cameron

“I’m a all rounder when it comes to music, I like a bit of everything but if I had to choose a favourite? I do like jazz. You can feel the soul in it. The passion in the words.”

“that makes sense for a writer... to want to hear passion in the words.”

“I can do that”, Lola said softly. She gently took his hand and tilted his chin slightly so that he was looking at her. “Focus on me, okay? Focus on me and not that sound. We’re going to breathe together”, she murmured, modelling her own breathing so that he could copy her.

cam stopped himself from resisting her taking his hand and forcing himself to maintain eye contact with her. he was trying his best to focus on her model breathing and breathing with her. it took a little bit of time but he was slowly starting to calm down.

“You’re a very welcome distraction. I probably would have lost my mind if you hadn’t shown up”, Lola joked. “How have you been?” she asked as she lead the pair through the house and into the living room so that they could sit down on the couch.

“then you’re welcome.” cam laughed. “i’ve been good. starting to feel like i’m settling in now.” he told her while following her to the couch. “what about you?”

“You aren’t really missing out. Flying itself can be cramped and uncomfortable, especially if you’re in economy. I’m just a huge fan of the destinations, really”, Nikolai told him. “What’s the best place that you and your mom have visited?” he asked curiously. 

“it would definitely be nice to see someone outside of the us, i agree with that.” he added. “it sounds so generic but mount rushmore.”

“I think you’re currently doing a very bad rendition of Eye of the Tiger”, Nikolai laughed.

“yeah, that’s it! it’s been in my head all day... wait, bad rendition? i thought it was pretty good!”

“It’s too late, I’m already sorry”, Arden said with a small smile. “Do you have time to hang out? I could use a distraction”.

“i have plenty of time. should we get this stuff checked out and we can go back to yours or mine? i don’t have anything frozen to buy so we can do either.”

“We could go to The Lunch Box, one of my brothers mentioned that they have a few new specials”, Noah suggested. “I really miss seeing her too, it’s been way too long. I’ll definitely be there, I’m just not sure about Mads yet”.

“sounds perfect.” he agreed. “no problem at all if she can’t make up. i think mum’s just missing having people around the house more than anything so even if you just come, i’m sure she’ll be over the moon.”

“I think we can manage that. Everyone needs a mental health day to relax and recuperate from time to time”.

“and you’ll join me?”

“You are so sweet! Well, would you like a drink - even if it’s non-alcoholic? I’d love some company.”

“i’d love a drink. i don’t mind one alcoholic drink if you like. do you have any suggestions?”

Elijah had come pretty far on learning not to use phrases around Cam but occasionally they slipped out but he learnt not to linger on the moment. “I don’t know about that. I think that calls for another round. Want another drink before we start?”

“i’d love one. i promise i won’t start the game while you’re out of the room.”

“Understandable.” Isabella said with a nod. “It’s annoying and dangerous. I almost killed someone.”

“on the upside, at least you didn’t kill someone.”

;; “Is there anything in particular you’d want to work on or that you’re good?”

“i think i’d like to work on my arms. be a bit stronger.”

‘ya, it is! it’s fairly popular, have you never listened to it?’

Easton moved his books onto the ground to free up some space for Cameron right next to him. “It’s Mario Kart. I know it’s not the best game in the entire world but I’m competitive and love winning the races on there. You’re probably going to smash me on there though, aren’t ya?”  Easton knew Cameron was good at gaming. The guy was studying computer game science. “Alright, the first and hardest decision of all decisions, which character are you picking?”

“mario karts good. the mario franchise is always good by me.” he agreed and wandered over to take a controller. he always felt much more at ease with a controller in his hand. “there’s a chance but i’m sure you’re pretty good too.” he told him. weighing up his options and clicking around the icons, he settled on one. “baby mario. i always like to think he’s lighter in the car so it might make him go faster. it doesn’t but you know...”

Shaking his head quickly, Luke shoved some of his hair out of his face and let out a sigh. “Nah man it was all on me. I was in my head and not thinkin’ about what was really goin’ on around me.”

“it’s fine. i’m usually pretty on guard. i don’t like surprises so usually notice people a mile away.”

“I wouldn’t bring you here if they weren’t,” Ryan assured him. “You just say you’re getting married and act like a couple!”

“okay, i’ll trust you.” cam agreed. “i don’t think i’d be able to do that. i’m too... awkward to pretend to be a couple.”