Ramsey woke up early on Saturday, he had left his blinds open and so the sun came streaming through his windows, dragging him out of a sleep. He had stuffed his head under his pillow in a semiconscious state in order to try and hold onto his dream, but the more he tried to remember what was happening the further it slipped away; he groaned in frustration before jumping out of bed and ruffling his hair.

He stretched up, standing on his tiptoes and grazing his fingertips on the ceiling before scratching his bare back and pulling his red flannel pyjama bottoms up as they were resting lazily on his hips. His dark brown almost black hair was tossed about and his eyes had a sleepy look to them, their green was dull as he made his way down stairs to the kitchen to make some coffee. His soft feet padded lightly on the glossy hard wood floor.

He remembered when he used to have sock races across the shiny surface with his cousins during family parties. Back when his mother wasn't estranged from her sister the way she was now.

The coffee pot had already been heated and brewed by his mother before she left for Guam on business that morning and his father was who-knows-where, but it was cold now. He grabbed a mug from the hunter green cabinets and poured himself a cup, heating it up in the microwave before heading back up to his room. Ramsey put his white mug down on his bedside table. He changed into a pair of athletic shorts and sneakers, grabbed his wireless head phones, and picked up his phone. The pad of his thumb scrolled through his contacts until he found the one he wanted. His room was big, with white walls and a white bed, but the sheets were a grey. His curtains were red and his desk was red and his book shelves hung on the wall held more CDs and old records than books. On a table in the far left corner was a stereo and running machine.

Making his way over to the treadmill he clicked on the name and began to type.

Hiya Ivy xox

He waited for a few moments to see if she would reply right away, when she didn't he put on some music and began his morning workout. It was mainly a light jog, but he always set the incline pretty high to make it worth his while. Usually running was pretty peaceful, the way he cleared his mind to start each day. And he needed to clear his mind if he wanted to keep getting up in the morning. Still, this run wasn't as relaxing as usual because he kept checking his phone for the next forty-five minutes for her response.

By the time he was done, there was still nothing and he forced himself to ignore his disappointment. In fact, he told himself he wasn't even disappointed, I don't care what Cameron Haveryard does with her Saturdays.

He checked one more time after downing his lukewarm coffe before tossing his phone onto his bed and digging around in his drawers for a clean shirt, boxers and jeans and going through the door to the ensuite bathroom, equipped with a shower. When he came out again his hair was damp, he was wearing a plain black t-shirt (he purposefully picked one that was on the tighter side) with a pair of comfy dark wash jeans Alana always said man his ass look great. His feet now were covered in thick grey socks, a hole on the left heal made it so he kept feeling the cold of the air every time he lifted his foot from the carpet. His mother would have a stroke she ever saw it. Luckily he'd taken over doing his own laundry sophomore year after realizing that his housekeeper had been instructed to throw out clothes his mother didn't like without even asking him. He hurried over to the bed to check his phone.

Ivy League: Well you're up early

He smirked down at the screen and quickly went to answer

Ramsey: Only because I wanted to bother you ;)

Ivy League: Congratulations! You did! :'(

Ramsey: B)

Ivy League: Can I help you with something?

Ramsey could see her rolling her eyes, biting on her bottom lip trying to restrain a smile from crossing her face.

Ramsey: I thought, if you were free you could come over, my parents aren't home ;)

Ivy League: Hah! Funny!

Ramsey: Okay, fine, but really you should come over.

Ivy League: Why?

Because I want you to

Dots popped up but then vanished. Then popped up again. He didn't know why he'd even texted her this morning. This was just a contractual arrangement and what was his father always telling him? "Never mix business with pleasure, Ramsey. It just makes everything messier for everyone." Besides he and Cammie weren't even friends. She had made that abundantly clear to him. He was just about to tell her he was joking when she finally she responded.

Ivy League: Fine.

Ramsey: Be here at 10!

Ivy League: Will do

Ramsey: See you soon Ivy ;)

Ramsey: Xxxxxxxx

Ivy League: Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ramsey: Ew

Again the little three dots in the bubble come up, and he waited for her to reply, he stared at them, for close to three minutes, but then they went away. She obviously couldn't come up with a good comeback. Ramsey: 1 Cammie: 0

Ramsey ran his fingers through his hair and checked his reflection in the mirror. His green eyes were excited and smug that he had been able to get Cammie to agree to come over so quickly. He didn't really know why he wanted her to come over, it wasn't like they were in a real relationship where he wanted to spend some time with his adorable girlfriend; although Cammie was adorable, that was besides the point.

Still smiling slightly, he headed down the hall to the pink door on the landing. There was a poster on it with the singer Pixie Lott, stickers of fairies were scattered around it and there was a little pink sign hung on the door knob saying 'The Princess is sleeping' is fancy script. Ramsey had been the one to paint it pink and once again his mother had had a heart attack when she saw it. It was a month later, since she'd been in South Korea on business, but still he'd lost his allowance for the duration of the following month. It was worth it though.

His heart gave a pang at the memory of tiny pink finger prints poked across his cheeks, nose, and forehead, "Now you have freckles like me Amsey."

With a sigh, he knocked on the door lightly, and when no answer came he walked in. The walls of the room were pink too, the floors were whitewashed wood and a purple rug in the shape of a butterfly was spread out on the floor. In the corner near the door there were Barbies set up in their summer houses, a stuffed unicorn just laid on the floor next to them. The light in the centre of the room was a pink crystal chandelier, more posters of Pixie Lott hung above the bed as well as pictures of ponies printed off the internet. Ramsey could see the caramel brown hair of the little girl, her back was to him and the rest of her body was hidden under the white and lavender quilt.

"Colleen?" Ramsey whisper taking a step closer. The girl didn't move. "Colleen?" Ramsey tried again slightly louder, and an arm came up from under the covers as she turned over in her sleep and let out a little mumble.

Her slightly tanned face was fully slack, her puffy lips were parted slightly, and long eyelashes were a little crooked from being rubbed during the night. Ramsey sighed and started to back out of the room. He didn't want to wake her. Ramsey shut the door behind him, happy that his little sister was still sleeping and not going to be up when Cammie arrived, she was shy, but could be the noisiest little thing when she felt comfortable.

A pest really, Ramsey thought both snakily and fondly in his head.

He headed back downstairs and then down to the basement hangout and turned on the flat screen TV in the den where he and the boys would chill. He grabbed a bottle of water from the mini fridge and settled on the navy couch, keeping an ear open for Cammie's knock.

Ramsey sprinted to the front door skidding to a stop on his socks. He pulled his shirt down to calm himself before opening it. Cammie is stood in front of him. Her dishwater blonde hair was in messy natural waves down her back, her eyes big and blue in the sun's light, reminding him of Bambi. She had on a pair of dark, stretch yoga pants and a big grey knit sweater. She has a small grey leather purse slung over her shoulder. The corner of her mouth turned up slightly in a cute crooked smile that revealed a tiny dimple on her chin.

"Hey," she broke the silence with a small wave, her hand basically hidden by the sleeve of the sweater which Ramsey can't help but find irresistibly and utterly adorable.

No, this is business.

"Hey there Ivy League," Ramsey said with a smirk before pulling her inside and closing the door. Cammie looked around Ramsey's house, it was huge and everything looked really expensive. She remembered from when they were younger and the few times she'd come to his house that Ramsey was wealthy, but the years between them had made her forget just how rich he was. The long driveway paved with light brick had quickly reminded her as she pulled in.

"You're rich." she stated and immediately blushed, the rudeness of her comment struck the moment it was out of her mouth.

Ramsey chuckled looking down at her, "My parents make a lot of money." He said casually, though his shoulders seemed a little stiff as he lead her into the kitchen. She nodded her head in understanding not wanting to ask anything else and grateful that he dismissed the topic so readily. She put her bag on the grand oak table in the kitchen.

"Would you like a coffee? Espresso? Latte? I can make you a cappuccino," he said with a smirk and she smiled.

"I would love a cappuccino!" she said with excitement and Ramsey began to make himself busy with the machine on the counter next to what looks like a coffee pot, a high tech coffee pot. He kept stealing glances at Cammie out of the corner of his eyes as he made them both a hot drink. She looked around the room with interest, like somehow she could find all his secrets in his kitchen. Perhaps the reason she was here in the first place.

She couldn't believe Ramsey had asked her to come over, on a Saturday no less. Let alone that she had caved so easily to the request. It was against her rules, well kind of. She didn't feel like she should be there. While she wasn't sure what his exact motives were, she was sure that they both had reasons for their arrangement that were far from romantic.

Ramsey brought two silver shakers out of the cabinet. They looked like salt and pepper shakers, but bigger, he turned to Cammie

"Would you like Cinnamon or chocolate powder on you cappuccino?" he asked, holding up the shakers. Cammie thought about and Ramsey watched as her eyes skipped between the two options, he could see the cogs turning in her brain as she tried to decide.

Cameron is indecisive, he thought to himself and enjoyed storing the nut of information away.

"Both please." She said finally and smirked at him. He raised his eyebrows, in mock surprise.

"Sweet and spicy, both it is." He gave her a quick wink before sprinkling both onto the froth of the drink and placing it on the table in front of her.

Cammie smiled and thanked him. Ramsey took a seat opposite her at the table. Neither of them said anything. Ramsey could see that Cammie was finding it awkward, it was clear that she found a lot of things awkward when no one else did, but he thought it was actually quite funny... or cute, if he was to be completely honest.

"What exactly did you call me over for?" Cammie asked not looking up the boys face. She scooped a bit of froth off of the top of her cappuccino with her finger and popped it in her mouth and then took a sip. Ramsey smiled, he didn't want to admit it earlier but really he just wanted to see her.

"I wanted to see you Ivy League. Is that a crime?" Cammie looked up with a puzzled expression. Ramsey smirked at her, he did that a lot when he wanted to seem confident and he hoped she thought of it that way. Confident.

"I don't understand." She said taking another sip from her mug.

"We're just hanging out today." he replied and she blushed "it's just you and me..." he whispered leaning forward. Words could not describe how much he relished in making her blush and the pride he felt at seeing her eyes widen as his face inched closer to hers. Ramsey could feel his own pulse start to quicken up a little bit, he wasn't going to kiss her, he could tell she thought he was, but he wouldn't waste one of his three (or two remaining) kisses on this moment.

The kiss in the hallway at school flashed before him. Her lips on his, soft and warm while her waist in the palm of his hand seemed like the stem of a daisy. Delicate, smooth, precious.

And the only chance he had at saving what little he had in this life.

"Ramsey?" both of them turned their head to see a little girl stood in the door way to the kitchen. She was wearing cotton pajama bottoms and a t-shirt with a Hershey Kiss on it. Her eyes were wide looking at the close proximity of the her brother's face to the girl she'd never seen before. Her cheeks were slightly pink, but after a few moments a small smile started to spread across her face. She ran over to Ramsey and squeezed onto his lap. She smirked up at him and then looked back at the girl in front of her. Ramsey rolled his eyes at his little sister.

"Cammie, this is my little sister Colleen." Cammie smiled brightly at the girl, "Colleen, this is my girlfriend Cammie." Ramsey said. Colleen's eyes were glued to the older girl in front of her. She was very pretty, pretty like her Barbie. Not like fake pretty, not like Alana. Alana had never smiled at her like that.

"Hi." She whispered tilting her chin down and looking up at Cammie through her lashes.

Cammie giggled, "Hi," Cammie replied her voice light and airy. Ramsey was only slightly annoyed that his sister had woken up, he had really wanted to spend some alone time with Cammie for a little bit, but that would clearly have to wait.

"Ramsey, why didn't you tell me you had a girlfriend?" Colleen asked turning to look at her big brother, she whispered the last word like it was a secret and Ramsey chuckled. He and Cammie had been going out for a while now, but he hadn't told his sister yet because he hated the idea of lying to her. Still, he knew it was essential for her to believe that he and Cammie were dating in case his parents ever asked her. But Colleen got attached to people and to things and he didn't want her to get attached to Cammie.

"Sorry Collie." He said with a smirk and shrug, she pursed her lips

"Collie is a dog breed." She said patiently as though her understanding her brother was undoubtably slow. Sadly they had been through this before, but Ramsey stilled called her the ridiculous nick name.

Ramsey shrugged again and she let out a sigh, "Cammie do you want any waffles?" Collen asked with a peachy grin, her greenish-hazel eyes shining, Cammie smiled politely.

"No that's okay, but thank you." Colleen looked up at her brother.

"Can you make waffles?" she asked him anyway and Ramsey huffed.

"Fine. If I have to." She clapped her hands and jumped off his lap. Once he was near the fridge she got back onto the chair, folding her hands together and resting them flat on the table. She stared at Cammie again.

"So how old are you?" Cammie asked leaning in.

"Eight. It was my birthday yesterday"

"Really?"

"Mhmm,"

"Well then, happy birthday." Colleen smiled

"No," Ramsey chimed in not bothering to turn back to them, "It was her birthday two weeks ago and she has said it was "yesterday" everyday since. Don't let her dup you Ivy." Two weeks ago, around the time someone dumped Cammie's private thoughts down a stairwell.

Cammie laughed in shocked and looked at the innocent little girl in front of her who at least had the decency to look bashful that she'd been caught lying.

"Is that true?" Cammie asked in a mock stern voice that she knew Colleen would find funny.

Colleen giggled behind her tiny little hands and nodded, "Yes."

Cammie shook her head, but Colleen continued the conversation, "And how old are you?"

"I'm 17, my birthday is in November." Cammie replied and Colleen smiled, she loved birthdays and parties and presents. It was pretty much the only time when her parents were around, they didn't even hang around for Ramsey's birthdays anymore. Ramsey said it was because he told them not to, they needed to spend time working and he didn't mind. Colleen wasn't sure she believed him though... he always had this look when he told her, something that he had when he was lying.

"Are you going to celebrate?" she asked excitedly and Cammie laughed, Ramsey was pulling the cooked waffles out of the toaster, which she found funny because she had thought he was going to make them from scratch for some reason. Ramsey was listening though. Cammie's birthday was in November, he would have to find out when exactly.

"Um, I don't know, I was thinking about having a little party..." she said thoughtfully, she couldn't have that big a party, not a house party, who would come to her party? She was just Cammie Haveryard. Cammie Haveryard with two friends...Cammie Haveryard with a fake boyfriend. Cammie with... Ramsey Stone. Perhaps she could have a party...? Maybe. But did she even want one?

"Can I come?" Colleen looked at Cammie with pure joy.

Ramsey came to her rescue, "You can't come to high school party Collie." He placed a plate of waffles in front of her. The smell was divine, little blue berries were scattered over the top, but what really drew your eye was the butter melting into the soft golden surface of the waffles, maple syrup drizzled over the top of all the yummy goodness.

"Why?"

"Because there are boys." Ramsey said with a disgusted face that he thought Colleen would go along with, she grinned at him, a mouth full of waffles.

"I like boys now!" she said shoving in another fork full of food. Fear seemed to seep into to Ramsey's skin, into all of his pours. Cammie winced as he shook his head in panic.

A father's or in this case, the brother's worst nightmare. How could Colleen like boys? She was only eight! Weren't girls meant to be like, 'Eww boys are gross' at this age? Oh no. What if Ramsey had made her like this? Maybe she was going to be a play boy- or playgirl, or whatever. Ramsey's head was full of all these thoughts.

Cammie decided to take pity on the poor guy, "Colleen, but don't boys sweat?" Cammie asked wrinkling her noise and leaning back on her chair. Ramsey's eyes darted over to her, Colleen shrugged, but was still more engrossed in her waffles.

"I guess..."

"And they get muddy." Cammie adds shaking her head in playful disappointment at the male species

"Yeah that's true, Thomas B. was digging for worms at recess and Mrs. Mathews yelled at him and made him sit on the bench."

"He did?" Cammie gasped in shock, "And they tease you too don't they?" Cammie followed up with, she glanced up and Ramsey grinned cheekily at her. Oh yes boys tease at any age, Cammie thought.

"Oh! And they pick their noise too!" Colleen shouted with a giggle.

"We do not!" Ramsey protested, but both girls just rolled their eyes and sighed, Colleen finished her waffle.

"You're right Cammie. Boys are gross, why did I like boys?" Colleen asked and Ramsey looked at Cammie. She wasn't looking at him anymore and the two girls continued the conversation, but he had stopped listening, all he saw was Cammie.

How had she done that? Sure eight year olds were easy to persuade sometimes, but not like that, and definitely not his little sister. Cammie was smiling and laughing at Colleen and something about her smile was warm and inviting and it made Ramsey want to scoop her up and twirl her around as if they were on a dance floor. One day, he thought, one day that is exactly what I'll do. In fact, the thought of dancing with Cammie reminded him of something he had been needing to ask her since the start of this whole thing. Perhaps today, with it going so well, was the perfect time to do it. He was pulled out of his thoughts as Colleen started yanking on his arm.

"Ramsey, where is JP?" she asked.

"In the house." Ramsey answered.

Colleen jumped up from the table and rushed out of the room shouting over her shoulder, "I'll go get dressed! I want to take him for a walk!"

A/N: Thank you for reading! Don't forget to vote if you enjoyed this chapter and comment if you have thoughts <3