Chapter 25: Faith
Things with Cameron were going great. I wasn't surprised that we lasted for about 4 months. I mean, we got along very well. We liked many of the same things, and we'd never run out of things to say to each other. Cam and I did finally go on that double date with Sasha and Ashton. Most of the time, I felt left out of the conversation since they have been friends longer, and had more moments with each other, but thankfully, whenever Cam noticed my discomfort, he'd bring me into the conversation.
We finally had our first kiss, and it was during a Halloween party Ali hosted. It happened every year apparently. Everyone in our school was invited, and I gladly, went with Cam. He dressed up as a sailor, and I as a nurse. For my nurse outfit, I didn't pick anything too revealing. I wore a simple white sleeveless dress with white stockings and heels. I topped the outfit with a white nurse hat that I made myself.
Cam looked handsome in his sailor suit. I remember precisely saying, "ooh, my sailor boy" when he arrived to pick me up at my house. He wore a black polo, with white stripes on his collar. He had a sailor hat but, he obviously didn't make it since there was a donut shop logo on the side, indicating it was just one of those free giveaway paper hats. However, I didn't complain, it made him look more adorable. To finish off his outfit, he had on black dress pants and black dress shoes.
We arrived at the party, and it was already on full swing. People had red cups on their hands and were drinking like there was no tomorrow. I saw some people at the front with cigarettes in their hands, puffing out smoke. The music pounded loudly in my ears the moment I came into the crowded house. There were a variety of costumes, ranging from crayons to provocative bunnies. I tightened my hold on Cam's hand, hoping to not get lost in the sea of inebriated teenagers. He squeezed my hand back in comfort.
Soon, we saw Sasha and Ashton, leaning and talking in the room near the kitchen. The room they were in was less-crowded, and I was thankful because I could finally breathe again. Before Cam and I could call them out, Sasha spotted us.
She ran to us, and enveloped me in a hug. "I love your costume," she said, examining me up and down. "You look adorable. Working the modest look, huh?" I laughed and just nodded in reply. Sasha and Ashton were dressed like a prince and princess. I couldn't help but admire their costumes. They were such a cute couple.
After Ashton gave me a little wave and Sasha greeted Cam, we had a little chitchat until Sasha gasped, "I was trying to figure out why both of your costumes complimented each other and, now I remember why!" She pointed an accusing finger at us. "Do you know that cute picture taken on Victory over Japan day? in Times Square?"
Suddenly, the picture of an American sailor embracing a woman dressed in white flashed before my eyes. They were kissing passionately, and I blushed at the thought of Cam and I looking like that. I didn't want to go for a cute couple costume this Halloween yet unintentionally, we were able to do just that. I saw Cam's eyes widen in realization, knowing he was thinking of the same black and white picture too.
Before Cam and I had the chance to reply, Sasha stepped up on a mahogany coffee table - her prince helping by holding her hand. She gestured to everyone in the room, getting their attention. "So I'm pretty sure most of you are familiar with the sailor and girl kissing in times square?!" I saw some people nod to themselves. "Don't you think these two cuties look exactly like them?" Sasha pointed at Cam and I, and I couldn't help but hide under my hair. The crowd cheered in reply. "Come on everybody, kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"
Soon, the crowd joined the chant. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" they said, pumping their fists in the air.
"Are you up for it?" I turned to face Cam. He gave me an intense look and from the corner of my eye, I saw his hands fidget like he was aching to wrap his arms around me. I didn't say anything but I didn't have to say anything because I'm sure the look on my face already answered his question.
It was difficult to tell who took a hold of who first but it didn't matter. Cam dipped me and then our lips touched. The fact that we were finally kissing was the only thing that mattered. The moment his lips crashed on mine, everything went silent. I couldn't hear Sasha or the crowd around us. It was just us. Cam had an arm around my waist, and an arm around my neck. I expected the kiss to be gentle like Cam, but it was forceful and desperate. I didn't complain though, he did wait for a month.
At first, our kiss was sloppy and out of sync, but once we learned each other's rhythms, it was steady like the powerful beat of the drum. His lips were as soft as cotton balls, and he tasted like spearmint and sprite. If he wasn't holding me so tightly, my knees would've given up underneath me.
Though I should've kept my arm hanging - like in the picture, - my body craved for his touch. Without my control, I wrapped my arm around his neck, and grasped his hazelnut colored hair. His hair was silky with some rough patches then and there. I was satisfied when I pulled him closer, and every inch of him was pressed onto me.
We would've kept going but eventually, we ran out of breath and had no choice but to pull away. I lightly clasped his neck as we stared at each other. Cam's green eyes were serious and a mist of emotions ran past them; relief, happiness, and gratitude.
"Wow," I said.
Cam smiled at my comment, "Yeah. Wow."
There were many kisses after that, and many still to come. I sighed at the thought of Cam. We went on many dates, I even met his mother, and she was everything Cam said she was. She was kind and patient. I was glad that she liked me. We got along very well.
Cam also met my parents. It was Thanksgiving and Cam's mother invited my family to join them. We didn't really celebrate Thanksgiving but my parents were still grateful for the offer and accepted. Obviously, my parents bombarded Cam with questions of all sorts. Cam's mother just sat at the head of the table laughing and grinning at the interrogation. I was glad our families got along very well.
Hey. Whats up? ;), Cam texted. A smile immediately grew on my face.
Thinking about you! I replied, and just like that another long conversation began.
***
I woke up leaning on someone's shoulder. I was going to move my head to see who it was when I couldn't for there was a weight on the side of my head. Craning my neck to look around, I saw Devin on my right, leaning on the car window with his mouth open and his eyes closed. Since I wasn't sleeping on Devin's shoulder, it didn't take me too long to figure out the heavy weight on my head was Connor.
I decided to let Connor enjoy his nap for a while, and took a hold of my surroundings. The car was going up a bumpy road, with white snow on each side. There wasn't much snow so I was thankful it wouldn't be too deep if I stepped on it.
Finally, a log cabin appeared, and I couldn't help but awe at the beauty. From what I saw, the medium-sized log cabin I think was three stories. The pillars on the corners of the cabin and the wide veranda were white like the snow. I saw three chimney's on either side of the cabin (two on the right, and one on the left). I sighed in relief that there were going to be fireplaces around the house to keep me warm. I was already beginning to feel the chill. The roof was white, completely filled with snow. I watched as some bits of snow fell off the roof, and I hoped that wouldn't happen on my head.
"Connor," I whispered, trying to wake him up without taking my eyes off the cabin. He didn't budge a bit. "Connor," I said, louder this time. He groaned, pulling me closer and, thats when I noticed he had an arm around my shoulder. When did he put it there? "Connor, wake up!" I shouted this time. Connor jolted awake and looked at me with sleepy eyes. This ultimately leaded to me straightening my neck.
I was about to untangle myself from Connor when he put his head on my shoulder. "Go back to sleep, Faith," he mumbled on my neck.
I promptly pushed Connor's head up, "I can't. We're here."
This seemed to get Connor's attention. "What?" he asked groggily, scratching his head as he finally noticed where we were. "Oh."
Once untangled from him, I slid myself to Devin's side and began shaking him awake. "Devin, wake up." Just like his brother he groaned. "We're here," I added.
"Go away," Devin murmured, swinging his hand around like he was trying to swat off a fly.
"There's only one way to wake up Dev," Connor said, reaching over me to reach his brother.
I'm not going to lie. The close contact between Connor and me made me very uncomfortable. Luckily, it was over soon as Connor slapped both cheeks of Devin, resulting in Devin pushing Connor away from him--and me.
"Dude, what the hell?!" Devin cried, fully awake now. "Did you just slap me?"
Connor grinned cheekily, ignoring his question. "We're here!"
Devin climbed out of the car, grumbling about his stinging cheeks and I climbed out after him. The sight that greeted me left me speechless. The tips of the mountains reached the clouds, and I could see figures sliding down the smooth mountain slopes, leaving snow tracks behind them. Chairlifts went on a round about from the bottom to halfway up the mountain. Behind the endless mountains, rays of sunlight seeped through the little give aways between the mountains. The sun was almost about to set, and I was disappointed for I wouldn't have time to feel the snow on my fingers.The snow looked so pristine that it took every ounce of my self control to not go out and roll around in the snow. My heart pounded in excitement and anticipation. I wanted to join the groups of people skiing, sledding, and snowboarding. I absolutely couldn't wait to learn.
The log cabin was on the far right side and we all started walking towards it.
When we reached the log cabin, the inside looked exactly how I expected it to--warm and cozy. The wooden floors were covered in soft rugs and there were family pictures of the Tuckersons everywhere. Pictures of the brothers at a much younger age, smiling goofily, with their arms wrapped around each other and bundled up in their snow coats. I smiled fondly. The whole atmosphere screamed home.
"Hey, Faith, you up for some hot chocolate?" Connor asked, shedding his coat and heading in the direction of what I assumed to be the kitchen.
"Sure," I replied, following him.
Pretty soon, all the Tuckersons and my family were gathered around the kitchen top, sipping some hot chocolate.
"All right," Mrs. Tuckerson said, breaking the comfortable silence. "Here are the room assignments! My boys will be staying in the living room. Faith, dear, you can sleep in Connor's room and your parents will sleep in Devin's room."
Though I didn't like the thought of sleeping in Connors room, I didn't like the thought of sleeping in Devin's room even more. He already caught me snooping around once, and I wouldn't like him to catch me again. Not that I'd like to snoop around, but if I did sleep in his room, his things would be lying around everywhere, and I'd be 'unconditionally' looking through his things. I hoped Connor had nothing private in his room. I wouldn't want him to get mad at me too.
I snapped out of my thoughts when Connor piped in the conversation, "I'll bring Faith to my room!" Before I could say anything, he grabbed my suitcase and arm, then dragged me to follow him.
We went up the stairs, and to the right. Again, pictures of the Tuckerson's hung on the walls. I couldn't help but notice that some pictures were black and white as if this cabin has been passed on from generation to generation.
"This cabin has always belonged to the Tuckerson family," Connor said, answering my unspoken question. "Been here longer than I was born." Finally, we arrived in front of a wooden door. Connor swung it open and said, "Voila!"
His room matched the theme of the cabin: cozy. Unlike the rooms in their house in LA, it was small, and the only light was coming from a window that had laced beige curtains. There was a twin bed pushed to the corner of the room, and a chest at the bottom of it. Standing beside the bed, was a bedside table, and on top of it was a lamp with running deers designed around it. A wooden old-fashioned drawer sat on the opposite wall of the bed. Near the bed was a circle rug with a small coffee table on top of it. The only thing that stood out in this room was the bright orange beanbag chair beside the coffee table.
"The beanbag was my idea," Connor rubbed the back of his neck. "And I know it's not very big, but my parents like to keep the way the cabin was first built. I love it here nonetheless."
I smiled at the room, "I love it too." I took my suitcase from Connor's grasp and rolled it into the room. As I placed my suitcase on top of the shelf, I said, "You can go now, Connor. I'll just get myself settled in then go back downstairs."
However, he did the opposite, and came in the room instead. "You know, I still like you, Faith," he exclaimed, suddenly.
I momentarily froze at what I was doing then sighed, "I have a boyfriend now, Connor."
"So?" He said coolly, but I could see a frown beginning to make it's way to his face.
"So I can't do anything with you," I replied. "But we can still be friends." And I meant it.
Connor broke eye contact with me, and I watched his eyes dart around the room and his body switch from feet to feet. I waited for him to decide, and finally, he huffed out a sigh. "Okay. Friends." Then he opened out his arms. I eyed him suspiciously. "What? Friends can't hug?" He asked, a smug grin on his face. I rolled my eyes and approached him. We ended up having a too-long-to-be-a-friendly hug before Connor left the room.
Once I heard the familiar click of a closed door, I plopped on the bed with my phone in my hands. Immediately, I called Cameron, and told him about my funny conversations with the boys in the car and how beautiful it was here.
I made sure not to mention my moments with Connor.
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