Cami

“Goodnight,” Camille murmured for what had to be the hundredth time, but Nate couldn’t seem to find his way out of her car. And she didn’t particularly mind.

They’d kissed under the moon on Burgundy Street until a light rain started to fall. They ran back to the car in a fit of laughter, which doubled when they realized both their faces were smudged with colorful chalk. Wiping it off each other had turned into more kissing—another thing, Camille didn’t mind.

She’d barely been able to tear herself away long enough to drive Nate home. And now that they were in his driveway, he didn’t seem to want to leave. He leaned in and kissed her again. Both their lips were kiss-stung and raw, but Camille still couldn’t stop. She couldn’t believe this was what she’d been missing out on for seventeen years.

She ran her fingers over Nate’s perfect face, trying to memorize every line and curve. He did the same and it sent fireworks blooming throughout her chest.

The buzzing of Camille’s cell phone was the only thing able to break them apart. She saw it was her mother calling and answered.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Camille. Where are you?”

“Out with a friend.”

“I need you to come home, right now.”

“Is everything okay, Mom?”

“Yes. Just please come home. I need to discuss something with you.”

“What is it?”

“Camille. This isn’t a discussion for the phone. I’ll see you at home.” Then she hung up.

Camille was stunned. Her mother hung up on her! She’d never done that before. This wasn’t good. Had she spoken to one of Cami’s doctors? A million thoughts ran through her mind.

“Is everything alright?” Nate asked.

“Yeah, my mom just wants me to come home.”

“I didn’t get you in trouble, did I?”

“If you did, it was worth it,” she teased.

Nate kissed her again. “Goodnight, beautiful.”

“Goodnight.”

Camille waited until Nate disappeared into the house before letting out a tiny whoop of joy. She’d just kissed Nathan Hawthorne! And it was all she could think about. Well, that and the tiny fact that her mom was acting really weird. But that thought took a backseat as Camille drove home reliving her and Nate’s make out session like it was a romance movie trailer.

Camille’s phone rang again and she hit answer on her car’s touch screen. “Hello?”

Ronnie’s voice boomed over the speakers. “Hey, baby cakes. Sorry to interrupt but I thought you’d wanna know your mama came lookin’ for ya tonight and she seemed perturbed.”

“Yeah she got a hold of me. I’m driving home now.”

“Are you in some kinda trouble, bebe?”

“No. I think she just wants to go over some medical stuff with me. We haven’t been able to catch up lately. You know how she gets.”

“Well, as long as it’s nuthin serious, tell me how your date went.”

Camille squealed. Actually squealed! “Omigod! Ronnie it was amazing. He kissed me!”

“You go girl!”

“Ronnie, I swear I thought I was having a heart attack. My heart was pounding so hard I couldn’t think straight or breathe or anything.” Camille caught her breath and sighed. “Is it always like this?”

Ronnie laughed. “Oh baby cakes, you’re in trouble.”

“What? Why?” For a second Camille thought maybe she was having a heart attack as her heart flipped over in her chest.

“Because you’re in love.”

“No I’m not. I’ve just never been kissed. Which is sad and pathetic and now it’s all I can think about.”

“Sugar, you think I don’t know love when I see it? You two are meant for each other. And what you’re feeling, that doesn’t happen from just any old kiss. That feeling is rare and meant to be cherished.”

Camille’s heart was pounding again and it made her voice soft. “Really?”

“Oh yes. But you gotta keep it real, baby doll. No more lying to yourself or that boy. You hear me?”

“Yeah. Thanks, Ronnie. I had a really good time tonight.”

“That’s good to hear, bebe. You deserve it. Now say hi to your mom an’ them.”

“I will. Goodnight.”

Camille’s heart sank when she hung up. Ronnie was right, and it deflated the cloud she’d been floating on. She had to tell Nate the truth. That is if she survived whatever she’d done to make her mother so upset.

Dread settled in Camille’s stomach. She had a pretty good idea why her mother was so mad, and it was only going to get worse.

Nate

Nate flopped onto his bed. He’d taken a cold shower when he got home, but nothing could wipe the smile off his face. He’d kissed Camille LaRue—his dream girl. Sudden bursts of joy kept seizing him and making him want to dance around the room or cheer like he was at a soccer match. Nate’s heart was near bursting. He wished there was someone he could talk to.

As usual, his house was empty when he got home. But this wasn’t something he could share with his dad. They weren’t close like that anymore. It was the kind of thing Nate would’ve told Tyler. The thought evoked a stabbing sadness within Nate. But just as quickly, the pain was carried away by his memories of Camille’s face. Her shy smile, her quiet laughter, the way her lips felt against his. Nothing could steal the joy he felt kissing Cami tonight. Not even missing Tyler. And for the first time since his brother’s death, Nate felt hope lodge itself in his heart and outshine his despair.