It's been six weeks since I ad my appendix taken out and I've been itching to go for a run. I walk into the kitchen where mom and Sam are, "The doctor said to wait six weeks, it's ben six weeks" I say
"It's been five weeks, five days. I bet you're still sore. Let me see your scar" She says
She tries to lift my shirt but I smack her hand away, "Hey! My body, bad touch. Now give me my shows. Where'd you put them?" I ask annoyed
I start searching through the cabinets, "Sam. This is everything you need for your appointment today. Sure you don't want me to go with you?" Mom asks Sam
"No, thanks" He says
"Why not?" She asks
"Because he's a grown ass man" I say
"For once she's right, cause I'm a grown ass man" He says
"Cam, why are your sneakers in my t-shirt drawer?" Dad asks walking in
"Yes" I say happy
"I was hiding them" Mom says as I walk out
[Clayton]
I'm at my locker with Izzie, "So, junior year, you ready?" She asks
As I open my locker, Nate walks up to his locker and I roll my eyes. Izzie and I stand there awkwardly before he shuts his locker and walks away. I look at Izzie, "You mean ten months of that awkwardness? Can't wait" I say sarcastically
"He's harmless" She tells me before we walk to class
A little while later, "It kinda sucks that you just had surgery. It's not gonna be as fun kicking your ass at practice" She tells me
"I'll have you know, I went on my first run, and I'm as fast as ever" I say
"Did it hurt?" She asks
"Like a bitch" I tell her causing her to laugh
As I shut my locker, we turn to see Nate making his way towards us, "Hey, I brought you guys milkshakes. I don't want it to be weird with us for the next two years, so...peace offering" He says
"Thanks. My stomach's still a little wonky from the appendectomy, but..." I tell him
"I'll take it" He hands one to her, "Hers, too" He hands her another one, "Thank you. Bye" She says walking away
He stares at her ass as she walks away and that angers me but I remain calm, "Hey, it doesn't completely make up for what you did, but I appreciate the apology" I tell him
"That wasn't for you, that was for Izzie, but you guys are joined at the hip so just to be clear, you're still a bitch" He says
"Excuse me" I say
"Sorry" He says
As he walks by me, "Hey, Nate" He turns around and I hit the bottom of the milkshake making it go all over him, "Oops" As I go to walk away, "Oh also, her eyes are up here, don't stare at her ass like that again" I tell him before walking away smirking
But that didn't last long before my coach calls me into her office, "You punched his milkshake? How do you punch a milkshake? It's liquid" She asks
"I didn't punch it. I bopped it. It's more gentle than a punch" I tell her
"On accident?" She asks
"No, on purpose. Have you met this kid?" I ask her
"Cameron" She says
"Crowley" I say
"You have tremendous potential. You're smart, you're tough, you work hard and you seem completely happy to throw it all away" She says
"That's not what I'm doing" I say
"Isn't it? You don't think you belong here, so—" I cut her off, "I don't. Look...I'm not trying to be a menace...and I love this team" I say
"I know. But it's junior year. It's a big one for you—SATs, college stuff. You need to set aside this emotional angst and decide what you want" She tells me
"Do I have to?" I ask
She throws the tennis ball at me, "Get outta here, Gardner" She tells me
[Home]
As I walk in the door, I am met with my mother, "School called. You punched a milkshake?" She asks
"Um, no, I didn't punch it, I bopped it. Like that" I do it to the folder, sending the papers flying, "Ooh!"
"Oh! Cameron" She says
"Oh, that always makes a bigger mess than I think it will" I say
Dad walks in as I bend down to pick up the papers, "Cameron punched a milkshake and my folder" Mom says
"I'm living in the dorms" Sam says
"Yeah? Wow, I loved living in the dorm. What do you mean, punched a milkshake?" Dad asks
I stand back up, "You have to stop punching things" Mom says
"I agree" Dad says
"Oh, do you? Cause someone punched a hole in the wall. Maybe we have hang a Merry Christmas sign on Nate's milkshake, huh? Okay, bye" I say handing the folder to Mom before walking upstairs
[Bedroom]
I'm laying on my bed doing homework when Sam walks in and takes my duffel bag out of my closet, "What the hell?" I ask
I follow him into his room, "Do you think Edison's terrarium will fit in here? I think he'll like dorm life. He's always been a bit of a night owl" He asks me
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure they don't allow pets at Denton" I tell him
I grab out my phone to look it up, "What? Why would they not allow pets? I'm sure they do" He says
"Yeah, no. No waterbeds either" I show him my phone, "And definitely no pets on waterbeds. That would be a disaster" I say
I put my phone away, "But I need Edison. The last time I tried to sleep away from Edison, I got arrested" He says
"So stay at home. Why do you wanna live in the dorms anyway?" I ask
"Because the freshman survival guide says that students who throw themselves into dorm life are more likely to succeed. And I wanna be close to the Tasty Trio" He says
"Who?" I ask
"My new friends. I'm reinventing myself as funny and cool" He says
"Why? You're already fine...ish" I say
"No" He says
He searches his desk, "Well, maybe fine's overstating it, but, you know, you're decent" I say
He shows me his yearbook, "This is who I was. I don't wanna be that guy anymore" He tells me
I nod my head, "Fine. I'll help you" I say
"Good" He says
We spend the night working on his computer, trying to figure out a way to get Edison to the dorms, "Wow, okay. Turns out you just need an official letter and you can get your dumb tortoise registered as an emotional support animal. That is the most ridiculous think I've ever heard" I say
"Yes, and it's great" He says
"Mark my words, if I find one drop of turtle feces in my duffel bag, I will poop on your bed" I tell him
"That seems fair. So...I guess I'm moving into the dorms" He says and grabs his ear
"Hey, it's gonna be great" I tell him
"You don't know that. I don't know that. Maybe this is a terrible idea" He says
"How about we go case the joint?" I suggest
[Denton - Next Day]
We are walking through the dorm building, "Why do you have your sweatshirt? It's 80 degrees outside" I ask him
"So people know I belong here" He says before he knocks on the door
"Yo, what's up? I'm Sam" The guy says
"What? Your name can't be Sam. I'm Sam" Sam says
"Cool. Two Sam's. I'll be Sam G" He says
"I'm Sam G" Sam says
"We're off to a great start then" I say
"Do you have a middle name? Maybe you could go by that" Sam tells him
"Okay, well, welcome to our room" We walk in, "I gave you the bed near the window because it's better, and this one has a weird stain on it" He tells him
Then we hear the noise of the air hockey table, "Do they play that game a lot?" Sam asks
"Only till like 1 am" He tells him
We're still in the room as Sam is opening and closing the closet door. I'm sitting on the dresser, "Is it always this squeaky?" He asks
"I'm not sure. I mean, I usually don't open and close it 35 times, but you do you" The other Sam says
"Pretty soon you're gonna want him to do something else" I say
"I'm gonna go grab dinner with my lacrosse team. You got friends here, or do you wanna join us?" He asks
"I have friends here" He says
We make our way to his friends to see them chanting and shaving a guys head, "What the hell am I watching?" I ask
Sam steps forward as they walk towards him, "Hey Tasty Trio" Sam says
"Aw, hey Stan" The guys says and walks past him
After that, we make our way to outside and sit at a table. I'm on the table while he's on the bench, "I guess they weren't my friends" Sam says
"Good. Those guys are incredibly, incredibly lame" I say
"I thought by preparing for college it'd be better than high school, but it turns out it's the same. I can't reinvent myself" He says
"Sam...despite what Mom would have you believe the universe doesn't revolve around you. I mean, this transition would be hard for anybody. You think the guy who just got his haircut's having a good time?" I tell him
"I didn't ask him, but his hair looked terrible" He says
"Did I ever tell you about my first day at Clayton?" He shakes his head, "I couldn't figure out how to buy food. I cried three times in three different bathrooms. It was awful" I tell him
"I'd say you're doing better but you punched a milkshake" He says
"Bopped" I sit down next to him, "Hey, if you want...we can be each other's emotional support animal" I say
"That role is reserved for Edison, but maybe you could be my emotional support human" He says
I sigh, "Fine" I say
"Hey" Other Sam walks up, "You forgot your sweatshirt. Later, Sam" He says and walks away
"He remembered my name" He says and I hug him quickly
[Home]
We walk through the doors, "Hey" Mom walks up, "For the dorms" She hands him a shower basket, "I've been overwatering you, metaphorically, so if this is something you really want, go for it" She says
"Thank you, but I've decided not to start sleeping there just yet. I think Edison will be more comfortable at home" He says handing her the basket back
"Okey-dokey" She says as he walks upstairs
"Your trying not to, but your smiling so big right now" I say
"No, I'm not" I go to walk upstairs, "Hey, Cam. It was wet of you to go to Denton with your brother today" She says
"I have no idea what you're talking about" I say and start walking
"I get it, you just had to help" I stop and turn towards her, "You know, you're not as different from me as you'd like to believe" She says
"That is the means thing you've ever said to me. And I'm not above bopping that tea" I say
"Oh, well, I know you're not" She says as I walk upstairs