Chapter 2: The Love of His Life

Cameron hopped into a cab and started making his way to the library. Half way there he told the cab driver to make a different stop. The cab dropped him off at beautiful corner lot. As he walked up to the house all he could think was “I just have to see her. She always made things better.”  He made it to the door of the beautiful homestead and rang the doorbell.  

After a few seconds the front door opened and out stepped the prettiest girl that Cameron had ever met: Lillibeth or Lilly as most people called her. She was pretty, smart, funny and most importantly: She loved Cameron. “Cam? Cam?...CAMERON?!” She yelled to snap him out of his daydreaming. He always did that when he saw her.  “Oh sorry Lil.” He had the biggest smile on his face.  Lilly smiled back “It’s okay. What’s up? No wait, your dad again?”  

“Yea what else is new? He’s always down my throat about something” he shook his head “I can’t wait to get away from here!”  Lilly looked at him puzzled. “You’re actually planning on leaving? I thought that was just talk.” Cameron took a step back, “Well yea I plan on leaving. Lilly you know I can’t stay here. My old man’s on my back about everything I do. It’s like he hates me or something.”  

“I’m sure he doesn't hate you. Have you talked to him or your mom about it?” She could tell by the perplexed look on his face that she asked a silly question. “He’s not going to talk to me about that kind of stuff and my mom is always parked in front of the TV if she’s not working.”  She sat down on the bench and looked down at her feet. “So is this it for us? I mean graduation is in two weeks. Are you leaving right after?” He slipped into the seat next to her. “Why don’t you come with me? We could get a little place right by the water in Starlight Shores, maybe even get married.”  

She let out a heavy sigh.  “You know I can’t leave my grandpa. He’s all I have left. Oh and don’t you think it’s too soon to be talking about marriage? We’re not out of high school yet!” she was getting a little anxious. Cameron hugged her close, “I’m sorry. I am moving too fast aren't I? It’s just I love you and I want you to come with me. We can start a whole new life together.”  

“With what money huh Cameron?  Have you really thought this through?”  She shook her head. She couldn't believe they were actually having this conversation, seriously? Marriage?  “Listen I’ll figure something out I promise.” He tried to reassure her. She chuckled as she got up to lean against the railing. “What are you going to do rob a bank?” She didn't like the look on his face. “Seriously Cam, DON’T!”  he couldn't help but laugh at her reaction. “Don’t worry that’s not going to happen. I’ll figure something out, I’m going to make you that promise.”  

He grabbed her hand and leaned in for a kiss. "I promise it will all work out, you know I always have a plan" he smirked. "Yea, yea you do" she relaxed a bit because she knew that he was telling the truth. He was always able to make a way but this is big. He was talking about moving across country. 

                She looked at him suspiciously, “Okay if you say so. Call me when you come up with something, I have to go make dinner.” Cameron loved her passion for cooking. He knew they both had dreams, he was just really hoping they could make them come true. “Alright I’ll call you later. I have to head to the library.” She kissed him goodbye. “I love you, you know that right?” 

“I know you do and I love you too. He ran to hail a cab and gave Lillibeth a wave goodbye. He’s loved that girl ever since the first time he saw her in middle school. She never noticed him and he was the clumsiest kid in school. As he rode in the cab to the library he thought, “I have to think of a plan…a good plan. I can’t stay here anymore and I can’t leave her behind.” 

*End of Chapter 2*

Coming up, Chapter 3: Fight like a Man