Come Down With Love

Later after band practice Cameron’s new girlfriend stopped by. I knew her from school, as everyone did being she was the “It” Girl, but we never crossed paths because we didn’t hang around the same people. In fact, I hung out with Cameron so I wouldn’t ever imagine him with her, or anyone like her. But the sight in front of me proved me wrong.

We were all hanging out in Cameron’s basement. I was sitting on the black leather couch against the lime green wall. It faced all of the boys’ band equipment, and I sat there every time I watched them practice which mostly consisted of goofing off. Zach sat next to me, stealing from my large order of curly fries and he was popping a handful into his mouth every two seconds. Next to Zach was Cameron, and in Cameron’s lap was Caroline, his new girlfriend that I mentioned before.

Michael and Nathan were playing with the microphones pretending to be stand-up comedians. No one was paying them any attention. Caroline was all over Cameron, and it was like a train wreck—you couldn’t look away. And I couldn’t help but gag as she stuck her tongue down his throat. Not only was Caroline the “It” Girl she was also considered a “harlot” (as my mom would say). I would say she’s a whore.

“This is getting just a little awkward,” Nathan noted into the microphone while glancing at Cameron and Caroline kissing.

Zach got up from the couch and pulled me along with him, out of the sunk-in couch. Nathan, Michael, Zach, and I left Cameron and Caroline and went into his kitchen to eat all of his food. I was already full from Jack-In the Box though so I sat at the island as the boys’ searched Cameron’s pantry.

Zach sat down next to me with a bag of Cheetos, munching on them idly. Nathan sat across from him, and Michael sat down next to Nathan. Nathan and Michael shared Cheese-Its.

“Let's play truth or dare,” Zach said.

“Oh no,” I groaned. “Not again.” I remembered the Shirley thing and wondered what other bad thing could come from another game of truth or dare.

He smirked as Michael said, “What?” with a lop-sided grin. “Afraid we’ll find out your middle name, Shirley?”

I gasped and hit Zach’s arm. “You told them?”

He started to chuckle and provided me no answer which was obviously a yes.

“Fine. Zach, truth or dare?”

“Dare,” he said not the least bit scared of what I might tell him to do.

I paused, trying to think of something good. Zach drummed his fingers on the granite countertop. “I’m waiting.” He grinned.

“Go interrupt Cameron and Caroline. Then flirt with Cameron and make Caroline believe it.”

I wasn’t proud of my dare, but I couldn’t think of anything better.

Zach strode down to the basement, lifting his shirt over his head—Nathan, Michael, and I at his heels. Before we entered the basement we shielded our eyes from Cameron and Caroline making out. Wasn’t interested in that.

The couple had little space between them, but Zach interrupted them, shirt off, by sitting in-between their laps. He turned to Cameron, trying and failing to be sexy by giving him crazy eyes. “Hey baby.” Caroline made a disgusted face and scooted away.

Cameron pushed Zach on the ground. I was laughing until I got back to the kitchen.

Once we were all back upstairs, we did some boring truths. When it was Michael’s turn to ask me though I decided to go with a dare.

“I dare you to…” Michael trailed off. “Kiss Zach.”

I swear my cheeks turned red as I protested. “No,” I said firmly. “I will not. Right, Zach?”

But by then he was already leaning forward and I couldn’t help but lean closer.