Day Off • Cameron Frye

four. (take my breath away. berlin)

As Cameron silently drove through the suburbs of Chicago, I sat with my knees to my chest, bopping along to "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin. Happy as a clam, unbothered, with my sunglasses on and hair free. I had even coaxed Cameron into allowing me to have my window down, something he didn't particularly care for considering the wind and the noise bothered him. 

"You take my breath awayyyyy...." I sang along. I looked over to Cameron, now projecting my voice over to him, hoping he'd cooperate and sing the song. 

I caught him trying not to crack a smile, but that faded when he began to roll up my window. 

"Hey hey hey! What do you think you're doing?" I said, looking at Cameron in defeat.

"Listen, I don't like the way Richie talks to you." he muttered.

"Is that what you've been quiet about?" I sighed, stretching my legs out. 

"I mean it's already shitty, the way he treated you while you guys were dating-"

"Cameron-"

"No, no 'Cameron'. You shouldn't have to put up with that." 

"It's fine, Cam. Just leave it alone" 

He huffed in response, as we now approached his driveway.

I couldn't quite understand why it pissed him off so much, or why he was taking it out on me, but he wasn't going to ruin my night. If anything I should be the one upset, and his bringing it up didn't help one bit.

Cameron parked the car and I hopped out, practically skipping to the steps. 

"Slow your roll, slow your roll..." Cameron chuckled, catching up with me to unlock the door. 

I smiled knowing he was out of his little funk, and let myself inside as he opened the door for me. 

"If you want some privacy to do your makeup and hair things you can go in my mom's room." Cameron muttered, hanging his book bag on its designated hook.

"I'll be wherever you are." I smiled.

"Right this way then." Cameron replied, leading me to his bedroom. 

Luckily for Cameron, he had the luxury of having his bathroom connected to his bedroom, a luxury my family could not attain with their basic middle class lives. So I quickly changed and set up my things with the bathroom door open, as Cameron played the radio. 

I couldn't help but notice the glances he thought he was getting away with unnoticed. 

I felt a pang in my heart, and butterflies in my stomach as I let this realization sink in. But I couldn't get my hopes up. If I were to get my hopes up, I don't think I'd be okay when they were let down. 

"Okay, it's time to get you dressed, Cammy Whammy." I announced, fluffing my hair one last time before stepping out of the bathroom.

"Cammy Whammy? That's a new one." Cameron mocked. 

"Shut up and get in here." I ordered, walking into his closet. 

Cameron awkwardly sauntered into the closet, acting as if he didn't want or need my help. Or as if he was my child at a clothing outlet who didn't want to try on an ugly outfit.

"Try this." I said, handing him a nice shirt and a bomber jacket.

"I'm not a punk, Heather." Cameron detested. 

"You wanted my help and now you're getting it. Please try it on." 

"Fine." 

I sat on Cameron's bed, as he changed clothes behind his closet door. Part of me wished he didn't shut the door, but I of course was not an absolute perv and respected his privacy. 

"How do I look?" Cameron asked, now slipping out of the closet. 

"Damn!" I shouted. 

"That good, huh?" Cameron smirked, now catching a glimpse of himself in his mirror. 

"Yes! Told you I could help." I boasted, crossing my arms.

"I never really doubted you, I just like being an ass." Cameron mumbled, now inches away from me. 

I allowed myself to linger for just a moment, maybe even a moment too long, as I looked up at Cameron's icy blue eyes. I couldn't bring myself to breathe, afraid that even the faintest sound of my inhale would end the moment. 

"Let's get going." I said, breaking the tension.

"Uhm, yea. Let's go." Cameron said, grabbing my bag off of his bed and handing it to me.

"Thanks." I muttered, slinging my bag onto my shoulder, and beginning my way out the bedroom door. 

I felt a warm hand grab my forearm and I turned around to a beet red Cameron. 

"You look really good, Heather." Cameron smiled. "You look... pretty."

"Thank you, Cam." I nearly whispered back, not failing to notice his hand still had a gentle grip on my forearm. 

"Anytime." he muttered. 

"Okay, for real. Let's head out. We have a party to get to." I giggled, covering up the fact that deep down I was upset that the gentle hand had left my arm, and only a ghost of the feeling remained. 

"After you." 

I felt his eyes burning into the back of my head as I led the way to the front door. I hoped that Cameron would beg not to go to the party, and plead that we stay here and hang out together, alone. But I knew better, and I had friends expecting us at this party. 

As Cameron locked up his house, I threw my bag in the trunk of his car, knowing he'd be driving me home as well. 

I climbed into the passenger seat, watching as Cameron walked to the car, admiring how truly handsome he looked as the sun was setting. 

"You ready?" he asked.

"Ready as I'll ever be."