Chasing Astrid Malone

3. CAMERON BECK

Almost an hour had passed, and I wasn't sure if I'd taught Cameron anything.

We decided to wrap it up for the day either way. While Cameron put his books in his bag, I pulled out my phone to text Josh for a ride home.

Me: Hey, Jerk face. I had to stay after can you pick me up at school?

When I looked up from my phone, Cameron stood in front of me, with his bag slung over one shoulder, staring down at me. As he is at least a foot taller than me, I had to look up at him.

"So... I'll see you again Thursday, same time and place?" I finished speaking and looked up at him, waiting for a response.

Cameron didn't answer right away, and my stomach was in knots. His eyes seemed to be burning a hole through me, and my heart was pounding. What was this stupid boy thinking? Why couldn't he say goodbye and leave before I die of embarrassment?

Cameron leaned forward, getting uncomfortably close to my face with his. Instinctively I raised my hand and placed it on his shoulder to stop him from getting any closer.

He smirked at me as he grabbed my backpack off the chair and threw it over his other shoulder. "You coming, Astrid?" Cameron gestured towards the door.

My face felt hot again, and I knew I was blushing. "Oh, yeah, of course." I couldn't think of any excuse not to head out with Cameron, so I strode out of the library, walking side by side with him.

The halls were empty, and Cameron wasn't much of a talker. It was so quiet I could hear my heart thumping in my chest.

Just as I was convincing myself this would be over soon, and I could relax, Cameron put his arm around my shoulder. My whole body tensed up.

"Relax, Astrid. I'm not gonna bite you."

"I'm fine" I'm NOT fine! My head was getting fuzzy, and his scent was intoxicating.

We reached the doors to the student parking lot, and Cameron opened the door for me. Still looking at me with his heart-melting half-grin, like he found it amusing how flustered I was getting.

He stood next to me on the sidewalk without any sign, he would head to his car and leave me to collect myself.

"Is Josh coming?"

He must have read my text over my shoulder in the library. I pulled my phone out to check for a response from Josh. Nothing. Of course, the one time Josh isn't glued to his phone!

"I'm sure he'll respond any minute."

Cameron's facial expression lost its humorous look. For a moment, I thought he looked angry. Did he think he needed to wait for me to get picked up before he left? I wasn't sure what to say, but my skin was crawling in my discomfort.

"Let's go."

With my backpack still on his shoulder, Cameron started walking into the parking lot towards his car. After a few steps, he paused and looked back at me.

"It's ok. Josh will come get me."

I glanced from his brooding eyes to my backpack, thinking he must have forgotten he was still holding it.

"Is Josh your boyfriend?" His tone was severe but low.

"What? No! Josh is my older brother." It was none of his business either way. Who does he think he is? His lips turned up into a smile again, and his eyebrows raised slightly.

I wanted to be angry with this overly confident, cocky boy, but the butterflies in my stomach betrayed me. Cameron took a step towards me and held out his hand.

I wanted to turn and run. Cameron was looking at me as if I was easy prey. I hardly even know him. It didn't feel wise to get into a car with him. Had he been Gary from AP English Lit, I would have quickly declined and walked away.

He is a magnetic force. My heart pulls to him, but my head is not convinced. I rechecked my phone, hoping to see a text from Josh. No such luck.

With an audible sigh, I stepped forward and placed my hand in his, letting him lead me through the parking lot. He let out a laugh and grinned, seemingly satisfied with his victory.

Cameron drove an old black pickup truck. Unlike most of his friend's cars, there was nothing special about it. He tossed our bags behind the seats and held the door open for me to get in.

Driving out of the school parking lot, I gave Cameron directions to my house. Aside from the occasional "take a right at these lights," neither of us spoke.

I only live twenty minutes from the school, but every minute felt like five. Cameron's truck was spotless, and my senses were overwhelmed by the smell of him. Every inhale became intentionally to breathe in his scent.

"My house is the grey one on the left up there. Thank you for giving me a ride. I suppose next time I should make sure Josh knows ahead of time."

Cameron pulled into my driveway, and I noticed Josh wasn't even home. My mom is working, but Josh told me he would be home all night studying for finals.

"Something wrong?" Cameron was looking at me intently. He must have noticed my look of confusion.

"My brother isn't here. I hope he isn't at the school looking for me." I unbuckled and turned around to get my backpack from behind the seat, but it was not budging. Cameron laughed and quickly got out of the truck, walking around to my side.

He opened the passenger door and again held his hand out to me. Did he think I couldn't get out on my own?

My hesitation was amusing him. He grinned again and exhaled. "If you don't want to come out, you're welcome to come back to my house."

My face must have flushed red immediately because his smile widened. I put my hand in his, suddenly desperate to get into my house and away from his gaze.

As I was stepping down, with my hand in his, he placed his other hand on my waist to steady me but let go as soon as I was on the ground.

Cameron pushed the seat forward and pulled out my bag. While handing me the backpack, he said, "You sure you don't want to come with me? You could walk me through more math equations." His amused smile was still evident.

All my confusion suddenly cleared up. This Greek God of a boy wasn't flirting with me. He wanted the brainy girl to help him graduate. What was I thinking? He's so far out of my league. There's no way Cameron Beck would ever be interested in me.

"Thanks again for giving me a ride home, I have a lot of homework to get done, but I'll see you Thursday after school."

...

I closed my front door and watched Cameron drive away. I felt beyond stupid for entertaining the idea of Cameron suddenly being interested in me after four years of being invisible to him.

I dropped my face into my palms and shook my head. It only just occurred to me to check my phone, which was on silent. Four missed calls and ten text messages. SHIT!

I called Josh back, knowing he was worried. "WHERE ARE YOU!" He yelled into the phone at me. "I'm home. A friend from school gave me a ride. I forgot my phone was on silent. I'm so sorry, Josh. Please don't hate me."

The phone was quiet for a moment before he responded. "I'm on my way home. I'll be there soon," he hung up before I could say anything else.

Josh walked in the door and saw me at the table doing my homework. Luckily he had the drive home to calm down, knowing I was safe. "You scared the crap out of me, kid. I was in the shower when you texted. You know I would have picked you up as soon as I saw your text."

"I'm sorry, you still love me?" I smiled guiltily.

"Well, duh!" He hung up his keys and went upstairs.

I hated making him worry. I should have turned down Cameron's offer. No amount of studying or following the rules could have prepared me for Cameron Beck.