CAMILLA RENÉE
RESIDENCE HALL B.SATURDAY."If you missed me that much, you could've just said something. Different love languages, I guess, no complaints here."He chuckles darkly. I shudder and we're up against the wall.I choose to ignore his gentle stroke or the electrifying feeling it jolted down my spine.Instead, I shoved him harder and clamped my hands over his lips*Okay, I'm making a lot of poor choices today.*His eyes widened, giving me the hint that something surprised him. They only grew darker underneath my gaze.So what if Jimmy comes in here and finds Dylan? We're not together.It will be awkward as hell considering we were flirting over the phone and embarrassing too. I can't let that happen.Right on cue, a knock sounded at the door. I gasp and let go of Dylan, trying to spin away only to be tugged back in that position."Do that again."He whispers,CAMILLA RENÉESATURDAY.RESIDENCE HALL B."I don't reckon I'm speaking to a wooden plank? Are you even listening to me?""Yes, Miranda. I am."I clicked the power button, laying flat on the bed."What? Don't tell me he was a sloppy kisser"I snorted, keeping my eyes shut."I told you, he's not."I mumbled, folding both hands across my chest."Then what's the problem?"Dylan Emerton.I'm tempted to utter—But no."What makes you think there is?""What makes you think there isn't?"She fired. I chuckled and blinked back at her."He's a good kisser. He's understanding. Same major..."I recite then sigh."Okay, three pros. What are the cons?""None."I chirped. Another sigh."Then what's your problem, Camilla? Do you want a huge signboard screaming accept me?"I giggled and finally stood up."You seem so keen on me dating Jimmy."
CAMILLA RENÉESUNDAY."Did you get hit by a bus or watch a cat get killed? You look like shit."I slid into a booth, taking a space beside Miranda, ducking my head for a slice of pizza."Mood swings."I shrug my shoulders, lunging for another."Who did you meet up with?"She pulled my hand over her, clasping roughly, compelling my gaze on hers."If you ask politely, I might reckon to tell you."I bat my lashes, taking a page from Jimmy's book. Using humour to brush off awkward moments. It worked. Miranda arched both brows, then revoked her arm."I'll be back. I need to place my order. I'm thinking pepperoni. This chicken is not it."I push my lips down on each corner, forcing a tight smile. It's until I face my back against my best friend I'm able to let the mask drop and sniffle.Truth be told, I was one bus away from going back to the dorms and skipping the outing, but knowing Miranda, she'll bust
CAMILLA RENÉEVAN'S PIZZA PLACE.SUNDAY.You're twenty. Not a sixteen-year-old, put on your big girl pants and handle them.One. Two. Three. Four.I sprinkle some water on my face, gawking at my reflection in the compact mirror.Five. Six. Seven. Eight.They're waiting for me. I snatched a line of tissue and smeared it underneath my brows, fluttering my lids twice. I repeat the action until my face is less flushed and nearly dried up.Nine. Ten. Eleven. Twelve.I've got this.Straightening my shoulders, I sauntered out of the restroom and returned to the table.Dylan had taken my spot beside Miranda, and they were talking.Traitorous bastard. She should be angry. For me.Jimmy stayed silent on the other end, swiping through his cell phone.I cleared my throat, rendering my presence known to all three."I think we should get going, Miranda. It's getting late."She winced, f
DYLAN EMERTONNINE MONTHS EARLIER."We need to talk."I strike send and assess her. She picked up her cell and scanned through the text box. Her brows went up. Both of them. My heart flipped at the thought of getting a response, but then she slid it right back to the table as though I was nothing.Maybe I am. My throat went dry, and I reached for more tequila.Of course, she wouldn't text back? I hurt her. I've been hurting her.I'm such a fool."Hey Dylan, care for a dance?""Fuck off."I hissed, flipping my hand in her direction."A blow job maybe? I can make you feel real good. The best you've ever received."I cringed, scrunching my nose."I said fuck off.""We need to talk."I sent one more than the blonde sauntered off after my rejection.Again, she read it through. Only this time, the tiniest flicker of surprise reached her eyes. Maybe it's the alcohol getting to my brain.
DYLAN EMERTONEIGHT MONTHS EARLIER.I discern her without a sound, attentive enough to notice her every move, yet quiet enough not to get caught.Camilla Renée has twisted me into a stalker. An excellent one.I haven't gotten caught in over two months.I know her routine by heart. I'm good at this.I peak at her in classrooms, on her way back home, during lunch with Miranda, Kelly, Brandon, and her other fucking friends. Yes, I know their names. Full-on stalk mode.Graduation is today. It's silly because I looked forward to doing this. *Looked*I wrote it off as the day to let go.But after that night, I got more invested than ever. And today as we clasped our diploma and told goodbye to friends, I felt it was time to say goodbye to her. Close that chapter.Our silent exchange in the audience meant the world to me. We have roughly eight months before college. We'll be worlds apart and I practised my expressions ev
DYLAN EMERTON.MONTHS EARLIER.EMERTON MANSION."Morning."I grumble, gliding into an empty chair."Good morning, son."Dad peeps along with mother and Claire, who gawk hard at me.I gape at my food instead, having the appetite of an ape courtesy of the alcohol I had last night.I dozed off in that spot, got up in the middle of the night, and crawled my way to an actual bed.Arose with a heavy hangover. The only reason I'm putting food in my stomach is full-on body weakness."Dylan?"Claire hissed across from the table. My mother and father left moments ago to get set for work. It's just me and her now."What!?"I snarled, slipping on some ketchup on my fries."You look like shit."I snorted under my breath, lifting my head to glare, which only made her chuckle further."I'm glad to amuse you, dear cousin."I whirled my eyes, dipping my head away from hers and back
CAMILLA RENÉECAL-U.MONDAY.SEPTEMBER."The presentations will be due in about a week. I'll inform everyone exactly when they'll have to do so. It will account for a significant part of your grades, so put in your best."Mr Tony recounts referring to the board before diving fully into this week's lecture."Yes, Mr Quint?"I swerve my head to Jimmy at the mention of his last name, then flinch.He's already staring and smirking."There isn't a rule that states we can't use other psychology majors for our project, right?""No, there isn't. As long as you both turn in different presentations of the other.""Thank you, Sir."Jimmy shoots a wink in my direction and returns to his seat.The lecture goes on. I'm busy taking notes while my phone beeps every sixty seconds.I can take two guesses of who that might be.Jimmy and Mr Quint.At the fifth beep, I dig into my tiny bag and
CAMILLA RENÉEMONDAY."Camilla Renée, you are one confusing specimen."He starts, lifting me off the couch. Both legs wrap around his waist in their accord."How'd you figure?"I laugh, stuffing a fist into his hair then rolling as I wanted to since that day by the faculty. I toss my head back and moan."One would think you're shy."He puts in, burying his head by my neck, then taking a spin around proceeding further into the house.There's a long hallway ahead.I giggle. "Aren't I?""Reserved."He begins again, meandering to my ear, flicking his tongue over my lobes, then rolling. As he did before. Repeatedly. I moan and tug at his bareback, gouging my nails as far as they could go."But this Camilla is something else. Bold... Daring."He turns to one room and I sigh. "I am."Using his foot, he booted it open, crouching his knee so we could both go in with no obstruction."My be