Fish Tale


Chapter 12: Funny Little Feeling


Sometimes there's airplanes I can't jump out
Sometimes there's bullshit that don't work now
We are god of stories but please tell me
What there is to complain about

-One Republic

(Good Life)


Cammie froze before instinctively turning towards the sound of the voice. "Zach," she breathed out, trying to act surprised. "What are you doing here?"

He didn't look very happy.

"Cammie I know you saw me, and I know you're avoiding me," he said.

"I'm not avoiding you," she said. "Just because every time I see you and don't talk to you doesn't mean I'm avoiding you," she snapped.

"You just pretended you didn't see me," Zach said dryly.

"Right. . . Ok, so maybe I was avoiding you," she admitted, not being able to see a way to like her way out of it.

Zach raised an eyebrow at her confession. "Why?"

"I don't know," Cammie sighed, sitting up on the kitchen counter. "I just didn't want to have another awkward conversation with you."

"Ouch," Zach said, acting offended but she could tell he was amused.

"Whatever Zach, I'm going to go now," she said, hopping of the counter, planning to walk in the other direction.

But before she could, he grabbed her wrist and spun her back around pushing her back into the counter. Before she knew what was happening he was kissing her. He kissed hard with some kind of pent up emotion, before letting his cool lips hover over hers. He pulled back completely, his smirk in full swing and mischief in his eyes.

"I just wanted to let you know the pressures off," he said.

Cammie looked at him confused, how did a kiss convey that?

"I told you I couldn't wait forever—"

"It's been two days!" Cammie interjected.

Zach shrugged. "I just don't want you to feel pressured or anything. I'm actually thinking about seeing someone else at the moment," he said. Ouch, Cammie thought, was I really that unimportant to him?

"Oh yeah?" she asked trying to ignore the sharp pain in her stomach. "Who's that?"

"Her," Zach said nodding over her shoulder at a pretty girl with long dark hair. Cammie laughed and Zach looked at her incredulously.

"What?"

"Nothing," Cammie felt relieved when she knew he was lying. She giggled a little bit more. "Have you asked her out?"

Zach looked at her, taken slightly a back and confused. "You want me to?" he asked without meaning to. Cammie felt her heart beat a little fast as she realized he genuinely cared about her opinion and was trying to get her jealous.

"Yeah. If you like her."

"Really?"

"Yes— I mean why not?" she smirked at him. "You're my friend, I want you to be happy," she said the words with so much sarcasm he wasn't sure what she was being sarcastic about. "Go. Ask her out. Now."

"Fine," Zach said, unsure of what she was playing. "You're trying to use reverse psychology on me."

"No," she was smiling amused. "I'm not."

"Yes you are I just can't figure out why."

"Whatever Zach, if you like her go ask her out."

"I don't—"

"Go now," she said pushing him in the direction of her.

"Fine," he said, shrugging her arms off and walking towards the girl.

Cammie giggled as he watched Zach asked the girl out and she gave him a weird look before walking away.

Cammie threw her head back and laughed as Zach came back to her, utterly perplexed. She laughed so hard her sides ached.

"Cammie," he said, shaking her.

"Oh," she laughed. "God that was. . ." Breath. "So. . ." Laugh. "Priceless!" More laughter.

"Cammie want to tell me what just happened?"

"Zach," she took a deep breath trying to contain her overwhelming laughter. "Penelope doesn't swing your way."

Zach's cheeks flushed deep red and his mouth dropped open. Cammie laughed at his embarrassment.

"Oh my god you're a tomato!" she exclaimed.

"She's a lesbian?" he asked.

Cammie nodded, "and everyone knows it," she continued to laugh. She felt tears leaking from her eyes she wiped them, choking a bit. "Oh my god. Thank you Zach; that just made my life."

"You suck," Zach sulked, hoping his cheeks would return to their normal color.

She smiled, finally rid of her giggles.

"It's your own fault for trying to make me jealous," Cammie said, her cheeks flushed with laughter.

"I was not."

She grinned, "Don't lie to me Zach," she said.

"I—"

She cut him off, "I thought it was cute. You're adorable."

Zach had an evil like look on his face as he cornered her back into the counter. He bent his head dangerously close to hers, immensely satisfied when he heard her heart beat speed up. "Never call me adorable," he whispered dangerously, making goose bumps appear on her previously smooth skin. "Ever again."

"Or what?" she breath, her breath coming out fluster because of the way her heart was racing.

"I don't know," he said, his words sending vibrations through the skin of her neck with his lips were now brushing lightly against. Cammie arched her neck, desperate to feel his lips, his touch there. "Let's just not find out, ok?" he said his words muffled by her neck. His tongue spread out, dancing along her neck in an intimate way that made Cammie shiver.

"Sure," Cammie said. She used one of her hands to twist into his hair, the other cradling his face to her throat as he bit down on it softly. He began to suck on her skin lightly before tugging harder and Cammie sighed, absolutely thrilled with the effect he had on her. She didn't quite understand though, he still had yet to properly kiss her and she was already putty in his hands, enjoying every second of it, even though she was sure he was giving her a hickey. Which she wasn't a fan of, but Zach had defied all her rules so far, so why should this be any different?

"So does this put me back in your good books?" he asked, trailing his lips up her neck, over her cheek and to the corner of her lips.

"For now," she breathed, almost urgent for him to kiss her. She almost forgot what she'd be acting weird about. The only thing she could think about was him, in this moment, and how much she wanted to feel his lips on hers.

But he pulled back, apparently satisfied.

"Good, as much as I'd like to continue, we're just friends, and I've got to go," he said, winking at her. She frowned, her head hazy with his kisses and unsure of what exactly he was saying.

He stepped away from her, cold air rushing between them and icing her skin, his heat gone as he put space between them.

"What are you doing?" She asked, wondering why the hell he hadn't kissed her.

"Like I said, I've got to go," he smirked, knowing he had embarrassed her, just as she had to him earlier. She glanced around, looking guilty around at the people who'd been watching them.

"Zach," she said, reaching forward and catching his hand, his heat immediately lighting her up again. Cammie wasn't about to let him get off that easily. He didn't get to just fluster her and then walk away. She quickly pulled his lips to hers, the desperation for the kiss taking over. Her desire was fulfilled as he kissed her back with a force that was gentle and hard at the same time. He pulled back much to soon, knowing if he kissed her any longer he wouldn't be able to stop on his own terms. She was intoxicating in way that he'd never experienced before. He needed to stay cocky and confident around her. And for whatever reason that was always extremely difficult.

"Bye legs," he winked, squeezing her fingers before letting go and walking away, hoping he had the upper hand.

"Bye Zach," she muttered, touching her hand to her lips, and feeling something she hadn't felt in a long time. The sharp reminder of her and Josh's relationship was completely out of her mind, instead a warm happy feeling was the only thing in her head. She didn't want to feel this way, but she couldn't help it. There was something about Zach that made her not want to stay away. And somehow she knew he felt the sam way; it was magnetic, and that was all she could really say abut it. The feeling was there to stay, and it was a good one.

And just beyond the door more than one set of jealous eyes watched, wishing they could have that too.

:*:*:*:

When Will spotted Cammie moving in a daze through the house party he knew it was his only way to get away from Viney who had be practically trying to pounce on him around every corner. And like he said, Viney was one drug he did not want to get addicted to. But it was kind of hard when she was throwing herself at him the whole time. She didn't seem to want to take the hint.

"Cam!" he said, beckoning her over, looking out for Viney as he sunk back into the corner a little more. Cammie squinted over towards him, looking to see who had called her name.

"Will?" she asked, coming closer, trying to recognize the figure in the shadows.

"Yeah, come here!"

"What are you doing?" she asked as he dragged her into the shadows.

"Hiding?"

"From what?"

"Viney."

"I thought you liked her," Cammie said, momentarily confused.

"I do," he answered. "Wait, dammit, no I don't."

"You like her," Cammie confirmed. "Like, really like her! Oh my god Will, you actually like a girl!"

"I've liked girls before," he snapped.

"Not like this," Cammie sung, delighted. "You're hiding from her because you're scared about falling in love with her!" she exclaimed.

"Shut up," he mumbled. "Who said anything about love?"

"You didn't have to. I can totally tell. You can't get her out of your head can you?"

"No," he said, unable to even attempt to lie to Cammie.

"I knew it!" she squealed happily.

"Be quiet," Will hissed. "I don't want her to find me."

"Why not?" Cammie giggled. "You're so insecure about your feelings; it's funny."

"I am not insecure."

"You are when it comes to Viney. She makes you feel things."

Will glared at her. "Fine. If I'm scared of my relationship with Viney then you're scared of your relationship with Zach, don't think I haven't noticed," he said trying to turn the conversation on her.

Cammie grinned at his assumption. "I was. Up until he cornered me in the kitchen and possibly then had the best kiss ever."

Will stared at her. "Are you fucking serious?"

"Yes," she said, a happy grin in place on her face. Will noticed the bright red mark on her neck and he nearly choked on his surprise.

"Damn that kid has swag."

Cammie fought the urge to completely laugh at him. "Swag?"

"I mean I never got that far, the only person I know was Josh. For god's sake the guy gave you a hicky! You hate hickies!" He said in surprise and she blushed a deep red before he continued, "And you didn't glow after you kissed Josh." Will said.

Cammie's brow scrunched. "What do you mean?"

"Cams," Will said. "You're practically breathing happiness. A blind person could see how shiny you are. You even look a little ditzy."

"I am not ditzy," she protested.

"Yes you are," Will said. "Ditzed-out on love," he teased.

"Ditzed isn't a word," she snapped.

"You just said it," he replied.

"Will?"

"What?"

"Shut up."

"Feisty," Will said with a cat call, "just the way I like' em."

"Ew gross."

"Whatever go find your sugar daddy."

"He is not my sugar daddy. Do you even know what that means?"

"Your lover then?"

"No!"

"But you want him to be."

"No!"

"Really?" Will asked with an eyebrow raised. "That's not what Zach told me."

Cammie blushed beet red to the roots of her hair. "Oh."

"Who knew? Cammie the little sex kitten."

"I am not a sex kitten. He's just a really good kisser."

Will smirked. "I see that."

"I'm leaving now. And you can bet that if I see Viney I'm telling her where you are."

"Cammie wait—"

"I'm glad we had this talk William."

"Don't tell Vin—"

"I'll see you later," she called over her shoulder, walking away.

"I fucking hate that girl," Will mumbled to himself.

:*:*:*:

When Zach got home he knew no one would be waiting up for him; no one ever was. His Uncle and Aunt didn't care what he did as long as he stayed out of legal and academic trouble. As far as they were concerned he was a pet they kept around only to neglect, claiming they had it so it didn't have to go to the pound. So in a way, Zach supposed they were doing him a favor, or more than likely, doing his parents a favor, just like the rest of his relatives had.

He was planning on staying at Nick's for the night but after the party he had just felt like going to home to sleep, all alone, his thoughts his own. He parked the car and closed the car door behind him as quiet as possible, locking the car from the inside so it wouldn't beep. He slipped through the unlocked side door he was instructed to use if he was ever to come home past curfew. Which his Aunt and Uncle obviously assumed would be a lot.

When he went to creak up the stairs he noticed a small glow coming from the direction, curious he went towards it, peering through the doorway to see his Uncle bent over a stack of papers, his forehead crinkled with stress and worry.

"Leo?" Zach asked, coming into the kitchen, trying not to startle his Uncle.

"Zach," Leo greeted, glancing up momentarily before looking back at the papers.

"What are you doing up so late?" he asked.

Instead of answering his Uncle gave a wary nod and asked, "I thought you were staying at a friend's tonight?"

Zach was taken completely off guard. He had, in passing, mentioned to his Uncle that he would be staying at someone else's house tonight but he hadn't expected him to actually be listening.

"What?" his Uncle asked. "Didn't think I heard you mumble?"

"It's not that," Zach said and took a seat opposite his Uncle. "I just thought you were too busy to care."

Leo Laughed. "Zach, you are my responsibility, on the rare occasions that we actually speak you can bet I'm paying attention."

"I really didn't you cared all that much," Zach admitted.

"Of course I care, both Freya and I do. Zach, we are your official guardians."

"As of now," Zach muttered.

"We'll take care of you."

"I know. It's just from moving around so much, it's not exactly normal for me to think this is going to be permanent."

"It's not permanent," Leo answered in an even tone and Zach knew he'd said something to upset his Uncle.

"I know," Zach said softly. "I know."

"It's just until everything is more . . . settled. You need a stable environment and that is what Freya and I are going to do."

"Stable environment?" Zach repeated. "You mean like how you pretty much let me do whatever I want."

"I'm trying to give you space," Leo defended. "I feel if I give you your freedom you won't feel the need to rebel."

"I'm not a bad kid," Zach said, looking his Uncle dead in the eyes, almost pleading with Leo to believe him.

"That's not what your past says," Leo answered. "You earned yourself this Zach," he said firmly.

"That wasn't my fault," Zach said flatly and Leo could see the demons in his eyes, the match that ignited the fire, dancing just before him. "It was their fault."

"They didn't do anything wrong," Leo argued. "At least not where you're concerned anyway. You made your own bed and if they hadn't let you live with that scoundrel for so long. . . Things may have been different."

"It's not like there were any other takers for me then either!" Zach hoped not to bring up his pervious guardian again, the wound was still too raw. "My parents were monsters."

"You shouldn't judge what you don't know anything about Zachary."

Zach let out a low laughed. "Of course I know! I can't believe you. You still take their side. Whether you admit or not they did wrong, by me and by everyone in their life."

"They did not," Leo stubbornly disagreed. "I would have thought your mother and father raised you better than this."

"You're wrong. As far as I'm concern I don't have a mother and father. They're dead to me. Just like they should be dead to you."

"You ungrateful little bastard," Leo snarled. "I never should have let you into my home."

"You had to," Zach pointed out. "You're too prideful to let anyone think you can't deal with a seven-teen year old boy."

"You were doing good this past week," Leo pointed out. "You didn't seem like a juvenile delinquent. Someone had to have been keeping you in line."

Zach snorted. "You're crazy if you think it was you."

"It was me," Leo said. "I've given you everything. And if you want to leave then fine. Go."

Zach glared at his Uncle before turning his head away and retreating up the stairs, unwilling to argue any longer.

:*:*:*:

Cammie rolled over in her bed, startling awake when she felt another, broad shouldered body lying next to her. She instantly shifted herself out of the boy's arms, turning her body to look at his face. She smiled at him, sitting up and throwing the covers off both of them. He moaned, burying his head in the pillow.

"I'm cold," she heard him mutter.

"Will?" She asked. "Why are you in my bed?" she asked, poking him in the arm. She wasn't surprised; this was something that had happened on more than one occasion.

"Well I know I didn't get here by having sex with you," he ruled out, running his hand over his head, obviously in pain.

"Funny," she said dryly standing up and stretching. The toned, tan smooth skin of her back showed from the bottom of her shirt and revealed something red and lacy under the pajama pants she was wearing.

Will groaned, feeling blood rush southward at his inner guy. "Dammit Cam."

She turned around, looking at him and saw the all to familiar slightly pained and embarrassed look on his face and she laughed.

"Jeez Nathanson," she said. "I thought we were over this. Jesus it's like we're thirteen again and going through puberty, God that was a weird time."

"Cam I'm a guy and I was just sleeping in a bed with a hot girl who happens to have lace panties on. Did you really not expect me to get . . . excited?" he asked.

Cammie laughed, "To be honest I wasn't really thinking about it. And by the way it's a lacy red thong not just any panties." Will growled at her.

"You're such a tease," he joked. Cammie's face suddenly went slightly pale. Will, who noticed immediately started to apologize. "Cammie I'm sorry I didn't mean it like—"

"Doesn't matter," Cammie said, quickly cutting him off. "I'm over it. Besides it's not like they were wrong."

"Cammie," Will said feeling the familiar guilt that had haunted him the past few days crawl up his spine. "It was some stupid high school joke."

"I know," she said, but she didn't sound convinced. "I'm fine really. I'll go get the Advil," said and rushed from the room before Will could apologize again.

"Dammit," he mumbled to himself. If there wasn't anything he hated more in the world it would have to be making Cammie upset. She may have been annoying and yes, sometimes bitchy, but she was Cammie, and she didn't deserve it.

He sighed, and threw the covers back and walked over to the closed bathroom door. Without knocking he entered and saw Cammie, gripping the sides of the bathroom counter, staring down and the sink.

"Come here," he mumbled, pulling on her arm and wrapping her in his embrace. He rested his chin on top of her head. "Sorry Cams, I didn't mean to upset you."

She nodded, taking comfort in her best friend's arms. "It's okay. I'm just being stupid."

"You aren't stupid," Will said. "Not out of the two of us anyway," he teased. He pulled back smiling at her, trying to get her to smile her easy going smile that made everyone around her feel better.

She did smile but he could tell she was still worried about it.

He looked at her.

"Anyone tell you you're kind of pretty Cammie Morgan?" he asked.

This time she smiled wider, almost as if the past five minutes had been forgotten. The smile Will had been searching for.

"Only you from every day since you found out girls didn't have cooties."

Will grinned. "You know it."

"Anyone tell you you're kind of a good friend Will Nathanson?" Cammie replied.

Will shrugged. "I don't think so."

"Well you're a really good friend," she smiled and pecked his cheek in a friendly manner. "You know I kinda love you?"

Will grinned. "I know. Who could resist this?" Will asked, gesturing to his body.

She laughed.

"I kinda love you too," he said, playfully elbowing her in the stomach. She chuckled again before looking at Will.

"But seriously. How did you end up in my bed?"


Kind of a cliffy but not too bad :P. So in this chapter there's kind of a little more plot around Zach. And you guys are probably wondering about the Wammie (Will and Cammie :P) I just want to make it clear that Will and Cammie are the kind of best friends that have known eachother forever and it is a platonic/ flirty relationship. Nothing Romantical. And i wrote that last scene just because I'm kind of in love with Will and may like him more than i like Zach.

I would also like to make it clear that this story up to this point hasn't really had a plot. So if you don't like plotless stories I probably would have expected you to stop reading already. One thing I never understood about some reviewers: If you don't like the story, don't read it. Simple as that. Anyway plot is on its way!

REVIEW! PRETTY PLEASE?