Camila Alvarez and Jeff Atkins were the perfect high school sweethearts. With their social statuses and unnaturally good looks, they were bound to live happily after, until one unfortunate night when everything goes wrong and Camila's life begins to...
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IF CAMILA HAD TO choose between cheering at basketball games or cheering at baseball games, she would choose baseball every time. There was nothing fun about being stuck in a stuffy gym hall beside sweaty boys who can't seem to keep their eyes to themselves. So, Camila was relieved when she caught sight of Jeff sitting in the crowd. She gave him a wave that looked more like she was just shimmying her pom-pom but, luckily, he still waved back, his smile mirroring hers.
As the game began, Camila and the other cheerleaders by her side began the dance that they had been rehearsing. It was simple and the most impressive move was when they did a high kick at the end but being stuck against a wall and being expected to be able to dance in the confined space was ridiculous.
When the buzzer sounded, all of the cheerleaders ran to the middle of the basketball court and did what they did best; they cheered. The whole thing was admittedly a little pointless to Camila, she would rather be out in the open air, where they had room to do an actual choreographed dance routine but basketball was apparently far more popular than baseball at Liberty, so there were around twice more basketball games than baseball, much to Camila's dismay.
By the end of the game, Camila was more than glad that it was over and would have rushed to the changing room if it wasn't for her catching the eyes of Jeff Atkins. She set down her pom-poms and took a swig of water as he made his way over to her.
"I've got to say, that was some impressive cheering."
"What part did you like the most, when we shook our pom-poms the first, second or third time?" Camila joked, Jeff thankfully chuckling.
"Maybe it was a little repetitive." he admitted and Camila raised an eyebrow.
" A little? I cannot express how much I hate cheering at basketball games," Camila rolled her eyes. "If I get hit by a basketball one more time, I will fly for Bryce Walker."
Jeff chuckled, somewhat relieved that Camila didn't feel at all for Bryce how he felt for her. However, he knew that Bryce wouldn't let that get in his way.
"Hey, um, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go to Rosie's or something?" Jeff stumbled over his words, his nerves taking over. He reached his hand behind his neck out of habit to find it slightly clammy.
A look of slight surprise and joy passed Camila's face before it quickly turned to disappointment.
Jeff noticed her change in facial expression, "You don't need to, it was just a suggestion. It's stupid really, I-"
"No, no, it's not that," Camila shook her head, dismissing his doubts. "It's just, I said I would help out my Mima at the book store."
"Oh, that's fine then." Jeff nodded. He was slightly relieved that she hadn't just completely turned him down but still couldn't help but feel disappointed.
"If I didn't have to go, I would go to Rosie's with you, I swear. It's just that I have to rearrange the books, I haven't done it in weeks so it looks like a bomb site in there."
That earned a slight laugh from Jeff, albeit a nervous one.
"Really, it's fine." he shook his head.
Camila sighed slightly, "I owe you one date at Rosie's though, okay?"
Jeff almost choked on his own salivia when she said date but managed to keep his composure even though he felt like pinching himself to make sure this wasn't just a dream, which admittedly—and sadly—wouldn't be the first time.
"Right, one date at Rosie's and dinner with your Mima."
Camila quirked an eyebrow at the boy, "Okay, now you're pushing it."
He shrugged, "Worth a try."
Camila shook her head, an amused expression on her face. When she saw that the hall was now empty, she suddenly remembered that there was such a thing as time and she should probably get to the store before her grandma started to worry.
"I need to go get changed but if you're willing to, you could maybe walk with me for a bit. No bike this time, I swear."
Jeff pondered for a moment, an over exaggerated thinking look on his face. "I suppose so. I might even go as far as to walk you all the way."
A smile spread across Camila's lips as she rolled her eyes. "How generous of you."
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WALKING TO THE BOOK STORE took a little longer than usual because of Camila and Jeff's constant chatter the whole way there. It became evident that the two were walking slowly deliberately, not wanting to have to separate so soon. So, as a way to make up for not being able to talk in real life, the two exchanged numbers.
It didn't take long for Jeff to text Camila which she wasn't complaining about. As she sat at her desk, feeling the need to fall asleep on top of her homework, her phone lit up, Jeff's name appearing on the screen. A smile tugged on Camila's lips as she unlocked her phone.
jeff: hey
As soon as he sent it, he wanted to slap himself. Hey? Is that the best you can come up with? Idiot.
camila: hey
jeff: wyd?
Great, now she thinks you're a fuckboy.
camila: homework :(
camila: wbu?
Oh no, she wants to know what I'm doing. I can't say I'm just texting her or she'll think I have no life.
jeff: cooking
camila: you can cook?
No.
jeff: a little
camila: what are you making?
Now I need to come up with another lie and then I'll probably have to come up with another lie after that, then another and another and another and then our whole relationship will be based on lies. There's no turning back now, I need to impress her.
jeff: toast
camila: oooh i'm impressed
Yes, it worked
jeff: with butter and everything
camila: sounds good, you'll have to make me some sometime
Does that mean she wants to come over to my house? Does she like me? Am I reading too much into this? Probably.
jeff: for sure
Camila's lips held the same smile from before as she looked down at her screen. Am I being too flirty? Should I end this before I destroy everything? Probably.
