Chapter 8 Camilla

• Camilla POV
• The next day….
• Chattering filled the air, and my two new friends weren’t excluded from the chattering, we are at a fast food shop. We just finished our first class of the day and there’s still an hour before our next and class for the day.
• My mind drifted back to the car ride this morning.
• “You’re quiet.” Matthew broke the silence. “Too quiet. What’s going on.” His voice was deep, commanding, a low rumble that made my stomach knot.
• Normally, I’d be rambling by now— about my classes, my professors, some random story just to lighten the mood and make he notice me. But today just as Zoey advices, my lips stay sealed, my eyes wandered to everything and anything except him.
• I’ve loved this man since I was sixteen— just a kid. It started as just admiration slowly transformed into love. But for seven years now, it has been one sided love from me, and I’ve had enough.
• He noticed, of course he did. Matthew always noticed every details.
• I noticed his hands gripped the steering wheel, veins tight against his skin, his jaw set like carved stone when I did respond to him.
• “Camilla!” My name in his voice, it wasn’t gentle. It was rough, edged with warning. “I won’t repeat myself. Tell me what’s wrong.”
• The heat of his gaze was on me, burning into my side. For a second, I almost caved. Almost turned and tell him everything, eager because I’ve gotten his attention.
• But no, not him, not today.
• When we finally arrived at the school pilot, I was quick to push the door open, letting the cool morning air rush in. Without looking back, I stepped out, slamming the door harder than necessary. I walked a way, refusing to turn around, refusing to let him see the storm in my chest.
• Am I doing too much? No! For once I have to do this.
• “Camilla!!” I was rudely snapped back from my daze.
• Ivy was waving her hands in my face, I blushed hard, caught in one of my daydream.
• “Are you okay? We’ve been calling your name for a whole minute.” Livia says, brows furrowed in concern.
• “Yeah, you look to lost, too deep in thought. Do you want to talk about it?” Ivy added.
• Do I want to talk about it? To share my personal life with them? I don’t think so, at least not yet.
• “It’s fine, if you don’t want to talk about it, girl. We just want to know if you’re alright.” Ivy quickly said, noticing my hesitation.
• I felt bad, but I’m just being cautious.
• “I’m fine, thanks.” I release a soft smile, while they rub gently on my hands in reassurance.
• “So… we were just talking about the new crush you’ve earned yourself.” Livia giggled.
• “New crush?” I asked confused.
• “Over there.” She pointed in a direction.
• The shop wasn’t too crowded, so it was easy to spot who they were talking about. And it so happened to be Luke, I couldn’t hold the giggles that rushed out of my throat.
• “What in God’s name.” I laughed.
• “Is it true, we saw the way he was staring at you and how gentle he was towards you.” Ivy chimed, with a dazed dreamy expression.
• “Come off it girls, you being delusional.” I dismissed.
• “Alright, to prove us right, look over.” Ivy nodded to his direction.
• I did, looking over again but this time I met his eyes already staring at me, he broke a smile and stood up from his seat. He said something to his friends, obviously excused himself and came to our table.
• “Ladies.” He greeted smoothly with his boyish smile, gaze flicking briefly over my friends before settling firmly, too firmly on me. “Mind if I join you?”
• “Sure, there’s space.” Livia smirked pointing to the chair beside me, she always quick to stir drama.
• I shot her a look but Luke was already pulling out the chair, sliding in beside me. Too close.
• “How are you girls doing?” He smirked, arching an eyebrow at each of us.
• “We are good, obviously.” Ivy and Livia answered simultaneously giggling, a little too excited over nothing. I smiled back at him.
• “So,” he drawled, resting an elbow on the table as he turned toward me, “there’s a party tomorrow night. Off-campus, just a little party to ease off the tension of school this semester before exam session.” His eyes gleamed like he already knew my answer but wanted to hear me say it.
• I opened my mouth, unsure what to reply, when his fingers brushed against my arm, light and deliberate. His touch skimmed down just enough to make goosebumps rise across my skin.
• I stiffened, my tray suddenly the most fascinating thing, my pulse quickened— damn him.
• “You guys will come, won’t you?” His voice rise just enough for Ivy and Livia to hear, directly putting me in a spot.
• Both Livia and Ivy stared at me, pouting and silently begging me to say yes, Livia even went as far as clasping her hands in plead.
• I swallowed.
• “I, I will think about it.” I managed, though my voice betrayed me, stuttering and softer than intended.
• Zoey would’ve teased me to no end if she was here. Ivy arched her brow instead, shooting me a look that screamed, Oh, this is interesting.
• “That’s not a no.” He chuckled, leaning back with a satisfied smile. His arm causally draping across the back of my chair like he owned the space.
• I tried to roll my eyes, to brush him off but my body betrayed me, still humming where his fingers had touched.
• If Matthew had seen this, he would have lost his mind. And for some insane reason, that thought thrilled me.
• I love to see him jealous and possessive, call me crazy but I’m thrilled.