Chapter 18: Finals.

Tuesday.

Day 5.

Issa.

Before the movie even ended, I wound up falling asleep inside of George's arms and had the best sleep I've have in awhile.

I woke up the next morning by him stirring beside me in his sleep.

I turn over to study him and notice he had a line of drool down his cheek, as his mouth was wide open. I found myself holding in a laugh so I don't wake him. Then a surge of anxiety hits as I go to check his clock. Shit.

It was almost time for class already. I had completely forgotten I had classes this morning at 11. Becoming guilty for having to ditch him, I secretly move out of bed with him. Luckily, he doesn't notice my movements out of bed and continues sleeping peacefully.

Not having any time to go back to my dorm to change, I desperately run to Lectras room for a pair of pants, as I only had a shirt with swim suit bottoms on underneath. I walk out of Georges room, forgetting someone could by chance see me walking out of his room looking this suspicious, when standing down the hall, just coming up from the stairs is Cam.

We stop and stare at eachother a little too long, and very awkwardly at that, until he finally points out;

"You look like you're in a hurry? How was the hiding with George last night?" How did Cam know about me hiding with him? However he knew, I guess that saves an embarrassing explanation to him at least. I breath a relieved sigh and continue my walk of shame down the hall further to Lectras room.

"I am in a hurry actually. Late for class. Need pants." I gesture to my lower half being obviously pants-less. Cam's giggling lightly when he says;

"Well Lectra just left, so you're out of luck. I've got some sweatpants you could wear, if you're fine with that?" I groan but agree anyway.

"As desperate as I am, yes. I'll take some." This Cam was so much different than the one I knew at the school. Was this the Cam that George would always defend all the time? It would make sense, he was almost fun to have around. 

Snapping me out of my thought, Cam jogs past me, handing me a mug of coffee he had been holding this whole time, only I had just noticed it. He then runs to his room, leaving me alone in the hallway. After a short time, he comes back out holding some grey sweatpants. He comes up to me looking overly excited and hands me them. I give him back his coffee as I put them on, realizing they were much too big for me. He seems to notice this and adds:

"Maybe you're a little tinier than I thought?" He retorts, amused with himself. I smile up at him then tie the drawstrings as tight as was possible.

"Ya think?" I ask this, now posing the outfit for him. We were actually kind of having fun that I forgot I was late for class for a minute. 

"It'll have to do, I gotta go. Thanks for the pants Cam!" It felt weird to really be getting along with him. This version of him hadn't kidnapped me, so that sure helped. I understood why George was so defensive now though, he wasn't half bad when he wasn't acting like a dickhead.

I start to walk away when Cam shouts across the hall semi-softly;

"Brooks is in the living room. Just-if you were still trying to avoid him? I'd go through the side door instead of the front, otherwise he might spot you."

"Thank you. And I promise I'll give these pants back eventually!" He smirks and says;

"You can just hide from Brooks with me this time and give me them then. I've got Mario kart?" Feeling stressed about class now, I skittishly reply;

"Deal. I'll talk to you later." Finally I head down the stairs, almost tripping on the sweatpants from how baggy they were. I slowly make my way around Brooks in the living room. He luckily had ear buds in so even if I were noisy, he probably wouldn't have notice me anyway. I go outside around the pool and successfully make it to my car.

It was now almost 11 so I was starting to feel sick about being late. My Spanish professor was unforgiving about students showing up late, no matter what the circumstance. I had to make it there.

•••

This would be another occasion where I probably should have gotten pulled over for how fast I was driving, but never did. I somehow manage to get there only one minute before class started, completely out of breath and looking like a hobo from my choice of clothing. The whole class watches me as I strut in wearing the sweatpants and oversized shirt, looking very homeless.

The professor wasted no time starting class before the clock even got to 11. She starts talking about how finals were next week making me completely freeze up. I had totally forgotten that I was done with this year soon, then we'd have summer break. I should be studying, instead I was out partying all weekend and spending my nights at Lectras.

Or now, George, I guess.

I wasn't all too excited to finally finish up the semester and be done with everything though. I was doing horrible in all of my important classes and had little to no faith that I would do good, even if I did study. My computer science class was the worst. That class has everything to do with what I was going for too. As if that doesn't just put a damper on my dreams.

I snap out of that depressing thought and refocus back into class. The professor was now writing up on the board when the classes new schedule for the final would be. Next week, Monday at 3. No big deal. She then tells us that we would have the rest of today to study and relax. Spanish was the one class I was comfortable with. That final would be easy. 

I at least hoped it would be.

•••

I finished up with my Spanish class, but it was a long wait until I actually needed to go to my next one, so in the mean time, I was studying, finally. My next class was math at 5, and It was now a half hour until then, which meant I had successfully been studying for almost four of those hours.

I was mentally patting myself on my back when my phone buzzed. I wondered who of the many people I didn't want texting me it would be. Brooks? Maybe some ex boyfriend? Or even Lectra asking how George was. Ugh.

I pull out my phone after a long while of stalling and see I had gotten an unknown message from someone. The message was very simple but ended up catching my attention any way;

Unknown: 'Hey Issa!'

Normally I would just delete the contact immediately after a call or text from an unknown number, but clearly this person knew me, and I was curious. Plus it wasn't Brooks or Lectra, so it couldn't be any worse than that. Let's just hope.

Me: 'Whos this?'

Almost too quick, they text back;

Unknown: 'I see you.' 

I almost drop my phone in panic. I look around from the lobby I was sitting in at the many people walking around me. If someone was watching me, I couldn't tell. My heart races and I debate typing anything back when I get another message:

Unknown: 'Sorry. That was really creepy. Its Cam, Lectra gave me your number.'

Two words; dumb ass.

Me: 'Jeez Cam? Who does that? You almost gave me a heart attack!'

I image him simply reading my message then laughing that infectious laugh of his, obviously amused, though I was the opposite of that. Another buzz and I quickly change his name and add him into my contacts so I didn't keep getting freaked out over the name anymore then read;

Cam: 'Yeah, not the smartest thing I've done in my life.' 

I then realize what he said earlier and type back;

Me: 'Why did Lectra give you my number anyway?'

Cam: 'Figured I needed to talk to you about making plans for getting my pants back somehow, right?'

I nod to myself as if he could even see it, feeling like an idiot, I text back;

Me: 'Good point. So when are we hanging then?' 

He waits a few minutes before typing back then replies;

Cam: 'How about tonight?'

I had wanted to use tomorrow as a study day so tonight wouldn't work. If I was going to come over, I'd have to leave super early to get as much studying in as possible and I wanted to see him longer than just one night to get to know him better. I also knew damn well I had classes that following Thursday and didn't want to repeat another one of today's classic 'being late' situations if I slept over at all, so I reply;

Me: 'Thursday after 4 would work the best. I've got classes, remember?'

I had two classes before 4 so then we'd have the whole rest of the day for spending time together afterward. It only hits me just then really how annoying classes were. Cams next message pops up and my heart stalls.

Cam: 'Just drop out? Start streaming like me.' 

I knew he was at least partially kidding, but I had thought about it not long ago. I wanted to blame it on the events of the school draining all of my, already low, enthusiasm I had after being taken there, but I had thought about dropping out long before that. Then George came around with his streaming idea, and it looked fun, as idiotic as it sounded.

Dropping out of college to start streaming? Yeah, smart. 

I try to dismiss that thought as I reply:

Me: 'As much as I want to drop out, I can't. And I need to study Friday so-Thursday.' 

He once again takes too long to answer then finally replies;

Cam: 'Your choice. Thursday it is.' 

It felt so weird to be texting Cam so casually like we were best buds. If I was being honest, I could see myself getting along with him now. He occasionally told horrible jokes, but it somehow still made me laugh. He was just so easy to get along with. I quickly glance at the time and see I should be heading to class, so quickly I text Cam;

Me: 'We can talk later, gotta go to class soon.' 

Cam: 'See ya Issa.'

•••

My math class went by slowly, but it was finally done, so that meant I could go back to my dorm. The rest of the day consisted of rethinking me and Cam's conversation about dropping out, which was barely anything, but it still had me thinking.

I knew it was a risk to try streaming and just hope I did well, but I enjoyed it, much more than what I was doing now. I roll my eyes at myself, once again feeling stressed thinking about dropping out, as I approached my dorm, ready for the day to end already. I'd just have to hope now that Jo wouldn't be back to bother me.

I walk into my room and there Jo was, finally back, unfortunately. This time though, she had a guy with her, making out on my bed. I stood there in plain sight, watching them in disgust, but nobody notices me. I wasn't even surprised by her at this point, but was still definitely pissed.

I awkwardly stood there in the doorway, not sure what to do. I cough into my fist, making them aware of my presence, and they finally get up from my bed swiftly. The man gets off of her then stares at me like I was his own mother catching him.

He was tan and bulky with black hair, and as annoying as it felt to admit, he was really good looking. I barely had time to stare at him though, because I was glaring right down at Jo, still in my bed. She finally gets up with him and glares right back at me.

"Oh yay, you're back." Unbelievably, she was the one angry with me. She was the one making out with some guy on my bed, which made no sense when her bed was five feet away. I cross my arms and glare at them both and ask;

"What, your bed's broken or something?" Jo scoffs at me then adds;

"You're never here. So dibs."

"Oh, I'm never here? You've been awol all week. I was gone for one day." She laughs like what I just said meant nothing to her then grabs the mans arm and walks over to her bed and they sit. He stood there like he was about to get grounded by me the entire time. I wondered if I had to tell him I wasn't really his mom, because he was sure acting like I was.

Then, as he sits beside her, he glances at me then whispers something to Jo. She nods then pulls him in and starts kissing him more, although at this point, he seemed to want to leave. Well same here dude. As curious as I was to know what they were whispering about me for, I was way more disgusted that they were still continuing with me there, so I avert my attention away.

I crawl into bed and cover myself with my blankets, then pull out my phone. I was surprised to see I had a text from Cam. It was a simple 'hi' but I was still shocked he even messaged me. I didn't think he would really text me again. I know I had said 'talk later' but I didn't think we actually would.

I text him a 'hi' right back then wait as I scroll through Twitter helplessly. Two seconds into scrolling, he texts back;

Cam: 'How was class?' 

Me: 'well it was math so, horrendous. How was your day?'

I then move back into Twitter and decide to search up Cam's account. I searched his stream name and there he was. I smile as I follow his very secretive account, then there in recommended, was George too. I follow him too immediately, not expecting either of them to notice, as they probably got hundreds of follows a day. Finally I get another text notification from Cam;

Cam: 'I streamed. Thats about it. And you?'

This conversation was becoming too casual for my liking, so I decided to change it up;

Me: 'Oh it was fine, until I got home.'

Cam: 'Uh oh. What happened?'

I giggle at his message, ready to explain, then hear wet kissing sounds along with deep breathing and have to keep myself from gagging.

Me: 'My roommate invited some guy over to make out on MY bed and now they are one hundred percent doing stuff five feet away. Save me.'

Now I was sure I heard some pants unzipping when he replied again;

Cam: 'no way? Thats hilarious.' 

Then he texts again;

Cam: 'I mean, terrible. Just awful.'

I can't help but laugh again but immediately stop, remembering what was happening a few feet away.

Me: 'if this is how I'll spend my free day off from classes tomorrow, I dont want it.'

Instantly replying, he says;

Cam: 'you could just come over now?' 

My original plan was to spend the whole day tomorrow studying, but something made me think I wouldn't get much in with Jo here. There was also just another part of me that just really wanted to see Cam right now, so I text back;

Me: 'Yeah. I should, if its okay?'

Cam: 'im sure Leah would love it too. Come on over.'

Me: 'wait, now?'

Cam: 'duh. Get over here. You don't need to suffer from your roommate.'

I didn't think twice about it. I wanted to get out of here as far away from Jo as I could. I jump up from my bed and go to my closet to find new clothes.

Trying to avoid looking at whatever may be happening over at Jo's bed, I navigate over to my closet. I get there and don't think, I just pull random articles of clothing out and put them on to replace the questionable outfit I already had on, not caring if the two saw or not. I grab my backpack and throw some more clothes inside it, just in case.

I look in my mirror at myself and see at last what I had put on. It was a black cropped tank top with ripped skinny jeans. I didn't feel like changing so I went with it. Plus it was an improvement from the shirt and sweatpants so I didn't care. I quickly throw a sweatshirt over the outfit and headed out the door without any interactions from Jo or the mystery man.

•••

I arrive at Cam's nervously. I had been excited to get out of my dorm at the time, but on the way there, I started overthinking. The one person I didn't want to run into was Brooks. And too be honest, George too. Me running out this morning without saying anything could have been taken the wrong way. We didn't do anything besides kiss, so maybe I had nothing to worry about. I had no idea what we even were right now.

I'm still inside of my car when I take out my phone to text Cam that I was there. He texts me back right away;

Cam: 'Brooks isn't even home, just come on in.' 

That was all I needed to hear. In an instant, I was out of my car walking to the entrance. It was still insanely strange to be hanging out with Cam. Then I remembered, I had totally forgotten his sweatpants I borrowed. Crap. I hesitantly turn the door knob and open the door. Walking down the stairs was Cam. He was smiling but saw me and it dropped.

"Woah. You look way different than this morning. That reminds me, where are my sweatpants?" I shyly smile then make my way inside.

"Would you believe I was just washing them?" He rolls his eyes at me with a smile then says certainly;

"You forgot them didn't you?" I cover my eyes with my palms, ashamed of myself for forgetting it so easily.

"I was in such a hurry to get out of there. I'm sorry. I can just go get them right now-" Cam throws up his hands then says calmly;

"Pssh. It's whatever. Just gives you more reason to come see me again Thursday." Three days alone with Cam? I would never have done this in my dream. Just then, Lectra comes running downstairs screaming.

"Issa! What are you doing here? Damn girl, you basically live here at this point." Cam speaks up before I can get the chance by saying;

"Well she was supposed to give me my pants back, but I guess that's not happening. So how about some games?"

"Games sound good." Lectra looks at me like I was her hero, then she turns to Cam then back to me again. She then states with a mischievous giggle;

"Oh. Games, upstairs, in his room?" Oh no. I was hoping she didn't have it in mind that I was with both Cam and George, but by the look on her face, she clearly did think it. Not thinking first, I simply nod at her, making her put a hand up to her mouth with a gasp. I loved Lectra but she sure was something special, which was why I loved her.

"So, let's go?" Cam finally jumps in while giving Lectra a funny look along with me. I nod again and reply;

"Yes. See you later Lectra." I quickly try to give her a look that says 'it isn't what you think' but she brushed it off immediately with a wink of encouragement to me.

I follow Cam upstairs to his room, successfully dodging George along the way. It didn't even feel weird being up here alone with him. Truthfully, it felt like I knew Cam my whole life, like I could do or say anything and he wouldn't judge me. Which was way too weird to be admitting.

We step inside of his room and it looked absolutely mind-blowing. It was ten times bigger than George's was. He also had a setup just like George's too. I couldn't help but compare eachothers rooms. I look over at his bed and see it could easily fit about three full grown adults in it. I laugh, thinking about how school George and Cam both wanted us to be a throuple and that if I had only agreed to it, how useful this bed would be.

I laugh the thought away and tune back into comparing the two guys rooms. Cam's room was noticeably cleaner than George's was, and also smelled more like a bath and body works than an actual bath and body works did. Had he sprayed air fresheners in here before I showed up? There was no question to it. 

Smirking now as I inhaled the scents, I found myself studying his bed again, when suddenly Cam speaks up;

"Comparing me and Georges rooms?" He didn't sound or look upset asking me this, so I assumed it was okay to admit I really was comparing them.

"Yeah, honestly. The rooms in this house are just beautiful." Still watching me he admits;

"Yeah they are." He coughs and adds;

"There are other rooms not in use here, ya know. You really seem to be hating living with that roommate." There were even more rooms? This place really was huge. I then realize he had basically just asked me to move in so I say;

"I mean, I'm sure I wouldn't be able to afford it here even if I wanted to." Cam continues talking to me as he sets up two controllers on the desk. 

"I have a feeling Brooks might just let you stay here. And if not, I can help." It was kind of funny. I was pretending George was my sugar daddy and now Cam was here basically offering to be mine.

"Why would you do that? You barely know me." Shrugging he replies;

"I feel like I do already know you though." George had said the exact same thing to me yesterday. It had caused me to freak out but Cam saying it made sense. I felt the same way for him. I wasn't quite sure why it felt that way. In my dreams I hated him, but here he was comforting. It was all way too confusing.

"I can't just move out right now. That's crazy Cam." I hated that I was even considering this at all. But if I had to spend another semester with Jo, I would probably die.

"It's not. Leah and I will both be here for you." He was clearly trying his hardest to convince me and it was working. Cam then turns on his TV and on comes Mario kart. It was funny to me that we were having such a serious conversation then he could just so easily make it less stressful within a second. He tosses me a controller and says;

"It's up to you Issa. Anyway, it's on!" He clicks into the game and begins choosing his character. I choose Donkey Kong as usual, and he picks Yoshi.

"You seemed like more of a Princess Peach sorta gal to me."

"Wow. Well you seem real fitting for Dry Bones, so-" He gasps looking offended then we both laughed in sync.

I was feeling so relaxed around him when the same thought of dropping out that was floating around my mind all day came back causing me to go stiff again. I knew somehow he wouldn't judge me for what I wanted to say either, so what was there to be afraid of?

Feeling like I would explode now if I didn't let it out, I blurt;

"I think I want to drop out of college and start streaming." He stops laughing and goes quiet. 

"Sorry I don't know why I told you that. But it's the truth. And I just felt like you'd understand." A smile appears on his face, then, sounding excited, he asks;

"You're serious?" He had mentioned it earlier as a joke but it wasn't one to me. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense to do as terrifying as it also was. Being here with Cam and seeing how happy he looked doing what I wanted to do made me feel hopeful.

"Dead serious. I just don't know how to start. I have finals next week, so I won't have to worry about that anymore at least." Cam puts down the controller and scratches his scalp. Finally he says;

"Well, I do support you dropping out if that's what you want. But you should still finish those exams." Feeling embarrassed to admit it to Cam, I state;

"The thing is, I have no faith in myself that I'll even pass most of them." If I was being honest, my time in the school made me forget most of the things I've learned. I wasn't there for long but it was enough for me to forget what I learned in my classes. Afterall, I never thought I'd come back.

"I'll help you study? It may not seem like it, but I'm pre-tty smart." I couldn't help but let out a muffled giggle. I held my hand over my mouth causing a weird noise to escape it, making Cam give me a slightly offended look. Finally, realizing he was being serious, I go silent so he adds;

"I'm serious. I'll help you pass those exams. Then you can shove it in their faces when you drop out!" Feeling like Cam was easily becoming my friend, I agreed.

"Fine. We study tomorrow then." He tosses me my controller again and exclaims;

"Then we better spend the rest of today doing this!" I give Cam a fast glance looking up from the controller and see he's smirking at me.

"Yeah?" I ask unsure why he was still watching me, especially the way he was doing it.

"Dropout." Looking unbelievably proud of himself for his comment, Cam pokes my ribs, indicating he was joking. Dropout, I repeat to myself in my head with a smile. I loosen up and poke him back, which ends in a very childish poke war.

As scared as I was to be relying on him to help me do all of this, Cam and I spent the rest of the night playing games and getting to know each other without a single care in the world. 

Well, maybe I did have one care; how I'd have to awkwardly tell Brooks eventually that I was definitely going to drop out of his college.