One Shots

Alicia and Cameron Byrd

            Pain courses through her veins and she shuts her eyes tightly. She balls her fits together and her nails dig into her palms. Behind her they laugh at her mocking the things she says. She chokes back tears and it becomes hard for her to breathe. “Just shut the fuck up already” Alicia hisses. They look at her and start laughing all over again. She starts crying and runs out of the room. She runs down the hall and past the lockers. She runs into the library and runs to the back and sits down in the corner and sobs. A few minutes later she hears laughing and she pulls her legs up to her chest and lays her head on the knees and continues to cry. Someone drops a book and she jumps and stifles a sob. “Are you okay?” Someone asked softly. “Go away” Alicia said. The boy looked at her. “Answer me…” He said. “Go away!” Alicia cried again.

            The boy picked up the book and then sat down next to her. “What’s wrong?” He asked. Alicia stayed quiet. “I’m not leaving until you tell me” The boy said. “And its last period and I have nothing to do after school so I can wait all day” Alicia was still quiet. “Alicia… Please tell me” He said. Alicia sighed and looked up; she was shocked to see Cameron Byrd sitting next to her. Cameron has been her crush for the past 9 months. “How’d you know it was me?” Alicia asked. “I’d know your voice anywhere” Cameron said smiling. Alicia blushed and looked down. “Now tell me… why were you crying?” Cameron asked. Alicia looked at him and she could see the look of concern in his eyes. With that look, she knew he genuinely cared…

            “I hate people and I hate school” Alicia said. “People are so rude and I don’t understand why…” “What happen, Alicia?” Cameron asked placing his hand on her shoulder. “I was sitting in study hall, minding my own business and not saying a single thing to anyone when this group of kid behind me started making fun of me. It was eight of them… two guys and six girls and they sat there laughing at me and making fun of me” Alicia said. She paused and took a deep breath. “They called me names… and they told me I’m fat and that I’m ugly and that even plastic surgery wouldn’t make me look good and they called me stupid. My so called friends just sat there and didn’t say anything… everyone else in the class was laughing at me. I tried to stay calm but I couldn’t take it anymore and so I got up and I ran out”

            Cameron was quiet as he just sat there staring at Alicia. “Why do you let it bother you?” Cameron asked. “After hearing it for so long… I can’t let it not bother me” Alicia said. “I’ve heard it too long… so it starts to get to me… and I finally broke down crying this time” “But it’s not true” Cameron said. “Yes it is…” Alicia mumbled. “No! It’s not!” Cameron cried. He realized they were still in the library and he lowered his voice. “It’s not true Alicia…” Cameron said. He took his hand off her shoulder and moved to where he was facing her. He put his book down next to him and grabbed Alicia’s hands. “Alicia” Cameron said. “Believe me… it isn’t true” “Then why would they say it?” Alicia asked. “Because they’re insecure about themselves so they want to make up lies about other people”

            “What if they aren’t lies?” Alicia asked quietly. Cameron sighed. “Alicia, look at me” Cameron said. Alicia looked up and Cameron stared right into her eyes. “Now listen to me closely” He said. “You are not fat or ugly. In my opinion, plastic surgery does not make people look better… it makes them look worse. And you don’t need it even if it did make people look better because you are gorgeous. Incredibly gorgeous. And you’re not stupid… you’re really smart! As for the names that they called you, you’re none of those either. And if your friends won’t stand up for you, maybe you need to get some new ones… I hate to say it but you might need to… Friends are supposed to stand up for each other and have each other’s backs. If yours don’t, then they’re not worth it… And no one is worth the pain you seem to be in right now. Not your friends, not your family, and certainly not those people who make fun of you”

            “You can’t really believe that…” Alicia said. Cameron nodded. “I really do” He said. “But why?” Alicia asked. “Because I know it’s true” Cameron said. “And because I love you” he added quietly. “Wait what?” Alicia asked. “Nothing” Cameron said quickly. “I didn’t say anything” “Yes you did…” Alicia said. “I said I love you” Cameron said quietly. “What?” Alicia asked. “I can’t hear you” “I love you! Okay? I, Cameron Byrd, love you, Alicia Hernandez!” Cameron said, quite louder this time. Alicia stared at him in shock. “Say that one more time…” Alicia said. Cameron sighed and let go of Alicia’s hands. “I believe everything I said because I love you… I have for eight months… I really do love you” Cameron said. Cameron looked away and tried to find something to distract him from just spilling his heart and soul out to her.

            “Cameron” Alicia said. “What?” Cameron asked. “Look at me” She said. Cameron shook his head. “Look at me” Alicia said again. Cameron shook his head again and laid back on the floor. “Cameron, just like you I have all day so we can do this the easy way or we can do this the hard way” Alicia said. Cameron placed his hand across his stomach and said nothing. “Alright, you ask for it” Alicia mumbled. She moved over next to Cameron and leaned down and kissed him. Cameron looked over at her. “I don’t need your pity” He said. “Cameron, please, that ain’t pity” Alicia said. “I love you too” Cameron sat up. “Really?” He asked. Alicia nodded. “For 9 months…” She said quietly. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Cameron asked. “Because I thought you hated me” “That’s crazy… I don’t hate you… I could never hate you” Cameron said.

            Cameron and Alicia were both quiet. “Do you believe me now?” Cameron asked. Alicia nodded. Cameron held out his arms and hugged Alicia tightly. “Promise me you won’t let them get to you anymore” Cameron whispered. “I promise” Alicia said quietly. Cameron smiled and kissed Alicia softly. “I love you” Cameron said smiling. “I love you too” Alicia said. She and Cameron stood up and headed back down the hall. “Here she comes! Hold onto something!” One girl yelled. Alicia looked at Cameron and he gave her a pleading look. She took his hand and squeezed it tightly and she shut her eyes. They continued walking right on by the group of kids and out the front door of the school. Once they got out Alicia opened her eyes and let go of Cameron’s hand. Cameron looked at her and took it again and smiled. “See, I knew you could do it” he said. Alicia smiled and kissed Cameron softly. “I love you, Cameron” She said. Cameron smiled. “I love you too”