AMELIA

"You know we can leave together; we can take a walk around the campus and get some coffee." I sweetly roll the dice once more while slowly fixing his tie.

Jake smiles at me and cups my cheeks, leaning in to lightly suck on my lips tenderly. I wish he'd stay. "I would love it, but the campus is far from the company, and you know I have to be early in the office before Randy. Without a home car, it's going to be tricky."

The idea of being around Cameron alone isn't giving me the consolation Jake thinks he's providing me with, but I feign an agreeable smile for this handsome man who ruins all my versions of men in suits. Besides, this is the second time I've seen him in it again; the first was at prom a few months ago. He flew over to New Jersey to surprise me in a limousine and hired a music band at my doorstep, with a fireworks display in the sky.

Every time I think back to that day, I still wonder how he pulled it off. We were the cutest couple on the dance floor, but now all I dream about in my sleep is how my body was in rhythm with his best friend's. Yes, I had a nightmare about Cam's naked body, the guilt is part of my hell now.

"Yes, you should be on your way." I pat Jake's chest, mentally planning to get an Uber to the campus.

"I'm glad you didn't throw away the ring in the airport trash," he says, taking my hands and kissing them both, and I smile.

"I wasn't going to."

He smiles, patting my cheeks tenderly. "Have a great first day; I'll see you in the evening." He kisses me on the lips again, and we walk out of the room together, holding hands as we descend the stairs.

"Good morning, roomies." That resonant husky voice flows from the kitchen area with mischief, and we turn, finding Cameron once again sitting between those two girls from last night, giggling and munching on the supposed cake he welcomed me with.

Why should I even be surprised?

My disgusted scoff couldn't be stifled. He noticed and sneered in my direction, briefly enough to still leave Jake outside the loop.

"Later, man." Jake waves at his roommate, and without any waste of time, I pull him with me outside the house, discarding the idea of only seeing my boyfriend to the door.

His Uber didn't arrive for a while; Jake managed to bribe me with an early morning cuddle by a concrete bench in the driveway where we sat, and I had a short and mostly peaceful sleep I didn't get the whole night. When the Uber docked by the side of the road, it came with another behind it, and we almost thought Jake had mistakenly called double. But then those two girls came out from the front door, and Jake sighed in relief, laughing, before leaving a kiss on my cheeks.

Yes, take the walk of shame straight out of here.

"Tonight, you will tell me everything about your day, okay? I am sorry again." Jake said and slid into the car.

I watch his ride take off, and the girls waving at an unmoved me until the driveway was free of cars, except for the whore's shiny Aston Martin parked right there. The stupid place that sheltered my panties and almost ruined everything for me with Jake.

Reluctantly and with a potion of prayers for strength to stand the idiot, I return to the house. Cameron is still by the island with so much appetite, devouring the cake he made.

Not that I will settle into my stomach again anything he offers, but what is the point if he couldn't even offer a piece of cake to the person he claimed it was for? But then he could offer some strangers he picked up to fuck all night.

Is either in his irrational sense that he takes the girls and I are Bluetooth-linked; we share the same stomach, or he's just existing to infuriate me.

While I had vowed to mind my business and just go to the room, grab my bag, and get on my way to school, the arrogant prick decided to talk. "You will do that every day?"

I should ask him the same about last night, but let's hear what he means by his question.

"Do what, Cameron?" I sternly faced him, crossing my arms around my chest by the arched way.

"Walk Jake out and wait until his ride arrives?" He shrugged his lips and thrust a spoonful of chocolate cake into his mouth. With pretend amusement, I watch patiently as he chews for a while before he proceeds. "It's giving stalky girlfriend vibes. If you want this fiancé play thing to continue, you better learn to not give a fuck about every breath of your man or you will end up hurting yourself."

"What does that mean? Who do you think you are to tell me that?" I swallow, trying too hard to hide my fuming, but it's hard.

"Gosh, chill." He cringes and rises from the stool, circling the island to set the rest of the cake into the fridge and dumping the crumbs from the plate he shared with those girls. "I am just trying to converse and offer my humble advice." He says while at it.

"Well, swallow your humble advice unless you want me to advise you on how to keep your zipper closed for at least an hour." I spat, and he looks up with pulled-together brows, acting confounded as he raises the plate and the three coffee cups into the sink.

"What are you trying to say? The last time I remember, it was you who was pulling my hand to check how wet you were," he remarks with pretend naivety.

Did I mess up? Yes. Is he mean? Yes. But does he have to be so explicit about it even for Jake's sake?
His words got to me, stabbing my chest. I do not have time to entertain this nasty bicker; I will end up crying and doing that in front of him is accepting defeat. So I veer on my heels and take the stairs.

Common sense is what he lacked.

I grab my phone and bag and double-check myself in the mirror. My hair is packed back because it would get hot during the day, and I need to be calm and relaxed today. My below-the-knees gown is light blue and made of soft cotton; it's free and light. I finish the touch with white shoes and light makeup.

While some of us have business to attend to, some just exist to be a plaguing pest, and that's Cam. All I thought was he had left for something beneficial for his life, but after closing the door and embarking on getting to school, I spot him in the driveway in his car, tying the laces of his black boots.

As he notices me, he straightens, the straps of the shoe looking perfectly laced. He is wearing a plain white shirt and black pants, and his hair is a beautiful chaotic mess that he's consciously showing off, running his hand through it.

"Let's get going," he beams.

As though I will, even when dared.

"I've called an Uber," I lie. Well, I didn't, but I am doing it right away. I dig out my phone.

"Seriously?" I hear him ask as I focus on finding myself a ride for my first day.

There's a slam of the door and the engine revving to life.

"You didn't answer me." He's leaning through the open window as he drives slowly next to me with those smitten eyes that never take offense at whatever word you throw at him.

God, give me patience.

"If you stay out of my business and don't have women screaming above my head while I should be sleeping, we might be-" I pause, knowing there's no label I'd be in with him.

"Friends?" His voice lights up.

"God forbid," I retort. Talking about friends, I should check on Carl. Last night I told him not to come by as we weren't home.

"But we are getting to know each other," Cameron, like a small child, drawls, with his head stuck out of the window, resting in his arm.

I would tell him to focus on where he's driving because looking at me won't change my impression of him... But I'd like to see him crash into someone's home and get locked in a cell, which would guarantee me a very good sleep after a couple of days-long drive I've had and the stress that came after it.

"So you are telling me you're a man whore?" I bite on the words, shooting him daggers.

His face scrunches, slightly inquisitive. "Does my way of living disturb you, Princess? I don't see me telling everyone you fucked me while dating my friend."

He's not for real.

"First, Jake and I were over at the time. Second, I don't know you were friends," I rage, something blocking my throat at the irritation.

"That doesn't change the fact that you're not any better than me."

"Do not even dare compare me with you. I made a drunk mistake. You? God knows you have no brake to your bullshit." last night he almost brought down the roof over my head with screams and disgusting movements.

"Keep lying to yourself, Princess."

"I couldn't sleep. And stop calling me Princess," I grit.

He only chuckles at my frustration.

"How is your insomnia my concern? You should've told Jake to give you oral and get a good release. It works wonders. You pass out smoothly the last time I was between your legs," he says without a filter, winking at the last line.

He's so disrespectful.

"What is-" I stop, including my pace, feeling the lump in my throat growing larger.

Is this how he was raised? It seems he has no single respect for women. He'd do that to all the women I've seen him with in just less than 24 hours, and it was quite a lot of girls. Who needs that too much sexual duty in their life?

But he wouldn't be that with me. I am not one of those girls he gets from any place he passed. He will talk to me with respect.

"What? Why are you?" He scoffs as if some realization has dawned on him. "What?"

I take off, adding speed to my pace.

"Don't tell me you two haven't tried the oral technique?" He chuckles, leveling his car speed with my rate.

Asshole!

Bowing my head to hide my flushed face, I move my hand to brush back my hair, at least to hide from his scrutiny. "Fucking leave me alone, would you?"

"You are blushing. Goodness, you're so clueless." He laughs, entertained.

"Cameron, stop it," I blurt, feeling the tears at the back of my eyes.

"Okay, fine, let's say you're-you were a virgin." He corrected, bringing about a sinking feeling in my stomach. "How did he even ask you to marry him if he doesn't know what it will be like with you?" he continues to chuckle casually like this is a casual topic.

How rude can he be? Does he go around hitting strangers where they are weak for some kind of leverage?

"You are so mean. What Jake and I do is none of your business," My chest heaves, my voice cracks.

"What did I say? I figured we three are now one after how things ended up. Why are you crying?" He pretends to be clueless and dumb. I swear he knows exactly what he's doing, and what he says about the three of us being one, fuck him. "Wait?" He calls after me. "Is it because of what I said about your virginity? I shouldn't have said it's an assumption... you know I too I'm having a hard time accepting because you're too good-"

Arghhhhhhh!

"Cameron, just leave me alone," I yell, drawing the eyes of passengers from passing vehicles.

"Come on, I was only joking." He isn't laughing anymore, but I know he's mocking me. When wasn't he?

I ignore him and wipe my tears. Now my makeup is ruined because of him. Now I look vulnerable in front of him. My first day at school was ruined because of him. All because Jake lied and broke a long-time promise.

"You were a virgin, okay? I am sure Jake likes you for some other reasons better than your body, I guess." He continues assuming things.

"I pray your car catches fire and explodes, your limbs flying around the asphalt. It will be the most comforting horror to watch."

"That's so uncompassionate of you, Princess. But I must admit you have a very good bum."
Among all the things I said, this was his reply?

When I tilt my head to look at him very well, he feigns seriousness, but he's chewing back a smile.

How can a person be this soulless?

There's impatient honks at the traffic, as some cars are already overtaking Cameron's Aston Martin.

"Get in or I won't leave," he sternly says, turning off the engine.

What the hell?
His trouble hadn't reached this extent. He could get a ticket, moron.

"Get moving?" the car behind him screams, and it's me they're all looking at.

Slacked jaws, I look back at the conceited fool who made a pillow with his hands, resting back in the comfort of his seat and closing his eyes in a way that says, "We can do this all day,"

"Cameron?" I scold, and he shakes his head.

"Um um." He replies. "Not moving without you. We are one now, I can't leave without you."

I swear I will kill him along the way of my stay in this state. I will kill him. Mark my words.

"Fuck you," I spat, with no other option but to circle around and get into the stupid nice-smelling car.

If only it smelled like dead fish. But it will. It will.