The Tides That Join Us Together

Chapter 20: Evening After Snapshot

China

I watched as Cameron slammed his face into his notebook repeatedly.

"I know, Cam." I said. "I don't want to do this homework either."

"What the heck even is this?" he asked. "It's not hard, it's just a lot."

"I know, Cam." I said. "We have the same classes and the same homework. We can get through this together."

"I want to set this piece of paper on fire." he said. "Like right now." 

"Let's not do that." I said, continuing to write. "At least not today."

He groaned, also continuing to write. In total we spent about 3 hours at the table doing homework.

"Finally!" Cameron screamed, slamming his pencil down on the table and packing up his book bag.

"You good?" Sierra said, peaking her head up from the couch.

"I'm wonderful." Cameron said. "I'm gonna go put my stuff up and take a bath."

"Okay." I said. "I'm almost done here, so try to be quick."

"Don't rush me." he said, walking off. I giggled at my idiot best friend. The moment he came back down the stairs, I followed suit, putting my stuff up and also taking a bath. I came back down stairs to Cameron sitting on the couch next to Sierra, watching what she was.

"What's for dinner today?" I ask Sierra.

"I think momma is making baked potatoes, pork chops, green beans, and chicken stuffed egg rolls." she answered.

"So you don't think." I began. "You know."

"Shut up." she said.

"You shut up." I said back.

"No you."

"No you."

"No you."

"No you."

"Can y'all both stop?" Cameron asked. "Dinner is dinner, and that's that."

"Fine." I said. "But only because you asked so nicely and I love you."

"Thank you." he answered, crossing his arms over his chest and continuing to watch TV. Sierra being the oldest, just loved to start arguments with everyone else in the house. Why? I don't know. We spent an hour or two, watching TV while mom started cooking.

"My mouth is watering right now." Cameron said. "Can you see it? Can ya? Hm? Can ya?"

"Mine is about to be watering in a minute too." I said. "I'm so hungry."

"China China China!" Gabe yelled, running down the stairs.

"Hm?" I answered him as he sat down next to me.

"I made you this in class today." he said, handing me a card and a lollipop.

"You're so sweet, Gabe." I said, smiling at him, giving him a hug.

"You're my favorite sister." he whispered, making me hug him even tighter.

"Um." Sierra began. "Where's mine?"

"Since I'm not allowed to really say that I hate you or mom will blow her top.." Gabe began. "I'm gonna say that you are my least favorite sister."

"Ah shucks." Cameron said, struggling to hold back his laughter.

"Ouch." I said as Gabe gave me another hug before walking away. "Maybe you'll learn to be nicer to your siblings."

"This is why I only like Cameron." Sierra said.

"How could you not like me?" Cameron asked. "Check out these freckles. I'm a person magnet."

"Ya know what." Sierra said, standing up. "I'm sitting at the table early tonight."

"Byeeee." I said, waving, scooting closer to Cameron. I laid across his lap, staring at him. "Sooooo. You trynna tell me about this mystery girl?"

"China." Cameron said. "Really?"

"Yes really, Cameron!" I exclaimed, throwing my hands up in the air. "I'm your best friend! Tell me!"

"I don't even really know her." he said. "I've just caught her staring at me twice. She's in my class, but I never really noticed her until I caught her. She's cute though."

"You should find out her name." I said. "And then tell us tomorrow at lunch."

"What if I don't want to do that?" he asked.

"Then I will do it for you." I said.

"You don't even know what she looks like." he fights back.

"Okay." I began. "I'll find out, trust me."

"You're scaring me and I know you're crazy, so I'll just do it." he said, laughing. "I have a question for you though."

"Ask up." I said.

"Do you like Booboo?" he asked. I froze. Did I? I mean he was cute, he was funny, he was down to earth. "And I'm not talking about friendship like. I'm talking about like, like like, if that makes any sense."

"I.. uh.. um.." I stumbled over my words.

"You do!!!" he squealed. "That's so cute."

"I thought you hated him?" I ask.

"I never hated him." he answered. "And if you don't have a problem with him, then I don't have a problem with him. I just want to make sure that you're happy."

"Look at you trynna be sweet." I say.

"I'm always sweet." he said. "You know that."

"Ya know what we should watch one day?" I asked him.

"What?" he asked, curious.

"All three Cheetah Girls movies." I respond.

"You're lying." he says.

"I'm not." I say back. "I'm so serious."

"Well if that's what you wanna do." he said. "I'm down." My mom popped her head over the couch, scaring the mess out of both of us.

"Dinner is ready!" she yelled. Cameron quickly pushed me off of him, running to the dinner table.

"Sorry Chi!" he yelled. "I'm hungry!"

"You do that again and it'll be the last meal you ever eat!" I yell, running after him. Dinner went well tonight. Sierra wasn't arguing with anyone. It was full of light conversation. That's how it should be, always.