CHAPTER 21: DAMNED IF YOU DO

The school day seemed to be going by fast. History was over and it was time for lunch. Camilla couldn't have been any happier. She passed the pop quiz with flying colors. She was even more excited for lunch, she was extremely hungry. She was the first to leave class when the bell rang and quickly began walking to her locker to put her books away. She didn't bother to look for Jay. She knew he would be working on his Auto Shop project with Sean. She was slightly upset, it would be nice to have lunch with him for once. She still couldn't help but think about Amy staring angrily at her this morning. She was trying her best to push it out of her mind, but she couldn't. She wanted to confront her about it, but it was game day. If she would have started a fight, she would have been suspended and not been able to cheer tonight.

She made her way to the cafeteria and she was joined by Ellie, the two of them made their way to the line and grabbed their trays.

"I failed that quiz," Ellie said with disappointment, "I never fail a quiz ever!"

"It was easy." Camilla shrugged as she began taking the meals she wanted to eat.

"Well, I need a study session this weekend. I can't fail another quiz." Ellie said as she watched Camilla load her tray with more meals than usual. She was a bit concerned, she never saw Camilla load her tray with so much.

"Fine by me." Camilla said.

The two of them paid their fee and made their way to a table and sat together. Camilla quickly began eating as if she never had a meal in her life. She was rolling her eyes, satisfied with every bite she took.

"Skipped breakfast today?" Ellie laughed as she began eating.

"No, actually I didn't," Camilla answered as she continued chewing her food, "I'm just really really hungry."

"What's up losers?" Alex arrived with her tray and sat with them. She noticed Camilla's tray loaded with an extensive amount of food. "Whoa."

Camilla looked up at them, "What? I'm really hungry! Leave me alone! Damn!"

"Do your thing." Alex chuckled as she began eating as well.

"Amy hardcore stared at us today," Ellie said as she continued eating, "Well mainly at her."

Alex began to panic, she knew about Jay and Amy hooking up. She was secretly hoping that Amy told her about it so she wouldn't feel guilty about knowing. She also felt guilty for wanting Camilla to find out. She also began to wonder if Camilla would be upset with her if she found out about her knowing and not saying anything. A whirlwind of confusion implanted in Alex's head as she continued eating.

"You didn't kick her ass?"

Camilla shrugged, "I should have, but I don't see a reason too. I asked Jay, he told me nothing happened."

Alex continued eating, she couldn't help but notice the necklace around her neck. She knew Jay gave that to her when the "rumors" started going around. It was very typical of Jay to buy a gift and lie instead of taking responsibility for what he did. She began to feel for Camilla, Jay did the same thing to her when he cheated on her with Amy. She would call most girls stupid for believing anything Jay said, which is why she didn't take him back. She didn't think of Camilla that way at all. The two of them had a deep admiration for each other and everyone that knew them saw it. She liked Jay and Camilla together and she is friends with both of them. The last thing she wanted was for them to break up, and be caught in the middle of them. She remained silent watching Camilla eat like crazy. She was eating more than usual, especially on game day. She chuckled at the thought of Paige's reaction if she saw Camilla eating like this.

She began thinking about Paige too. She has been very distant lately, and she began to wonder if this relationship would become something more than just a secret hookup. She was trying her best to do what Paige wanted, but she was growing impatient. She wanted to be more in the open just like any other couple. There was no point in arguing about this because Paige is stubborn as ever. She loved Paige, but she wasn't sure how much longer she can do this. She remained silent as she listened to Ellie chat with a hungry Camilla about costume ideas for the Halloween Party.

Jay and Sean continued working on their project. They needed to finish it today since it is due at the beginning of next week. Sean noticed Jay was a little more upbeat than usual.

"How did things go with Camilla? Did she find out about Amy?" Sean asked he was never into relationship drama, but he was interested to see how his best friend handled himself in the line of fire.

Jay smiled, he didn't want to brag because he really does love Camilla, but he was a bit impressed with himself for being able to get away with it.

"Never underestimate the power of gift giving!"

Sean smiled and shook his head, he knew Jay never told Camilla about Amy and he didn't plan to. He sort of felt bad for keeping this from Camilla because he liked her as a friend, but his loyalty is with Jay and the last thing he wanted was to ruin his best friend's relationship, even if he was being dishonest.

"It's probably best to tell her," Sean suggested.

"Maybe, you should shut up." Jay darted.

"I'm just saying," Sean began as they continued working. "Amy's pretty much going to try to ruin everything after what you said to her."

"Nobody is going to listen to Amy okay?" Jay scoffed. "All she does is talk. She's nothing but a slut, nobody likes her."

"Then why did you hook up with her?" Sean asked.

Jay was silent for a few seconds. He was tired of everyone talking about him and Amy. He wanted it to go away like nothing ever happened.

"I don't know, she was easy, she was around."

Sean was confused, "But you and Milla are at it every night I don't get it."

Jay sighed, he felt awkward talking to Sean about this even though he is his best friend. He definitely enjoyed having sex with Camilla more than any girl he ever dated. Amy wasn't nearly as good, not like she used to be.

"I don't know," Jay began. "Sometimes I don't get why she's with me. Why she's so into me."

Sean nodded his head. He was finally able to put everything together. Jay thought Camilla was too good to be true, that she was too good for him. It was hard for him to understand why a girl like Camilla would want someone whom everyone calls a scumbag. He felt as though he deserved someone like Amy instead of Camilla. He was scared at how fast and intimate their relationship has been getting. It was completely understandable. He felt the same way when he and Ellie started dating. He really didn't know what to say to Jay to make him think differently, not that he would. Jay is too stubborn and these kinds of talks or for girls.

He stopped working to answer his vibrating phone. He was a bit shocked when he saw a text from Hazel.

"Is that Ellie begging you to take her back?" Jay asked as he continued working. He wanted to change the subject quickly taking the attention off of him.

"No, it's Hazel," Sean answered as he replied to her text. "She heard about me and Ellie I guess."

Jay chuckled a bit as he continued working.

"What?" Sean asked with annoyance in her voice.

"Nothing," Jay said as he continued to chuckle, "Just make sure you use protection next time okay?"

"You're one to talk," Sean said back as he put his phone away, "Besides, Hazel and I are just friends. There's nothing going on with us."

"I don't know what you're telling me for. You already did it bro, might as well do it again. Nothing wrong with a nice rebound." Jay smiled.

Sean sighed and rolled his eyes, sometimes it was better if Jay didn't talk. Asking Jay for advice sometimes is like asking a pilot how to steer a boat.

"I hope you understand the irony of you giving me relationship advice."

"I do the best I can bro," Jay laughed as they continued working on their project.

Mr. Armstrong's whistle ended gym class and Camilla was exhausted. It was extremely abnormal for her. She always had high energy after gym class. It was one of her favorites, she liked to play sports.

"Good job everyone today!" Mr. Armstrong called, "Get changed in the locker rooms before the bell rings!"

Camilla and Alex made their way into the girl's locker room and began to change their clothes.

"Are you okay Alex? You're kinda quiet," Camilla said to her friend.

There was a lot on Alex's mind. She didn't know where to begin. She was still confused about her relationship with Paige, and she was still wondering if she should tell Camilla about Jay and Amy hooking up.

"Just tired, all the student council stuff."

"So what are you wearing to Paige's party?" Camilla asked wanting to lighten the mood.

"I don't know if I'm going. I have to work." Alex said with no emotion.

Camilla was confused, she noticed Alex's face didn't light up the way it usually did when Paige's name was mentioned.

"Just come by after work. Jay's coming."

Alex turned away and rolled her eyes as she continued getting dressed. She didn't want to take away from Camilla being happy with Jay because it wasn't her fault. It was clear Camilla cared for him so much and Jay didn't even bother to tell her the truth and just bought her a gift.

"I don't know if I want to go."

"Why?" Camilla pleaded. "What about operation cheer up Ellie?"

Alex let finished changing and let out another sigh as she slammed her locker and sat on the bench in a huff.

"Unless it's operation cheer up Ellie and Alex. What's wrong?" Camilla asked as she sat next to her.

Alex was silent, she wanted to respect Paige by not talking about their relationship at school, but Camilla was one of her really good friends and she knew everything about them. She looked around to make sure there were no other girls around.

"Paige has been funny lately," Alex began. "I don't know what's up with her. She says everything's okay, but I know something's up."

Camilla sighed, she knew exactly how Alex felt. She felt the exact same way about Jay.

"I'm not sure how long I'm going to be able to do this whole secret relationship thing," Alex continued. "I mean, who cares what all these other losers think? She's so worried about being gay, the term is bi-sexual and it's just a name."

"Wait, I don't think you guys should break up," Camilla pleaded.

"What else is there to do?" Alex darted.

"Well, not that," Camilla answered back.

"So you're the relationship genius all of a sudden?" Alex sneered.

"I didn't say that," Camilla said, "But I don't think you should break up. Maybe, she's just overwhelmed, I mean, she's never dated a girl before and this is all new to her. Just give her a chance, maybe you should go the extra mile, make her feel comfortable. Show her you're in for the long haul."

Alex nodded in agreement, Paige's mood swings were a pain, but she really loved her and wouldn't trade her for any other girl. She liked that the two of them were opposites. She knew that if she wanted this to work, then she would have to put in the effort as well.

"Thanks, Millz, for surprisingly good advice."

"I try," Camilla said as she brushed her hair into a ponytail. "God, I'm so hungry!"

"Didn't you just eat?" Alex asked.

"Yeah, but I'm hungry again," Camilla said, "And we just ran up and down the gym for like an hour in a half!"

Alex chuckled but quickly stopped as she noticed Hazel running in with a panicked look on her face.

"Does anyone have a tampon? I need one extra bad!"

Alex and Camilla began to look in their bags.

"I don't have any sorry," Alex said with no concern.

Camilla pulled out a small unopened box and gave two tampons to Hazel.

"You can take mine, I haven't used mine in forever."

"Thanks!" Hazel said as she quickly ran into a stall.

Alex continued watching Camilla as she packed her bag. She noticed some odd things going on with Camilla but she didn't want to believe it. She also didn't want to make any assumptions. It all began to make sense when she began eating so much and having a few mood swings herself.

Now she was completely unsure if she should tell her about Amy or not. She wasn't sure what to do at all. If this is true, this would definitely change everything.