The Exception (H&D Sequel)

Chapter 3- Solo

I wake up to the sound of loud music from my phone blaring in my ear. I recognize the song as the ringtone to no other than, Cameron Dallas. Why the hell is he calling me this early in the morning?

"Hello?" I grumpily press the phone to my ear.

"Hey what are you doing?" Cameron asks as I turn over in my bed in search of Shawn.

"Um I just woke up," I groggily speak, plopping back down. Shawn must've gone home or something.

He chuckles faintly over the phone. "Well, I was just sitting at home yesterday thinking about how boring it was just being home alone for most of my winter break," he tells me.

"Why don't you hang out with Tina or something?" I ask like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

"She's out of town," he informs me.

"Really?"

"Yeah, she went to Nevada to visit her family for a week."

"Oh, well what about Sierra?" I ask.

"She's spending Christmas with her boyfriend and his family in Colorado."

"Aww, how sad," I laugh.

"Tragic, I know. Anyways, I was just thinking maybe I could come visit you."

"Yeah, that would be great!"

"Yeah? You're sure?" He asks.

"Cam, of course. Why would you even have to ask?" I roll my eyes.

"Cause I'm already here," he chuckles into the phone.

"What?" I gasp, looking outside my window. "Where are you?"

"Surprise!" My door bursts open, causing me to scream and clutch my chest.

"Jesus, Cam," I look up and my eyes meet with his, immediately making me smile.

"Did you miss me?" He asks, opening his arms, a perfectly wrapped box in one hand.

"Of course," I giggle, walking into his open arms and giving him a huge hug. "I'm so happy you're here."

He breaks the hug and hands me the box in his hand. "Merry Christmas!"

I smile and sit on my bed with the box. He sits  next to me and plops down on the bed with a loud sigh. I tear the wrapping paper off of the box and open it up. To my surprise, a small card lies in the box. I pick it up and read it. "Island Records," I read the name on the card. I skip all the other information on the card. "An Island Records business card?" I giggle. "What is this for?"

"I talked to the head of Island," he sits up. "They want to sign you, Marie."

My eyes immediately begin to water and my hands start to shake. "What?" I grin.

He nods his head. "Congratulations," he smiles. "Did you see what else was in the box?"

I look in and pick up another piece of paper. A plane ticket for a flight to LA. "Cam, you did not buy me a ticket to Los Angeles!"

"Island payed for that," he chuckles. "You're flying back to California with me so you can meet everyone, sign the papers, and do whatever else they want you to do."

"Are you serious?" I gasp, my jaw nearly to the floor.

"I'm serious," he laughs. "Congratulations!"

I wrap my arms around his neck. "Thank you so much, Cameron," I breathe, a single tear falling down my face. "But wait," I stop myself, my face falling.

"What?"

"You said they want to sign me, but what about Shawn?" His face falls as well and he shakes his head. "No I can't-"

"Marie, this is too big of an opportunity to miss out on. You can't say no to this."

"Cam, you know Shawn and I are a package deal, we're a duo."

"I know, but it's Island Records. Maybe it's time that you consider going solo," he tells me.

I look at him and sigh. Going solo? I don't know if I can.