Help Me, I'm Drowning

#3 - Iron Man

It took a few moments for Luke to stop feeling like he was falling.

There was an inexplicable knitted ball of panic in his chest that felt ready to explode and leave him helpless.

Camila knows, his mind screamed at him. She'll tell everyone. Everyone.

Luke couldn't find it in himself to draw away from her. If he couldn't trust Camila, then he couldn't trust anyone.

When they did unwrap themselves from around each other, Luke and Camila sat by the edge of the pond, backs against a boulder and leaning against each other.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice cutting into the silence. "I never knew. I could've done something to help—"

"You saw him today," Luke murmured. "He would've gone for you too. Can't let him hurt anyone else."

Camila lapsed into quiet for a second. "Has it always been this way?"

Luke shook his head wordlessly. Hard to believe, but he remembered a faraway time when he returned home to smiling faces.

She didn't press the issue, and Luke was thankful for that. He needed time. He'd tell her eventually.

"This is a nice spot," Luke offered after a few more seconds of ensuing silence.

Camila smiled half-heartedly. "Yeah, I come here a lot."

When she didn't care to elaborate, Luke decided to leave it. If she could give him space, then he would do the same.

"What am I going to do?" Luke sent a small piece of gravel spinning into the pond, completing two skips before sinking through the water. "I don't have a home. I don't have anything."

"Not true," Camila promised. "You can stay with me."

Luke glanced at her in surprise. "Really?"

Camila blushed. "I mean, I have to ask my parents. But I think they'll understand. And even if they don't," she paused. "We'll sneak you into my room or something."

Luke sent her a sidelong look. "God knows we've gotten good at that."

Her cheeks flushed redder than before.

"I can pick up a shift at the coffee shop," Luke said thoughtfully. "After school on weekdays; I'm sure Steve won't mind."

Camila faltered. "Guess that's no more dating for me."

Luke laughed. "I knew he had a crush on you."

"He gave me his number last week."

Incredulity pooled in his features. "We were still dating then!"

It was her turn to laugh. "I don't think he knew." She shrugged. "If it's any comfort, I said no."

"Faithful," Luke said approvingly. "Thanks."

"We've always been," Camila reminded him.

If he really thought about it, she was right. The number of girls (and some guys) who had giggled in the hallway or accidentally-on-purpose touched his arm in class wasn't small. Neither was the number of guys who found some excuse to talk to Camila or sit with her at lunchtime.

"I trusted you," Luke told her. "I never thought you'd cheat."

"I never did," Camila admitted. "I trusted you too."

"Thanks."

Camila groaned suddenly. "I'll have to stop cheerleading." She frowned. "Or maybe not. Doing flips doesn't affect the baby, right?"