19 Aruba

2023 ‖ Chicago, IL

Willy's is a well-heated typical American diner, only a few streets away from The Blue Lagoon.

When they enter the nearly empty restaurant, the woman behind the bar looks up.

"Evening Kaz!"

He blushes. "Hey, Moni."

Before Cameron can wonder whether Moni's full name is Monica or Monique, Kaz pulls him lightly to a table in the back.

"I guess you know my name now. I would have liked to tell you myself but yeah."

At first, Cameron doesn't know what he means by that but then he realizes that Kaz has only introduced himself as Java so far.

Quick, act surprised!

"I think Kaz suits you, it's a nice name. And don't worry, I'll keep it to myself."

They sit down next to each other.

"So how does she know you? Do you come here often?"

Kaz grabs the menu and leans closer to Cameron who puts his arm around his shoulders.

Isn't this perfect? Isn't this what he had always wanted?

"It's the only diner that has sugarfree ice cream. I'm diabetic but I love milkshakes. Bad combo. What do you want to eat?"

"What do you recommend?"

Cameron pulls him even closer. Kaz doesn't seem to mind the cuddly position. He puts his head on Cameron's shoulder.

"The fire fries are really good. Basically curly fries with some sort of salsa hot sauce mix. Onion rings are a must. The burgers are all great except for the Swedish Delight, it's usually too salty. And you have to try the apple pie. And the lava cake."

"I see, this is going to be a long night."

Cameron looks through the menu but it's hard for him to concentrate. Kaz' body warmth is so comforting that he suddenly feels really tired. What time is it?

"What can I get you two?"

Moni the waitress, a maybe 30-year-old broad woman with blonde curls and a septum piercing, pulls out her note pad and smiles at them. Cameron waits for Kaz to order first. "

Can I have a large vanilla milkshake and the finger food bowl?"

"Sure thing, sweetie. What about you?"

Cameron takes a last glance at the menu and then puts it down. "I'll have the Aruba burger with fries and a coke."

"Okeydokey." Moni smiles at them one last time and then turns around to walk away.

"So you're into fruit on savory foods?" Kaz grins, his hand glides over Cameron's chest.

"Hell yeah. Saying pineapple doesn't belong on pizza is blasphemy!"

The redhead chuckles. "Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"What do you work as?"

Good question. Cameron tries to find his inner voice. The intruder. Or to say better, the memories he still has to make.

"I'm going to college, studying nutrition science. I'm doing my bachelor in a few months."

Cool.

"Cool! See, I'm starting to like you more and more. Now you're an educated hot responsible nice guy slash hopeless romantic. That's sexy."

"You think so?"

"Mhm."

They kiss again slowly. Kaz' hand glides through Cameron's hair. The soft touches of their tongues make Cameron's fingers tingle.

This right here is what Cameron wants. A happy relationship with the boy he loves.

But this isn't reality. And he needs to remember that.

He needs to hold onto the facts before he falls in love with a life that isn't his.

Suddenly Kaz pulls back.

"Wait a second, I've never noticed that."

"What?"

Kaz goes back to kissing him just to pull away again.

"You're missing a molar tooth. How did you lose that one?"

Cameron automatically holds his hand against his cheek. His face heats up.

"I had an accident a few years ago. I almost drowned. And when I was conscious again, the tooth was gone. I don't remember what happened but I probably hit my head on a rock or something."

"Oh my god."

Kaz's face goes white.

"That's horrible. You almost drowned? I'm so sorry."

He grabs Cameron's hand.

"Yeah but I got saved...by the life guard. So no big deal. I'm fine now. Just missing a tooth."

Kaz wants to say something but Moni interrupts them.

"Hey love birds, food's here."

She puts down the food in front of them and leaves again.

"Damn that looks good."

Cameron takes a closer look at the burger. Fluffy bun, juicy meat, fresh mango.

"You need to try the mayo with your fries. I swear they have the best mayo here."

Cameron grabs the yellow bottle and pours some onto his plate.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Welcome."

Kaz opens the door and they step into a small apartment. The entrance door leads directly to the living room.

"Oh, this place is ni-" "Hey dude, have you seen- Oh, hi."

A guy in sweatpants and a hoodie comes into the living room and now looks at Cameron.

He has brown hair, blue eyes and looks like he has spent the whole day playing video games. Cameron doesn't judge him, it's too relatable.

"Hey."

The guy ignores him and looks back at Kaz.

"Have you seen my hairdryer?" "Nope. Sorry." T

he guy nods and starts searching the room. Cameron would like to look at all the stuff, the pictures on the walls, the books on the shelves but Kaz already pulls him towards another door.

They enter a bedroom, Kaz' bedroom. It isn't anything special. It has a bed and a drawer and there is stuff all over the floor.

It barely reflects Kaz' bubbly and sparkling personality.

It feels like the room of a stranger.

"Who was that?"

Kaz takes off his jacket and throws it over a chair.

"My flatmate. Hunter. He is pretty cool. Spends too much time playing GTA and constantly talks about girls but he's fun to be around."

"You never told me that you have a flatmate."

Kaz grins and steps closer. "I guess it was never an important thing to talk about. And now please stop talking."

He kisses Cameron and puts his arms around his neck.

"Wait, won't he hear us?"

Kaz rolls his eyes. "Don't worry, his headset is basically glued to his ears. And even if, I don't think he minds."

"Why? Because you bring people home with you often?"

"No, but he does. Please stop talking now. We got better things to do."

Cameron pushes Kaz so that he falls onto the bed. "Say no more."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The clock on the wall shows 3:32am. Cameron is sitting on one of the bar stools in the small kitchen, staring into the dark. He woke up just a few minutes ago, wondering why he was still in Kaz' bed instead of in his dorm again but then suddenly a lightbulb in his head turned on.

All his time travels so far had a similar beginning and end.

They started with him being thrown into a situation where he was about to meet Kaz and ended with him leaving the scene and immediately being sucked into the present.

As if whatever is controlling his trips wants him to only be confronted with Kaz and everything else doesn't matter.

Maybe that is how Cameron can control his trips.

If he wants to jump back and wake up again, he has to leave.

But as long as he stays close to Kaz, he'll stay in the future.

It's just a theory but he has to test it. And he has to do so right now even though he doesn't want to leave. Cameron wants to go back to bed and cuddle with the boy he loves but this isn't his life.

It's real, yes, it's his future. But it's not where he's supposed to be.

He can't lose touch with the present. He can't sleep forever. That'd be insane. He has to jump back and that as soon as possible, before he loses focus.

Cameron slowly gets up from the barstool. But he can't leave without saying goodbye to Kaz. That would send the wrong message. He opens the door and walks towards the bed.

Kaz is still asleep, his fists clenching the blanket. The moonlight illuminates his beautiful face and the soft curls surrounding it like a halo.

He looks peaceful.

Cameron could stay for just five more minutes and...no. He can't.

Cameron kneels down next to him and starts stroking his hair.

"Kaz."

At first, he doesn't seem to react, his chest is moving calmly in sync with his breathing. But Cameron continues to whisper his name and after a minute Kaz starts moving until he slowly opens his eyes. He blinks a few times.

"Cam?"

Kaz' hand appears from under the blanket and strokes Cameron's cheek.

"I'm sorry baby but I have to leave. I wanted to say goodbye so you won't get the wrong idea."

Kaz doesn't seem happy about it.

"No, stay. I want to cuddle."

"Me too. But I can't."

Kaz pulls his hand back. His eyes are heavy. He yawns. God, he's so cute.

"Will you call me?"

"Of course. I love you."

As soon as the words have left his mouth Cameron bites his lips. Fuck. Kaz just stares at him.

Fuck fuck fuck.

Silence. Then he starts smiling.

"I love you too."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A pair of sharp eyes follows Cameron as he steps out into the cold night.

The plan isn't unfolding the way he had hoped. This is not the horror story he is trying to create.

He has been too soft on both the human and the prince.

The dissatisfaction in his heart makes him hungry.

Hungry for blood.

Cameron looks around, checking if anyone is near him but the shadow stays unnoticed.

As the black-haired boy starts turning into glistening dust in the middle of the empty sidewalk, the spectator grabs the necklace, dangling around his throat.

His hand embraces the tooth in the middle, holding onto it tightly.

The game has just begun and there is no way to win it.

He pulls the hood lower to cover his face.

"See you in hell, bottom feeder."

END OF ACT II