More Than Enough

Chapter 4

Cami

I skipped lunch and went straight to art class. Mrs. Cazola didn't say anything, she just gave me a canvas and some paint. I'd known Mrs. Cazola for a while now and she could always tell when I wasn't feeling my best. She didn't question it or try to get me to talk, she just let me paint.

I stared at the blank canvas, but no ideas came into my head so I squirted out some paint and let my brush decide what to do. I turned off my brain and let my brush take control.

I didn't notice when the bell rang, or the bell after that. Mrs. Cazola approached me and only then did I realize that both class periods I'd spent in here were over.

"That's beautiful Cami," she told me.

I looked down at my painting. I'd painted a street light on a dark, rainy night. I had no clue where that came from, but there it was sitting in front of me.

"Thanks," I mumbled and started putting away my supplies.

"I'll get those," Mrs. Cazola told me. "You get to class."

I did as she said, although I felt bad about not cleaning up. Usually I left time for that, but I had been so zoned out today that I hadn't even realized class was over.

I felt a little lighter leaving the art room. Like just a little less weight rested on my shoulders. Art did that for me and Mrs. Cazola knew that. She understood that part of me unlike everyone else.

History went by in a blur and before I knew it, the final bell was ringing. I gathered my things and followed the flood of students out of the classroom.

"Where were you at lunch?" a familiar voice asked me.

I looked up and there was Nico, waiting for me across the hall.

"I went to the art room."

"Oh, cool."

Nico sounded slightly disappointed, but I didn't know what for.

"Rachel invited me to the football game on Friday to watch her cheer."

I winced.

"Yeah, she was talking about that last night."

"And you didn't warn me?" Nico teased.

I cracked a smile and shrugged my shoulders.

"Oh, you think this is funny? She and her group of minions cornered me while I was all alone and defenseless at lunch."

"Sorry."

My response came out with a giggle and Nico grinned.

"I like it when you smile," he said.

A blush rose to my cheeks and I let my hair fall forward to hide it. Nico laughed and brushed my hair back behind my ear.

"Don't hide," he said softly and something about his words made my stomach flutter.

Nico took my hand in his and led me the rest of the way to his car. He opened the door for me and closed it once I was in. My stomach did that stupid flutter again.

"I was thinking," Nico said when he got into the driver's seat, "when your family's at the game Friday, we should do something."

"Like what?" I asked as my heart rate jumped up.

"Movie night?" He suggested.

I shouldn't. I really shouldn't. If Rachel found out she'd be livid. But some part of me couldn't help but say yes.

"Cool," Nico said with a bright smile. "We can go over to my place after school."

I agreed and got out of the car when we reached my house. My mood had lifted dramatically in the last ten minutes and I couldn't help but smile as I walked to the door.

"Why is Nico giving you rides?" Rachel asked the minute I stepped inside. She wasn't usually here when I got home, I thought I'd have time before she berated me.

"I don't know. He offered after he found me walking in the rain."

It was then I realized that I still had his sweatshirt. I'd have to give it back to him tomorrow. I can't believe I'd forgotten to give it back. That was so rude of me.

Rachel scoffed and my attention was brought back to the living room.

"That doesn't make sense. Why would someone like Nico want to spend time with you?"

I shouldn't have let it, but that little jab really got to me. Why did he want to spend to spend time with me? Was it pity?

No. No Cami. Don't go there. Nico has been nothing but kind, don't just go assuming those things.

Before Rachel could say anything else, I sprinted up the stairs to my room. I wouldn't let her ruin this for me. Even if I also didn't believe Nico would want to spend time with me, he did, and I wasn't going to let her take that from me. I could have this one thing.

I jumped onto my bed and laid down. I felt something lumpy under me and pulled up Nico's sweatshirt. I brought it up to my nose and inhaled Nico's sweet scent. It wouldn't hurt to wear this one last time.

I slid the hoody on and snuggled into it on my bed. Enveloped in its warmth, I fell into a peaceful sleep.