After Forever Is Over

Chapter 10 - The Damn Ring

Both Shannon and Cammie have done such a good job of avoiding each other since they broke up. A lot of lame excuses has been thrown shamelessly, combined with the classic last-minute-bailing-out moves. All of the other girls couldn't do anything but helplessly watched them hurting themselves. Even Deb, Shannon's mom, couldn't get them act like an adult and just face the inevitable. Initally, Deb asked Shannon to invite Cammie to have dinner together.

"I can't just ask her like that, Mom! She even won't reply any of my messages," Shannon tried to reason with her persistent mother.

"I don't understand you girls," Deb said. "Why is it easier for you girls to be a complete stranger with each other than try make things work again? Even just as a friend?"

"She wants it to be this way," Shannon sighed tiredly. She was fed up with all of this pep talks that people has been giving her these days.

"You don't know that. You just assumed that she does want that. Because it's easier for you to be in denial, than going out of your way to get her back." Debbie scolded her daughter. As a mother, she only wants the best for her. And Camden Scott is the closest thing to the perfect girl for her daughter.

"You know what, if you can't do this on your own, I'll make things easier for you. I love you girls too damn much to let something like this to keep you girls apart, when it is clear that both of you want the exact opposite."

"Mom," Shannon groaned, "what are you going to do now?"

"What mothers do best," Deb said. "Meddling."

*

Cammie already knew what Deb would want to talk about when she contacted her. Yet she didn't have the heart to say no to one of the greatest mothers she knew. Especially when Deb already said that Shannon wouldn't be there. And she did miss Deb, even though she's no longer with Shannon. The way Deb has welcomed her to her family and treated her like she's one of her own daughters has touched Cammie. Separated or not, she definitely would want to keep in touch with the kind woman. So she agreed to meet her for brunch at one of their usual places. It was kind of funny that Deb chose the place where Shannon and her had their most moments together. Why couldn't her picked the new Mexican place? Why, Deb?

When Cammie walks into the restaurant, Deb isn't there yet. She chooses the table on the patio, to enjoy the sunny weather of L.A. She orders her drink and waits for Deb while playing with her phone. About a half hour later, a familiar voice startles her.

"Oh, Deb," Shannon shakes her head in disbelief. She looks as surprised as Cammie is.

After they broke up, Cammie often wondered how she would feel when she meets her ex-girlfriend again. She was both terrified and curious if the feelings would still be there. Now as she's staring at the girl in front of her, the butterflies are back. Fluttering in her stomach with unbearable magnitude. Her heart races and the flush is rising to her cheeks. Wide eyed, she marvels on how good Shannon looks. The gravity sets into place again and she is being pulled into Shannon once again.

"Damn, this is so unfair," Cammie thinks inwardly.

Shannon shuffles on her feet, feeling awkward for being the unwanted guest. She knew that Deb probably would tricked her into meeting Cam, but she didn't care. She just wanted to meet her girl, in one way or another. She wanted to see that face once again, even if for the last time. She wanted her chance to make things right. Now she has it. Yet she doesn't know what the hell she should do with it.

"So I take it that Deb has tricked us both," Shannon breaks the silence.

"Yeah," Cammie just nods. "Your mom is sure one hell of a mother."