cam sighs, throwing his bookbag to the ground and quite literally flopping onto the couch. for a moment, his only response is a prolonged, dramatic groan breathed into the pillow. he sucks. in fact, he genuinely thinks he’d be better at being a phoenix if he were HUMAN. that’s how bad he sucks. he either runs at a simmer, or he goes out in a blaze of glory teetering on the thin hold to his humanity that keeps him as cam sato. sucky 17 year old phoenix. he gets that i’s different and that they’re so much more controlled than he is, but why do bex, layla, and carson just make it look so EASY?
“ any room with the witches for a new recruit? even without powers i think i might be better at that than a phoenix. ”
she’s glad time was on her side and cam wasn’t there to see everything. she didn’t want her brother to witness a man shouting venomous words laced with the truth. layla wasn’t afraid of this guy. head held high, perfectly lined eyes glaring, a cold deminer washing over. layla digs her fake nails into her arm, already feeling the patience she didn’t possess disintegrate with each moment the scum remains in front of her. she could take him down in seconds with a small ballad, steer him in the direction of the sea, the silent accomplice never judging her for what she is, what she can do, and what she does.
everything she does it is always for cam. the mantra that prevented her from destroying herself in the sake of the family. one day they would repeat with dreams that seem as far as the stars. a large house with a big backyard, a pool for her indulge in, anything and everything cam wanted, it was going to happen one day with all the hard work she puts in. layla discards the broom, her hand moving through her golden locks as she regards cam and the heat that radiates. never did she want to become his downfall. ❝ we don’t need anyone, kid. we’ve got each other. how many times have i said that ?? ❞ she softens at the complicated question. the truth bubbles within, threatening to pour at any given moment. but he can’t know her true actions. ❝ he was just some guy. a nobody. you don’t have to worry, you know i can handle myself. ❞
cam’s scowl softens at her words. he knows how much that means to her, hell how much it means to HIM but he can’t have her giving her life for that. associating with THOSE kinds of guys, even as a means to an end. sure cam would love to pack up his shitty used-car and book it till the gas runs out with his sisters, but they’re nowhere NEAR their goal. and they won’t get there with guys like THAT on the prowl.
her words are enough to pull his focus. he sighs, losing steam quickly and returning back to the layla and cam they were meant to be. “ everybody needs help. ” he reasons. it’s not about handling, it’s about TOGETHER. winning alone would mean nothing to cam. their whole schtick was together & forever. he motions towards the back. the two of them were due for a break anyway. “ he didn’t seem like a nobody. seemed like you knew him. is he . . . like us? ”
Petter knows it’s not his fault, but he can’t help feeling bad that Cam has to work somewhere he’s not comfortable with—like Petter should be abel to handle the front himself. Which he obviously can’t. He’s just running himself ragged trying to make sure everyone’s taken care of, that things are going smoothly, that Cam’s not having to take on too much. So when he sees his coworker go up to the table he completely forgot about, he can’t help flushing red with embarrassment. “Sorry, I should have gotten that table,” he says as they both walk to the kitchen to give the cooks the orders. “You handling everything okay?”
cam waves a hand like he just won’t hear it, happy smile on his face, if nothing else, serving definitely makes the time pass faster than dish duty. “ no worries! i think i actually used to babysit for that family. ” he laughs, clipping his newest order to the queue and finally taking a breath to collect himself. “ so far it’s been alright. i don’t know how layla make so much on tips, i’m getting pennies, and i think so people don’t know what a napkin is, but otherwise, better than expected! ” he takes a well deserved sip of his water bottle from it’s place in the back, and motions towards his friend. “ what about you? thank god the rush is over, huh? ”
he was entertained enough watching cam scramble around like a headless chicken that he had nearly forgotten how long he’d been waiting to order. nearly. but jude’s stomach growled, and while he would never yell at any worker — he wasn’t his mother, after all, and it was never not embarrassing whenever she asked to speak to somebody’s manager — the thought had crossed his mind. but less than thirty seconds later, his friend appeared, and all was forgotten. “oh, don’t even mention it, cam. you been busy? you look a little … well, manic seems harsh, but.” jude simply shrugged at his inability to find a kinder word to describe him and continued. “burger and a shake, please. i’m feeling all old-timey comics today.”
cam laughs, righting himself as he finally comes to a stop. he gets the whole ‘servers present the image of the diner’ thing, and he’s seen layla handle it with grace a thousand and one times but HOW does everyone remember so much at once? cam forgets his own name sometimes, much less a billion orders. whatever, focus cam. “ jude! ” he greets happily. “ no, manic actually sounds about right. apparently finger painting by condiments is a fun afternoon activity. ” he wishes he was joking, but truly some people have never seen a napkin before in their LIVES. he nods, jotting it down and adding an extra cookie he knows just came up because he’s glad to see his friend. “ one classic coming right up! ” and maybe a good server would go straight to the kitchen, but come ON. today woodcreek had had one of their ‘offensive practice’ days, and at a school for the supernatural, THAT is something you wanna hear about. but, considering they were in public, most woodcreek kids sub out things like ‘charms class’ for ‘P.E.’ “ how did your chemistry go? i heard some classes were uh . . . less explosive than others. i might have to buy the academy new curtains ”
had left house and made path to diner, wanting some time to herself with all that was happening in both the town and her life. so much and nothing she could tell carson about. it was nice really, sitting there in peace, had even forgotten no one had gone up to her until cam’s voice broke through the fog. she looked up, smiling brightly at him. ❝ ——– hi there, darling! and please don’t worry about it. was kinda nice just sitting here. i’m not really in the mood for food, can i just get a mint milkshake, please? ❞
“ you got it! ” cam smiles earnestly at his friend, jotting down her order with a little mental note to steal one of those cookies that had just come up for his friend. before noticing what he thinks any one ELSE might have sooner. his eyebrows scrunch together as he tries to figure out a puzzle with no pieces and instead finds himself asking with all the tact he lacks “ is everything okay? ”
she blinks hard when he approaches. “ no, don’t even worry about it. i’ve been zoned out since my butt touched the booth. ” the answer is earnest ; it feels like she only just walked in a minute ago. time is a construct anyway, right ? “ cam, sweet sweet cam, i need, like, three plates of fries. and a coke. —- and for you to stop worrying or else you’re gonna get wrinkles before your time. ” she leans over the table to rub the spot between his eyebrows. “ relax, my friend. you got this ! ” a hand sweeps, indicating the few tables in his section. “ how’s your shift so far ? ”
“ oh thank god. ” he deflates happily at the sight of his friend, shoulders slumping and little order-taking notepad whatever dropping. it’s been a crazy week what with exams, games, his sisters and everything in between and what he really needs is a BREAK. he doesn’t even bother writing her order down because while he may not have the best memory, he knows THIS one by heart. he may be new to the serving game but he’s cooked this up a thousand and one times since he STARTED eating here, much less working. so instead he sits, sliding into the seat across from her and excitedly diving into the conversation. “ it’s different. ya know, VERY different. i don’t know how lay does it all day, or how she makes so much but it’s not bad! i’ve met some nice people! ” and some not so nice, but his shift ends in an hour. he’ll get over it. “ what brings you to this five star dining experience? how’s school? ”
it’s not everyday cam moves from back of house to server. in fact, it’s almost no days and he quite likes that balance he’s struck. it’s not that he’s BAD at it per se, he’s just not necessarily good at the kind of things that MAKE people good servers. like useful memories, short-not-rambling conversations, and well, anything having to do with math. but they’re three short today and he’s the only one double trained so he’s running around the shop like he’s an animated character in a phone game about to hit a level up before realizing he’s forgotten ENTIRELY about the new table.
“ sorry for the wait! ” he greets happily, although apologetically---pulling the pencil out from behind his ear. “ what can I get you? ”
oh how she wishes her main business wouldn’t bleed into her side job. the distance between the two was a secret key to layla’s success. the tips earned from those ordering a meal couldn’t compare to the money she made by just giving someone what they wanted. being a waitress was the perfect front and scapegoat at the same time. it was easy, she was born for this after all. until they act up, cause a scene, and nearly broke a window at the diner which Nick would properly beat her ass if happened. layla didn’t get why he was so mad at her rejection tonight, they each got what they wanted in the end.
her eyes leave the figure that’s storming away, adrenaline still pumping from the rush of danger that threatened. she silently hopes her brother didn’t see, all that is washed away once she meets his eyes. she fixes her posture, flicks a piece of blonde hair are off her shoulder, and moves to continue her task before the man interrupted; sweeping the floor. ❝ men !! am i right ?! ❞
cam’s taking out the trash when he hears it. ironic, considering how the trash can be in two places at once, but all things considered: they work at a diner. customer service jobs. a customer yelling isn’t news, it’s just a funny story to tell at the next company party. so he walks in with the same sense of urgency any minimum wage job might. slowly, no urgency. so really, he only catches the end of it. some dude, big, broad, and DEFINITELY older storming away from someone’s blonde head. Layla's. to be exact.
he moves to get the guy OUT, but it’s too late--- he’s too late. he can feel the fire burning beneath his skin, and makes a conscious effort to CALM DOWN, but not lose any of his steam. it’s been a long time coming. cam’s turned a blind eye too much for too long, and THIS is where it all blows over. he can’t control her, he gets it, and he’d never want to but THIS? this was only going to bring her pain. surely he could spare her, his sister, from THAT. “ you don’t need these losers, lay. ” it’s said softly, almost pleadingly because they’re at work and he REALLY doesn’t want a fight. but it’s important. some battles are worth fighting. “ who was that guy? “
. ﾟ * ｡ ･ ( ryan potter / male / he/him ) — wait, is that cameron (cam) sato-ace walking down the street? i’ve heard the seventeen year old junior at woodcreek academy happens to be a phoenix. apparently they’re really dumb & a bit of a push over, but surprisingly loyal & brave. i always think of golden sunsets and emoji happy faces when i hear their name. ( kayla, 22, she/her, est )
aesthetic:
sunshine slipping through the clouds / sunflowers / dimples / sugary sweet coffee / video games / dad jokes / indie music / paint on your finger nails / messy canvas / dyed hair / gentle fire / hufflepuff common room / laughing till your stomach hurts / fingers through your hair / hozier
about: (tw: death)
Cameron taro sato was born the eldest of the sato family. his family left japan when he was three, and within the next few months gave birth to his little sister in a little town in jersey.
a few months after that, his mom never came back. whether she left, or she got too hot and forgot herself in the next life, he’ll never really know. he was too young to remember much anyway.
it was a year later when his dad died, and with no family in the states, and none he really knew of back home either, cam and his sister entered the foster care system.
by fifth grade, they were adopted. the ace family, from maine adopted the both of them, introducing them to their daughter, Layla.
it didn’t take long to become friends, but it wasn’t an easy transition either. and as eldest siblings in both their own ways, they both have that older sibling, protective mentality which can be both a positive and a negative.
cam doesn’t much care for the politics at school. he knows he’s got a higher than average standing because his sister, Layla, is at the peak, and he doesn’t really make enemies, but cam much prefers a small group of friends than the wide world of high school.
although it doesn’t pay much, cam works back of house at the diner by school to help the ace family. they may not necessarily need it, seeing as how they’re relatively well off, cam hates feeling like he’s not contributing and therefore works part-time during the school year, full-time in the summer.
when it comes to being a phoenix, he’s average, at best. he’s not entirely sure how you could be ‘the best’ at being a phoenix but he’s 100% positive that is not him. he can control his powers save for those few and far between high emotion moments. while he doesn’t get angry often, when he does it’s explosive. phoenix blood runs in the family, and while they may not be top of the phoenix hierarchy, they are controlled.
he’s deathly afraid of getting too angry. he burns too hot, and it’s off to the next life he goes and he can’t do that to his family or friends. he has no memories of his past life, if he’s even had them and that leads him to believe he’ll be someone unrecognizable if he burns. he’s a happy go lucky guy, but he’s also clutching that for all it’s worth. it’s why he doesn’t like shifting either, feelings are multiplied when he’s in phoenix form and there stands the highest risk of ‘dying’.
what he’s best at is probably painting. he’s average in school, average in the supernatural life, and average overall but he finally feels *special* when he paints. he’s also incredibly private about it, it’s a personal hobby he keeps close to his chest.
wanted connections:
best friends - since middle school would be cool! maybe even like that classic three-people brotp who are all distinctly different but somehow make it worse. or!! just buds in general. opposites, samesies, it’s all about chemistry babey!
siblings - his biological sister or otherwise! carrie and I are open to a whole wide world of little ace’s!
enemies - this one we’re gonna have to flesh out but i’m MORE than down for it. cam gets along with everyone and doesn’t like letting people get under his skin but everyone has that ONE yaknow. idk why and idk how but let’s do this shebang. oh also unrelated but related side note there is NOTHING more delicious than an enemies to friends (to lovers?) plot
mentor - maybe someone to get him to be MORE than average? classic believes in him and pushes him dealio bc cam’s strength is NOT self motivation.
romance - one sided or mutual let’s get this bread babey!!! cam is bi meaning he is open to relationships with anyone, and while he’s had ‘relationships’ here and there in the past he’s never really been in LOVE. also, if we wanna start out with an established relationship I could work with that too!
so ya, them’s the facts--- hmu to plot if u vibe wid it!!!
