Just A Dare

Chapter 29: Faith

Chapter 29: Faith
It's been 3 months since I've talked to Devin. It's been 4 months since Cameron and I broke up.

I remember the night when I left the cabin so clearly. It took me several hours until I arrived at Cameron's house. 

"Cameron?" I shouted while I furiously knocked on the door. I was so worried about him. I didn't want him to leave.

The door opened, and I was met with Cameron's mother. Her eyes were puffy and she plastered a frown on her face. "Faith - " I interrupted her.

"Where is he?" I asked, frantically. 

She looked at me with sad eyes. "Faith -" Again, I stopped her. I knew what was going to happen.

"At least let me say goodbye."

Hesitantly, she opened the door, and let me in. I ran past her and into Cameron's room. His room was plain now, with clothes packed in a suitcase, boxes filled with pictures -- memories. And there in the middle of the room stood him. He looked so distraught with his hair and clothes disheveled.

Cameron looked at me, and unconsciously, my feet brought me to him and my arms wrapped around his neck.

He wrapped his arms around me and landed a soft kiss on the temple of my forehead. "Everything will be okay," he said.

And I cried because we both knew this was the end.

For the first few weeks, Cameron and I kept in touch as friends. But it didn't last very long since he needed to adjust to his new life. From pictures I saw on social media he was back to his cheery self, with new pairs of friends.

Me, however? I just indulged myself in my studies.

The heartbreak was unreal, and I constantly butchered myself for allowing it to happen. I was letting go, slower than Cam, clearly.

There was no more time for boys, I told myself. Connor constantly tried to be around me, but I avoided him non-stop, and to avoid him, I needed to avoid Connor as well.

It was April now, one more month before the school year ended. I was applying for internships; anything to keep me busy in the summer -- my mind away from stress. I needed to focus on college applications, start saving up to take the SATs and ACTs.

"Earth to Faith!" A hand waved in front of me. It was Ali.

"Yes?"

"You were zoning out again," she said. We were sitting on the bleachers of the football field. I made it out new spot since I just wanted to avoid anyone I knew in the cafeteria, like Devin.

Devin.

It has been so long, and yet, whenever he came to my mind --quite frequently, actually-- I couldn't help but recall all the laughs and smiles with him. Our schemes for him to get back with Rosemarie. I'm sure he got her back already, I mean, who wouldn't? He was just so much fun. He taught me how to snowboard too. A real keeper.

"Faith!" It was Ali again. "Stop doing that."

"I'm sorry, there's just a lot on my mind today for some reason."

"Does it have anything to do with the date today?"

I raised a brow, "huh?"

"A certain someone's birthday; he who shall not be named."

"Oh." Cameron. "I forgot."

Suddenly, the bell rang indicating the end of lunch break. I quickly packed my things and started to make my way down the bleachers.

"Anyway, I'll see you, Ali! Love you!" I ran quickly, avoiding any conversation about Cam. A girl can be bitter.

Faintly, I heard Ali mutter some swear words behind me.

****

His mop of messy brown hair stood out like a sore thumb... or maybe, it was just me. Devin sat a few rows ahead of me in literature class.

Why do I keep thinking of him?

He was never even my friend. Just because I spent numerous times in his room, making plans such as calling Rosemary and saying that I just had split personalities; or ignoring our plans to do something else fun like watch a movie or study together, --- didn't mean we were friends. As a non-friend, I didn't know that his eyes were the color of creamy coffee with specks of caramel; and when he smiled, it was always a soft and genuine smile behind those pearly whites. Because I was never his friend.

My hand went up to my mouth and found that I was smiling like a little girl.

Lord.

I did miss him.

"You will work in pairs for this project," Miss Benson said. She then starts handing out a paper with the pairs written on it.

I receive the paper after a while, and drag my finger down the list, finding mine.

Dawson, Faith

Next to it.

Tuckerson, Devin

My eyes widened, and slowly I lifted them to meet his. He was already looking at me by then.

My heart pounded furiously, and I no longer remembered our schemes to get Rosemary, but rather the time in the ski trip. The feel of his touch on my waist as he helped me balance on the snowboard. The closeness of him when he landed on top of me. The way his eyes shone brightly with curiosity and excitement.

How he almost kissed me.

And how I wanted it then.

Then I realized why I avoided him for so long as we stared at each other from across the classroom.

I was not scared of Connor being around him.

No, I was afraid of him.

I watched as Devin stood up, and slowly approached me through the crowd of other students approaching their pairs. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, but that did not help my rapid heartbeat.

"Hey Faith," he was sitting in front of me now. He managed to grab a chair beside me.

"Hello, Devin."

Devin smirked and I couldn't help but notice how handsome he was.

"I hope your skills for this project isn't as bad as your snowboarding."

I let out a laugh, and he smiled that soft and genuine smile.

Everything's going to be okay.