And Then it Happened

18

Sitting through a movie at the theater with Cameron now that I had realized I have feelings for him was totally and utterly completely awkward. He had bought some popcorn for us to share, but after our hands accidentally bumped each other multiple times when be both reached for the kernels at the same time, I lost my appetite. Everything felt weird now; I didn't know how to act at all. It didn't help that I knew Cameron was in a relationship with Sydney, it only made me feel like I was betraying her by hanging out with Cameron.

I was thrust out of my thoughts when I felt the lightest brush of lips against my ear. Cameron had leaned over to whisper something in my ear and his warm breath fanned across my ear, sending shivers down my body – the good kind.

"These people are so dumb, like why would anyone shout hello and ask if anyone is in the house when there is very clearly someone evil in the house?" he asked.

I giggled slightly and agreed. "Right? And someone almost always falls down when they're being chased!"

Cameron was about to reply but someone from behind us shushed him. He threw a playful glare in their direction before making eye contact with me again and smirking; his blue orbs full of mirth. Before I could stare into his eyes any longer, he turned his attention back to the big screen.

I took this moment to stare at his side profile. Hs silky chestnut colored hair was on the longer side, curling around the nape of his neck. He had one of the sharpest jawlines I had ever seen in my life, and he had eyelashes that every girl should be envious of.

Before I could focus in on his lips, a loud noise erupted throughout the theater and I heard a few startled screams from others in the audience. What really took me by surprise though, was the feeling of Cameron's palm suddenly being slapped onto my upper thigh, the warmth of his skin seeping through my denim jeans.

I had to stifle a laugh when I caught sight of the guilty look on Cameron's face. I raised an eyebrow.

"Sorry, jump scare got me.." Cameron mumbled sheepishly. Even in the darkness of the room, I could faintly see the rosy coloring of his cheeks.

Aw, he was embarrassed! How cute.

"Jump scares freak you out, huh?" I whisper, leaning closer for him to hear me. "Isn't it supposed to be the girl who gets scared so the guy can comfort her in the most cliché way possible? Not the other way around?" I retort, trying my best to not think about the fact that Cameron still had not taken his hand off my thigh. I didn't want him to catch on to how much his touch affected me.

"Believe it or not, I actually hate scary movies." Cameron says.

My eyebrows furrow in confusion. "Then why did you pick a scary movie?"

I see the shape of Cameron's silhouette shrug. "Because I know how much you like scary movies," he states.

Letting his words sink in, I smile to myself. He had remembered that one time we were playing 20 questions and I had said I liked scary movies. It made me feel happy knowing that he remembered something so small about me.

Seemingly noticing that he had placed his hand on my thigh, Cameron squeezed my thigh lightly before removing his hand and the warmth from his skin on mine dissipating. We both said nothing more as we continued to watch the scary movie play out on the big screen.

~

"Oh fuuuck!" I groan, throwing my head back in despair and running my hands through my hair.

The movie had just ended and Cameron and I were making our way to the exit doors of the theater to go back to our cars when we had realized that it was now heavily raining. Through the glass doors and windows, I could see the rain crashing to the ground ferociously, the streets looked to be nearly flooded, and the sky was a dark grey cloud. Visibility was poor due to the heavy rain and lightning would light up the sky every few seconds. And of course, as my luck would have it, I had no umbrella with me.

 "Ugh, I was not prepared for this..." I mumble angrily.

"Yeah me neither," Cameron acquiesced. "It doesn't look like the rain will stop anytime soon either, it looks real bad out there."

"Yeah no shit sherlock," I grumble. "I don't even have an umbrella. I'm going to get absolutely drenched out there."

"Good thing you didn't wear a white shirt today," Cameron joked, promptly earning a glare from me for his perverted-ness.

I stay silent as I stare out the windows helplessly. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Cameron hesitantly stretch out his hand in my direction. I whip my head to look at him and his outstretched hand. "What?"

"Come on, no matter what we're going to get wet, might as well bite the bullet, right?" Cameron asks. "Take my hand and on the count of three we'll run out there."

Taking a deep breath, I nod and place my palm in his. His fingers curl around my hand, holding it ever so gently. He looks at me with a small smile on his lips; a smile, not a smirk.

"One..."I begin.

"Two..." he continues.

"Three!" We both exclaim before pushing on the doors and running out into the rain.

Immediately, I feel the water droplets hit my skin and dampen my clothes. We continue running hand in hand, my short legs struggling to keep up with Cameron's long strides. My long hair is now plastered to my forehead and cheeks, and I could feel the water seeping into my black converse shoes.

Cameron noticed I was having a hard time keeping up with him, so he grabbed me quickly, holding me bridal style and continued to run with me in his arms. Instinctively, my arms wrap around Cameron's neck. I feel a giddiness wash over me, and I begin to laugh uncontrollably as Cameron continues to sprint in the direction of our cars. My laughter must have been infectious, because by the time we had made it to my car, Cameron was laughing along with me.

We must have looked like complete idiots to anyone who was seeing us just standing in the rain completely drenched and laughing like hyenas, but I didn't care. I felt free for the first time in forever, I felt undeniably happy. By this point, both Cameron and I were completely soaked from the never-ending downpour, but that was the least of our worries.

Eventually the laughter subsided, and Cameron set me down back on the ground. Now we were standing an inch away from each other, our bodies facing one another. My chest heaved as I attempted to catch my breath.

I looked into Cameron's blue orbs and gulped when I saw an emotion swirling around in them. The same emotion that I had seen in his eyes the night of Homecoming when he had first seen me in my dress when he had come to the house for group pictures before the dance. Before I could ask him if he was okay, the look disappeared, and I almost thought I had imagined the whole thing.

Cameron was the first to break our silence. "Um, we should probably get going...standing in the rain probably isn't the best idea." He rocks back and forth on his heels.

I feel disappointment rush through my veins and I look at the ground. The crushing feeling of knowing we would have to say goodbye now hit me. I shuffle my feet lightly before looking back up. "Yeah, you're right. I should go," I say.

Cameron's face looks almost pained, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't. I wait for Cameron to say something else, thinking he'd speak up, but he doesn't.

I sigh softly and nod my head, more to myself than anything, and open my car door. "Where's your car?" I ask.

Cameron points in the opposite direction. "Just down there a few spots, it's close. Don't worry about me, a little extra rain won't hurt," he says.

"Okay, okay," I say as I start getting into my car.

Before I shut my car door, Cameron leans down so that his eyes are level with mine. "Hey, text me when you get home, okay? I just want to make sure you get home safe in this rain," he implores softly; his eyes filled with sincerity.

I smile at him. "Okay, will do."