Disclaimer: I don't own anything Ally Carter owns.
Claimer: I own anything else.
Chapter 8
Awkward Meetings and Lies in Roseville
For some awkward reason, I felt different toward Cam. I'd always known she had bad history with her dad, but I never thought it'd be something like that. I don't know what I expected the story to be, but I never figured it be something so sad.
I guess that's the reason why I basically ignored her for the next two weeks. I didn't tease her. I didn't smirk at her, and I didn't build up the guts to call her Gallagher Girl.
I hadn't realized how much our stories had in common. So different, and yet so alike. She was hurting too. I'd always known there was something about her that would make my mask fall.
But until that day, in front of the fireplace, I didn't know what.
I'd been so distant from her in the last few days that I forgotten something. Something important. Even when I felt bad for her, I couldn't just ignore her. I still needed her.
And I learned that the hard way.
So you can't really blame me when I was walking out the Grand Hall, bumped into Cammie, and prayed she'd notice the note before stepping out into the rain.
Remind me why I used Evapopaper?
Grant told me the day before that the school would go out to town on the weekend, so I took this as an opportunity to get rid of stress. The only thing that actually worried me was the possibility of running into Jimmy. But I took my chances.
The day we left for town, I found Cammie trying not to be squished in the mob of people heading out. I stifled a laugh and walked out with her, not really speaking.
I saw the comms unit before anything else.
The day was clear and sunny, which was a bonus. The wind could be a problem though, but a minor one at that. On the plus side, Cammie actually came, which was… a miracle, I guess.
Funny though, we were alone, but that comms unit made it feel like I had three other girls here… sheesh.
We walked. And walked. Did I mention we walked?
We headed straight into the Roseville, Virginia, Founders' Day Parade.
So we walked through… for an hour… in silence…
Every once in a while I heard a few random words coming from Cam's comms unit. Just… gibberish really, I couldn't make out anything her pesky roommates were saying.
Why is it so hard for them to realize I just wanted to come out here for a little while? I'm not here on a reconnaissance mission, nor am I here to kidnap anyone. I'm not here to meet up with Cavan either, and I am not here to punch that Jimmy guy's lights out.
Though that last one could've been a pretty good idea…
Gosh Cammie… am I that hard to trust?
And of course, to top it all, I'd noticed her dear roommates were following us. Sheesh…
"Do you want to do something?" Cammie said out of the blue.
I'll admit her sudden outburst surprised me, but I kept cool and said: "We could go to a movie, or get something to eat."
"Okay," was all I got from her.
Sigh. One word answers? Really? Really?
"Or we could just… walk," I tried.
"Okay."
Is she even paying any attention? Then I got a funny idea.
Let's find out.
"Or we could have that clown over there paint our faces and then go rob the bank."
I almost laughed at my statement… but what really made it hard not to crack was her response.
"No way. Last October they installed a Stockholm Series 360-It'd take us at least forty-five minutes to crack it."
Alright… I laughed. "Good to know."
I reached for Cammie's hand and led her through the crowds, which were getting tighter by the second. When I finally got out of the crowd, I managed to get us into a quieter street where only a few people were strolling by.
"So, plant any good bugs lately?" I asked.
What? I had to say something…
No answer.
You know how some people say acting on impulse brings out the best things in life?
Well… spies don't usually take that sort of advice.
So imagine how surprised I was, when I found myself saying my next sentence.
"Just so you know Gallagher Girl," I whispered, "I'm going to kiss you now."
I am?
Sure, why not?
I placed my hands softly on the back of her neck. I tilted my head softly, and she closed her eyes.
I almost let out a sigh of relief, I could've sworn she was going to run.
Sadly, I now know why spies don't take this sort of advice.
"Oh my gosh! Cammie, is that you?"
I let out a really, really bad swear word under my breath. In Farsi though, just in case.
Oh yeah, in case you didn't notice, I didn't mean to say that. Just a reflex.
But it felt good to say that…
"Hi Cammie," DeeDee said smiling. "I'm so glad you two are here!"
You know how I once said DeeDee was my savior? You know, when she got Josh to go away?
And then I swore never to describe DeeDee as my savior again right?
I'm keeping that promise… just saying.
On the good side, Josh was about five feet away.
Not saying hi.
Not smiling.
In my defense, I didn't know Josh (okay, I finally agreed his name isn't Jimmy, but I'm not telling that to Cammie) was here, but man did it feel good to see that sad look on his face.
Cammie, on the other hand, saw the face and immediately stepped away from me.
Gee, thanks Cam.
I was about to say something to DeeDee… nothing very nice at that, when my day went upside down.
What in the world is that guy doing here?
Alright, so I'd seen the guy a couple times earlier, but until now I realized he was actually tailing me and Cam. Before, there'd been other Gallagher students around, so I just figured he was keeping an eye on everyone.
But why would he follow Cam and I into a quiet area where no one else is?
We were walking down the sidewalk now, Josh and DeeDee were a bit ahead of us.
So Cam picked that moment to whisper: "Hey, you're gonna think I'm crazy."
I smirked a little. "A little late for that Gallagher Girl."
Two women gave us the Gallagher Glare. Oh come on! Give it a rest already!
"You haven't seen anyone following us, have you?"
Oh shoot.
"You mean, besides your roommates?" I asked, laughing a bit.
Yeah, in case you were wondering, they were still following us… but from a bigger distance.
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, besides them."
"No. I haven't seen anyone on our tail. Why?"
"The guy. The blue jacket." DeeDee glanced back.
Nice timing, she'll save me from Cam's speech.
As if.
"Don't you think he's toasty in that heavy coat?" she finished.
I held a sigh in. Basically, she was trying to tell me he was a tail.
I turned and saw him. Yup, same guy I was thinking about.
"What about him?" I asked.
"The jacket's reversible. Ten minutes ago he was wearing it the other way. Do you think a lot of guys in Roseville take the time to reverse their jackets?"
Man, she's good.
I had to distract her. I looked around and saw some guy buying a corn dog. Eh, it works.
"Look at that guy, Gallagher Girl," I whispered. "He's a mustard disaster looking for a place to happen. I bet you anything he's got a big stain on the other side."
Okay… not my best.
So yeah, I laughed.
Aw man, she was actually buying it. Shoot.
"Now what are you two chattering about?" DeeDee asked.
There's my chance.
"Oh, Cammie was trying to convince me that I should recognize the guy in the blue jacket. But I've never seen him before in my life."
Cammie knew the message was for her. But the moment I said the words, she froze. The atmosphere tensed.
I looked over at her, to see what was wrong.
Oh shoot.
She's wearing a lie detector mood ring.
Thanks a bunch Solomon.
AN:
Chapter 8!
This one, for some reason, is one of my favorites. I think it was the easiest to write. I dunno.
Again with my speech: Hope you liked it, R&R! :P
-DemiSpy.
