Terrified of Love

Chapter 4

[Next Day: Clayton Prep]

I'm walking on campus when my phone chimes...

Jeremy Tuba:

You got this!!!!!!

I smile before I look around, "Excuse me? Why is no one in uniform?" I ask

"Casual dress day" She says

"Great" I whisper

[Lunch]

I'm waiting in line for lunch, "May I help you?" He asks

"Yeah, could I get a slice of pizza, please?" I ask

"Sure thing. That'll be twenty three convenience points" He says

"What's a convenience point?" I ask

"They're on your flex card" He says

"Okay, um, yesterday was my first day and I brought my lunch. So, do you take cash?" I ask

"No, sorry. Convenience points only, but there is a vending machine around the corner" He says

"Great" I say

I'm at my locker and I can't get it open, "Try 32-12-17" I hear a guy tell me

I try it and it opens, "How did you know?" I ask

"Because that's my locker" He says

"Great" I say and shut it

"Bad day?" He asks

"Bad week. This place is impossible. The classes are hard. The toilets are, like, hidden. What is a convenience point? What's wrong with real money?. You Clayton people too delicate to touch actual cash? I've been surviving off of granola bars and peanuts I found in my pocket" I say
"Actually, this is a nut free campus" I give him a look which causes him to chuckle, "Sorry. I think they hide the bathrooms on purpose. Sends the message that we're too fancy to take a dump" He says

I stick my hand out, "I''m Cameron" I say

He shakes my hand, "Nate" He says

"It's nice to meet you, Nate. You're, like, the only...halfway nice person I've met" I say
"Halfway nice?" He asks

"I'm being cautious" I say
"Well, that's no fun" He says

Then Izzie walks up, "Nate" She says

"Hey" He says before she kisses him

"I see you met Newton" She says

"I thought your name was Cameron?" He asks

"Bye, Newton" Izzie says as the walk away

"It is, it's Cameron. It's Cameron" I say to myself

[Next Day]

I walk up to the lunch counter, "Hello again" He says

"I got a stupid flex card" I hand it to him, "Can I eat now?" I ask

"You sure can" He swipes it, "In 48 hours" He says handing it back

"What?" I ask

"There's a holding period. I'm sorry. But there is a vending aching around the corner—" I cut him off, "I know that. Yeah" I say and walk away

I sit at a table and sigh. Then a slice of pizza appears, "Oh, dear god" I say

Nate hands it to me and sits across of me, "Yup, it's why I got a large" He says

"Thank you, I will eat this whole thing" I open the box, "You can have my granola bar and pocket nuts" I say before I take a bite

"48 hour waiting period?" He asks

"Yes. It's easier to get a handgun than lunch at this place" I say

"You know, it may not feel like it, but I know the track team's glad you're here" He says

"You're right. It doesn't feel like it" I say

"You should've heard them after you broke that record. It's why Izzie is so threatened, you're faster than her" He says
"Should you really be saying that about your girlfriend?" I ask

"I won't tell if you don't" He says

[Home]

I walk out the front door to see Dad and Sam eating cookies, "Oh, give me one" I grab one and sit down next to Sam, "What's up?" I ask

"Paige broke up with me" Sam says

"Oh...I didn't know you were back together" I say
"I don't even know if we were. I know it was just a casual relationship, but it was still nice to know that Paige was there if I needed her" He says

"I'm sorry, Sam" I say
"Me too" Dad says

"Me too" Sam says

"Hey...do you want to go watch the penguin cam thing?" I ask

"Okay. If the wind picked up, the father might have shifted positions" He says excited, heading inside

"Wow, that would be crazy" I say

"You're a good kid" Dad says

"Shut up" I say

"Give me twenty bucks, I won't tell anybody" He says

"Get our of here, you're so stupid" I say

"He did! He's in a different position! Come look!" Sam yells before my dad heads inside

As I stand up, my phone chimes...

Nate:

Lunch tomorrow?

I text back a thumbs up before I head inside and watch the penguin cam