#stitchersss2018

He then sneezed for the 34th time. (He wasn’t counting or anything).

Okay, fine. The joke was technically on him now, he guessed. Damn his weak immune system. Because of his heart condition he had as a kid, Cameron could easily get ill. For most people they’d just get a cold or sinus infection, sometime the flu. But for Cameron he’d get not only the bad case of the flu, but a slew of other things. As a kid he went to the hospital a lot, even after his heart surgery. So as he got older, he became cleaner and cleaner to the point to where anything unclean freaked him out. It would just remind him of those dark days that he tried not to remember as he got older.

That all changed, however, when Cameron met Kirsten. (Like everything else in his life. For the better.)

He had known pretty quickly that he was in love with her. How could he not though? She was smart, beautiful, brave, and so, so much more. And caring. Even when she had her Temporal Dysplasia, where it was hard for her to have emotions, Cameron could tell she cared. And it always tugged at his heart every time she got so passionate about the person she was stitching, feeling what they had felt. To this day it still amazed him. She amazed him. And she had also inspired him to be brave. Which was why on that day during the first year they had known each other, he conquered his fear of dying and stabbed himself with that fateful syringe.

Now, four years later, Cameron could handle hospitals again. Being in the Stitchers program you kinda had to get used to them. Now did Cameron still hate hospitals and being sick and injured still? Frack yes. And he sure as hell hated his latest visit the day prior. Being stuck there for two days was no fun. (He’d much rather deal with crazy murder investigations and government conspiracies.) However, now he was at home with the love of his life, still feeling like the trash in the Deathstar’s garbage compactor, but at least he was home with Kirsten. Cameron had realized pretty early on that as long as he had Kirsten, he could handle anything.

Cameron just wished that he didn’t have to be sick on Christmas. Mostly for Kirsten. Since Kirsten had reunited with her mom and got all her memories back, she had discovered that Christmas was her family’s favorite time of year. She had kept on smiling the more she told Cameron all the fun stories. This was her first Christmas with her mom and Kirsten had been determined to make it the best Christmas, which surprised everyone except for Cameron. It had been hard getting used to having her mom in her life and it seemed like they bonded the most when they reminisced on those happy memories. So of course Kirsten wanted to recreate them again. And so they went all out. Kirsten decorated both hers and Cameron’s places, even buying two trees. Cameron was more of Hanukkah man himself since his best memories were celebrating it every night with his grandmother, but he wanted Kirsten feel the happiest she had ever been so he enjoyed doing those traditions with her. So much so that he decided to give her a big Christmas present.

But now, on Christmas Day itself, it all was ruined because his immune system was the worst.

A knock then came at his bedroom’s opened door, making him lift his head to see Kirsten walking in holding a tray. “Hey babe, I got you soup and hot lemon water just as you like it.” She announced with a bright smile.

Cameron just grumbled, sinking further into his bed. “Why are you smiling? Christmas is ruined. I ruined Christmas!”

Kirsten rolled her eyes, walking over to him, placing the tray on his nightstand, and took a seat on the edge of the bed. “Stop, being a baby, Baby. Christmas is not ruined.”

“But this was your first Christmas with your mom again. It was important.”

“It is important. Which was why Mom stopped by while you were asleep, bringing us food and presents. She stayed for a bit and we reminisced. It was nice.” She said with a soft smile. Her eyes then lit up. “Oh! And she gave me this.” Kirsten then grabbed what looked to be a locket around her neck and showed it to him. He sat to get a better look. She then opened it to reveal to pictures. One side was an older picture of a young Kirsten standing between her two parents in front of a Christmas tree, smiles on all of their faces. On the side of the locket was a newer photo, one Cameron recognized. It was of them two standing in the middle dressed as Betty and Jughead with the Stitchers family surrounding them at Camille’s Halloween party this past year. “It’s of my two families. Old and new.”

“It’s beautiful.” He whispered, heart tugging on the fact that both Kirsten and her mom saw that he and the Stitchers crew were also her family and just as important. Cameron then sighed. “Kirsten, you don’t have be here the entire day. You’ve been at my side for the past three days. You should go be with your family other than me today. I’ll be fine.”

“Hey.” Kirsten then placed both her hands on his shoulders. “Listen to me. Cameron Goodkin, you are my family also. There’s no other place I’d rather be than by your side.”

Cameron hitched his breath, chest tightening at her words. “But...Christmas.”

She shook her head with an amused smile on her face, “Cameron, this entire Christmas season has been the best. I’ve got to spend it with my mom again. My mom. But also I got to spent with you and my new family. We went ice skating, decorated together, and I got to bake gingerbread with my mom. We even got to have Christmas party with everyone there. I swear I was living a freaking Hallmark Christmas movie or something.”

They both chuckled.

Cameron then rubbed his thumb on Kirsten’s shoulder. “So you really don’t mind taking care of me on Christmas day?”

She shook her head. “Absolutely not. Wanna know why?”

“Why?”

“When I saw you sleeping in the hospital room, I was immediately reminded of when you almost died trying to help me. That was one of  the most terrified moments of my life, Cameron. And it still haunts me to this day. So seeing you in the same hospital, I was so worried. But then last night when they said that you could go home just in time for Christmas, I was beyond relieved. And now I get to spend the holiday with the man I love, even if you’re in bed rest. Because, no matter where you are, I want to be there with you.. Besides, isn’t Christmas supposed to be about love, happiness, and home? Cameron Goodkin, you are all of that to me.”

Cameron just stared at her, so filled with love he couldn’t take it.

After he didn’t respond, Kirsten turned her head away. “That was lame, I know.”

“No!” He exclaimed. He then touched her cheek and pulled her head back toward him. Her beautiful eyes met his. “Kirsten, you amaze me every day of my life. I am never bored with you at your side and you make me the happiest I have ever been in my life.” The words then flew out before he could think. “Kirsten, will you marry me?”

Her eyes widened in shock. “What?” She breathed out.

For a parsec of a moment, Cameron had the thought to quickly pretend that he was just messing with her or something. But no. He was always brave with her and so he would be the bravest he had ever been.

Cameron then took both of Kirsten’s within hers, taking a breath before releasing it, and then said, “This isn’t how I planned to do this, but in our line of work things rarely go as planned. Why is this any different, amiright?” He then laughed nervously before clearing his throat and continuing. “Kirsten, you know how much I love you. I’ve loved you since you told me “Blue Door Sepulveda” and then called me Julie before giving me the best kiss I ever had prior to that moment. Even though it was still weird since you didn’t remember for a while.”

This made Kirsten laugh, tears falling down her face. He then moved his left hand away from hers and lifted it to wipe the tears away.

He continued, “I’ve always loved you. No matter what you were going through or feeling or not feeling. My love for you just grew and grew. And it continues to grow everyday. Kirsten, when you lost your memories of me I…” He swallowed then grabbed her hand he was still holding and placed it on top of his heart before continuing, “My heart didn’t just hurt. It felt hollow. And so when you remembered me, remembered us again, I was so incredibly happy that on a whim I bought you a ring. But we were just getting back together and you were getting to know your mom, so I decided to wait for a while. And then when I saw how happy the Holidays made you, I decided that Christmas would be perfect. And even though my plans for it changed and I right now I feel like I’m dying, I can’t wait any longer.” Then with his free hand, Cameron reached into his pajama pocket and grabbed the small, velvet box, pulling it out. He then opened to it to reveal a diamond ring with sapphire stones on the side. “ Kirsten Clark Stinger, will you be the Leia to my Han and marry me?”

“Yes!” She then rushed to kiss him, but he moved away from her.

“I don’t want to get you sick.”

Kirsten then gave him a deathly glare. “Cameron, if you don’t let me kiss you I swear-”

But before she could finish, Cameron placed his lips against on hers.

It probably wasn’t technically one of their best kisses since his lips were chapped and he was sweating, but to Cameron this was the best kiss he had ever had. After the best moments of his life, they slightly parted until their foreheads were against each other.

Kirsten then gave him the brightest smile he had ever seen. “Best. Christmas. Ever.”

Kirsten smoothed out her light pink blouse, took one last glance in the mirror and walked to the front door of her house. She glanced around, but she was alone. “Camille?” She called. No response. Kirsten peeked her head into Camille’s bedroom where she found Camille passed out on the bed, still in the previous night’s clothes.

Kirsten flipped on the lightswitch and nearly shouted, “Camille!”

Camille startled. “I’m awake! Geez!”

“We’re late.” Kirsten stated matter-of-factly.

“Give me five minutes!” Camille hopped out of bed, and exactly five minutes later she emerged with fresh makeup, her hair pulled back in a twist, and a fresh shirt. Kirsten raised her eyebrows and gave a slight nod of approval.

The drive to Les Turner High School from their house wasn’t long, but Camille always felt the need to fill those few minute with noise. Unfortunately for Kirsten, this morning Camille’s fixation was on her instead of the newest Ariana Grande single.

“All I’m saying is lately you’ve taken an interest in being early. Every. Single Day. Part o the reason I wanted to be your roommate is because you’re as bad at time management as me,” Camille talked, gesturing with one hand while she drove with the other.

“I think it’s important to set a good example for our students with the new school year,” Kirsten answered.

“Okay. Keep telling yourself that.”

Once inside the school, Kirsten made a beeline for the teacher’s lounge with Camille in tow. Kirsten grabbed a paper cup and filled it with steaming coffee. She took a sip, scrunched up her face and began pouring sugar into the cup. A figure stepped up beside them, thermos in hand.

“Well if it isn't Mr. Lookin’ Goodkin himself,” Camille deadpanned.

“Will you please drop it?” Cameron begged.

“We’ll never not say it,” Kirsten said joining in. “Honestly, I can’t believe a group of students beat us to that nickname.”

“It’s not even that clever,” Cameron said.

“Or accurate,” Kirsten shoved Cameron playfully.

Cameron said, “You wound me, right in my sensitive heart.”

“Oh please. You had that surgery over fifteen years ago,” Kirsten said, adding more sugar to her cup.

“Aw how sweet,” Camille wrinkled her nose in disgust.

“It’s actually quite bitter,” Kirsten said, eyes trained on her cup.

“You’re playing dumb? Cute. Now move, Mama needs her energy juice.” Camille pushed between Cameron and Kirsten.

Cameron’s cheeks reddened, and he glanced over Camille’s head to Kirsten, who had finally looked up. They watched each other silently for a minute before Cameron finally headed towards the door while saying, “You coming, Stretch?”

“Now who’s using nicknames?” Kirsten asked, following him into the hallway.

“It’s a term of endearment. You and Camille were making fun of me. They’re completely different.”

“Right. Of course.”

“I’m being serious.”

“I know you are.”

As they rounded the corner to the Math and Science hall, kids suddenly filled the hallways and the noise level increased exponentially.

One of the students called out over the noise, “Hi, Mr. Goodkin! Hey, Ms. Clark!”

“Hi, Damon,” Cameron said with a nod towards the boy. The girls standing near him waggled their eyebrows suggestively.

“Nope. Don’t do that,” Cameron said as he passed by, which caused the kids to giggle. They reached Kirsten and Cameron’s classrooms, which were located right next to each other.

“Lunch at Jade’s?” Kirsten asked.

“I’m in,” Cameron answered.

“I’ll come too,” Camille said, reaching her classroom across the hall from Kirsten’s.

Linus came out of his classroom and said, “I’ll be there. What are we talking about?”

“Lunch. At Jade’s,” Camille filled him in.

“Apparently it’s the more the merrier today,” said Cameron.

“Is that a problem, Cameron?” Camille asked, her smile mischievous and a little less than friendly.

“No, not at all.”

RIIINNNNGGGG. The morning bell sounded as the last few students scurried into their respective classrooms.

Lunch at Jade’s that afternoon quickly became routine for Kirsten, Cameron, Camille, and Linus, often with Tim the physics teacher, Ayo the health teacher, Chelsea the English teacher, and Alex the art teacher joining them. Occasionally the football coach and part-time history teacher, Coach Quincy Fisher would join them, but he usually took his lunch with Principal Baptiste. As the semester wore on and teachers got behind on grading and involved with extracurricular activities, the group dwindled; however, Kirsten and Cameron always ate lunch together. It was likely due to this and their constant banter between classes that caught their students’ attention.

Several students sat in the back row of desks whispering and muffling giggles.

“Kyle, Emma, and Sally. Would you like to share with the class what’s so funny back there?” Kirsten asked. That shut them up.

Kyle and Sally remained quiet, but Emma said, “We’re taking bets on when you and Mr. Goodkin will finally get together.” Kyle’s eyes bugged out of his head. The rest of the class snickered.

“I want in on that bet!” Allison called from the front of the room.

“Guys, there is nothing going on between Mr. Goodkin and me. Most of the time, he’s just annoying,” Kirsten said.

“Annoyingly charming!” One of the students chimed.

Kirsten’s cheeks flushed, and she sighed in frustration while her students burst into laughter. “Okay, okay. Calm down. Now let’s get back to derivatives. Can anyone tell me what a derivative does?”

At lunch that afternoon, Kirsten broached the subject of the bet.

“My students talk about it all the time, too,” Cameron admitted.

“It’s completely ridiculous,” Kirsten said, grabbing a pot sticker off Cameron’s plate and stuffing the whole thing in her mouth.

“Oh, yes. Completely ridiculous,” Camille said, voice dripping with sarcasm. This was one of the rare fall days where Camille and Linus had been able to join them at Jade’s.

“Well it is,” Kirsten said defensively.

“For being the two smartest people at school, you two sure are dumb when it comes to your feel-,” Linus said.

“Can we just drop it?” Cameron interrupted. They did indeed drop it, but what Camille and Linus had said weighed on them throughout the rest of lunch and into the afternoon. Their banter was stiff and eye contact was awkward at best.

After school let out, all the teachers had a faculty meeting. They sat in the uncomfortable chairs in the library while Principal Baptiste stood at the helm. Maggie wore one of her signature power suits- fitted blazer, matching pencil skirt, and stilettos that could kill a man- her dress an ample metaphor for her personality. She was known throughout the school district for being a hardass, but a hardass that got results.

“The first order of business is the Homecoming Dance this Friday night. The decorating committee is led by the pep squad and their faculty advisor, but we need more volunteers for chaperoning the dance itself.” Maggie paused, waiting for a response. As the silence grew, her arched eyebrow inched higher.

“Kirsten just said that she would do it,” Camille called from the back of the library.

“Excellent Ms. Clark,” Maggie said. She clearly didn’t care who volunteered whom, just that chaperones were assigned.

“But I didn’t-” Kirsten started.

“Just a couple more names should do it,” Maggie talked over her.

“Cameron and I will chaperone!” Linus enthused.

“Perfect. Moving on,” Maggie said, not even allowing Cameron to protest either.

So there Kirsten stood, hugging the walls of the gymnasium decorated with several hundred twinkling lights, wearing one of Camille’s short dresses, and a diamond necklace hung around her neck, drawing attention to her pronounced collarbones. As a chaperone, her main job was to make sure none of the teenagers started making out or hooking up. She grabbed a plastic cup and filled it with Goldfish crackers, mildly zoning out on the students’ activities. For the most part, chaperoning had been pretty boring. Until Cameron walked in, dressed in a perfectly fitted tux.

He spotted Kirsten and headed her way. “Hey.”

“You’re late.”

“Got stuck in traffic. But I brought you something to say ‘Sorry.’” Cameron pulled a corsage from behind his back. He glanced up at her, eyebrows raised as if asking for permission. She stuck her arm out in response, and he slid the flowers onto her wrist. He had a matching boutonniere pinned to his lapel. Cameron moved to stand beside Kirsten. They stood motionless and quiet, the few inches between them simultaneously not nearly enough and far too many.

The upbeat music faded out, and a slow song came on. Single students stood awkwardly on the sides, while couples hugged each other closer. Cameron reached out his palm. “May I have this dance, Ms. Clark?”

“Of course you may, Mr. Goodkin,” Kirsten said, placing her hand in his. Cameron lead her towards the dance floor, releasing her hand when they got there in favor of her waist. She wrapped her arms over his shoulders, and they swayed slowly with the music. They heard several poorly concealed “oohs” from their students, but chose to ignore them and continued dancing. As the song progressed, they got increasingly closer, doing the very thing they were supposed to prevent the students from doing. They held each other’s gaze for the duration of the dance, communicating more with their eyes than could possibly be said with words.

I’d die for you.

I know. I’d die without you.

I know. I love you.

I know.

They startled apart when Principal Baptiste approached and called out, “Ms. Clark, Mr. Goodkin, follow me.” She turned around and power walked out of the gym in her stiletto pumps. Kirsten and Cameron shared wide-eyed glances before scrambling to follow Maggie through the throng of students.

“We have a student unconscious and throwing up in the bathroom. I need you two to stay with her until the ambulance arrives and then accompany her to the hospital. Her family will meet you there,” Maggie said as soon as they reached the relative quiet of the hallway. “We’ll discuss the two of you later,” she continued.

They nodded before rushing into the bathroom to take over from Coach Fisher who looked like he was about to throw up himself. Kirsten wet a paper towel and pressed it onto the girl’s forehead while Cameron sat beside the girl, keeping her rolled over on her side. They cleaned the girl up as best they could, and they wiped up the vomit nearest her face.

The paramedics arrived and took over the girl’s care, strapping her onto a stretcher and escorting her to the ambulance. Cameron and Kirsten followed close behind. They jumped in Cameron’s Volvo and followed the ambulance all the way to the hospital. They rushed into the lobby and found the girl’s family in the waiting room. One of the medics was talking to them.

“We’re running a toxicology report to see if she may have overdosed or gotten alcohol poisoning. Does she have a history of seizures or using illicit drugs or alcohol?” The medic said.

“No. Not that we’re aware of,” the mousy mother said.

The medic turned to Cameron and Kirsten and said, “Thank you for your help at the school.”

“No problem,” Cameron said.

“Thank you,” the father echoed, voice gruff and short as he held back the tears welling up in his already reddened eyes.

“You’re welcome,” Kirsten said.

“We’ll get out of your hair,” Cameron said before leading Kirsten back to the car.

Once they were seated, Kirsten said quietly, “Thank you for taking me to my first school dance.”

“Oh, no. The night’s not over yet. It’s not homecoming without going out for awful breakfast food afterwards. You ever been to Al’s Waffle Palace?” Cameron asked.

“No, but I feel like that’s about to change whether I want it to or not,” Kirsten joked.

“That settles that, Cupcake. Prepare yourself for a truly unique, though not necessarily good, experience.” With that, Cameron pulled out of the parking lot.

Twenty minutes later, Kirsten and Cameron sat opposite each other in a booth at Al’s Waffle Palace, the harsh fluorescent lighting as far from romantic as one could get. The cook leaned over the counter and asked, “What’ll you have?”

Kirsten flipped the laminated menu over, skimming the options. Cameron placed his hand on the menu, lowering it back to the table, and then he said, “We’ll have the breakfast special.”

“Coming right up,” the server said.

“I don’t think anything here is ‘special,’’ Kirsten whispered across the table.

“Have a little faith in the magic of copious amounts of grease and butter,” Cameron said in mock-seriousness.

Minutes later, the server delivered two plates of fluffy waffles, greasy bacon, and scrambled eggs with a bottle of maple syrup and assorted jellies and jams.

“This is it?” Kirsten asked in disbelief.

“Go ahead. Take a bite,” Cameron watched expectantly. Kirsten carefully cut a small slice of waffle and took a bite.

“Mmmmm,” she hummed happily.

“Now try it with a bite of egg and bacon all dipped in syrup,” Cameron said, demonstrating the stack with his own syrupy fork. Kirsten follows suit and hums once again.

“I thought you were really into fancy food,” Kirsten said.

“As a self-proclaimed foodie, I choose not to let any prejudice towards a meager establishment such as this prohibit me from enjoying something so delicious just because it is also something horrible,” Cameron said with a smirk.

“How progressive of you,” Kirsten said, her tone serious but her eyes glimmering.

After they finished their midnight breakfast, Cameron drove Kirsten back to her house. After he pulled into the driveway, Kirsten said, “Thanks again for tonight. It was really fun.”

“You’re welcome,” Cameron said softly.

“I’ll see you Monday,” Kirsten said as she opened the door and stepped out of the car.

“See you Monday,” Cameron echoed.

Kirsten turned and walked up to her front stoop, stopping to fish out her house key. Cameron grabbed her by the arm, spun her around, and kissed her. It was deep and soft and perfect. His hands moved to cup her face, and Kirsten wrapped her arms around him, fingers playing with the curls at the nape of his neck. It was over too quickly even though it had left Kirsten breathless, and from the looks of things, Cameron as well.

“You needed the perfect ending to your homecoming night,” Cameron finally said, cheeks still flushed from the kiss. Cameron turned and walked back to his car and drove away, leaving Kirsten frozen in front of her door for a minute before she finally found movement again.

As soon as she stepped into the living room, Camille pounced on her. “Weren’t you supposed to be the ones preventing people from hooking up tonight? Not actually hooking up?”

“We did not hook up. It was just a kiss,” Kirsten said.

“That was no mere kiss. Plus, the dance ended hours ago,” Camille argued.

“Which is why I’m exhausted and going to bed now,” Kirsten said, ignoring Camille’s prodding.

Monday morning came, and Maggie called Kirsten and Cameron into her office as promised. They hadn’t seen each other since the kiss, and they hadn’t talked either.

“Hi,” Cameron said, not quite meeting Kirsten’s gaze.

“Hi,” Kirsten echoed, bumping shoulders with him. This caused him to finally look up. Kirsten gave him a small smile before saying, “How much trouble do you think we’re in?”

“Knowing Maggie? Enough,” Cameron answered.

They stepped into Maggie’s office and sat down opposite her.  

She immediately jumped in saying, “Took you long enough. I bet you’d be together by the end of the first quarter. So now I’m out fifty bucks. Thanks for that, by the way.”

“Sorry?” Cameron asked.

“No, not sorry. This whole bet was ridiculous.” Kirsten hedged.

“In all seriousness, though, I expect complete professionalism between 8am and 3pm. And I need you to promise me that if things don’t work out between you that it won’t adversely affect your jobs in any way,” Maggie said.

“Of course.” Kirsten nodded.

“You got it!” Cameron said a little too enthusiastically.

“Dismissed,” Maggie said. She picked the papers up that she’d been reading before Kirsten and Cameron stepped into her office. But she still had a faint smile on her face as they scurried out of her office.

Kirsten glanced at the clock on the wall in the front hallway. 7:47. She grabbed Cameron’s hand and pulled him towards the Science hallway.

Cameron glanced down at their intertwined hands.

“What are you doing?”

“Come on, we have thirteen minutes. These are classic tropes we’re living out right now. Hot for teacher?”

“Oh my god,” Cameron said before pressing Kirsten up against the nearest set of lockers and kissing her.

After countless hours in the lab together, Dr. Clark has only ever looked this serious one other time. Given that that time involved one of his grad students getting nearly electrocuted along with half the lab, Cameron was sure this wasn’t shaping up to be a good talk.

“You’re on your third -“

Fourth, Cameron silently corrected in his head.

“- coder for your thesis project. At this rate you’ll have burned through all of the computer science department by your defense, if you get there at all.”

None of this was new information to Cameron, but it stung to hear everything laid out so matter of factly. You could make the argument that Marta leaving was his fault. They had been awake over two days when she’d had her accident.

The other two failures were clearly not Cameron’s. How was he to know Alex would end up creating and launching an app to help people manage their high blood pressure? There was no way to predict that. Camille had been working out great for several weeks. She was insightful and creative. They worked well together. That is until she saw Amanda Weston’s project on postmortem modeling. Camille jumped ship almost immediately.

The only hope Cameron had at this point was that he would get along swimmingly with his new partner Tim. There was no plan b.

—————————————————————-

When Kirsten Clark first met her half sister she knew that there were ways her life would change. There was another person she had to program into her calendar so she would remember to check in with them. There was someone else to inexplicably ask how she was doing at random intervals. There was one more member that understood just how tangled up one could be in the legacy of Daniel Stinger.

What she hadn’t anticipated was her newfound inability to say no. Whenever Ivy asked for a favor, Kirsten felt herself crumble inside. It was maddening, annoying, and meant that Kirsten was sitting front row, center in the coldest classroom ever at seven o’clock at night. She was meant to be studying or preparing to teach. If Ivy needed moral support for a one-off workshop though, here she was.

The room filled up the way these things always did. Most students sat in the back. A few brave souls ventured toward the front to better see the board. That was how Kirsten ended up with the only open seat right next to her.

Ten minutes into the lecture, an absolute whirlwind of a person burst into the room. As if the door cracking hard against the wall wasn’t enough of an announcement of his arrival, the guy tripped over someone’s messenger bag nearly toppling over. He just kept mouthing ‘sorry’ as his eyes swept the room. When his eyes finally met Kirsten’s, she pointed at the seat next to her.

Later that evening when Ivy teased her about it, Kirsten told her that she most certainly did not blush when Cameron smiled at her. It was the cold. There was no spark there. He just looked so lost throughout the whole workshop. And he called her Ada Lovelace when she helped him work through a line of code at the end.

How could she not want to see him again?

———————————————-

Cameron still wasn’t sure what was going on with the blonde from the coding workshop he attended. Yes, she gave him her number - without any prompting. Yes, she had been texting him.

But how could you have a maybe sort of thing going on with a woman whose name you didn’t know?

There were bigger issues Cameron was facing - Tim’s lack of respect for him, his utter inability to get along with Tim, how hard his thesis was going to fail without Tim’s help, avoiding his thesis advisor etc. Add in attending and teaching classes and he was flush with problems.

None of them occupied his mind like her though.

Before Cameron realized what he was doing he texted Ada about his immediate frustration.

how do people get tables in the library during midterms? who do i need to sell my soul to?

An answer came back almost immediately with a coffee order. Cameron sent back a line of question marks in reply.

I have a study room for the next three hours - that’s my price to share it.

Cameron nearly sank down in relief. He waited in an obnoxiously long line behind all the other caffeine deprived college students. It took him almost an hour to acquire coffee and muffins for his new friend. When he arrived at the study room, it was completely worth it for how she looked at him.

Her hands wrapped around the warmth of her coffee cup. “You’re welcome back anytime now that you know the price of admission. I’m here on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11. Plus, technically these are supposed to be group study rooms so you’d legitimize my usage.”

“How did you swing that schedule? They only let you book rooms a week in advance,” Cameron asked.

The blonde stared at her cup, a soft smile twitched at the edge of her mouth. “It’s not technically against the rules, but it’s probably not fair. I wrote a program that automatically goes in to reserve the room as soon as they open up online.”

Cameron laughed. “Your secret’s safe with me, ZeroCool.”

—————————————————

“Here’s your muffin, Muffin,” Cameron said as he presented Kirsten with her customary baked good and coffee.

Sometimes Kirsten marveled at the seemingly fathomless list of nicknames Cameron had for her. She’d been Stretch when she recovered his pen from a particularly hard to reach spot. She’d been Brainiac when she helped him fix his computer. She’d been Angel when she returned a laptop bag she found to the library staff. And now she was Muffin.

“Some days I wonder if you even know my name, Cameron. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you use it,” Kirsten told him as she popped a piece of muffin in her mouth.

The tips of Cameron’s ears turned bright pink. “Well…”

Kirsten ran back over their first meeting in her head. She had asked for his phone and put the number in. Cameron had sent her a text with his name in it. That had probably been a cue that Kirsten had completely missing. Her hands went to her eyes, covering them in embarrassment.

“It’s Kirsten and if you haven’t noticed I don’t people well,” she told him.

Cameron shrugged. “You do well enough with me.”

----------------------------------------------------------------

“What’s another word for passionate?” Kirsten murmured, not taking her eyes off of her computer screen.

Cameron looked up from his own work. He had been absorbed in Tim’s latest notes - which were marginally better than last week’s, but not by much. “Context? I’m not sure if you’re writing an online review of a restaurant or a love letter there.”

Kirsten snorted as she deleted several keystrokes. “I’m writing a personal statement for a project I want to work on. There have been a couple of openings this semester, but I always seem to miss them. I figure if I leave a packet with my CV and a proposal that maybe they’ll take me before they realize how difficult I am to work with.”

It seemed unlikely to Cameron that any team wouldn’t want Kirsten working with them. She was extremely good at what she did, detail-oriented, and incredibly focused. Any time she talked about her current projects, they seemed nearly impossible to Cameron. That was when he even understood what she was talking about. When Kirsten get excited about something it was so hard to interrupt her for clarification. Her enthusiasm was no less enjoyable when it completely went over Cameron’s head.

“They’d be idiots not to take you.” Cameron smirked. “Just don’t tell them you’re feeling amorous about the project.”

Kirsten’s blue eyes finally strayed from her typing. They assessed Cameron for a long moment, sweeping over his face. “You’re funny.” She retreated to her work again.

They worked in relative silence for the next few moments. The study room was filled with the comforting sort of calm that Cameron had come to associate with Kirsten. Instead of working on his project, Cameron started pulling up articles on personal statements.

“Have you written about why you’re so interested in the project?” He asked.

A flash of something unidentifiable crossed Kirsten’s face. “I really don’t think they want to hear about my dead mom. ”It took Cameron a moment to fully absorb what she was telling him. Her tone was so matter of fact. “It happened a long time ago. I barely remember her. It seems cheap to tell them that their research could’ve helped her.”

A tiny ache clawed at Cameron’s chest. “I think that’s exactly what you should tell them.”

There was more he wanted to ask her, to tell her about his life. As if Fate or Destiny hated him though, an undergrad decided that was the exact moment to start banging on the study room window. Nevermind that they still had another half an hour until it was his.

And just like that the moment was gone.

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It wasn’t like Cameron to be late or miss one of their work sessions. Kirsten found herself working much slower without him in her space. That might have had something to do with the fact that she checked her phone every fifteen seconds for a text that had yet to arrive.

Five hundred and forty-one disappointing notification checks later, a text finally came through.

i’m so sorry i didn’t text you sooner. this thing came up with my dad and i’ve been sorting it out.

This was not something Kirsten was prepared for. She was not good with empathy or sympathy. There were few people in the world less helpful when people were upset than she was. This was Cameron though so she had to at least try to comfort him.

Is he okay? Is there anything I can do to help?

Kirsten stared at her reply, thinking of all the ways she could’ve made it sound better.

he’s just a terminally shitty person.

It was awful, and she recognized it, but Kirsten was kind of relieved. Dealing with trash dads was a specialty of hers.

He should meet my father. They could start a club.

It took a long time for Cameron to respond. Kirsten started to rethink her text. Had it been the wrong move to say that? Did it sound like she was trying to one up him?

he’s in jail for embezzlement, maybe paroled soon. it was awful when he went in. my mom and i changed our last name and everything just to get away. 

Kirsten was still puzzling over what to say when there was a knock at the window. Cameron was on the other side looking slightly rumpled.

“Lunch? My treat,” he mouthed on the other side of the glass.

He apparently didn’t notice that she had already started packing up the second she saw him.

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There was no getting around how awful working with Tim was. Cameron couldn’t take it anymore. They had terrible communication. Half the time a week’s worth of research went to waste. Tim thought Cameron didn’t know anything about what he did - which was true- but he also didn’t respect that Cameron knew his own field well.

Dr. Clark had been hounding Cameron constantly for updates. It was like he could sense how terribly things were going for them. Cameron knew that it was because he wanted him to succeed. There was something worse about disappointing someone you respected than being yelled at.

Facing the music now meant that he might have a new partner picked and up to speed before the semester ended. He stared up at the medical arts building as though the glass and steel could give him what he needed. His hand went to his pocket for his phone without thinking.

send help, rocky. I’m about to tell my thesis advisor that i can’t work with my partner anymore. this goodkin is about to get a good kick in the face.

Kirsten didn’t respond, but reaching out to her, as always, made Cameron feel a little better. He adjusted the messenger bag on his shoulder and headed toward his doom.

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There were often times when Kirsten felt a little behind what was going on. She wasn’t the best at reading people or their sarcasm. Her pop cultural knowledge was severely lacking. These things made it hard for her to socialize in groups or with new people.

Kirsten had never felt this blindsided though.

Cameron - her Cameron - was C. Goodkin. This was the guy she convinced Ed to hire based solely on his previous papers. This was the guy who she had been trying to work with all semester - despite Uncle Ed’s protestations of nepotism if he helped her. This was the guy who wanted to communicate with coma patients. He knew her reasons for wanting to work on this project. They got along well too, which wasn’t always the case with her and colleagues.

As though Kirsten’s entire world hadn’t been knocked off balance, Ed continued going on about the holiday party his department was throwing. Apparently Mr. Ahluwalia made world famous cookies that Kirsten just had to try.

There was no good way to break any of what she had to say to Cameron in a text. Only a phone call would work, even though she really hated those.

“Uncle Ed, I have to make a call,” Kirsten said as she stood up.

Her fingers were gripping the handle when the door swung out, pulling Kirsten with it. She nearly toppled into Cameron, who looked as though he were marching to his death. Kirsten inwardly shrugged. She’d have to wing this.

“Let me handle the talking,” she whispered at Cameron, gesturing for him to come in the door. There was nothing for him to do but follow her lead.

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Cameron wasn’t sure why or how Kirsten was in Dr. Clark’s office, but he didn’t much care at that point. If she saved him, he would owe her for the rest of his life.

“Mr. Goodkin, did we have an appointment?” Dr. Clark asked. “We could meet in a few minutes if you’d like.”

The lump in Cameron’s throat grew. He made some sort of movement that was half between shrug and nervous arm flinging. As Cameron sat next to Kirsten he noticed how remarkably calm she was. Her hand stilled his forearm, resting just long enough for Cameron’s brain to register the feel of her.

“Cameron knew I was meeting you for lunch so he figured now would be a good time to tell you we’re working together.” Kirsten slid him a questioning look. “We can start immediately. I’m familiar with most of his work so it shouldn’t take too long for me to get caught up.”

The realization finally hit Cameron. Kirsten was offering to do the coding for his thesis. She was literally saving his academic career and still somehow looked nervous about her. Did she think he wasn’t serious about how much he admired her work?

“Yeah. I think we should be in good shape if we start now.” Cameron echoed her sentiment.

Dr. Clark looked between the both of them. “Okay. I’d like an update this time next week.” He gestured toward the door. “I’ll see you then.”

Cameron followed Kirsten out of the office, still in kind of a daze over how quickly things turned around. He nearly fell down the stairs trying to keep up with his new partner. When they finally got outside Cameron pulled her toward a bench.

“What just happened?”

Kirsten smiled. “Do you know how much trouble we could’ve saved each other if we knew each other’s last names?”

Her arms swooped around Cameron, pulling him in for a hug. He wanted answers, but for now he would settle for the softness of Kirsten’s hair against his cheek.

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There was nothing worse than socializing with large groups of people. Kirsten had to track how all of them were feeling at every moment. She had to make sure she wasn’t showing off or playing dumb. There was also the small matter of pretending that any of these people were interesting and worth talking to.

Take Liam for instance, he had decided that it was important to discuss in great detail what his workout regimen was for each day. He was on leg day when Cameron finally rejoined the group.

“Hey, we hate to run, but Kirsten and I have another party to hit,” Cameron said as he twined their fingers together, pulling her toward him. “Catch you all later.”

There were two warring emotions in Kirsten. The one was absolute elation that she got to leave. The other was annoyance that she had to put in another appearance somewhere.

“Another party?” Kirsten asked. “How many people will I have to talk to?”

Cameron smiled at her. “One.”

There was no way that was true unless...

“Are we just going back to your place to watch Netflix and order takeout?” Kirsten sagged in relief against Cameron. “That sounds perfect.”

Cameron disentangled their fingers. He wrapped his arm around Kirsten and pulled her in closer. His head dropped down to place a kiss on her head.