There he was. Maya could clearly see his face from her table. Campbell Saunders. Occasionally he would look up at her and their eyes would meet. By the spark they both felt, they could tell there was something between them.

Two problems.

Tori, and Dallas.

Maya knew Tori had feelings for Cam.

Cam knew Dallas had feelings for Maya.

They had always been the ones in between. One night, at a party, Cam was Dallas's wing-man. While Dallas tried to pick up Maya, Cam hit on Tori. There were two happy people: Dallas and Tori. And two angry ones: Cam and Maya. They both knew that they couldn't do anything about their crushes on each other. It was against the friend code. One day, after hockey practice, Cam couldn't take it anymore. He FaceRange messaged Maya.

Cam: Hey :)

Maya: Oh hi. :) How are you?

Cam: I'm great how are you?

Maya: Pretty good. How are things with you and Tori?

Cam: Meh. There's not really anything there. I was just wing manning for Dallas.

Maya: Oh, I thought that's what he was doing for you...

Cam: Um... No.. actually. Look Maya. I gotta talk to you. Can we meet tonight?

Maya: It's 10:30pm already!

Cam: Please?

Maya: Okay. Drive over. I'll wait for you. Be quiet though.

Cam quickly threw on a white tee-shirt and jeans. He was excited he was finally going to be able to tell Maya how he felt. Before he had met her, he felt empty. Like hockey was the only reason he was living. Maya gave him a reason to live. A human reason, one other than throwing a puck around some frozen ground. He could tell she felt protective of him. Ever since he had his little "accident" on the catwalk, she was always there when he needed her.

When he had thrown himself off the upper level, Maya knew something was up. Somebody as athletic and quick as that would not have fallen. She was sure to keep an eye on him after that. After a while of questioning, Cam admitted to Maya that it was no accident. That he just needed a break from hockey for a while. Maya made sure to always be there for him from then on.

Cam was on his way over to Maya's. Everything seemed so much brighter. Even the red lights that lengthened the time between him driving and seeing Maya were more beautiful than normal. There was nothing that could ruin his mood. He was about to see her beautiful smile, her bright, shining eyes, the way she giggled when he talked, he was about to get to experience all Maya had to offer again. The days at school moved so slowly until he was able to go to French and see her. Everything just had a lighter feel to it when she was around. He needed her.

As he rounded the corner to her house, he saw a light on upstairs. Maya's room. She saw his truck pull up to the curb. Quickly, she motioned give me one second. He waited in his truck for any signs of movement in the house. Then the front door slowly opened. Out peaked a cute, rounded, perfect face. Her blond hair was messy but tamed. She stepped out onto the porch and folded her arms across her chest, looking out towards his tuck. Cam turned off the engine and slowly walked over to her. She was wearing an old band T-shirt with a pair of plaid short shorts.

"Miss. Maya Matlin. Aren't those shorts a little too short for school policy" he joked.

"Why are you here Cam?" she asked in a nice, but panicked tone.

"Look, I have to tell you something..." he started.

"I don't mean to interrupt, but can we take this inside? I'm freezing."

"Oh. Sure."

Maya led Cam through the living room, up the stairs and into her bedroom. She said down on her bed cross legged, flicked on her lamp and motioned for Cam to sit down.

"Okay Cam, I know hockey is stressful, and you put up with a lot, but please, if you're thinking about hurting yourself-"

Cam cut her off, "Maya, I'm fine, hockey is fine... I'm great actually. Well. I might be depending on how you respond to what I have to tell you." Cam never thought about rejection before coming over here. Maya getting weirded out never even crossed his mind. He began to regret coming. What would he do if she was disgusted and kicked him out.

"Actually, maybe I should go. It's late." Cam stuttered.

"Oh. Yeah. Maybe." Maya thought he was being ridiculous. She couldn't believe he had just drove here to leave her hanging all by her self. This is not what she wanted. She wanted him to admit he liked her. She wanted a kiss. She wanted... Something. Instead she got nothing. Her and Cam tip-toed back down the stairs and to the front door. On the front porch, Cam turned to her.

"I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused." he said, as he gave her a friendly hug. As he was holding her close, Maya noticed something. His scent. He had once told her, I only wear cologne when I like a girl. Only when I'm trying to impress her.

Cam pulled away from her and started walking across her front yard.

"Cam, have you gone to see anybody else tonight?" Maya asked.

"No?"

"You showered after hockey?"

"Of course..."

"Oh. Okay bye Cam."

Cam turned around again and headed for his truck.

"By the way Cam, if I would have known, I would have worn my perfume I wear for guys I like too." Maya called after him, teasingly.

Cam turned around and stared. He wondered if she knew. How she knew. At the same time, he loved how she remembered.

"You..." he started.

"I like you." she finished.

A smile spread across Cam's face as he walked back across the lawn to Maya. Now, more than ever, her smiled seemed beautiful to him. Because she was smiling at him. Directly at him. No words were spoken once he reached her. Instinctively he reached out and grabbed her waist tightly. She wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I like you, Maya Matlin." Cam finally admitted.

"And I like you." she replied.

Cam's full blown grin dropped. It was replaced with a passionate look. He slowly moved his face in towards Maya's. Maya pushed up onto her tippy toes. This was everything she could hope for. She finally got what she wanted. Cam softly pressed his lips up against hers. Then just as slowly, pulled away.

Cam, not wanting it to end, backed Maya up against the wall of her house, as he kissed her lips. She had begun to run her fingers through his hair.

DING DONG

"Uh oh..." Maya sang.

Cam had backed Maya right into the door bell. Quickly, Cam grinned at her. He gave her a peck on the cheek and took off for his truck. Maya had to figure something out. Fast.

"Hunny? What's going on?" Maya's mom asked, looking at her from the top of the stairs.

"I'm so sorry mom. I couldn't sleep. I thought I'd check to see if my new book came in the mail yet. On the way back I tripped and hit the doorbell."

"Maya. Go to bed. Seriously. You have school tomorrow."

Maya nodded, and with every ounce of strength in her body, attempted not to smile. She had just had the most amazing night of her life.

Twenty minutes later, Maya still couldn't sleep. She checked FaceRange.

Campbell Saunders Posted:

Amazing night. If anybody I saw tonight around 10:50 wants to text me, do it here: 403-223-9288.

(2) People Commented on This:

Tori Santamaria: Lol! Cam! Where were you?!

Campbell Saunders: With a friend! It's kinda an inside joke!

Maya knew that post was meant for her. So she texted him.

Maya: A friend, hey?

Cam: Well, I was hoping you and I were more than that, but yeah, I guess a friend.

Maya's heart dropped, this was all she wanted for a while now. Just then, she got another text.

Tori: I think I love Cam.

Maya knew she couldn't do this to her best friend. It wasn't fair. She and Cam where going to have to discuss a few things. All this time she knew things were too good to be true.