The Dreams Between Us (Formerly "Almost")

Sometimes I catch myself wondering how I ended up juggling early morning swim practices, a full course load, and the whirlwind of campus life-all while carrying the weight of expectations from a dad who once dominated professional hockey and a mom who's a force in the fashion world. Maybe that's why I'm so good at keeping my guard up, hiding behind perfect times in the pool and a quick, practiced wit.
I first crossed paths with Cam Reid after being dragged to a party the night I moved into my freshman dorm. He was everything the rumors promised: a hockey phenom with a magnetic pull and a reputation for effortless charm, especially with the ladies. But after a horrible pick-up attempt, I did what the rest of the girls at the party would deem unthinkable-I turned him down, making it clear I wasn't interested in being just another story for him.
But instead of turning away, Cam proved himself to be more than a headline or a rumor. We built something real-a steady, solid, and surprisingly uncomplicated friendship.
But that's the thing about lines drawn in friendships-they're not always as permanent as you think. One night, everything changed, and the laughter and late-night talks began to blur into something I couldn't quite define, and suddenly, every instinct to keep things platonic began to feel impossible to follow.