The Heartless Persona

10

Both Cam and Keri got out of the water, patting themselves down with their towels. Keri had picked the bathing suit with the least amount of cloth to wear, but Cam didn't even seem to notice.

Although it was nighttime, it was still feasible to see because of the many lights nearby. The water was still surprisingly warm, even though the sun had disappeared.

She sat down next to him on the sand with a smile on her face. "When did you start working out?" Keri ran her fingers down Cam's abs, stopping where his swim trunks started. Cam just laughed and looked away from her.

"Still playing these games, I see."

"They're not games," her fingers started to move in small circles as she leaned closer to him. "How do you know I'm not being serious?" Her eyes stayed on his lips.

She was going to kiss him before the end of this trip.

Period.

"Because there's not a genuine bone in your body," he looked back over to her. Again, since she wasn't used to rejection, she had become defensive over Cam's comments.

"So, you're saying you don't like me because of this act I put up?" She took her hand off of him.

"Bingo."

For a moment, Keri felt broken. She felt helpless. Damaged, even.

Everyone liked the new and improved Keri Hastings.

She had become fearless and dauntless. She had underdone a series of makeovers and shopping sprees to appear the part. She had to remove her emotions from her soul so she wouldn't get attatched to boys.

She had worked so hard to become her new self. She had made her way up the food chain so that every guy wanted to be with her and every girl wanted to be her.

So why didn't Cam like that?

Keri's heart had shattered, her expression had fallen, and tears welled up in her eyes. She couldn't even put her wall up because she was too focused on what Cam had said.

And why did she care so much about what Cam thought? Maybe it was because they used to be such good friends.

Or maybe, just maybe, it was for another reason.

The next day, all of the children walked the streets of Puerto Rico, passing stores, markets, and trading posts.

They had also witnessed various restaurants, even stopping where the first piña colada was made.

Keri wasn't wearing any makeup, she had wore her hair naturally straight, and she dressed more modestly. And by more modestly, that meant she wore a regular maxi dress, which was modest for her.

Jack was pointing at different things he wanted (which appeared to be everything), Mason was talking to Cam, and Keri's empty eyes looked at different people as they passed.

The island was so vibrant, but she felt drained. All because of what a stupid boy had said to her the night before.

Eventually, they all went into a store so Jack could buy something with the money his parents gave him.

Keri had looked at a bracelet, trying to decide if she should buy it, or not. She had decided against it. She wasn't in a very happy mood at the moment.

Cam had went off with him to pay for the item while Mason and Keri walked out of the store and waited for them outside.

Rebecca had sent a text to Keri, which Keri didn't even reply to. She was probably just talking about some guy she hooked up with. The same thing that happened every day.

Keri wasn't in the mood for anything today.

"Here," she suddenly heard Cam's voice.

He handed her a small bag, causing Keri to stare curiously at him. After taking the bag, with her eyebrows pulled together, she looked inside.

"How did you know?" she said in almost a whisper, looking back up to him. It was the bracelet she was looking at not too long ago.

Nonchalantly, he shrugged his shoulder, unwilling to admit that he had his attention on her for most of the time.

"Consider it a gift," his eyes lowered away from hers.

"Thank you," her voice sounded small.

Who knew that a five dollar bracelet would feel more valuable than all of the designer items she owned?