Hard Boy ✔️

76

- jealousy, jealousy; Olivia Rodrigo -
- boy x; Tate McRae -
- Silence; Marshmello ft. Khalid -

Aurora Holland

"You know, I truly don't mind you staying here at all, but can we at least talk about what happened at PROM?" Cameron asked from his bed, glancing over at me.

"What do you mean?" I played dumb, scrolling on my phone. I rolled my eyes as it began to vibrate for what seemed like the tenth time within the last fifteen minutes, dismissing it quickly as soon as I read the name.

"We all saw what happened, Ror." Cameron sighed as he sat up. He stood from his spot and sat next to me on the brown couch he kept in his room, resting his legs on top of mine. "The entire school did. I know you wanna act like nothing happened, but if you weren't bothered or upset about something I don't think you'd have asked me if you could stay here for a while."

"Fine." I decided with a sigh. If I owed anyone an explanation, it'd be Cameron. He was kind enough to let me stay here, after all.

I sat up further and turned my body just slightly to face him. "Carter's been bothering me non-stop since PROM, along with Paige and even Logan. I don't want to talk to them - let alone anyone, but out of everyone nobody would think to look for me here. I began to stay at Miles' house, but his parents got suspicious after two days. Not to mention I got lucky and the day after I left, Carter showed up at his house knowing Miles is one of my best friends. Out of everyone in the group, none of them would think to look here, let alone your bedroom. They might question if I'd go to Bailey, but never in a million years would they think of you."

"Well if they question you going to Bailey, they'd find you here anyway," Cameron stated, putting his hands over his stomach. "I mean, why are you running from everyone anyway? Can't you just tell your parents you don't want guests or something?"

"I wish it were that easy," I muttered. "You haven't had the luxury of getting to know my mother. She's not the type to turn away guests, especially my beloved cousin."

"Right," He mumbled, sitting up a bit. "I guess that makes sense. And-and Bailey's not going to say anything?" He then asked, looking up at me.

"About that," I mumbled, turning a little further in my seat to face him. "I don't think she's going to say anything because she thinks you... like me, so she doesn't want your 'secret' out." I put finger quotes around the word secret, my face growing red as I admitted it to him.

"W-what?" He asked in disbelief, sitting further up. "W-why would she think that? That- that's a crazy thought."

"Because of how we're constantly talking I guess. She noticed that we sneak off and speak - and since she doesn't know about the whole Layla situation, I just let her think it. If I told her the truth she'd know and I didn't wanna do that to you. So I just stayed silent. She thinks it's because something's going on between us." I admitted. "Or that there may be a chance, anyway."

Cameron's face grew red, and his eyes avoided mine. "Bailey's a little optimist when it comes to love, I guess." He spoke after a moment of silence. "But I guess it's good it works out in your favor then. Not having to over-explain anything to her."

I shrugged, messing with a string from my hoodie. "I guess so. Although I do miss my bedroom."

"What, don't like my humble abode?" Cameron jokingly asked, looking around the big bedroom.

"No, it's not that. I'm just used to being alone a lot, you know? Being gone for so long kinda makes me appreciate it more." I told him.

The sound of my phone vibrating against the couch was heard, and I loudly groaned as I leaned my head back against the back. I didn't bother to touch it, causing Cameron to reach forward and grab it.