A week pass and they hardly ever missed a chance to be together at lunch talking about different things from their day to day. From time to time, Cam would still ask about Sophie and Moose would continue to dodge the question but she felt it necessary to keep asking just for the sake of her heart. She had stopped for a while but the constant attention that Moose was giving her during the lunches and the texts during the day were starting to erode the walls she had so easily build around her heart to protect herself after the horrible way things had ended between them when they were dating. She had open about this to Andie and Cam could sense that her friend wasn't exactly happy about the situation, both Andie and Chase weren't exactly approving about her closeness with Moose and she couldn't blame them. However, they seemed hesitant to tell her openly that they disapproved, well Andie seemed hesitant on the other hand Chase had told her that he didn't like the situation at all.
It was almost time for her to go out to the bench for her lunch with Moose, so she started to put some of the kid's toys away the noise of kids laughing at the yard could be heard in the classroom and Cam pause and smile at the thought that this was her job. Finally after checking that everything was on it´s place she open the door and look from side to side and tried to walk as quiet as possible trying not to get attention to her leaving the classroom and going to the kitchen. Some of her coworkers kept asking her about her relationship with Moose, a month ago some of them notice her seating outside with him and wonder if they were back together. It had been a series of awkward conversations trying to explained that they were just friends, sure that doesn't seem bad, but most of them knew the reason they had broken up in the first place courtesy of Molly. People were truly gossipy, apparently being surrounded by kids brought the need to hold on to any type of adult conversation no matter what the subject was. Cam finally made it to the kitchen just to find Molly already there, sometimes she wonder if her friend was a really a pre-school teacher or a ninja.
¨Are you sure is ok that you two go out to eat everyday?¨ Molly seemed invested in having the exact same conversation every single day since from the moment she realized who was cam eating lunch with. Cam knew that the older woman had only her best interest in mind but it was tiring to have the same conversation with her, one day she went as far as to joined her and Moose at the bench which proof to be really uncomfortable for everyone. Part of it was because the bench wasn't big enough for three adults and their meals but also the conversation kept coming to a stop with some mean spirited comment from Molly. After that day she told Cam she wouldn't intrude in her lunches anymore and apologize for what happened.
¨Yes, it is ok for me to have lunch with him. We have talked about this Molly. We are just friends and there is nothing bad with us eating together and as per your suggestion I asked periodically about Sophie and she is fine.¨ Cam grabbed her container of food and was about to go out of the little kitchen area when she noticed how defeated her friend look and she sighed, her tone had been meaner that she had originally intended and now she was feeling guilty. Cam was lucky to have people like Molly in her life that were always looking out for her well being.
"Hey Molly? How about tomorrow we eat lunch here together?" The woman's face lit up immediately and soon plans for their lunch were finalized and she found herself on her way to the bench. Cam was about to get to the door of the school when her phone vibrated, she had forgotten to turned the sound on after exiting the classroom like always. She tried to get to her phone but with both hands full of things it was obvious that she was going to drop something if she kept fumbling with things. The logical move was to walked out and answer it on the bench but there was something that made her go for the other option. Getting back to the classroom area she sat on a little bench outside of Eric's classroom and after putting her things down she got her phone out. The screen had gone black but soon came to life showing a text from Moose telling her that he had booked an interview with his professor and was going to be unable to make it to their lunch.
Her mood felt down instantly, Cam didn't like to admit this but she always looked forward to seeing Moose. Cam was aware that soon he would get an internship and their would have to stop with the little lunches and she knew that it was going to be hard for them to stay in touch, or at least she was forcing herself to think that because Moose was a mystery to her. Ty had a serious talk with her a couple weeks ago when she told him about the lunches that had forced Cam to come clean about her hopes for Moose to be showing an interest in rekindle something with her. Her brother had made her realize that a guy that would do such thing would not hesitate to do it again with another person in the future, that´s when the memories of how they had ended their relationship came back rushing almost making her cry. The opening of the door next to her brought her back to the present and soon she found the smiling face of Eric looking down at her.
¨Cam!. What are you doing here? The bell is going to ring in 10 minutes, don't you usually eat outside with your friend? Wait, is that your food?¨ Cam looked down at her container long forgotten and felt no desire to eat the food in there or anything else for what matters. Eric sensed that something wasn't right with the young girl, so he asked her to joined him in his classroom, he convinced Cam to eat something while talking to her about an interesting story that happened today with some of his students. Eric was an inspiration for Cam , since the first day at the school she felt like he was going to be a big influence in her life. He was one of the co founders of the school about a decade ago when it started and he was always ready to help the kids with anything they needed. Molly told her once that he had gone as far as to donating par to his salary for a scholarship for a couple of kids that weren't able to afford enrolling at the school. The bell rang and she went ,with a much better mood, towards the yard to see that her students were coming back in order to the classroom.
Molly was already there and was surprised to see her so early, usually Cam would meet her and the children at the class. The woman smiled at her and together they walked the kids back to the classroom for the afternoon activities and soon enough the hours passed and it was time for the end of the day. Quickly both woman put everything in order and soon they were joining the rest of the teachers on the auditorium for the meeting they were having to talked about their plans for the holidays, there were some extra work now that Thanksgiving was two days away and they had already prepared the kids for their little presentations so they were just finalizing some decorations.
Soon enough it was time for them to go and Cam decided to take a long walk before going home, in no time the streets would soon change their decorations to a christmas wonderland. One thing that she love about New York was the way it morph coming the end of the year. Memories from when she was little girl and Ty would take her window shopping and to talk to Santa invaded her mind and she finally came to the conclusion that she needed to be with her brother. This thing that was going on between her and Moose had her mind all mix up and Cam knew that she was not helping the situation by continue to spent time with the boy. Taking her phone out Cam dial Ty´s number, soon her ear was fill with her brothers voice making comments about how she never calls him and how she was such a dedicated brother that he always send her messages.
Laughing she made her way back to her apartment and by the time she was finally home her handsome and amazing brother, his words not hers, had already bought her a ticket to go visit him and Natalie at their current home in Seattle. Her flight was leaving on the afternoon of December 21, at first Ty had told her that she should probably ask Chase and Andie if they wanted to joined her but with their engagement they decided that it was best for the couple to go spent it with one of their families. Also, the conversations about their multiple details and lists for they're wedding were driving everyone insane. With that in mind Cam decided to let the couple know about her plans for the upcoming holidays when on Thanksgiving so they wouldn't count her in any of their plans or fights in the future holiday,
The next day Cam went to school and when the time for lunch came she saw a hesitant Molly looking at her. She then remembered that she had settle a date with her to have some lunch, Cam felt horrible about forgetting about something that she had promised her friend not even 24 hours before. So, she took her lunch out of the little refrigerator and sat next to Molly making the woman smile and they started talking about their plans for the holidays, Cam notice how her friend would stay cleared of mentioning Moose which she find equally annoying and funny but still she was thankful to have some free Moose conversation. That was until her cellphone announced a call from Moose and she remembered that she hadn't actually tell him that she wasn't going to be able to make it to their lunch.
Cam was about to answer when she fell Molly`s eyes on her and slowly she raised her eyes to see the defeated look on her friends face. Quickly Cam hit decline and send a text to him excusing herself from their lunch and also of the one for tomorrow, then she turned off her phone not wanting to wait for an answer and continue to have a lovely lunch with Molly. Soon more of her coworkers joined them and even though she was still wondering what was going on with Moose Cam was having a great time talking to everyone. The rest of the day went by quickly, because the next day was the thanksgiving play they did a little run threw of the play with the kids and everyone was so happy about the result that they decided to go out and celebrate together.
Once home she turned on her phone, which she had long forgotten was off, a couple of messages arrived to her shock there was just two from Moose. He told her that it was ok but he would have like to be told that she wasn't going to be able to make it before arriving. If she was completely honest Cam found his messages rude especially after his last minute cancellation the day before but hey more reasons for her to be able to forget him sooner rather than later. The thanksgiving Gala, the kids love the fancy name, was wonderful and Cam felt like she was making a different in this community, parents and kids said hello and wished her a happy thanksgiving.
Chase and Andie invite her to join them for a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner at their apartment, their parents were coming to joined them as yet again another chance to discuss the wedding. So when her friend Molly asked her if she wanted to join her and some of the out of town teachers in a very low key dinner she jumped at the opportunity. Chase wasn't happy about her not having thanksgiving dinner with them and he went as far as to tell on her with Tyler, to Cam's joy her brother was on her side and with his blessing and Chase's groaning she went on her way to have fun.
One text from Moose arrived later that night with simple wish for her to have a good day which she reply with the same sentiment and continue her celebration with her friends, a group even decided to go shopping for some deal. At the mall they walked to different stores while reconvening once in a while when they saw something the rest would be interested in, like supplies or games for the kids. Cam stood in line outside the game shop giddy with anticipation to get the perfect gifts for her brothers and at a price that was affordable, yes actually affordable not just eat ramen for a month to get back into budget affordable. She was talking with Michael and Gilroy, Molly's cousins and the only other people Cam's age at the dinner, while staying in line trying to decide what exactly would be the best option for the amount of money she was able to spend.
"Cam, just trust us those are the best options and with the discounts they are going to be affordable. You don't need to spend a lot of money on gifts, I'm sure your brothers will appreciate anything you buy for them." Gilroy was the sweetest guy she had met at in a while no wonder he was in a relationship for almost five years and getting ready to pop the question. Michael on the other was just out of long term relationship so he was ready to date around, not with Cam he made it clear that he was not looking for something serious and that he consider her a girl for a serious relationship type of girl. It was weird because he literally came out of nowhere telling her that when Molly introduce them making Molly and Gilroy groan at his speech.
"Michael is right Cam, I bet we can find something cheap and awesome just stay close and we will guide you into the wonderful world of retail gaming." Cam used to go to buy video games with Ty and Chase and at some point of her life alone, but it was such a long time ago that she appreciate the help. While waiting the guys started making suggestions and while one said something the other would contradict making some funny banter between them making Cam laugh. Finally the line move and they were almost at the door when getting out of the store were Luke, Moose and some of the pirates, Cam had exactly two seconds to make her decisions should she use her new friends as a shield or say hi.
She was pondering this when Luke's eyes were on her and she was suddenly being hug by the boy while telling her how much he had missed her. Soon the rest of the pirates were joining the hug and Cam was overwhelmed by all the voices and questions about what she had been doing since the last time she visit the vault. Cam did her best to answer all the questions and even made some of her own until it was time to actually face the music and focus on the boy that was just staring her way. Moose was the only person that didn't join the hug, aside of Gilroy and Michael, and when things calmed done Cam noticed how quite he seemed so she was the first to say hi.
The door from the store open again for the next group to go in and Gilroy whisper to Cam that it was time, she nod once and said a quick goodbye to the guys. Once inside the boys noticed that their new friend seemed a little out of it so they decided to take things on their own hands and started searching the promotions for the games they thought would be best for Cam, after a little pushing and some shoving they had a very well selection for the girl to choose from. Michael approach Cam who had been looking at the same spot in the store since they got in and show her their selection just for another guy to try to grab one of the games he was showing her.
For the first time since getting in the store Cam notice the amount of annoying teenage boys that were basically taking each other games out of their hands. Her hand went to stop the boy that was taking the game out of Michael's hand and told him off making the boy go away grumbling which made Michael and her chuckle. Gilroy came a couple of minutes later showing them two games that seemed to be the envy of everyone in the store and a couple of steps behind me three guys that seemed ready to jump him at any minute to take them away.
After paying for the games they decided to walked around and grab something to eat to her dismay they went to one of the little cafés where she found herself face to face with Sophie. The girl seemed taken aback at first but recuperate quickly and went on to hug Cam and to insist that she joined her to eat. Michael and Gilroy, blessed their souls, didn't know what was going on but they could see that Cam wasn't comfortable with the new arrival still they weren't sure about the etiquette for the situation. At the end, Cam agree and they all went into the café and found the table where Luke, Natalie and Moose where waiting for Sophie. While the first two faces lit up when she appeared in front of them Moose's face was serious and uninviting which made her mad, what was wrong with the boy she had been hanging out for the last couple of weeks.
Before she could introduce her friends Sophie started talking about her plans for the rest of the year, when the girl finally took a break to breath, Moose tried to get closer to Cam who was a person away from him and "whisper" who of the two guys was Eric. Cam looked at him funny and Michael, who was the person between them tried to hide his smile while responding. "Neither of us is Eric. I know neither of us have slept in 24 hours but we do not look a day over 40."
After that Moose's demeanor change completely and he even went as far as to tried to make Michael change seats with him until so he could be sitting next to Cam. However, Sophie asked what was he doing and to quit moving around, Moose stayed in his seat but he still kept trying to talked to Cam just for his girlfriend to shut every conversation with one of her own. Luke and Natalie saw how their friend was getting annoying with how chatty his girlfriend was and it was such a change for them to see that he finally realize Sophie wasn't perfect that they didn't notice how the newcomers where realizing that Moose was ignoring the girl he was supposed to be looking the way he was looking at their new friend. Sure, they didn't blame him cause Sophie seemed annoying but wonder if Cam felt he same for the guy, although the way she was trying to avoid looking at him was telling them that she did.