The lesson with Mr. McCain started with the same hush as the day before, but more whispers penetrated the air than last time. Mr. McCain smiled with ease as if he had no clue that half the students were talking about him. I found myself listening to his calming voice again, and it seemed as if I hadn't even started taking notes when the lesson ended. This time, I made an attempt to swallow my nerves and headed to the front as the other students exited the classroom.

"Mr. McCain?"

He looked up from his notes. "There you are. I wondered if you'd leave me hanging after that conversation."

Heat rose to my cheeks "Sorry for yesterday."

"It's okay. You're Adam, right?"

I was shocked that he knew until I realized he'd called our names at one point. Of course he knew my name. It didn't mean anything.

"Adam?"

This spacing out was becoming a serious problem.

"Yes, sorry. Ehm." I was already embarrassed, might as well go all the way. "So I...I was going to ask if you need an assistant or something."

Mr. McCain checked his watch. That couldn't be a good sign.

"I really want to become a photographer," I added, hoping that would sway him.

His startling amber eyes snapped up to meet mine. "I can't offer anything at school, but perhaps you could assist me at some shoots I do during nights and weekends."

I knew that would limit my time with Gabriel, but it wouldn't take up all my free hours. Gabriel would have to share.

"Are you sure, I mean, that sounds great."

"Good. Why don't you head down here after classes are over today. We'll drive to my studio and I can show you around."

"Thanks. That would be awesome."

Mr. McCain's face lit up in a smile that seemed to be one for me alone, not like the smiles he'd given us all in class.

"I'll catch you later. Now I have to get going," he said, and if that wasn't enough, he had to look pointedly at the door before I found a way to move my legs.

I tried to walk with some kind of pride out of the classroom, even if I wanted to cower and run as fast as I could. I had no idea what made me behave like an idiot in front of the teacher, but that behavior would have to stop. Immediately.

After my next class, I found a secluded corner in the corridor. I checked my phone to see if Gabriel had tried to contact me and was slightly stung when nothing showed up. It was silly of me, but it was hard to shake the insecurity. Our dynamics had change so much since the beginning of term.

Trying to ignore my thoughts, I pressed call and put the phone to my ear, listening to the monotone signal on repeat until it broke off. I called again with the same result. He should've been out of his class, but maybe he'd left his phone somewhere. I noted that my battery was low, so I decided to send him a message instead.

Can we meet tonight? Found a job so I'll be gone for a few hours. Xox

I got the reply instantly.

What job? Where are you going?

I frowned. Surely he didn't mean it like that. He knew he had nothing to worry about.

Photography assistant. I'm going to Mr. McCain's studio. Love you.

* * * *

The halls slowly emptied while I waited outside Mr. McCain's office until single voices echoed between stone walls. He wasn't at his desk, and as I had been a few minutes late, I worried that he'd left without me. That worry made me walk back and forth, pacing between the door and the tall window that looked out over the campus.

My phone had died after my last message to Gabriel, which meant that I had another reason to be tense.

I sighed, wondering when this ridiculous nervousness had taken such a hold of me.

"Adam?"

My cheeks grew hot as Mr. McCain caught me unaware for a second time that day. Nonetheless, I was relieved to see him.

"Hi, Mr. McCain."

"Please call me Cameron. Mr. McCain makes me sound ancient."

I couldn't help but smile. "Fine. Hi, Cameron."

"Much better. Sorry I'm late, by the way. A student wanted to talk after the last class. Apparently, you all think I'm in need of several assistants."

I wasn't sure how to respond. Obviously, he could pick and choose, which meant that I couldn't afford to screw up.

Cameron let out a soft chuckle. "I didn't mean to make you nervous. I'll just grab some stuff from my office and then we can fetch some food on the way if that's okay with you?"

"Sure, sounds good." I wasn't hungry, but who knew how long we were going to stay at his studio. Gabriel had football practice, so it wasn't as if I had anything important to do.

Cameron rummaged through his bag. "I hate keys, I always forget where I put them."

I watched with amusement as he almost emptied his leather portfolio before finding the keys in his back pocket.

"Probably should have started with the pockets," he said with a shrug.

I was still grinning in secret when he opened the office door to grab his jacket and a few items on his desk.

"Okay, finally. Let's go." He locked the door behind me and pointed at his keys. "Remind me that they're in my bag if I forget."

I wanted to laugh but nodded instead.

On the way out, Cameron asked me some questions about my interest in photography, but we trailed away to other topics as soon as we sat in the car. He was easy to talk to, the conversation ran so smoothly that I was surprised by how much we shared.

I had never expected to hear about his family.

"They're down in North Carolina. I left straight after high school and haven't really been back since. They're kind enough, though." He laughed softly as if he'd remembered something. "They're still waiting for me to become an honest man."

"They want you to marry?"

"Mom's real churchy."

I smiled at the expression. My parents never cared much for church. They believed in actions rather than conviction. They had been great throughout my childhood, making sure I always had someone to talk to regardless of the issue. I figured that was the reason I told them about my sexuality so early.

"I love my parents. But it's nice to live away from home."

"So, a good childhood then?" he asked.

"Yeah." I thought about Gabriel. If not for him, my teens would have been very different. Smiling, I felt proud of my boyfriend. "I had some trouble with bullies when I was younger, but my best friend, Gabriel, sorted that out."

"I guess this Gabriel is important to you as well."

"Yes, he made sure those guys never touched me again."

"That's definitely true friendship," Cameron replied, turning left at an intersection.

"It is." True friends. A strange emptiness briefly settled in my gut as I thought about Gabriel's reaction the day I'd told him about my feelings. Thrown away, so easily. Years of friendship fading away into nothing—as if we hadn't shared anything special.

I shrugged the thought away.

"Are you guys still in touch?"

"Yes, he's here at the college."

"That sounds nice. Do you live together?"

"No, not anymore..."

The continuation of that statement was left hanging in the air. Cameron seemed to have a question at the tip of his tongue, but he didn't pry any deeper. Perhaps he understood that it was a sore topic.

Silence descended, but it was cut short as he parked the car along the curb of a quiet shopping street.

"Here we are. This is my favorite joint in the city, which also happens to be run by a friend of mine," Cameron said as he pulled the handbrake.

We shared a smile and got out of the car. It was a cozy café, and there was something about the dark-red brickwork and the plants climbing up the walls toward the balcony above the entrance that reminded me of the photos Chris had shown me from his travels through Europe.

"It's a nice place," I commented.

"Wait until you've tasted their quiches. They are to die for."

As if on cue, my stomach rumbled. Apparently, I was hungrier than I thought. When I saw the various options behind the glass counter, I realized I would have no regrets. Everything looked delicious.

Cameron picked a quiche with salmon and spinach, but when I tried to order the same, he pointed me toward the one with different kinds of vegetables in it. "That's the second best, we can share so you get to taste both."

I wasn't going to argue with that. "Sure."

Cameron rolled his eyes on the way out. "New face at the counter. I didn't even get my usual discount. I'll have to talk to Derek." He didn't sound too bitter about it, indicating it wasn't that much of a big deal.

"Your friend?"

"Yes. Kind of."

Nope, I wasn't going to ask. Curiosity piqued, but no.

We got into the car again, ending up in an area I had never visited before but knew from rumors. I wouldn't call it dodgy, because it looked mostly fine, but a lot of the buildings were run down.

Cameron must have seen my reaction. "Wait until we get inside. The place is golden. High ceiling, lots of space, great natural light and then a few rooms without windows."

He was right. After passing through the main entrance that smelled of urine and the metal staircase that whined and screeched like a wounded animal, we entered a beautiful, large studio with a nice view over the city. I hadn't realized we had gone up the hill. I could even spot the ocean from here.

"I can see why you like it," I said as Cameron stopped beside me.

"It's a stunning view."

I shifted where I stood. There was something in the air, something I couldn't put my finger on, but I wanted it gone to regain my focus.

"So, what would you like me to do?" I asked.

"Right. Why don't I show you the rest of the rooms, then we'll take it from there." With another of those damn smiles, he beckoned me to follow. Only, we never got far. A knock sent a harsh echo bouncing on the bare walls.

"Come in," Cameron said, loudly enough to reach the large door. The construction rolled to the side, and Gabriel became visible.

"Gabriel?" I asked, heading off to meet him. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

"What?"

Gabriel stood up straighter and looked over my shoulder. I turned and saw Cameron a couple of steps away.

"Adam told me about you. I'm Cameron." He strode forward and was quick to offer a handshake, not showing any signs of surprise even though he must have been. Gabriel took his hand, but I could see the reluctance simmering in his eyes.

"Nice to meet you, Cameron. Could I talk to Adam for a second?" Gabriel eyed me before giving Cameron a cold smile that didn't seem quite right.

"Sure. Just find me later, Adam. I'll probably be in the next room." Cameron appeared distant, and I grew worried that I had already messed up my chances of working with him.

Gabriel grabbed my upper arm with a clear warning and pulled me out of the studio. He closed the door behind us, gradually darkening the stairwell. Sounds became distorted, enveloping us both into a strange atmosphere.

Gabriel hovered above me. "What the hell are you thinking, Adam?"

"What?" I didn't understand.

"You go off with a stranger to this part of town, and you're not even answering your phone. I skipped practice to find you."

I squared my shoulders and looked straight into his eyes. "He's my teacher, Gabriel, and I asked for this. I'm sorry about the phone, the battery died, but you really don't have to worry. And how did you even find this place?"

"You're naive if you think that's what this is about."

"What? I asked to be his assistant because I want this." I crossed my arms. Sure, maybe he was right that it was a bit foolish to go off with someone without knowing where we were going but this was Cameron. If anything, he was the least threatening guy I had ever met.

"You want this more than you want us?"

"You're not making sense. It's not a choice between one or the other. I want you, Gabriel, but I also want to become a photographer and this is my ticket. Don't you get that?"

His jaw ticked, but I wasn't having it. He had no right to be angry. Not because of this.

"We're going."

"No we're not."

"Adam, for once, just fucking listen to me."

"No!"

"Fine. We'll talk about this later." He stormed off, stalking down the metal stairs while I stood there in shock.

What just happened?