Chapter Four
~Zachary Goode~
"Hey Zach!" I heard one of my best friends, Grant Newman, yell across the hall.
"Hey, Grant! Have you seen Cammie?" I heard my voice crack at the end. Damn puberty. I couldn't care less though, I just wanted to see my best friend. I couldn't find her all day and I...well...I missed her. Who wouldn't miss their best friend, right?
I tried to maneuver my way through the halls of our middle school. It was an icy January day in Boston and blizzard warnings have been signaled throughout town. It could possibly be the last school day for awhile.
"Nah, man. I haven't seen Cookie Cams. But you might want to check with her friend...Baxter, right?" I wanted to roll my eyes but I constrained myself. He of all people knew Bex Baxter. He practically worshiped the girl ever since she moved her from London a year ago during the middle of the sixth grade.
But I was too focused to really care about that. Where was my best friend?
"I already asked her...I'll just call her phone," we said our 'laters' as he went down the hall and out the school doors to start walking home. The last bell had already rung.
RING RING RING.
Why hadn't I seen her all day?
Was she sick?
I bumped into an eighth grader named Luther Finnigan. His cheek looked bruised. He was sort of a freak.
RING RING RING.
Her mom usually drives her to school...ever since her father passed when we were seven. Could something have happened?
YOU'VE REACHED THE VOICE MAIL BOX OF-
"Damnit!" I flipped my phone shut and slammed my locker. I looked down the hallway to see I was the only one left.
I slung my backpack over one shoulder and ran a hand through my messy hair. I could never really get it to stay neat.
God, I hope she isn't sick or something.
Once I opened the door, I was thrown into the side of the door by the powerful gust of wind and ice showering around me, watering me down from head-to-toe.
I pulled desperately at the hood of my jacket to place it over my head and wrapped my scarf around tightly. I was used to the strangling sensation a person from California would get if they were to have it as tightly wrapped as I did.
As I started down the ice covered sidewalk, I heard my phone start to ring.
My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard,
And their like
It's better than yours,
Damn right it's better than yours,
I can teach you,
But I have to charge
Cammie's ringtone!
I almost broke the device as I flipped it open. "Cams? Where are you?" I asked into the phone.
"Actually, Zach, this is Mrs. Morgan! I found Cammie's phone on the ground right beside the front door and figured she would be walking home with you. Isn't she there?" Rachel Morgan's voice never sounded so terrified. Well, not since Mr. Morgan passed...
"She's not at home?" I yelled into the receiver. "She wasn't here at school today! I thought she was sick or something," I knew I was starting to panic.
Where the Hell was she? If she wasn't at home...
I heard her mother whisper expletives on the other end and say, "No, she's not at home. She left this morning for school...Oh, Lord, and this terrible blizzard! I'm calling the police."
"Mrs. Morgan, I'll look along the streets!" I had to yell into the phone because it was starting to hail buckets of ice. I shivered as the wind picked up as well.
"No, Zach. You go straight home! Your parents will worry and you shouldn't be out in this kind of weather!"
But I had already hung up. She didn't really think I would go home and listen to this storm while my best friend was probably out here somewhere?
Hell. No.
I began trudging through the snow, rubbing my hands together to try to keep the warm. My nose and ears felt hot, it was so cold out.
My snow boots plowed into the snow as I trudged along, yelling, "CAMMIE!"
"CAMMIE!" I cupped my hands around my mouth so it could carry my voice through the wind.
Images of Cammie kept running through my mind. A Cammie lying frozen in the snow, blue faced and unmoving. Cammie crying on my shoulder when she found out her father died and I had climbed through her window to see her. The first day of seventh grade just a few moths ago when she was all I could think about.
That's when I first thought she was...pretty. Well, of course she was pretty. She's always been. But...How could I have not noticed how beautiful she really was? My best friend!
That was the thing, she is my best friend, why am I thinking about her like that?
Maybe I would never know...
"CAMMIE!" I cried out more frantically, tracing the path we always walked to get to her house before mine, that was just further down the street.
That's when I saw her.
I saw her blue trench coat half buried around two inches of snow. Her black boots were slightly sticking up.
I ran and ran until I reached her.
"Cammie!" I yelled, digging the snow away to reveal a shivering semi-conscious Cammie. Her dirty blond hair was spread out around her head like a...fallen angel...but that's stupid to think of your best friend like that.
Her mouth was moving slightly, a barely audible whimper was all she could manage. I dug underneath the snow, getting a firm grip around her waist and behind her knees.
Lifting her up, I cradled her head against my chest and towards my chest. I peeled off her drenched, cold gloves and saw the first signs of frost bite on her fingers. I then took off her boots and socks, which were both drenched through-and-through. Next came her jacket, tossing it to the side as I unzipped my own to wrap it around her better.
I looked around frantically as I rubbed her arms to try to warm her up a bit so she would get hypothermia. She was already unconscious.
Oh, God.
The blizzard was getting stronger and stronger every second that passed.
We would die out here if we didn't get warm. Our houses are too far away and no one would dare to come out to get us any time soon. Besides, my phone was probably already broken because of the storm.
"Zachary!" I spun my head around to see Mrs. Cope, a friendly old lady down the street call out from her house. She was wrapped in some kind of fur coat, a mug in her gloved hands as she stood in front of her front door. "Get inside! Quickly!"
We lived in a small town in Boston, a place where everyone knew everyone's business. But, everyone had to know Mrs. Cope. She was like...a midwife...the town bakery that didn't charge taxes. So, it wasn't weird or strange to waltz into her house when you had no where else to go. Plus I didn't give a damn at this point.
Cammie.
I didn't bother answer Mrs. Cope, my voice felt sore and weak from shouting earlier for Cammie. I picked her up with ease and ran up the steps to Mrs. Cope's house. I instantly felt warmer, more relaxed. There were candles lit everywhere, old Christmas decorations still hung about the house. It smelt of cinnamon
She closed the door and bent down beside me to look at Cammie. "Oh, dear, she's got a bit of Frostnip on her fingers and toes!"
I chewed on my lower lip, stroking Cammie's wet hair unknowingly. "Will she be okay?" I croaked. Damn Puberty.
"She should be find, just let me warm up some water so we can soak her phalanges. Come, help me get her up into the guest bedroom, will you dear?"
I nodded and picked her up, walking up the stairs with the old lady leading the way.
"How did you two kids get caught up in that dreadful storm?" she inquired as she unlocked the door and motioned for me to set her down on top of the bed.
"I was walking home from school and...Cammie, she's my best friend and...she didn't show up for school and I found her lying in the snow on the way home..." Retelling the story made my chest twist and knot.
I thought she died.
"Well, dear, you are a very good friend for saving her life, like you did. Why don't I get you two some fresh clothes for you to change into. It's not good to wear wet clothes in this weather, deary!" And with that she left the room to warm up water and get fresh towels and clothes and some warm blankets.
After I went into the bathroom to change, Mrs. Cope changed Cammie into some long pajama pants and two long sleeved thermal shirts. We would wait until she was conscious to soak her hands and feet in warm water.
"I'm just going to clean up the damp carpet and then you can call your parents to let them know you're both alright, okay deary?" Mrs. Cope glided out the door without a second glance. Then there were two.
I glanced at Cammie who was now lying under the warm comforters of the queen sized bed. She looked more at peace. Paler than usual, but peaceful. I let out a breath I didn't know I had been holding and relief spread through me.
I could have lost her if she wasn't found. What had happened to her, though? Cammie was known to be a clutz. Not a nerd but not popular. Neither was I. And if anything, I noticed some other guys realize how pretty she really was. Just as I had. Her hair that looked like cookies and milk-another reason for her nickname. Her green-blue eyes that knew me so well. Her deep red lips were a pale pink now, a little swollen on her lower lip. She was probably biting down on it again. Then there was the rest of her...
Damn Puberty.
But I quickly became somber again as I realized I almost lost all of that. All of her. I can't even begin to imagine...to even dream of not...
I can't live without Cammie. She's my other half. We did everything, for crap's sake!
What would I do without her? Hang out with Grant?
Ha, that was a good one.
No. No one could ever replace my very best friend. She knew me too well. She knew all of my secrets, and I knew hers. I knew her better than myself and vice versa.
Besides, who else would let me call them Cookie?
"Okay, hun. You can go call your parents now. Cammie's too, don't forget!" she said as she handed me the wireless phone. I sat down on the edge of the bed beside Cammie, observing her frostnip fingers and tracing her palm as the phone rang.
I called all of the rents to let them know what was going on. They agreed that we should stay the night with Mrs. Cope so that we wouldn't risk going outside. The blizzard kept plowing on.
I had hung up the phone already and just lied down beside Cammie on top of the covers in an old sweater and pants Mrs. Cope's son used to own.
Cammie's hair suddenly fascinated me as I began to play with it mindlessly, just thinking. I knew what I had to do when she woke up.
But it still scared the crap outta me. I was only thirteen! I'm not even sure how to do this type of thing...
"Deary?" Mrs. Cope knocked on the door and peeked in at me. "Oh, she's still not up?"
Way to shove it in my face.
"No," I shook my head.
"Oh...well, are you hungry? I can cook up something for you," she asked, tying up her old, graying hair into a bun.
I thought about it for a moment. I wasn't too hungry. Not right at the moment. But if Cammie left and got stuck in the storm before she got to school, that would mean she hasn't eaten ten hours.
And she eats like a horse.
"Actually, do you mind if I cook something for Cammie when she wakes up...I uh, know what she likes...That is if you have the ingredients," I replied nervously. I was going to do this. She might get freaked out but...I have to try. She's the only one I'd ever do this for.
XxxxXxxxXxxx
"Well, aren't you a sweet boy. She's lucky she's got you, deary, you're a keeper."
I felt my cheeks and neck burn at that comment.
"Uh, can I ask for advice...I mean...you're a...uh, girl," an old one.
"Sure, Deary, anything," she said as we sat in the living room by the fire after working in the kitchen.
It was now approaching 7PM and Cammie still hadn't woken up yet, though her fronstnip was getting better when we decided to just soak her fingers and toes anyways.
"What if...what if she doesn't like it...I mean, what if she doesn't...like...you know-" I stuttered.
Mrs. Cope just laughed, interrupting me and said, "Oh, Deary, she'll love it. She'll love everything you've done for her. I just think it's terribly sweet...It reminds me of my late husband..." her eyes turned glassy as she reminisced.
I nodded, only feeling slightly better.
"I'll go see if she's awake..." I said, grabbing the plate of food to bring up to her if she was awake.
She wasn't awake when I walked in, at least I didn't think so. But when I set the plate of chocolate chip cookies down on the bedside table and sat beside her on the bed, her eyes started to flutter open.
"Z-Zach..." her voice was hoarse but it made me relax completely to know that I hadn't lost her. She was here.
"Hey Cams," I took her fingers and toes out of the little bowls of warm water and put the covers back over her. "You feeling okay?" I asked.
"Uh, yeah...where are we?" she glanced around the room, but the realization hit her and her swollen, bottom lip started to tremble. "Oh, God, Zach, this guy...I don't know who...he was my height and he...he tried to grab me, telling me he wanted to ditch school with me or something...I didn't even know him and I punched him but...next thing I know I'm here..."
I sat down beside her while she was talking, throwing an arm around her shoulders.I could tell she didn't want to talk about her encounter just yet...but I knew she would have questions. So, I covered the basics.
"I found you covered in snow on my way home. A blizzard started when I found you so Mrs. Cope let me bring you inside. You had frostnip on your fingers and toes but it should be better now. Maybe a little swollen..." I sighed, squeezing her shoulder.
She wrapped and arm around my waist and resting her head against my shoulder, "So you saved me, huh?"
I smirked, "Yeah, I guess. Pay up."
She shoved my shoulder with hers and giggled. Music to my damn ears.
"No, really, Zach. Thank you. Without you I would probably still be out there."
We were quiet for a moment, listening to the wind roaring outside.
"Come on...it's what best friends are for," I'm so damn stupid. Her smile faltered a bit. I CAUGHT THAT! I'm so fucking stupid!
"Yeah...uh huh," she sighed and bit her bottom lip, wincing a bit.
I reached out and pulled her bottom lip from her teeth, her lip a little more swollen.
That sent..something straight south.
FUCK PUBERTY!
I stared at her lips, warm, soft, and a bit swollen.
She was just beautiful.
"Zach?" her voice was soft and concerned.
I looked back up at her eyes, still holding her chin in between my fingers.
She was so close. Her warm exhale spread over my face.
"You can..." she trailed off. That's when I noticed she was staring at my lips too!
Does she want me to?
Holy shit, does she want me to kiss her?
"I mean if you don't want to..." she said nervously.
"No, I really want to," I blurted out. What the Hell?
"Then kiss me already, Goode." she seemed breathless.
I think I just got hard.
That's when I smashed our lips together. From here on out, we would never be just friends.
We kissed, and kissed. Soon our tongues started to explored our mouths. Her hands found their way to my hair. I had to dig my nail into my palms to keep from touching her. Who knew what would have happened if I allowed that.
We just kept kissing, never stopping. The sounds of our lips moving together and the storm outside were all I could hear, the chocolate chip cookies and Cammie's intoxicating scent were all I could smell. And I loved all of it.
I loved that freaking storm for trapping us in here and allowing me to do what about a third of the guys at school wish they could have with my best friend...what were we now? I loved the feel of her lips and tongue against mine. I loved the way her hair fell over our faces as she leaned forward towards me. I loved/hated that we were on a freaking bed! Damn puberty. Again.
But most of all I just loved Cammie. I just love how we fit so perfectly. I know we're just thirteen, but...I love her.
She finally broke off, both of us grinning like fools.
"We should do that more often," she pressed her forehead to mine.
"Definitely. How about we just never stop?" I asked hopefully.
"Hmm...did you make those?" she asked, pointing to the cookies.
I laughed and nodded, swearing that they were edible.
So, we sat under the covers like we always did ever since we were born, except now everything was different. We ate the cookies that I made, that she admitted tasted fantastic.
We talked a bit more. Kissed a lot more until we fell asleep, ending the best night of my life with the girl I love in my arms.
~Cammie Morgan~
I tried sneaking out baby, I really did.
I'm so sorry I failed you again. I've tried so many times in the past seven years but Luther always finds me. He always catches me. And I always get a beating for it.
I've lost hope, Zach, I'm so fucking sorry, but I've lost hope.
I've come to terms that I won't see you or MC again. I know I won't see mom or Mace.
How are they babe? Please tell me they've moved on, that they don't dwell on me too much.
Have you moved on, Hubs? If you have...I would understand...
But, God, I love you. I love you and MC too much to kill myself, to get away from this misery. But there's always been a flicker of hope every now and then. As Luther moves me from state to state, there's always a bit of hope that someone would find a way...that they would find me. That I would come home to you babe. You and MC.
It's always been you, Zach. Only ever you.
A.N. Sorry it took so long for this one! I'm gonna be on vaycay (woot twoot) next week so I might not get another one up by then. Anyways, WHAT DO YOU THINK? Whadya think of that flashback of their first kiss? Who's Luther? What's gonna happen to Cammie? Tell me your thoughts. Your reviews are my own personal Sharpie...I could sniff it all day :{D
~Akira