Bittersweet Love

Chapter 9

Logan's point of view:

"Guys, that's not funny! Where are you?!"

"Logan?"

Surprised, I turn around. For some reason, Camille is standing in front of me and looks at me with a smile. "Why are you screaming like that?"

"I … um…" I'm totally confused, but I'm beginning to get a thought. Did the guys plan it? Camille comes closer to me. Now I realize how bad the last two weeks really were. I stretch out my arms a little hesitantly. Immediately she throws herself in my arms and I hold her as tight as I can. She strokes my cheek, my hair and looks at me lovingly. These touches and that look are enough for my tears to come. And yet I smile. My hands glide from her back down to her waist. Her hands are entwined in my neck. And then we just stand there.

"Now kiss her, you idiot!" I suddenly hear the voices of Kendall, James and, for some reason, Katie. Suddenly my anger is back. "I swear, guys, if you-"

Camille taps my shoulder and when I look at her, she grins. "You can kill them later."

Now I smile too. And then I kiss her. I can't describe how good that feels. Then the boys appear, along with Katie and Jo. All five are grinning at us. Kendall looks at his watch. "Okay, you have some time before we have to go back. So use this time."

I don't know what to say. Although I was so mean to them, they put this plan into action. I clear my throat in embarrassment. "Uh … Guys, what I said …"

James waves off. "Forget it, dude."

"But …"

"James is right. Besides, there is still time for that later. Now there are more important things to clarify. We pick you up when it's time to leave," Kendall says smiling. Then he waves to us and walks away. The others follow him. Shaking my head, I turn back to Camille. "Did you know about it?"

She shakes her head. "No. But I'm glad they did it." She sits down on the grass and I sit down next to her. She looks around. "Do you know where we are?"

I nod. "I didn't recognize it first. Everything looks different. But yes, I know where we are."

Camille smiles and I know that she is thinking of the same thing as me. Here, on this meadow, we have decided to finally leave our on-off relationship behind us. It has worked so far. And I'll do anything to keep it that way. Camille looks at me, but this time she doesn't smile. She looks worried. I know that she can see how much I have suffered in the last two weeks. I turn my head to the side. In a soft voice she asks, "Logan … How much have you slept lately?"

"Very much," I say, but I still don't look at her. She's silent. Frustrated, I say aloud, "Okay, I hardly slept and hardly ate anything. And yes, I cried. Are you happy now?!" I look at her, startled. There is no emotion in her face.

"I'm sorry, Camille. I … That time was terrible. I missed you so much and I was so scared that I would never see you again …" My voice begins to tremble and I can feel the tears coming back to me. The bland expression on Camille's face disappears. Now there is only love and compassion. She pulls me close to her. "Shhh. It's alright. Now everything is okay. I'm with you."

I rest my head on her shoulder and give free rein to my tears. Even if I wanted to stop, I couldn't. It even helps a bit. At some point, it stops suddenly. I raise my head and look at Camille. Somewhat ashamed, I say with a smile, "Sorry. I don't know what came over me."

She smiles. "The main thing is that you feel better."

"I do," I reply truthfully, kissing her cheek. "Thanks," I whisper, then add, "I love you."

Her eyes light up. That makes me smile.

"I love you too," she replies, kissing me passionately.