Hey Guys, so I know it's been just this side of literally forever since I updated, so I'll just let you get right to the story.
**Massie**
Cam kept side-glancing at Claire as we walked around the Basilica, and it was all I could do to not go over and literally push him over to her. I would have, too, if she hadn't been all wrapped up in her conversation with the tour guide. Why was he acting so shy? I mean I knew he was quiet, but he seemed like a pretty self-confident guy in general. It was kind of cute that he seemed to like Claire enough to be scared of her, but she was the least scary person I knew. As we emerged into the sunlight and joined the rest of the group, I whispered for Derrick to go and keep Cam busy for our free time. I needed to talk to my best friend.
"Hey!" Claire exclaimed cheerfully as she approached me. I opened my arms for a hug, even though we'd hung out just that morning.
"Let's walk around," I suggested, and her eyes lit up. We'd been so wrapped up in the guys, we hadn't spent free time just the two of us in days. We started out walking with the sea of people, but eventually broke off and entered a pastry shop. We each sampled an Italian pastry and took it to eat on a bench in a park.
"So, how's Derrick been?" She asked me playfully. It was all I could do to not just gush about him for the rest of the night. Instead I talked for a while about how great we were getting along and how he really understood me, before forcing myself to turn the conversation to Cam.
"And yourself?" I asked, "It's been okay not having him to talk to all the time?"
"Yea, of course!" Claire exclaimed, like I knew she would. "I've been taking the time to enjoy Rome. You know me," she gave a little laugh, "total history nerd." I couldn't help nod in agreement.
"Huh, and I wonder what Cam's been up to," I mentioned casually, carefully watching her expression. A look I couldn't read flashed across her face, but she shrugged it off.
"I should probably talk to him at some point, I think he wanted to tell me something but he keeps approaching me at the wrong times," she offered. Well, that might explain why he was hesitant to talk to her again. I knew that if you interrupted Claire at the wrong time, she could occasionally react in a way that would make you stay away for a while.
"Welllllllll," I singsonged, "I happen to think that he likes you!" Her eyes widened and a blush crawled onto her face. She raised her eyebrows in the way she does when she's really skeptical about something. "I mean, he didn't tell me that," I rushed to add, "and I have no way of knowing for sure," I crossed my fingers behind my back, thinking of my conversation with Derrick and Cam that morning. I wanted to know if Claire even had a clue. "But I see how he looks at you, and hangs on to your every word, and tries to get your attention but fails miserably on all the tours," she giggled at this, confirming my suspicions that she'd been so wrapped up in Roman history to even notice, "none of which he ever did when I was trying to get him. I know that I failed you by taking Derrick when I meant to save him for you," I truly was sorry about it, but my giddiness at my new plan completely took over, "but you still have a chance to find a great guy on this trip in Cam. That is, if you want to!" I flashed her my most sincere smile. I was done trying to force her into relationships that I thought would make her happy. Clearly if she'd been working this whole time to help Derrick get me, a relationship with him wasn't exactly what she'd been after.
"Wow!" Claire's eyes widened and she looked like she was really thinking my words over. "You know, you're right, Cam is a pretty cool guy. I mean, he's one of the few people who've ever heard my music. And I happen to find him pretty attractive," she smirked, and I held down a grin as I watched her realize what I'd said was true. But then she just shrugged again, but this time in a more carefree way.
"Alright, I'll consider it," she offered, which coming from her was a pretty big step, "at least I'll talk to him and see if you're right that he likes me…" She trailed off, a little crease of worry in her eyebrows.
"Of course I'm right! I'm always right about these things," I scoffed, then laughed. She giggled with me and nodded.
"Alright then, when we get back on the ship we can eat with them and see. And if things look like they're going okay, I'll see if he wants to skip the movie to talk to me," she decided. Upon hearing that I could no longer keep the grin off my face. Finally, I was going to make a successful match for Claire, and help her get that happiness she deserved.
**Derrick**
Cam and I walked around Rome, snapping pictures and discussing Claire.
"And I think, well I think she'd give me a chance now if I didn't keep picking the wrong moments and screwing up!" He was saying, capping off an explanation of how he'd disturbed her at the temple and shocked her before that. It was true, his timing was not helping him out one bit. But I knew that Claire still liked Cam, I could just tell. If it hadn't been for me losing Massie that first night, we wouldn't have ever been in this Midsummer Night's Dream situation.
"Don't worry, dude. I owe you one, remember?" I watched his eyes widen as he remembered. "Massie and I will take care of this. Or at least give you a decent shot. I mean if you screw it up yourself, there's nothing I can do about it…" He punched me in the arm and we laughed.
"Thanks man. It means a lot. And I'm really glad things worked out well for you. I'm sorry I got so pissy the second one thing went wrong for me, it's just Claire is…" he trailed off, but I just nodded. I knew what he meant: at least for him, Claire was perfect.
**Claire**
I was pretty pleased with myself for pulling off the making Massie think the idea was hers act while we were in Rome. I felt a twinge of guilt, as I'd never had a reason to use my acting skills on her before, but everything would be easier if Massie never knew that Cam and I liked each other first. I mean it looked like things might straighten out, and all's well that ends well, right? That is, so long as Massie wasn't reading the Cam situation wrong again. I hoped she really did see signs that he liked me. I mean I guess I knew all along that he had, it was just so complicated to deal with at the time.
We slid into a booth, this time across from our respective boys. I took a moment to appreciate how amazing the food was before turning my attention to Cam.
Somehow, and I was grateful for it, he pretended like our last two encounters hadn't happened, or even like all of our awkward encounters never happened, and talked to me unawkwardly. We shared a lot of laughs, popping in and out of Massie and Derrick's conversation every once in a while. He was fascinated as I told him about the extent of my interest in the Greek and Roman Gods, and he actually ended up telling me that his family is part Greek. Upon hearing this I immediately perked up, and couldn't help asking him a million different questions about the culture, at which he laughed and answered good-naturedly.
As we finished up our dinner, I looked up and realized that most people had cleared out already, heading to the Yellow Lounge to watch Gladiator. Massie and Derrick were slowly getting up, saying they were headed there as well. But before I could say anything to Cam, he beat me to the punch.
"I've seen this movie, a million times. Would you like to skip it and hang out somewhere else instead?" He asked, exactly what I'd been thinking.
"Sure," I couldn't help the grin on my face, "that sounds great." We put away our dishes and said goodbye to Massie and Derrick before, without discussion, heading onto the deck and across it to the ladder. I looked up and took a deep breath, preparing myself for serious case of de ja vu. He's being so nice! Give him a chance! The angel on my shoulder said. Yea, but keep your guard up a little, in case he screws up again, the devil pointed out, and I sighed. It was true, Cam would have to prove himself a little more to truly win my trust back, but I was willing to give him that chance. Having decided this, I ascended the ladder and was greeted by the stars.
Not too many chapters left! I'm gonna miss this story, but I'm sure you guys won't really miss my horrible updating/time management skills. Oh well, I hope everyone's been having a really great summer!
Hugs, Sky