"The Crush"
It was a sunny day in Blue Bay Harbor and for 10 year old Cameron Watanabe and his father it was market day. Cam, unlike most 10 year olds, was schooled over a computer as he lived at a secret ninja academy. Twice a month Cam would go with his father into town to pick up groceries, clothing, or anything else that they may need. Cam followed his father into the supermarket.
"Father did you remember the list? You forgot it last time." Cam said.
"Yes Cameron, I have the list right here." Kanoi Watanabe said.
"Alright. Did you remember to put bran flakes on the list? I ate the last of them this morning." Cam said.
"Cameron, wouldn't you rather get a chocolate cereal or something with marshmallows like other 10 year olds?" Kanoi asked.
"No father, those have a lot of sugar and are very unhealthy. I read that eating bran can reduce chances for heart disease and some types of cancer." Cam said matter-or-factly.
"Cameron, you're 10, aren't you a little young to be worried about heart disease?" Kanoi asked.
"No, you should be eating bran every morning as well. It would be better for you than the rice cereal." Cam stated.
Kanoi sighed, wondering for the millionth time if he was right to be raising his son at a ninja academy where he was so isolated from his peers. He just shook his head and continued to walk around the store picking up the things that were on his list. He picked up a box of white rice and Cam grabbed it away.
"Father, brown rice is much healthier than white rice. You shouldn't get this one." Cam stated.
"Cameron, who is the father?" Kanoi asked.
"You are of course." Cam said as if it were the stupidest question ever asked.
"OK, and who is the son?" Kanoi continued.
"Me." Cam said annoyed.
"Ok then I will pick the food and you will eat the food. Now put the white rice in the basket." Kanoi said.
"Yes father." Cam said complying with his father's demand. He knew it was no good to argue when his father got like this.
Cam quietly followed his father around the store and looked around, disgusted by all the unhealthy food people would actually buy. Sodas, candy, chips…he didn't know how people could poison their bodies with such things. After all his research on nutrition for a paper he had written for school he would never eat such things again.
After the shopping was finally done Cam and Kanoi went home. It was a nice day out so Cam went for a walk outside. During his walk he noticed one of the female Earth ninjas practicing. He walked over to her.
"Good afternoon Samantha." He said politely.
"Good afternoon to you too Cam." Sam said smiling.
"I noticed that you are having some trouble. You might want to try releasing your center." Cam said.
"Ok," Sam said humoring the child. She tried Cam's idea and it fixed her problem. "Oh wow…thank you so much Cam, you're the best." She said kissing Cam on the head.
"You're welcome" Cam said turning red.
"I'll see you later. I'm gonna go shower up." Sam said
"Ok, bye Samantha." Cam said watching her walk away. He noticed her auburn hair blow in the wind as she walked. He froze for the longest time. He was suddenly having a feeling he hadn't known before. He gave this some thought and realized he was showing all the symptoms of a crush. He had often ready about such things as crushes and love in books but he had never felt such a thing. This new feeling greatly confused young Cam. When Cam wan confused he went to his father.
"Father, we need to talk." Cam said walking into his father's room.
"Yes Cameron. What is it?" Kanoi asked.
"Have you ever had a crush before?" Cam asked.
"Well, of course. Everyone does at some point." Kanoi said.
"Ok, well how should you act when you have a crush?" Cam asked.
Kanoi smiled, "There isn't a set way to act. Every guy is different. Some guys buy the girl flowers or candy, some send a letter, some don't do anything about it. It's up to the guy to decide how to handle it."
Cam nodded. "I understand. Thank you father." Cam said taking off. He ran to the garden and picked some flowers then went to find Sam. She was in the courtyard with some of the other Earth ninjas. "Samantha, I have something for you."
"Yes Cam?" Sam asked.
"Here." Cam said handing her some flowers he picked.
"Oh Cam, thank you. They are very pretty." Sam said.
Cam smiled. "You like them?"
"Very much." Sam said.
"So you dating Sensei's son now?" one of the other ninja's teased.
"Oh stop it." Sam said.
"It's ok Samantha, they just don't understand. You can be my girlfriend if you want" Cam said.
"Girlfriend?" Sam asked.
"Yeah, after a guy has a crush on a girl doesn't she become his girlfriend?" Cam asked. This caused several of the other ninjas to laugh.
Sam sighed understanding. "Oh Cam…no that's not how it works. I'm very flattered that you have a crush on me but don't you think you should find someone closer to your age?" Sam asked.
"I don't know anyone my age." Cam said.
"But I'm 16 Cam, you're 10. We can be friends but that's it." Sam said.
"Oh…ok…of course…that is perfectly logical." Cam said walking away feeling rejected.
Cam walked to the lake and sat down. A few minutes later his father walked over to him.
"Some of the ninjas told me what happened. Are you ok?" Kanoi asked.
"Father, how did you end up with Mom?" Cam asked.
"Well, we both realized we liked each other. I guess I forgot to tell you that. For a relationship to work the girl has to like you as much as you like her…someday you'll find that Cameron. Somewhere out there the right person is just waiting for you and when you find them you will be very happy. For now, enjoy being 10." Kanoi said.
"Ok. I'm going to read. I just got a new Anne Rice book. I want to go finish it." Cam said walking to his room. For Cam reading that book would be the most fun he had all week. He greatly enjoyed reading, learning, or anything else that challenged him. Lucky for Cam the enjoyed reading more than he did people so while his first rejection wasn't pleasant he bounced back rather quickly.
Kanoi sighed as Cam left the room. Someday he hoped Cam would make some friends that would force him into socialization.