Chapter Nine

Marina's POV

It was Monday. Date night. Kendall had come over to my place as always. This time he brought pizza.

"I feel like I barely know anything about you," Kendall admitted after swallowing the biggest bite of pizza I've ever seen.

"There's nothing to know," I lied.

"That's untrue," Kendall said. "You know I have a younger sister. What about you? Any siblings?"

"An older sister. She just turned 19. Her name's Adriana," I said.

"That's nice," Kendall responded.

"I haven't spoken to her since August," I confessed.

"Oh-"

"Yeah, don't-"

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine. Really. I haven't actually talked to anybody from Boston since moving."

"Really?" Kendall asked.

"Nobody. Not my sister. Not my mother. Nobody."

"None of your friends?"

"Ha. I don't think that was really something I had to worry about."

"Oh, um-"

"No, I mean, I have really great friends now. Like, really great. Beyond amazing… friends," I said, longingly looking towards Kendall.

Kendall reaches over, cupped his hand around the side of my cheek, and kissed me. His lips tasted like tomato sauce. I returned the kiss, sinking into it like any strength left in my body had suddenly gone out.

"You are such a good kisser," I complimented, looking Kendall in the eyes. "Probably the best I've ever had."

"And how many have you had?"

"Just kiss me," I said, falling once more into his lips.

"You taste like… pizza," Kendall said.

I laughed when a knock came from the door. "Oh, shit!" I flinched, immediately shushing Kendall and walking to the door. Another knock came through as I saw Camille through the peephole.

"It's Camille!" I whispered to Kendall.

"What should I - What- Where?"

"My room, the closet if you have to," I said.

Kendall rushed out of the kitchen, taking another slice of pizza with him.

"Hey, Mari, are you in there? The light's are-"

I opened the door to the apartment, Camille startled, looked up to me, a box of craft materials in her hand.

"Hey, Camille," I greeted her.

"I actually finished my homework early and was wondering if you wanted to hang out for a bit… unless you're busy?" Camille said, looking over my shoulder.

"Umm… yeah, a little bit, I've got some prep to do for shoots and interviews, you know."

"Then why do you have two glasses out and half a pizza?" Camille wondered.

"Ummm…"

"Do you have somebody over?" Camille stumbled past me and put her craft box to the side.

"Uhh… no, no, of course not. Reynaldo was just coming over later and we were gonna do a fake date photoshoot for his blog," I lied.

"Reynaldo has a blog?" Camille asked.

"Yes, he does. So, if you wouldn't mind and leave," I snapped.

"Hey, are you okay? You seem a little stressed."

"No, I'm not-" And that's when a bump came from my bedroom.

"What was that?" Camille wondered.

"What was what?"

"That noise."

"What noise?"

"That noise that just came from your bedroom," Camille said.

"I didn't hear a noise."

"You do have someone over, don't you?" Camille began to walk into my bedroom.

"No, Camille!" I tried to stop her, but my door had already been opened, Kendall in full display.

"Kendall!" Camille exclaimed.

"Hi, Camille," Kendall awkwardly greeted.

Camille looked to me in frustration.

"I can explain?" I began.

"Can you really? Can you really explain to me that this is not a date right now?"

"Maybe I can't explain that-"

"Do you have any idea-" Camille started towards Kendall, "how much trouble she could get in if anyone found out about this?!"

"Yes," Kendall said.

"I don't think either of you do. What are you thinking? Are you insane?" Camille wondered.

"Camille, we both know what we're doing and what the consequences could be and we're being careful. We won't let anyone else find out, okay?" I said.

"Has there been someone other than me who knows about you two?" Camille asked.

"No…"

"Other than Katie," Kendall revealed.

I stared at him annoyed.

"You mean your four year old sister?" Camille asked.

"She's actually ten and I am now realizing how that doesn't actually help my case," Kendall rambled.

"Okay!" I exclaimed. "Camille, everything is under control, I promise. And I will talk to you later, but please, don't mention this to anyone."

"Yeah, of course. I'm not gonna be the reason you get fired. You'll do that all by yourself-"

"Camille," I warned with my voice.

"Okay, I'll go," Camille said, "but I do want to hear everything once you're done. I will admit it is exciting at the least to see you have an actual boyfriend."

I laughed softly.

"Bye, Camille," I dismissed.

"Bye," Camille said, leaving the apartment.

"Katie turns eleven in June," Kendall said, as I turned back to him.

"I believe you, don't worry," I assured. "Oh, God!"

"What?" Kendall exclaimed as I began to laugh. "What's wrong?"

"Camille knows about us. Somebody actually knows about us! Oh, I am in trouble!"

"Hey, don't freak out. Camille won't tell anybody!" Kendall said, placing his hands on my shoulders.

"You're right. She won't." I took a few deep breaths in.

"What do you say we continue this date?" Kendall offered, tilting his head affectionately.

"You're on," I agreed, taking Kendall's hand, pulling him back into the living room.