Love Is Not Over

Cam: Surprise?

I was halfway down the staircase when I overheard them talking.

"And I've tried everything I could to get her back! Meeting other celebrities, flying her friends over from Samoa, and even making her favorite spaghetti meatballs! But she didn't react to ANYTHING."

Val.

I could tell by the way her voice squeaked at the end of her speech.

How inconsiderate! Our aunt died and all she cares about is getting me to be more social?!

I halted, literally feeling the steam blowing out of my ears and nose. I was on the edge of erupting when Fred interjected.

"Well, you can't blame her hunny. Her closest aunt passed away and she never got to visit her while she was sick in the hospital because of all the fame she had. How would YOU feel if that happened to you? "

Thank you!

Silence followed. I didn't like that they we're talking about me behind my back.

"Try to see where she's coming from. I told y'all before, fame comes with great sacrifice. Hers was her aunt." Fred finished.

I felt a stab to my heart hearing that last part.

Hers was her aunt.

Tears threatened to come down so I lifted my head to the ceiling, blinking them back.

No, Cam. Be strong this one time and get it over with. That way they'll leave you alone after.

I took a deep breath to steady myself and stepped back up a little. Putting one foot in front of the other, I purposely stomped hard to announce my arrival.

I was awarded with complete silence. I walked in to find all three of them struggling to stand up. Fred fell off his couch when I came and was trying to play it off.

All eyes on me. I felt the tension, the awkwardness of it all. Luckily, Fred cleared his throat, causing Val and Chelsea to look away.

Right.

I settled into the couch between them. Val's face fell, as if she expected to me to sit next to her. And usually I would have, but thing's are a lot more complicated right now so I needed my space. I focused on Fred instead.

"Okay! First of all, I'd like to thank you Camille for joining our group meeting. "

I flinched at him saying my full first name. It's been a while since anyone called me that.

"And I know you're probably not ready to come back out to the industry, but this offer couldn't wait. As your manager, I saw this as a great opportunity to boost your celebrity status." He paused.

"As an older brother to you, I saw it as a way to keep you occupied." He explained slowly.

My fists tightened in my lap.

Just go along with it Cam. Get it over with.

I nodded numbly.

He took my reaction as an encouragement, "Okay, so I met a new friend who just so happens to be the manager of a famous hip hop boy group. And after he watched your latest performance on the VMA's, he asked for a collaboration between you his guys! "

Val and Chelsea cheered while I remained still.

A nod.

"He was very impressed by your sudden progress into the music industry and called me right after the show. I just didn't tell you because I forgot." He scratched the back of his head, causing his dreadlocks to fall forward.

How typical of him. It's good to see some of us don't change.

Another nod.

"What's the name of the boy group?" Chelsea asked. I slit my eyes in suspicion. She sounded as if she rehearsed it.

"Oh, the name of the group is BTS." He replied mechanically. I could literally feel Val's excited vibe pulse towards me.

It all clicked. This was their last attempt to get me to talk.

I took a deep breath and nodded again.

"What does that stand for?" Chelsea looked puzzled. This time she was seriously lost.

"Oh, right! It stands for-"

"Bangtang Style. It literally translates to Bulletproof Boy scouts. They consist of 7 members who debuted 4 years ago in South Korea and are the most well known group of Big Hit Entertainment," I recited, cutting Fred off.

They turned to me stunned, mouths agape.

"What?" I shrugged.

"Uhhh... N-nothing. It's just really good hearing your voice again." Fred mumbled.

I looked away.

"How do you know so much about them?" Chelsea fumbled.

I kept my eyes on the expensive foreign carpet, "My little sister is obsessed with them. And since she had no one else to share it with, she forced it all in my ears."
The corners of my lips slightly lifted at the thought of how she practically shoved the earphones in my ear.

That idiot. I miss her.

"She's smiling! Oh, sweet Jesus yes!" I flinched at Fred's sudden excitement.

"Oh, sorry. So ummmm... You down to collab or?" He eyed me cautiously.

I sat there and quietly contemplated the situation. I honestly felt like I wasn't ready to delve back into work. After all, they ARE the reason I was in this situation to begin with.

C'mon Cam. It's been a month since you've been blue. If you continue doing this, you might end up being this way forever.

I shivered at the thought. I did want to be alone, just not forever. So I spoke the 4 words that would probably change the rest of my life.

I lifted my head, "When do we start?"