Chapter Eleven - Cameron

Cameron walked away, his hands shaking. He hoped Amanda hadn’t noticed. At least she hadn’t made him beg. He probably would have deserved it, though, considering he told her that she was self-centered and incapable of empathy. Thinking back now, it was a jerk move on his part. Cameron didn’t know why her family’s money made him so uneasy. And annoyed. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that his dad had worked harder than anyone Cameron knew, never complaining, and yet he was the one thrown out on the sidelines with no paycheck. It wasn’t fair that some people—Amanda’s family included—got more than their fair share.

Still, it wasn’t Amanda’s fault. And whether Cameron liked it or not, he needed her.

They had set up their first meeting for that afternoon after school in hope that he’d be better prepared for their rehearsal the next day. Today’s practice would be at her house. That alone was enough to make Cameron’s anxiety go through the roof. Man, since when had he become so insecure?

Since Amanda had happened, that’s when.

He was still lost in thoughts of Amanda when someone shoved him in the shoulder. Thankfully Cameron was hard to move, and he didn’t even stumble. He turned quickly and saw a few guys from the team. They did not look happy.

“Hey, what’s up?” he said, trying to act normal. These were his friends, right? He’d spent hundreds of hours with them over the past few years.

“Hey, Cam, how are your ballet lessons going?” Rodney asked.

“Ballet?” Where would he have gotten the idea that Cameron was into tutus?

“Yeah.” Rodney smirked. “I heard you abandoned us to do something girly and I just assumed tights would be right up your alley.”

He sure knew what to say to get under Cameron’s skin. Cameron tried for a deep breath. He couldn’t afford to get into any more trouble. “I guess you were misinformed,” he said. “Just a temporary setback and I’ll be back. Trust me, I’d much rather be swimming.”

“Maybe there won’t be space for you,” Rodney said, taking a step toward Cameron. “See, we haven’t forgotten the little stunt you pulled a few weeks ago. You know, the one that canceled the meet.”

“Yeah, I know. I got suspended for it,” Cameron said, desperately trying to keep the annoyance out of his voice.

“Yeah, but see, some of us weren’t able to race that day. It could be the thing that keeps us from going to state.”

“If one meet is the deciding factor, then maybe you should focus on getting faster, because I could not show up for the rest of the season and still qualify for state.” As soon as the words had left Cameron’s mouth, he knew it had been a mistake. He hadn’t meant to say it. It wasn’t even true. He had just wanted to bring Rodney down a notch.

But now…Rodney was looking at Cameron with murder in his eyes.

“I’m captain of the team now. And no one disrespects their captain,” Rodney said, the words hissing through his clenched teeth.

“Respect is something that is earned,” Cameron said, forcing himself to not back down. Not in front of their teammates, who were now looking less decided on whose side they were on.

Rodney’s eyes narrowed. “And it’s something you lost when you let the team down.”

Cameron felt Rodney’s fist before he saw it. It could have been a fair fight, and Cameron could have held his own. But he had been caught off guard and was on the floor before he had even realized what was happening. Instinct kicked in and Cameron swept his leg out, taking Rodney’s legs out from under him. He collapsed on top of Cameron, but Cameron was ready this time.

By the time they were pulled apart, Cameron wasn’t sure how many times he’d managed to punch Rodney, but he was pretty sure it was more than the number of times Cameron was on the receiving end.

Unfortunately, that was the good news. The bad news? It was Coach Kall who pulled them apart.

Cameron groaned. He knew the look on the coach’s face. It was the one that told him he was about to be screamed at. Coach Kall didn’t have to say anything as he marched the two boys to his office.

“Really? My two captains fighting in the hall?”

“He started it,” Cameron muttered. He immediately wished he hadn’t said anything and dropped his gaze to avoid their coach’s glare. Cameron never did know when to keep his mouth shut.

“One of the roles of captain is to provide a role model for the younger swimmers,” Coach Kall continued. “Now, up until recently I thought I had done a pretty good job choosing my captains.”

Rodney snorted. “Yeah, until Cam here went and screwed everything up.”

Cameron glared at his teammate but didn’t need to say anything because Coach Kall spoke up first.

“From where I’m sitting, you haven’t done much better.”

That shut Rodney up.

Coach Kall laced his fingers under his chin. “Now, Cameron, as I recall, you shouldn’t be anywhere near the pool for the next few weeks, and yet I saw you leaving with a young lady not more than five minutes ago.”

“We were discussing our parts in the play,” Cameron said, feeling heat rush into his cheeks. He knew Coach wouldn’t believe him, even though it was true. It wouldn’t have been the first time he’d been caught sneaking out of the pool with a girl.

As expected, Rodney snorted. “So, that’s what they’re calling it nowadays.”

Coach Kall, however, surprised Cameron and seemed to believe every word. “Please find a new meeting place in the future.”

Cameron gave a small nod.

“And you, Rodney. If I catch you fighting again—with anyone—you will be kicked off the team before your bruises have time to heal.”

Coach had taken on a harsher tone with Rodney than he had with Cameron.

As Rodney left the office, he shouldered Cameron out of the way. They had never gotten along well, but it seemed there would be no coming back from this. Before Cameron had the chance to leave the office, however, someone burst in. Cameron stepped back in surprise as Amanda appeared before him.

“Coach Kall, it wasn’t Cameron’s fault. It was that other guy. He got into Cameron’s face and threw the first punch.” She was out of breath, like she had run there.

Coach Kall stared. “Is that so?”

Amanda nodded vigorously. “I thought you should know, just in case you are thinking of punishing Cameron further.” She paused and then said in a conspiratorial whisper, “Trust me, he’s already being punished enough. We all are.”

At this, Coach Kall abandoned his usual stern nature and burst into laughter. “I can only imagine.” He turned to Cameron. “It looks like you have someone looking out for you. I hope you appreciate her.”

Cameron looked Amanda up and down, not yet sure if he did. He had to give her credit for bursting into Coach Kall’s office like that, though. That took guts. It seemed there was more to this girl than met the eye.

“Of course,” Cameron finally said.

“Now both of you, get out of here. You’re going to be late to your next class.”

“Yes, sir,” they said at the same time.

After they’d left the office, an awkward silence settled over them. Cameron felt like he owed Amanda in some way, though she hadn’t actually changed anything. He hadn’t been punished, even before she showed up. Except, it did mean something for Coach to believe he hadn’t started the fight, didn’t it? Maybe Coach Kall had already suspected as much, but Amanda’s eyewitness account validated it.

“Thank you,” he said after a moment. “Not many people would have stood up to Coach like that.”

“Well, I couldn’t have you taking the fall for that idiot,” she said, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “I need you for the play, you know. Can’t have you getting suspended for fighting.”

“Glad to know it was out of the goodness of your heart,” Cameron said, unable to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.

Amanda placed a hand on his arm and stopped walking. She looked up at him with large brown eyes. “It wasn’t all out of self-interest.” She averted her gaze. “I know we have some…issues we need to figure out. But I was worried about you. That guy meant business. So did Coach Kall, by the look of it.”

Wait…Amanda Barrett, who treated him with nothing but disdain, had been worried about him? Warmth filled his chest. Maybe he needed to get punched more often.

Except, all he could think to say was, “Um…thanks.” How lame was that?

Amanda’s cheeks turned pink as she turned away. “I better get to class. See you after school.”

She hurried away before Cameron could say anything more.

He watched her disappear around a corner, and an emptiness settled around him.

Suddenly he couldn’t think of anything he’d rather be doing that afternoon than rehearsing lines with Amanda.