The Heartless Persona

25

Keri was back home, lying in her bed. It was late at night and the Hastings' had just gotten into their house. Keri was exhausted from her flight and she had been thinking a lot about her and Cam's relationship.

"I'm coming over tomorrow," Rebecca said through the phone.

"Okay," Keri said, half asleep.

"It's been two weeks since I've seen my best friend," Rebecca pouted. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you, too," Keri scratched behind her dog's ear.

Was she sure that Rebecca was her best friend? Keri could never actually talk about her true feelings like she could with Cam. Now that she came to think of it, she couldn't recall having a single conversation with Rebecca that didn't have to do with boys, makeup, fashion, celebrities, or gossip.

No, she was just being silly. Of course Rebecca was her best friend.

At least that's what she had been telling herself all of those years.

The next day, Rebecca was babbling about boys that she had hooked up with while Keri was gone. The entire time, Keri kept checking her phone for texts from Cam. She had sent him two texts and he hadn't replied.

"So did you ever hook up with Cam?" Rebecca leaned forward, twirling a strand of her long dark hair.

"Um, we kissed twice," Keri answered with her eyes on her phone. Why wasn't he replying? But it wasn't like Keri cared.

"How was it?" Rebecca's eyebrows wiggled.

"It was...different," Keri ducked her head, a little shy about the subject.

"Nice. Well, at my party on Friday, I'm sure we'll be hooking up with a lot of different boys," she smirked.

"Yeah," Keri murmured. Something in her stomach turned at the thought.

She didn't want to be hooking up with strangers. She wanted Cam.

He kissed her like he actually cared about her, unlike her usual hookups who just wanted to have a good time by shoving their tongues down her throat. Cam was actually interested in what she had to say. She could see it in his eyes as he watched her talk.

How come she wasn't ready to give up everything for him?

The next morning, she made the decision to face her fear.

Keri stood at Cam Walker's front door. She had just rang the doorbell and was waiting in her Kate Spade dress and Gucci sunglasses on top of her head. Her teeth bit down on her lip, ruining her lipstick. She had pushed a fallen piece of hair back in its place with her fingers.

The front door swung open and a boy with messy brown hair and half-opened blue eyes stood in front of Keri. He was shirtless and in boxers.

"Hey," his eyebrows were pulled up.

"Hey," she readjusted the strap to her Chanel purse. "You weren't answering my texts, so I just wanted to check up on you."

She wanted to mentally slap herself for saying that. Why did she have to sound like that clingy annoying girlfriend?

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. I was just asleep, that's all. Come in," he opened the door more.

Keri then realized that it was only eleven o'clock. Most kids slept into the afternoon during the summer. And considering how late their flight got in last night, it was a surprise she was awake.

But then again, she made it a point to wake up early every day. She had a tight schedule; eat, run, yoga, shower, hair, makeup, and shop. Sometimes she had other things going on like parties, concerts, and other social events.

"Oh. I can come back later if you want," Keri offered.

"No, stay," he smiled a little. A light blush appeared on Keri's face.

"Okay," she agreed.

Moments later, Cam and Keri sat at the counter in the kitchen, sipping coffee from mugs. Cam was now wearing athletic shorts and a t-shirt with a Nike logo. His hair was combed and he was more awake.

"So...I actually wanted to talk to you about something..." Keri started.

She apprehensively swirled her silver spoon around in her mug. Her eyes were low and a piece of hair kept falling into her face. Cam never took his eyes off of her. He was watching her every move. Keri took a deep breath before speaking again.

"I wanted to talk about our, you know...kiss."

"Oh," Cam sat up a little straighter. He raised his mug to his mouth and took a long sip. "What was it you wanted to discuss?"

Keri's cheeks reddened and she bit down on her lip. She had a feeling of butterflies in her stomach and she couldn't stop the shaking in her foot. Her heart pounded against her chest, and was almost certain that he could hear it. She couldn't believe what she was about to say.

"When I said that I missed us, I meant it," she kept her eyes glued to her coffee.

He shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. "I know."

"Oh," her eyes met his. She blinked a couple of times while her eyebrows started to tug together, trying to figure out what he was saying. "So...what does that mean?"

Fear started to run through her blood. Lately, Cam had been rejecting her and she was afraid he was going to do it again. She would be vulnerable and she would feel weak. All over a stupid boy.

But he wasn't a stupid boy. That was the problem. She hadn't felt this way in a long time and now that she did...

Well, she didn't know what was going to happen.

"I thought this was what you wanted," he shrugged. "I thought you just wanted to makeout and move on. Just like you usually do."

"No. Well, yes..." Keri stopped herself and took a deep breath. "Yes, I wanted the kiss to happen, but no...you weren't just some fling."

"So what are you saying?" Cam took another sip.

"I'm saying...I-I like you."

Saying it felt like a weight was being lifted from her shoulders. She felt so free and alive.

"You know me better than anyone. I feel like I can be myself when I'm around you," Keri explained.

Cam stood up and put his mug in the sink. Keri followed him, placing her hand on his back.

"Are you sure you like me?" Cam murmured, not facing Keri. She turned him around and looked in between both of his eyes.

"Positive."

He stared at her, trying to decide if she was serious. "So, do you expect me to ask you to be my girlfriend now?" The sides of his mouth twisted up into a smirk.

Keri bashfully smiled and looked down at the kitchen floor. He gently grabbed her chin and tilted her head back up.

"Keri Hastings, will you be my girlfriend?"