chapter thirteen!

filler chapter - written by me!

THE NEXT DAY, MIA WAS SMILING EAR TO EAR AS she made breakfast.  She still couldn't believe that Cam was her boyfriend, let alone she was going on a date with him tonight. "What's got you all smiley today?" her mom asked, pouring herself a cup of coffee. "Not what, Mom. Who." Alex answered. "Alex!"

"What? She asked a question."

"Who is it?" her mom asked, causing Mia to sigh. "It's Cam." The woman gasped, her eyes widening. "When did this happen?"

"Last night."

"It took that long?" her father questioned, causing Mia to laugh.  "Yes, Dad.  It did take a while."  She plated her breakfast, making herself a cup of tea.  "So do you have anything planned with him?"

"He's taking me on a date tonight."

"My baby's going on a date. Can you believe it, honey?" her mother beamed. "Just know that if he breaks your heart, I won't hesitate to beat him up."

"Dad! He won't, I promise. He's too sweet to ever do that to me." While Mia ate her food, Alex smiled at his phone. He was planning to meet up with Sam later to stargaze at the beach, like they did the year before. "And what's got you smiling, mister?" their dad asked. "Alex is gonna hang out with Sam later."

"Mia!"

"What? He asked a question."

Soon enough, night had fallen.  Cam was outside the Knight household. He wore a blue button up shirt, beige dress pants, and converse. Okay, Cam. Just knock on the front door and don't be shy, he thought to himself. Knocking on the door, it swung open, revealing Mia's dad. "Hi, Cam. Please come in. Mia, Cam's here!"

"I'll be down in a minute!" Mia called out from upstairs. "So where are you taking her?" her dad asked. "Well, Mr. Knight. I can't tell you. It's a surprise." Cam whispered. "Got it." her dad whispered back. Mia's mom came down the stairs, "Hi, Cam. Hey, honey." she stated, kissing her husband.

"I'm ready!" Mia came down the stairs, wearing an orange satin dress, yellow plaid platforms, and her natural hair. Cam was speechless, his cheeks a bit red. She looks really pretty, Cam thought to himself. "Cam? Are you okay? Are you sick-"

"No, no! You look really beautiful, I lost my breath for a minute." Mia felt her cheeks flush, making her smile. "Thank you! You look handsome. Should we get going?"

"Um, yeah. We should. Good night, Mr. and Mrs. Knight!"

"Good night, Cam! Have her back by 11!"

"Dad!"  Cam opened the front door for her, causing Mia to giggle, "Thank you, Cameron."

"No problem, Knight."

The two went to a drive - in movie night, seeing a screening of "Enchanted".  Mia was busy paying attention to the film while Cam was paying attention to her.  "Are you liking the movie so far?" she asked him, breaking him out of a trance.  "What? Yeah, I do."

"Really? Then what just happened in the last scene?"  Cam opened and closed his mouth, unable to answer.  "Alright, alright.  I wasn't paying attention.  Can you blame me though? I have the cutest girlfriend in the world sitting right next to me."

"I can't blame you.  I mean, have you seen me?" The two continued to watch the movie together, applauding when it came to an end.  "This was really nice."

"The night's not over yet.  I still have something planned for us."  Mia raised an eyebrow, looking at him.  "And what is that exactly?"

"It's a surprise."

"Cam, you told me that yesterday.  Can't you just give me a hint?"

"Mia, I think it's better if I keep it a surprise.  Just trust me, okay?"  Mia sighed, looking at him.  "Okay. You're lucky you're cute."

"Oh, so I'm cute now? I'm flattered." Mia playfully rolled her eyes, kissing him on the cheek. "Yes, you're cute. Now, show me that surprise."

"As you wish, m'lady."

ALEX AND SAM WERE SITTING ON THE BEACH as Sam went on and on about the history of stars. Alex tried to pay attention but he couldn't ignore the voice in the back of his mind. Just tell him how you feel, it whispered. But there was some fear gnawing at him, swallowing him whole.  "You okay, Alex?" Sam asked, making him snap out of his thoughts.   "Yeah, I'm okay."

"Are you sure?" Alex wanted to lie, he wanted to go with the voice screaming at him.  He couldn't tell him, even if it hurt him.  "I'm - I can't."

"What do you mean?"

No, no, no.  He mustn't, he shouldn't.

"I don't want to talk about it, okay? Just - let's just continue stargazing."

"Alex, no.  What's going on?"  He took a deep breath, staring down at the sand.  "The truth is... I like you.  I really, really like you.  I've liked you since I first met you last summer.  I didn't know when I'd ever tell you this but it's been eating me alive all summer.  I couldn't hide it from you so I'm telling you now."  Sam looked at him, his cheeks tinted pink.  "You... you like me?"

"Yes, I like you.  And - and if you don't feel the same, it's fine.  We can still be fr-"

"Who says I don't feel the same way? And I don't want to be friends anymore."  Alex stared at him in shock, his mouth agape.  "What do you mean?"

"I like you, Alex.  I really, really like you.  I didn't realize that I did until a few weeks ago.  I like how you light up a room, the way you smile, the way you laugh, you're a walking ray of sunshine."

"You... you like me?" Sam scoffs in disbelief, "Do you want me to shout it from the rooftops? Yes, I like you.  I'd be a fool not to like you."  The two sat in silence, looking at the stars.  "So... what do you want to do now?" Alex asked.  "Can I kiss you?"

"Sure you can.  Can I?"

"Do you even have to ask?" Alex cupped Sam's cheeks, brushing his nose against his.  The two softly kissed, only the sound of the waves could be heard.  They eventually broke the kiss, looking at each other.  "Would you, Alex Knight, like to be my boyfriend?"

"Yes, yes, I would love to be your boyfriend.  And would you, Samuel Delgado, like to be my boyfriend?"

"Yes, yes, I would love to be your boyfriend."  Alex slowly touched his hand, hesitant at first.  Sam intertwined his hand with his, smiling.

So it was official.  The sunshine was finally with his grumpy and nothing was going to change that.  I guess summer does have an unexpected way of helping you.

"Wait... so does this mean I won the bet?"

Meanwhile, Cam was covering Mia's eyes as he led her to the thing he had planned for her. "Can I open my eyes yet?"

"Not yet. We're almost there."

"That's what they always say in horror movies. You're not secretly the killer, are you?"

"Mia, I'm not leading you to your death. And if we were in a horror movie, I'd do everything I can to make sure you make it out alive."

"And everything for you to make it out alive too?"

"Of course. I can't have my final girl survive without her boyfriend. That's a crime in my books." He finally stopped moving, removing his hands from her eyes. "You can open your eyes now."  She did what she was instructed, gasping.  "You did all this... for me?"

"Kiara helped me with this, actually.  She told me that you liked that one scene from High School Musical 2 so I decided to do it for you."

"The picnic scene! Thank you, Cameron! I love it!" she exclaimed, hugging him.  The two of them ate the food from the basket, deep in conversation.  They eventually packed the blanket and leftover food in the car, standing on the sidewalk.  "This was a really fun date." Cam stated, looking at her.  "It really was.  I might have to plan something for you as a thank you."

"You don't have to, Mia."

"But I do.  So be prepared."  Cam laughed as Mia cupped his cheeks.  The two shared a kiss under the milky twilight, happy that they were finally together.  For he would always be the Wes to her Liz and she'd be the Annabeth to his Percy.

Maya Speaks 💫:

Sam and Alex are FINALLY together!! WOOOO!! Who cheered??

It's so crazy that I'm finishing this book today... like wdym I actually completed it??? (although my 2023 self would be so proud of me... and a bit mad that it took me so long 😭)

But honestly, I would like to thank everyone who enjoyed this book (shoutout to my pookie ginaherron ) because it brings me joy to read your comments and that people like my writing I appreciate each and every one of you guys 🫶🏾

But until the summer of 2025, my friends