Not the Same

Chapter twenty-six

Thanksgiving with Cameron's family was everything one would hope it would be. There was more food than we could possibly eat, the conversations were light and humorous, and most importantly, there was no drama. Of course I was nervous going into this, after all, I was spending Thanksgiving with Cameron's family. This was a big deal. However, his family was so welcoming and inviting that I found myself feeling right at home.

All too soon, Thanksgiving break was over and we had to head back to school.

Cameron dropped me off at my building and helped me bring my bags up to my room. As we enter my room, we see Hailie standing over her dresser putting some clothes away. Cameron gives me a look, silently asking if I was okay being in the room with her. I nod my head, letting him know that I'm fine. With a kiss on cheek, he heads out off to his dorm.

Upon hearing the door to our room close, Hailie turns around are stares at me. We both look at each other silently for a while, neither one of us wanting to say anything.

After a few more awkward seconds, I take a deep breath.

"How was your break?" I ask as casually as possible.

"It was nice," she responds somewhat hesitantly. "It was good to get off campus and spend time with..." she trails of not finishing her thought. I guess she was going to mention Adam. "How was your break?"

"Really great," I say honestly. "The best Thanksgiving I've had in a while." I feel a genuine smile form on my face just thinking about how wonderful my time with Cameron and his family was.

"So I guess you're taking this fake dating thing pretty seriously, huh?" she says somewhat rudely.

"What do you mean?"

"Well its just you started dating as a way to make your brother angry, but it seems like you're playing into these roles while you're off the clock."

"Wow," I say in disbelief.

"I'm just being honest," she claims. "And to be honest, I think it's really pathetic."

"You want to know what's pathetic," I respond angrily. "Someone who has to put down other people's relationships to feel sound in their own. Believe it or not, Cameron and I aren't faking anything; our relationship is real. He supports me and likes me for who I am and doesn't make me feel bad for being me."

"Avery, I –"

"He is kind and caring," I continue, not letting her speak. "He makes me feel happy and special. For once in my life, I finally feel like I'm enough. He doesn't try to change me, but he is changing me. He's changing me for the better and making me see that I deserve better. I deserve better than family that tells me I'm not good enough and friends that would rather support the people who make me feel that way. So you wanna talk about being pathetic? I think it's pathetic to turn on your supposed 'best friend' because a guy decided to give you attention. See you around, Hailie."

And with that, I walk right out of the room.

Author's note:

...please don't be mad at me! I am SO sorry that I haven't updating in forever! A LOT has changed and happened and I really didn't have any free time!

But I'm back and ready to start writing again!!! So be on the lookout for some updates coming your way! I'll also be editing this story because there are some things I wanna chance a bit! Nothing too serious!! 

Thank you all for being so patient with me! It means more to me than you know!!  So grateful for you all

Xoxo,

LetThe GamesBegin_