Hayden's POV
I sat down near a very beautiful tree just taking in the fresh air
I felt like I was being stifled in that place.
I took out the camera that Alexis gave me and taking pictures of the birds that's flew by, so peaceful. They had not a care in the world
As I was about to take another, there was Cameron blocking my shot.
"You're in my shot" I say
"You're welcome" She said as she sat next to me, she looked uneasy
"What's troubling you?" I ask
She shook her head
"Can I?" She asked gesturing to the camera.
"Yeah sure, just press that button to focus" I gesture to to the small black button near her thumb.
The first few shots she took were of flowers, I was amazed by the angles she would take them at and the lengths she would go through to take these photos. I watched silently.
She stood there for while, her eyes trailing down my body
"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked
"Can I take some shots of you?" She asked nervously.
"I'm kind of camera shy" I scraped the nape of my neck
"It's okay, I understand" She said.
"Don't get me wrong. I take pictures of beautiful works of art, I just don't think I belong in that category" I chuckle.
In all honesty, I never found myself as an attractive person. Some people here looked like goddesses that walked earth for years, while I'm here looking like... Me.
Which is why I was stunned at what came next
"You are a work of art" Cameron cupped my cheek, I found see the fire burn in her eyes
"You're so strong, you are so fucking talented and I hate seeing you like this, never doubt yourself and if you ever are, you know where to find me" She said lifting my chin up. I reacted the best way I could
My lips met hers in a sweet lingering kiss, my stomach erupting with butterflies. I had no idea she thought that of me. I couldn't describe the feeling
We pulled apart with a smile on both our lips
"I think kissing you is now my favorite thing" Cameron said grinning ear to ear
I chucked and snaked my arm around her waist. I've never felt how it felt to be appreciated by someone other than Alexis and her dads. Cameron was starting to bring out that confident side of me I never knew I had.
"Okay let's do it, take some shots" I said jumping up.
"There she is, that's my Hayden" She said as she got ready to take the pics.
I posed foolishly feeling confident as she yelled "work it". I was a giggling mess, Cameron was on the ground angling the camera up, it was chaotic
I felt a shift in her energy when she stopped.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Just wondering if your ex girlfriend is going to kill me" She laughed pointing over to Maddison.
I turned around to see Maddison on the grass, her red hair blowing with the wind. She looked so peaceful
"Maddison isn't my girlfriend, and she never was" I said. "It's complicated"
"When you weren't looking, she was giving me the death stare, and I'm sorry I didn't know that you guys weren't together, you just seemed pretty close" She said.
"Well, we are... It's just messy, she's unpredictable" I shrugged. Maddison looked over at me, she gave a small wave.
"I'll be back" I say, Cameron handed me the camera, I walked over to Maddison
"Hey" I say laying on the grass
"Hey" she smiled
"Can I take a picture of you?" I ask
"I'm too lazy to move"
"That's okay" I smiled
I felt a blush creep onto my cheek, oh my God
"Did you get it? Can I see?" she asked
My eyes grew wide, I swallowed a lump in my throat before turning the camera
"Wow, you've got a sharp eye" she smirks. I almost face palmed. This was embarrassing
We then heard Immanuel's annoying voice announcing that all the students should go and assemble.
We got up and walked to the back. I started to wonder where was Alexis and how her day went, I'll see her when we're assembling.
We got there, a couple of students and Immanuel were standing in front waiting for the rest. Finally everyone was there and Maddison went up in front with Immanuel.
"Hello everyone, students will be sharing tents, two students in one tent and Teachers will be staying with the nuns". Everyone was lowkey happy because we weren't going to be supervised.
"I will be calling these names to pair you off" She said. As she started I was praying to not get paired with Maddison.
"Hayden Musk, you will be paired off with, Maddison" My heart dropped, why are the odds against me
"Cameron Gates you don't have a roommate and you know the reason for that" he said. Everyone started to find their tentmate.
"If you need a break I have space in my tent" She joked as she left to go mark her tent.
I turned around and saw Maddison.
I did a full 180, then went on my way to collect my stuff when I saw Alexis. Something didn't feel right. I walked up to her.
"What's wrong?" I said concerned.
"Well it's just that not everybody is who they claim to be" She sighed.
"Okay Emily Dickinson" I said trying to make her laugh, she chuckled a little bit.
"No don't make me laugh, I'm being serious" She said trying not to laugh. "And it sucks cause I can't talk to you about it right now " She said.
"If you think that sucks, I'm paired with Maddison, of all people" I said dreading.
"Yeah that does sucks" She chuckled.
"I'm sure whatever it is that you're dealing with, you'll push through and overcome that. You're the kind of person that never allows a stone to block their path. If that doesn't work, then at the end of it all you still got me, AND I"M WHAT? I shouted.
"Bae" She said.
"I'm sorry I CAN"T HEAR YOU? I shouted.
"BAE" She shouted back.
"AND WHAT DOES THAT STAND FOR?" I Shouted.
"BEFORE ANYONE ELSE, now shut the fuck up" she laughed.
"You good?" I asked.
"Yeah I'm good" She answered.
"Who's your tentmate?" I asked.
"I got Abeke, thank god" she laughed. We shared an everlasting hug and went our separate ways. I got my things and went to the back, I saw Maddison going in a tent and assumed it was ours.
I entered the tent and I saw her, I remained silent and emptied my stuff on my side
I laid there thinking, I felt like I was between two girls. Maddison made me feel on top of the world but Cameron was so different. She's everything and more
"Um why are you being so weird?" She said out of nowhere.
"What do you mean 'weird', I haven't done or said anything" I retorted.
"That's exactly what I mean, you're not even talking to me" She said.
"What do you want me to say"
"Anything" she whispered
An awkward silence fell on us, the tension was obvious
"You keep giving me this look, but you mess around with Danny. Did you know how much it hurt to see you kissing him, and in front of everyone. For fuck sakes"
"I-"
"no, shut the fuck up and listen, I'm tired of your excuses"
Maddison bowed her head, her fingers playing with each other
"I don't know what kind of sick game you were trying to play with me back then, but I'm not gonna do that. You keep fucking up my heart on repeat" I sigh
"You said you're not into a girls, it was a 'mistake' to sleep with me.. Why do you constantly look at me like that Maddison? Like you.. Want me"
"Because I do" she mumbled.
My heart dropped, but was instantly filled with anger. My feet found its way out of the tent, maybe she didn't intend on me to hear that. But I did.
Before leaving her behind, I glanced back at her, my lips parted
"You're too late"