Not the Same

Chapter eighteen

Since overhearing Cameron and my brother, I've been avoiding them both. I'm extremely confused and obviously want to know answers, but I don't think either of them will just tell me if I ask. I mean, I know they both can be pretty stupid, but they're not that dumb.

I was planning on avoiding Cameron for longer, but my mother kindly reminded me that this is the weekend that I'm supposed to bring Cameron over so they can interrogate him.

So it looks like I have to swallow my pride and talk to him. I texted him asking if he wanted to get lunch after class together to which he said okay. I'm currently waiting for him outside the food court trying not to pee myself with nerves.

While I wait for him, I pull out my phone and play 2048. I've been trying to reach 2048 for over a year now, but still haven't gotten it. It drives me crazy.

"Dang it," I mutter when I lose again.

"Talking to inanimate objects now? Wow you really are crazy."

"Not in the mood to deal with your crap today, Adam," I mumble, not looking up.

"I was just going to tell you that I'm excited for our big family dinner with Cameron tonight," Adam says with a smirk.

"Piss off," I say while glaring at him.

Just then Cameron comes up to us and slings his arm around me.

"Something wrong, Adam?" he asks, his eyes dark and seriously.

"Just telling my sister that I'm excited that you're joining us for dinner tonight," Adam says coolly. "Anyways, see you both at home."

"I hate that guy," Cameron says through gritted teeth.

Cameron and I go into the food court, get some lunch and sit down. We sit in awkward silence for about five minutes until Cameron decides to break it.

"So what should I know about your parents?"

"Oh man, where do I begin?"

For the next twenty minutes, I tell Cameron everything he needs to know in order to make sure my parents don't hate him. I mean don't get me wrong, I would love it if Cameron annoyed my parents, but if he did that, my parents would make it impossible for me to see him again and that would only make Adam even more smug. Cameron looks slightly overwhelmed at everything I tell him, but nods his head confidently.

"Okay, so we'll leave campus at three. Don't be late," I stress to him as we leave the food court and walk to our dorms. "Wear something nice."

"Aye aye, Captain," Cameron says with a mock salute. "When do I ever not look nice?"

After we both went our separate ways, I packed a light overnight bag, and started getting ready. Hailie straightened my hair for me. My mother has told me on many occasions that she does not like it when I wear my hair curly because it looks "too untamed and messy."

Much to my dismay, I put on a lavender peplum dress and pair it with a silver necklace and nude heels.

I stare at my reflection in the mirror and sigh. I can already hear the comments my mother will say:

"Clearly you didn't take my advice and go to the gym."

"It's a wonder that you could even fit into that dress."

Maybe I shouldn't have eaten lunch today.

With a final sigh, I turn away from the mirror, grab my bag and head down to my car.