned my gaze away. How could he use me like that? And then my eyes caught a card lying still on the kitchen counter. I stood closer and fetched it.
"What the hell is this, Cameron?"
"It's a golden card for-"
"I know what it is alright! But why is it with you?"
He remained silent.
"You.. you've been gambling? Don't tell me the money that you needed was for paying a bet!!" I couldn't believe what was going on.
"No, Vanessa. I hadn't spent a penny from your money! And by the way.." He stopped and grabbed his jacket from the holder and took out a stack of money.
"You deserve to have this," He handed me over one hundred dollars.
"I only gave you eighty and Cameron - if it's not racing trouble then.. what is it?" I asked as I stood closer to him and touched his arm but he pulled away.
"It's just something I need to take care of," Cameron answered.
"For God's sake, Cameron, stop hiding secrets away from me! Why can't you just be honest?!" I felt anger creep inside of me and I started losing control of my nerves.
"Look here, Vanessa, if you don't want to accept my secrets then you just better stick to believing that every word I say to you is nothing but a lie." He said.
"Is that so?"
"It is very much so, love."
"Then you lied about wanting me to be your Last and-"
"No. I didn't lie to that. Truth is, I need you."
"And when you get what you've wanted, you'll decide I'm not much worthy to you?"
"I didn't say that, Vanessa!"
"Then what are you saying Cameron? You've been making stupid excuses and alibis ever since we met and I - I don't understand why you're not telling me what I already know - and it doesn't really matter but what does is that I just want to know why are you pulling away from me?!"
"Because I don't want you to get hurt, Vanessa. I really like you."
"Get hurt? How am I gonna get hurt?"
"Nothing. Can you leave now? I think you've got some classes to attend and -"
"And what are you going to do? Fall back asleep? I guess you'd do that because mainly that's what you do best. Why is falling asleep always your stupid-"
"I'm ill." He blurted out suddenly.
"What?" I asked in a short breath trying to pretend that I didn't already know.
"You heard me. And as for honesty; the truth is I.."
"You what?" I asked as tears were going down my cheeks. He held my face.
" I realized I was falling in - in love with you. So I met up with my doctor; gambled for more money for the treatment and decided to pay you back because I owe you. And not just for helping, but for being there for me."
"How can I be sure that you're not just messing with me?"
"If there's one true and honest thing I've sincerely said then it's that I do need you. Maybe everything just happened too fast but I'm getting to know you for who you are and honestly, you suck at making cumin and peppermint," He said and I laughed softly.
"It's that ence- I can't remember what it was.."
"Encephalitis lethargic. That's my illness. That's why I skip school and never hang about much because I am after all, terrified of falling asleep in class or anywhere else."
"But Dr. Giles said there's a treatment and-"
"How do you know Giles?" He asked, surprised.
"He's a friend of my mom's,"
"Well, there is a treatment but its chances are weak," He said this with ache and I couldn't help but feel that he was holding back something; but I just didn't want to push him any further.
"But Cameron, you can't be - You just-"
He smiled slowly.
"What, ill? I got pretty much used to that, love. At least I have my own distraction now,"
"What's that?" I asked, grabbing him by the shoulders.
"That's a secret."
"Damn your secrets, Cameron. Have you ever tried sincerity?"
"No. And I wouldn't much like to. I'm always better off with one truth and a billion lies." He said then he kissed me. I felt my tears about to stream down again but I held them back. I realized how much he meant to me to make me cry, laugh and do both at the same time. I realized I was willing to do anything for him to get him through this. I've been waiting my entire life for someone to make me feel this insane and there he came, just like that, smoking and bragging about himself and I fell in love with him. Naïve and silly, yes but wrong, never. And I didn't want him to leave because if he did; I'd be gone.