After crashing out for a few days about loosing the original draft of this story and all my ideas, I finally rewrote this 😩! I somehow got inspired to write this whilst rewatching the second part of waves, just the idea of innocent love (ugh i need that) and I lowk freeballed the ending cs I deadass couldn’t remember how I originally wanted to end this imagine 🥲 anywayss get comfy and grab a snack cs this is lowk long asf and I hope y’all enjoy this! Mwah x
Starting college was supposed to be simple, until one random seat in class puts you next to Cameron Cade, the quiet star quarterback everyone seems obsessed with. Starts off with coffee after class and small conversations that slowly turns into late night calls, stadium lights, and feelings neither of them expected. But somewhere between football games, crowded bleachers, and Cameron’s calm smile, college starts feeling a lot more like home.
The campus didn’t just feel big, It felt like it was swallowing you whole. Every path stretched too far, every building looked unfamiliar no matter how many times you passed it, and everyone around you seemed… settled. Like they belonged here already. But you felt like you didn’t, at least not yet.
You adjusted your grip on your notebook, fingers pressing into the edge a little tighter than needed as you stood outside your next class. You could hear voices through the door, the easy laughter, casual conversations, people who clearly weren’t overthinking whether they were about to walk into the wrong room.
After a while you exhaled slowly through your nose.. “Just go in, can't be that bad..” You thought. Still, your shoulders stayed slightly tense as you pushed the door open as the noise hit you first.. Then the warmth.. Then the feeling of walking into something already in motion. People barely glanced up as conversations continued, chairs scraping lightly against the floor as someone laughed a little too loudly in the back.
You paused just inside the doorway, your eyes moved across the room, scanning.. Seat, seat, seat... Taken, taken, taken... You shifted your weight, your grip tightening slightly on your notebook again. Of course you’re late. Then you look over to the back and find one empty seat, relief flickered in your chest until you saw who it was next to..
You stilled.. You didn’t know him, but his name had been said enough times around you that it felt like you did. Mostly by Jayda, your bubbly roommate, who had a habit of talking about people like she was narrating a reality show. “Cameron? Oh my god, don’t even get me started on him girl, he’s Star quarterback, watches everything, Mysterious, doesnt talk much, but when he does? Yeah… people listen” she had said one night, brushing out her hair in the mirror before flopping dramatically onto her bed.
You had rolled your eyes then but now standing here? You kind of understood.. He wasn’t doing anything, and that was the thing. No loud conversations, no trying to get attention, just sitting there slightly leaned over his notebook, pen moving steadily across the page… Calm, focused, like the room existed but didn’t demand anything from him.
You hesitated, long enough for doubt to creep in.. “You could find another seat…” you thought, but there wasn’t one. So you walked over, each step felt a little too noticeable, even though no one was paying attention, and sat down carefully. Placing your notebook on the desk and slid your bag down by your feet.. Your movements were quiet, intentional, as if you were careful enough you wouldn’t disrupt anything. For a moment… nothing happened. He didn’t look up nor react… Your shoulders loosened just a fraction, maybe he hadn’t even noticed.. Then his pen stopped, not abruptly, just… paused.
His head slowly tilted slightly… His gaze shifted, from the corner of his eye at first, then a little more… Until you felt it… That quiet, steady attention.. You kept your eyes on your notebook, pretending to straighten the edge of the page, but your awareness sharpened. You could feel the space between you, his presence beside you.. Then you looked up and met his eyes.. It wasn’t a quick glance… He was already looking at you, Fully. Not intense in a way that made you want to look away, but not casual either, almost intently… Like he was actually seeing you.
Your breath caught slightly, for a second, neither of you spoke. Then Cameron’s expression softened, just a little, giving you a small polite smile. His voice was low, rough around the edges, like he didn’t talk just to fill space. “Hope you’re enjoying college so far.”
It caught you off guard more than it should have as you blinked, your thoughts scrambling to catch up as your voice came out softer than you intended, slightly clearing your throat. “Oh, thank you… I’m still getting used to everything.”
He nodded slowly, like he understood exactly what you meant, even the parts you didn’t say. “Yeah, It’s a lot at first.”
Something about the way he said it made your shoulders drop just a little, like you didn’t have to pretend you had it all together. “I got lost this morning.. Twice.”
A faint shift in Cameron’s expression, almost a smile. “Only twice?”
You let out a small breath of a laugh. “That’s not as impressive as you’re making it sound.”
“It kind of is.. First week, I walked into the wrong class and stayed there for half the lecture before I realized.” he admitted casually.
You blinked. “No, you didn’t.”
“Why didn’t you leave?” you say slightly amused with confusion.
He shrugged slightly, one shoulder lifting. “I thought maybe I was the one who was wrong.”
That made you laugh properly this time, soft, but real. “Okay, maybe that’s worse.”
“Yeah.” he agreed quietly.
The moment lingered… Not awkward. Just still… Then Cameron spoke again. “I’ve seen you around.”
You tilted your head slightly, surprised. “You have..?”
He nodded, leaning back just a little in his chair, his arm resting loosely against the desk. “Yeah.. Past couple weeks.”
Your brows pulled together faintly. “Really?”
“Yeah.. Your usually with Jayda, right?”
Your lips parted slightly. “You noticed that?”
His mouth tilted just barely at the corner. “She’s hard to miss.”
You huffed a quiet laugh. “That’s true.”
“She talks a lot.. Very loud.” he added
That earned you a small, shared smile as you then asked “You know her?”
“Yeah, we grew up together.” Cameron nods softly.
That caught you off guard. “Oh… she didn’t mention that.”
“She probably meant to… Just got distracted.” he softly chuckled.
“That sounds like her…” you murmured.
You both then paused, softer this time, then You felt it again.. That look… You turned your head slightly and there it was, his gaze, back on you, more direct and focused now. Your brows knit together faintly, a small, self conscious smile tugging at your lips and you softly ask. “What..?”
For a second Cameron didn’t answer, like he was deciding whether to say it before speaking up. “Your eyes… they got a little green in them.” He then glanced briefly toward the window, sunlight filtering through at an angle, then back to you.“They change.”
You frowned slightly. “Change?”
Cameron softly explained, his voice still low, steady. “They look brown, but when the light hits them… They turn to a pretty shade of green.”
The words sat between you, soft and unexpected. You felt heat creep up your neck as you looked away, your fingers brushing lightly over the edge of your notebook with a weak chuckle. “Oh.. It’s just the lighting, they’re nothing special.”
There was a pause, long enough for you to feel it as Cameron then replied “I didn’t say they were nothing.”
Your breath caught slightly, you didn’t know what to say to that… So you didn’t say anything, and somehow… he didn’t push you to.
The class started, but everything felt different, not louder, not more distracting, just more aware. You noticed the small things now. The way Cameron’s arm shifted when he wrote, the way his shoulder brushed yours once, light and accidental, but neither of you moved away immediately. The way he leaned slightly toward you when he made a quiet comment under his breath, at one point, the professor said something confusing, and before you could stop yourself, you whispered “What does that even mean…”
Beside you, almost at the same time, “I have no idea.”
You turned to him, Cameron was already looking at you. And that small shared confusion turned into a quiet smile. It felt easy… Like you weren’t trying, like you didn’t have to… A little later, you noticed him shift again. A folded piece of paper slid across your desk, your eyes dropped to it immediately… Then lifted to him… Cameron didn’t look at you, just gave a small nod toward it.
Your fingers hovered over the paper as you could feel your heart picking up slightly… You didn’t open it, not yet at least. You weren’t sure why, maybe because opening it made it real, so instead… you left it there. Aware of it… Thinking about it… Every few minutes, your eyes flickered down to it, then away again.
By the time class ended your thoughts were louder than the room, so you decided to pick it up slowly… Carefully unfolding it. Your breath caught just slightly as you read the note.
Coffee sometime? Ain’t a joke.
—Cameron
Your eyes lingered on the words… ‘Ain’t a joke.’ Like he knew, as if he already understood what you’d think. You folded the note again, slower this time and slipped it into your notebook. However when you stood up, you didn’t look at him… Not because you didn’t want to, but because you weren’t sure what he’d see if you did.
You didn’t text him after leaving the classroom… Even after walking halfway across campus… Even after pulling the folded note out of your notebook more than once, just to read the same three lines over again.
Coffee sometime? Ain’t a joke.
—Cameron
Your thumb hovered over your phone screen as you walked, Cameron’s number already typed in… All you had to do was press call… Or even just send a simple hey… But something in you hesitated, It didn’t feel real. Not in a bad way, just in a way your brain kept trying to make sense of. A guy like Cameron? Someone everyone noticed, someone who had girls practically lining up for his attention, Why would he ask you?
Your steps slowed as you reached the sidewalk leading off campus, the late afternoon sun warming your skin. ‘Maybe Jayda’s right…’ you thought, but then another thought slipped in ‘Or maybe this is exactly the kind of thing she would hype up.’
You exhaled, locking your phone and slipping it back into your bag as you mutter to yourself under your breath. “I’ll think about it later…” But even as you said it, you knew you were avoiding it.
By the time you reached your shared dorm house, where you lived with Jayda, the familiar sound of her music playing faintly from inside met you at the door. You pushed it open, stepping into the shared living space.
“Hellooo!?” Jayda’s voice called out from somewhere inside.
“In here!” you replied, slipping your shoes off.
A second later, she appeared around the corner, bright and energetic, like she hadn’t had a single tired thought all day. Jayda then grinned whilst walking toward you. “There you are! How was class? Did you survive?”
You let out a small breath of a laugh. “Barely.”
She narrowed her eyes playfully. “That bad?”
“No… just a lot.” you shook your head.
“Mhm..” Jayda hummed, clearly not fully convinced. Her gaze lingered on you for a second longer than usual before asking “…So why do you look like you’re thinking about something?”
You froze for half a second but then reply a bit too quickly “I’m not.”
Jayda raised a brow at you before slowly crossed her arms. “Uh.. Okay, try that again.”
You sighed softly, already knowing she wasn’t going to let it go as you muttered softly, pulling your bag off your shoulder and setting it down. “It’s nothing..”
“Nothing?” she repeated. “You’re acting like you just got proposed to and said no.”
You let out a small, incredulous laugh. “That’s not what this is.”
You hesitated for a moment, then reached into your bag and pulled out the folded note. You didn’t say anything, just handed it to her.
Jayda took it, still watching your face as she unfolded it. The second her eyes scanned the words her entire expression changed. “…Oh my god.”
You winced slightly. “Don’t-”
“Cameron?” she cut in, looking up at you. “As in Cameron Cade??”
“Yeah..” you said, a little more quietly.
“And you’re just standing here?… Like this is normal?” she gestured vaguely between you and the note.
“I didn’t say it was normal-” you muttered.
Jayda stared at you, fully unblinking. “You’re joking.”
“I thought it was a joke, isn’t that the whole point..?” you said as your voice tightening slightly.
“He literally wrote ‘ain’t a joke’.” she said, holding the note up.
“I know what he wrote.” you replied a little defensively than you meant to.
You slight shook you head as you cut in, your brows pulling together. “Because it doesn’t make sense! Why would he ask me? Out of all people?”
Jayda’s expression shifted. Not annoyed or judgmental… Just serious. “Why wouldn’t he?” she asked.
You opened your mouth but then closed it again before admitting quietly. “I don’t know, It just feels like one of those things where I’m missing something.” You slightly look away.
“You’re not..” she said firmly.
You shook your head slightly. “Jayda, he’s Cameron. You’ve seen how girls act around him.”
“And he ignores most of them!” she shot back immediately with a soft chuckle.
You frowned. “You don’t know that.”
“Uh actually I do, Because I’ve known him since we were kids.” Jayda playfully sassed before softening her tone just a little. “He’s not like that.. He doesn’t waste time on people he’s not actually interested in.”
You crossed your arms loosely, leaning back against the counter. “That doesn’t mean anything…”
Then Jayda stepped a little closer, her voice quieter now. “Well It does when it’s him… Did he talk to you in class?”
You hesitated before nodding. “…Yeah.”
You shrugged, trying to play it off. “It was normal.”
“We just talked… About classes, About you… Nothing crazy.”
“Did it feel forced?” Jayda asked, softly tilting her head.
“…No.” You shook your head slightly.
“So… Did you want to keep talking to him?” Jayda asks with a slight smile.
You hesitated longer this time as you fiddled with the rings on your fingers. “…Yeah.”
Jayda’s brows lifted slightly, like she already knew that answer as she asked you gently with a smile. “Then what are you doing?”
You exhaled, running a hand lightly over your arm.“I don’t know, I just… don’t want to look stupid if it turns out I read it wrong.”
“You’re not reading it wrong.” Jayda softly chuckled.
You let out a small breath, some of your patience thinning, not because she was wrong, but because she was so sure. “You can’t just decide that for me… It’s easy for you to say because you’re used to this kind of thing.”
Jayda looked at you slightly confused. “What kind of thing?”
“People liking you… Talking to you, being obvious about it, That’s normal for you… It’s not for me.” Your voice quieter but still edged.
The words hung there for a second, neither of you spoke. Then Jayda’s expression softened. “Okay, i guess that’s fair… I’m not saying you’re wrong for being careful you know, I just don’t want you to talk yourself out of something before it even starts.”
You didn’t respond right away because part of you knew she had a point… But another part of you still held back. “I don’t know, i just need to think about it.” you said after a moment.
Jayda nodded slowly as she handed the note back to you. “Okay... But don’t take too long, he’s not exactly the type to wait forever.” She tries to joke lightly.
You gave her a small look. “You’re not helping.”
She grinned. “I’m trying.”
A little while later you made your way upstairs, your room felt quieter… Safer. You set your bag down on your desk and pulled out your laptop, your notebook… then the folded note slipping out along with it.
You paused, staring at it… Then picked it up again, slowly unfolding it as you read the same words for what felt like the tenth time. ‘Ain’t a joke.’ Your fingers traced lightly over the ink before you folded it again and set it beside your laptop. “Okay… Focus.” you murmured to yourself, opening your laptop to begin your work.
You tried concentrating on your homework, you really did… But your mind kept drifting back to the way Cameron looked at you. The way he noticed your eyes, the way he said things like he meant them. You sighed, leaning back slightly in your chair, pressing your lips together before muttering to yourself “This is ridiculous..”
About twenty minutes later your phone rang beside you. You froze. Then slowly, you reached for it.
Your heart started beating just a little faster as you stared at the screen for a second too long before answering. “…Hello?”
There was a brief pause before a voice spoke. “Hey.”
Your breath caught instantly, you knew that voice.
“It’s Cameron.” They spoke after a beat.
And just like that everything you had been overthinking suddenly felt very, very real. Your grip on your phone tightened just slightly. “Oh, hey..” you said, and even to your own ears your voice sounded softer than usual as if you weren’t sure how steady it would be if you spoke any louder.
There was a small pause on the other end. It wasn’t awkward, just measured. Like Cameron was making sure you actually answered.
“You good?” Cameron asked, his tone low and a little careful now.
“Yeah.. Yeah, I’m good… you?” You sounded a bit too nervous as you mentally curse at yourself.
“Yeah I’m alright… I wasn’t sure if you were gonna pick up.” he admitted.
You swallowed lightly, shifting in your chair, your gaze dropping to the folded note still sitting beside your laptop. “I almost didn’t…” you said with a weak chuckle, the honesty slipping out before you could filter it.
Silence. Not heavy, but noticeable. Then Cameron spoke up. “…Why not?” The question wasn’t defensive, or as if he was annoyed… Just genuine.
You hesitated, your fingers tracing the edge of your desk. “I don’t know, I just… didn’t think you’d actually want me to call.”
A soft exhale came through the phone, almost like a quiet huff of amusement. “I wrote my number down, figured that was clear.”
“I-It was, I just…” You stopped yourself, pressing your lips together. ‘Say it or don’t.’ You thought before sighing softly, finishing off your sentence “…I thought it might’ve been a joke.”
The call went quiet, slightly longer this time. But when Cameron spoke again, his voice was softer.“You really thought that?”
You leaned back in your chair, staring up at the ceiling for a second before answering. “…Yeah.”
“Why?” The way he asked it wasn’t pushy, just steady… Like he actually wanted to understand.
You let out a quiet breath. “Because you don’t really know me and… I don’t know you. People don’t just…” you trailed off, searching for the right words. “Sorry, It just didn’t make sense to me.”
There was a faint shift on the other end, like Cameron adjusted his position. “I’ve seen you.” he said.
Your brows pulled together slightly. “…You said that in class.”
“I meant it… I just didn’t say anything before.” Cameron replied softly.
There was a small pause before he spoke up again “Didn’t think you’d want me to.”
That caught you off guard. “…Why would you think that?”
“You don’t really look at people… Not for long at least.” he said simply.
Your breath stilled for a second before asking quietly “You notice that?”
“Yeah.” There was no hesitation in his answer.
Something about that made your chest feel tight… Not in a bad way, just unfamiliar. “I wasn’t ignoring you, I just… keep to myself.”
“I figured… That’s kind of why I wanted to talk to you.” Cameron admits softly.
You frowned slightly. “That doesn’t make sense.”
You let out a small breath of a laugh, shaking your head even though he couldn’t see you. “You’re not making this any easier.”
“I’m not trying to, just being honest.” Cameron replied as you could hear the faint hint of a smile in his voice now.
That made something in you soften… Just a little. Another quiet pause settled between you, but this one felt different… Less uncertain, More steady. You then spoke up after a moment, your fingers lightly tapping against your desk. “So… how did you get my number?”
“I uh, looked up your housing dorm for your contact” He admitted
You blinked, surprised by how easily he admitted it.“You’re not even gonna pretend that’s not a little weird?”
“I could, but that’d be a lie.”
You couldn’t help it as you laughed. A quiet, surprised laugh that slipped out before you could stop it. “That’s… actually kind of insane.”
“Yeah, but then I realised you lived with jayda so I just asked her.. can’t blame me, you didn’t text me.” Cameron casually admitted.
There it was again. Simple and direct, not accusing, Just true. You shook your head slightly, smiling to yourself now. “I was thinking about it texting you…”
“…Too long.” You softly admit.
He huffed a soft breath. “That sounds about right.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” you asked, narrowing your eyes slightly even though he couldn’t see you.
“It means, you seem like someone who overthinks.” his tone sounded calm.
You froze for half a second. “…I don’t overthink.”
“You didn’t text me for hours.” He reminded you slightly amused.
You tried to defend yourself “That doesn’t mean-”
“You thought it was a joke.”
You opened your mouth but then didn’t bother lying to him so you muttered honestly. “…Okay, maybe a little.”
There was no judgment in it, If anything it sounded like he understood. Your shoulders relaxed slightly into your chair. “So what made you call?” you asked.
“I wanted to hear you say no.”
Your brows shot up. “What?”
“Or yes… Either one.” Cameron added.
You blinked, caught off guard again. “You couldn’t just wait?”
“I could’ve, but I didn’t want to.” He said casually.
Something about that, the simplicity of it, the certainty. It made your chest feel warm in a way you didn’t expect. “You’re pretty straightforward.” you said, trying to joke a little to mask the nervousness you felt.
“That’s… new.” you admitted.
You hesitated, then said honestly, “Most people don’t say what they actually mean.”
A small pause before Cameron spoke up “I do, it saves time.”
You smiled faintly at that as your gaze drifting back to the note on your desk, your fingers reached for it again, unfolding it slowly ‘Coffee sometime?’ Your heart beat just a little faster. “…So you’re serious about this?” you asked quietly.
“Yeah.” No hesitation… No second guessing… Just that one word.
You swallowed smiled to yourself before agreeing,“…Okay.”
There was a shift on the other end, subtle, but there. “Okay?” he repeated.
“Yeah, Coffee sounds nice.” you said, a smile forming now.
A quiet exhale, almost like relief came through the phone. “Alright... so tomorrow?” he asked.
“After my last class, maybe around four?” You nodded instinctively before realizing he couldn’t see you.
Silence settled in the call but this one felt lighter as you spoke up “So, are you always like this?”
A faint hint of amusement slipped into Cameron’s voice. “Only when I think something’s worth it.”
Your breath caught just slightly. “…And this is worth it?” you asked before you could stop yourself.
Your fingers tightened just a little around the edge of the note, you didn’t respond right away as if you didn’t trust your own voice to come out steady if you did. “Alright, Uhm… I’ll see you tomorrow, Cameron.”
“Yeah, uh, take care.” he replied.
But the call didn’t end just there, like neither of you were in a rush to hang up. Then Cameron spoke one last time. “I’m glad you picked up.”
Your lips curved slightly at his confession before replying softly. “…Me too.”
When the call finally ended, you sat in your chair for a moment longer than necessary, your phone still in your hand, note still open on your desk, but your heart… not as unsure as it was before the call.
The next day approached quicker than you expected, classes flying by as you already finished your last class. The café came into view a little after four as you slowed your steps slightly when you reached the door. Not because you were second guessing yourself exactly, but because there was always that small moment before stepping into something new where your mind caught up to your body.
You exhaled once, quiet, then pushed the door open. The bell above it chimed softly. Warm air, coffee, faint sweetness, it all hit you at once. The café wasn’t crowded, just comfortably busy. Low conversations, the soft sound of cups being placed down, someone laughing quietly near the counter.
Your eyes moved slowly through the space, then you saw him. Cameron was already here. Sitting in a booth near the window, one arm resting along the back of the seat, the other holding his phone loosely. Relaxed posture, but not distracted. Like he was waiting without making it obvious he was waiting.
For a second you just paused, then his head lifted. Cameron’s eyes found you immediately. No searching… No hesitation… Just straight to you. He set his phone down and straightened slightly. “Hey… You made it.”
You walked over, your steps steady even if your mind was a little more aware than usual. “I said I would.” you replied with a soft smile, sliding into the seat across from him.
There was a short pause after that, not awkward, just new. You placed your bag beside you, then rested your hands lightly on the table before pulling one back into your lap as you asked cameron “You been here long?”
“Not really, only for a few minutes.”
You glanced at the empty cup on the table. “You didn’t order yet?”
“I wanted to wait.” he replied.
“Why did you?” you asked, slightly curious.
“For you.” Cameron admitted softly.
You blinked once, then smiled softly. “Really..?thanks.”
He gave a faint shrug like it wasn’t a big deal. “Besides, I didn’t know what you wanted.”
“You could’ve guessed.” you joke lightly.
“That’s dangerous.” he replied with a soft smile.
That made you huff a small laugh before you could stop it. “I guess it is...”
Standing in line together felt slightly different from sitting across from each other, not uncomfortable, just more aware of proximity. The small shifts of space, the quiet rhythm of the café around you. You glanced at the menu. “I think I’ll get an iced latte.”
“Me too.” Cameron agreed without hesitation.
You looked at him in slight amusement. “You didn’t even check.”
“I’ve had it before.” he said.
“So, you’re predictable.” You joke.
“I’m consistent.” he corrected.
“It is nicer.” He kept up with your banter.
you smiled faintly at that. “You always this serious about coffee?” you asked.
“Nah, I just don’t like wasting money on bad decisions.” Cameron admits as he placed his hands into the pockets of his sweatpants.
“Hm, sounds like you’ve been personally betrayed by coffee before.”
He glanced at you. “Multiple times.”
That earned a quiet laugh from you again.“Okay, valid.” When you went to pay, Cameron was already tapping his card as you paused.“You didn’t have to do that…”
“It’s coffee.” Cameron replied with a slight shrug.
“What is the point then?” he asked.
You hesitated, then shrugged slightly. “I don’t know. It just feels like I should argue with you about it.”
That made him pause for a second before smiling at you. “You’re welcome to try.”
You let out a soft breath of amusement. “Not worth the battle.”
“Smart choice.” Cameron nods.
Back at the booth, the drinks sat in front of you. For a moment, you just settled in. You took a sip of your ice latte first, then set it down before making small talk. “So, do you always show up early like this?”
Cameron nods “Usually, I don’t like rushing.”
“Fair enough… Or do you just like sitting in cafés judging people’s drink choices before they arrive.” You joked slightly.
His eyes flicked up to you after taking a sip of his iced coffee “…That too.”
You blinked. “Wait, seriously?”
He leaned back slightly. “You’d be surprised how many people order the same three things.”
“That’s because they work.” you softly chuckled.
“That’s what they all say.” Cameron shrugged slightly.
You narrowed your eyes slightly. “And what does my order say about me?”
He studied you for a second before replying “…That you’re careful.”
You tilted your head. “Careful how?”
“Not in a bad way,” he added quickly. “Just like… you think before you decide, you know.”
You thought about it before nodding slightly. “You’re not wrong...”
He took a sip of his drink. “I’m observant, It’s what I do.”
“That sounds like something a detective would say.” You tease gently.
“I think I’d be good at that.” he said completely serious.
That made you laugh a little more openly this time.“you know what, I believe that.”
The conversation eased after that as you started with classes. “Which one do you hate the most so far?” you asked.
“Depends on the day.” he said.
“That sounds like avoidance.”
“Isn’t that the same thing?” You raised a brow slightly.
He gave you a look. “You argue a lot for someone who said they were ‘careful.’”
You paused before smiling slightly. “That was about decisions, not opinions.”
You tried defending yourself. “It’s a distinction.”
You leaned back slightly. “You always this annoying or am I special?”
“I haven’t decided yet.” Cameron subtly teases with a soft smile.
That made you laugh softly again. “I feel honored.”
The conversation kept going like that, Small back and forths layered into the conversation more naturally now. At one point you mentioned one of your professors. “I swear he just enjoys hearing himself talk.” you said.
Cameron nodded once. “That’s most professors.”
You looked at him. “You’re not helping.”
“I’m being honest.” Cameron chuckled.
He huffed a quiet laugh and eventually, the conversation shifted slightly. Not heavier, just more personal. “What were you doing before school?” he asked.
You rested your elbow lightly on the table. “Sports.” you nodded slightly.
His expression changed just slightly. “Realy?”
You nodded. “Used to play competitively and uhm… i had to stop after a knee injury.”
Cameron didn’t interrupt as he listened. “Dang, that must’ve suck…”
You softly nodded and admitted. “Yeah, especially when you realize how much free time you suddenly have.”
That got a faint exhale from him. “Too much free time is worse than none.”
“You sound like you speak from experience.”
That made you smile slightly as there was a pause after that but it wasn’t heavy, just more like settling. Then cameron asked “You miss it?”
“Sometimes, yeah… Mostly the adrenaline of it, not the pressure.”
He nodded slowly. “Yeah, I get that.”
“Football’s basically everything right now, If that stopped, I’d be lost for a bit.” Cameron admits.
You looked at him. “But you’d figure it out.”
Cameron met your gaze. “…Yeah, eventually.”
The conversation drifted again. Music came up, then campus life, then random preferences that somehow turned into opinions you both didn’t realize you had until you were defending them. At one point, you said, “If you tell me you actually like early morning classes, I’m leaving.”
He shook his head immediately. “I don’t.”
“Good answer.” You chuckle gently.
“Okay, that’s dramatic.” You playfully side eye him.
“Nah, I’m just being honest.”
You smiled. “You say that a lot.”
By the time you both finished your drinks, the café had started to quiet slightly, light softening through the window as you stood together outside. The air felt cooler than inside, but not uncomfortable, just real. For a moment neither of you moved, then Cameron glanced at you. “You heading back?”
“Yeah… Got a few things to do.” You nod.
“Want me to walk you back?” Cameron asked softly as he sipped on his coffee.
This time it didn’t feel like a question you had to weigh, just something that made sense as you smiled at Cameron. “That would be nice.”
You started walking side by side. The campus stretched out ahead of you, voices and movement slowly returning around you. After a moment you spoke up. “You know, I think you lied earlier.”
He glanced at you. “About what?”
“You’re not just observant… You’re kind of opinionated too.” You said.
He thought about that for a second. “…Maybe I am.”
That made you smile. “See? Progress.”
“I already am.” You smiled at Cameron.
Cameron gave you a look but there was something softer in it now. Something that made the space between you feel easier than it had any right to be this soon. And for once, you didn’t feel like you needed to figure it out.
It had just become the natural rhythm between you now, no hesitation, no awkward adjustment, just the two of you moving through campus as the late afternoon light softened everything it touched. The air felt a little cooler than earlier, and the campus was slowly shifting into that in between hour where people were either heading out or settling in for the evening.
It should’ve felt busy but somehow, with Cameron, it didn’t. Cameron then glanced ahead as you walked, hands relaxed at his sides, his pace matching yours without effort. “You free Wednesday?” Cameron asked quietly.
You looked over at him slightly. “Wednesday?”
“Game day… It’s a home game.”
That got you thinking for a second before it clicked into place properly as you nodded. “Oh, that Wednesday… yeah I am, why?”
There was a short pause as you both kept walking, the sound of footsteps and distant chatter filling in the space around you. Then Cameron added, a little more straightforward but still calm, “You should come.”
You glanced at him properly now. Not startled, just slightly amused at how easily he said it, like it was already decided in his head. “Are you inviting me?” you asked, a small smile tugging at your lips.
That made you shift your bag strap slightly, considering it, but not in any serious way. “To be honest, I was already going to…” you admitted.
He looked at you. “Really?”
You nodded. “Jayda’s involved.”
There was a beat of silence before Cameron let out a quiet exhale through his nose, like he already knew exactly what that meant. “…Of course she is.”
You smiled. “She doesn’t believe in optional attendance. Especially not for anything remotely social.”
“I see she hasn’t changed.” he said.
“You say that like it’s history.” You slightly chuckle.
That made you glance at him. “You two go way back, huh?”
Cameron nodded. “Yeah… She used to drag me into things I didn’t even understand I was agreeing to.”
You couldn’t help but smile “That sounds like a problem waiting to happen.”
Cameron gave a small, almost resigned exhale. “It felt like one.”
That made you laugh softly, shaking your head a little as you walked. “What kind of things are we talking about here?”
“School events… Random assemblies, charity stuff... Once she made me stand in line for face paint and I didn’t even know what it was for.”
You looked at him slightly amused. “Face paint?”
“I still don’t know what the event was.”
That made your laugh a little more open this time. “I kind of love her for that.” you admitted.
“Jayda thrives on chaos.” he said.
“I’ve noticed… She tried to reorganize my entire weekly schedule yesterday like it was a public service.” You softly smile.
“That’s her.” He stopped himself, then shook his head slightly like he didn’t even need to finish the thought. “That’s just her.”
You let out a quiet laugh, adjusting your bag strap as you walked. “Honestly, I think I’d be more shocked if she wasn’t like that.”
That got a faint look from him. “She’d like hearing that.”
“She already thinks she’s the main character of campus life.” you added lightly.
“I mean… She kind of is if you think about it” he said.
You glanced at him. “That sounded like experience talking.”
Cameron huffed a quiet breath. “Unfortunately.”
That made you smile. “So she hasn’t changed at all?”
“Not even a little. She used to decide what everyone was doing before anyone agreed to it.”
You blinked. “That’s… impressive confidence.”
“She called it ‘efficiency’.” Cameron said.
You laughed under your breath. “Of course she did.”
The campus had started to thin out as you reached the residential side, the sound of other students fading behind you into something softer. The pace between you naturally slowed, not because either of you said anything, but because the conversation was starting to settle into that quieter rhythm where neither person was trying to rush it forward. A pause settled between you, not uncomfortable, just familiar in that way where neither of you immediately filled it. You shifted your bag higher on your shoulder. “So you two actually still talk sometimes, then?”
“Not really… Just cross paths here and there.” Cameron nods slightly.
“Sounds very formal…” you said lightly.
“It kind of is.” he replied.
That made you smile a little. “That’s weird... I feel like Jayda doesn’t do ‘formal interactions’.”
“She doesn’t, she just ignores the formality.” Cameron chuckled slightly.
That got a quiet laugh out of you. “Yeah, that sounds more accurate.”
You walked a few more steps, then added, “She told me once you were ‘emotionally distant but reliable.’”
Cameron looked at you immediately. “She said that?”
“That’s not even a sentence.”
“It is in Jayda’s language.” You softly chuckle.
He shook his head slightly. “She says things just to say them.”
“You’re not denying it though…” you pointed out.
“I’m not confirming it either.” Cameron shrugged.
“That feels like confirmation.”
You smiled before adding, “She also said you’re basically a walking highlight reel on the field.”
That got a small pause from him. “…She’s exaggerating.”
“Maybe… But she was very confident about it.”
He exhaled quietly, almost amused now. “She’s been watching too many games.”
The conversation didn’t rush to end though, it just softened naturally. The path ahead split closer now, your building just a short walk away as you moved a strand of hair out of your face. “So Wednesday…” you start.
You tilted your head slightly. “Is it always that serious for you guys, or does Jayda just make it sound like a national event?”
That got the faintest hint of a smile from Cameron. “It’s just a game… She makes everything sound bigger than it is.”
“She’d argue that you’re downplaying it.” you said.
You smiled a little. “I’ll probably just end up watching her more than the game anyway.”
“Probably safer.” he said.
That made you laugh softly. “Is that your advice?”
“It’s practical advice.” he corrected.
“Right.” You slowed your steps now as you reached the point where your paths would split. “Well… this is me.”
Cameron nodded once before adding “You’ll find it fine.”
You looked at him. “You sound too confident about this game thing.”
“I’ve played enough of them to know.” he slightly smiled.
“That’s not the same thing.” you said lightly.
“It kind of is.” he said.
That made you smile again. “Guess we’ll have to wait and see…”
You stepped back slightly toward your path. “Thank you for the coffee again.. this was really nice.”
“Of course… See you later.”
“Yeah… See you.” You softly smile back at him as you turned first, walking toward your shared house. A few steps in, the evening air felt a little cooler, quieter, like campus was starting to settle for the day.
When you glanced back briefly, Cameron was still there, not doing anything dramatic, just standing where you’d left him, hands in his pockets, watching for a moment longer before finally turning away himself and heading toward his dorm at an easy pace. No rush… No hesitation… Just the day slowly letting go on both sides.
The days leading up to Wednesday passed in that strange, quiet way new routines sometimes did. Nothing huge happened. But somehow, you and Cameron kept finding each other anyway. A seat beside each other before class started, conversations that lasted a little longer than intended outside the library. A random text at midnight after one of your professors uploaded an assignment nobody understood.
Cameron:
Tell me you understand question 4.
You:
I was literally about to ask you the same thing.
Cameron:
So we’re both failing.
You had smiled at your phone for a stupid amount of time after that. And slowly, without either of you really acknowledging it outright, things became easier… Comfortable… The kind that sneaks up on you before you realize it’s happening
By the time game day arrived, it didn’t feel like something new anymore. It just felt like something that was happening. The evening had already started to shift when you and Jayda made your way toward the stadium.
“Okay, tonight is important. Like, spiritually important.” Jayda said as you walked, adjusting her ponytail, already in full cheer mode energy even before the uniform really needed to say it.
You glanced at her. “It’s a football game.”
“It’s our football game.” she corrected.
You sighed lightly. “That’s not better.”
“It is, Cameron is starting! The team is locked in. The crowd is going to be insane.” Jayda insists.
“Why do you know this much?”
“I have sources.” she said with a grin.
She paused. “…I said sources.”
You smiled slightly despite yourself. By the time you reached the stands, the stadium was already filling fast. The air felt charged in that way only live games could manage, noise building in layers, music echoing across the field, the smell of food stands drifting through the crowd. You ended up near the front of the bleachers with Jayda who immediately started waving at people she knew.
“Okay, sit here… no, here- wait no, I want to see the field clearly.” Jayda muttered, pulling you into position.
“You’re worse than the players.” you playfully rolled your eyes.
“Duh, obviously.” she replied.
A group of Jayda’s friends joined soon after two girls she introduced quickly. “This is her! She’s new but she’s being converted into a functional campus member.”
“I feel like I should be offended…” you said.
“You’re welcome.” Jayda teased as one of the girls replied instantly, shaking your hand like it was an official introduction ceremony as you introduced yourself.
Jayda leaned in slightly. “Don’t worry, they’re loud but harmless.”
“I can hear you!” one of the girls said immediately.
Jayda rolled her eyes playfully. “See? Loud.”
That earned a laugh from the group, and before you could even properly respond, music blasted through the stadium speakers again, the entire crowd reacting instantly. The atmosphere shifted all at once, students started standing, people yelling across rows, the football team beginning to run out onto the field as cheers rolled through the stadium in waves… And somehow even if you hadn’t wanted to get caught up in it, you still felt it. That energy… That adrenaline… You leaned forward slightly as the players spread across the field, helmets catching the last gold light of sunset.
Then your eyes found him almost immediately, Cameron. Even surrounded by everyone else, you recognized him without effort now. The way he moved, the way he carried himself, calm and focused, steady compared to the chaos around him.
Jayda noticed your attention immediately, she turns to you to say loudly over the crowd. “There he is! Quarterback boy!”
You glanced at her. “You say that like you’re introducing a celebrity!”
“He kind of is here!” one of her friends added.
“That’s insane.” you muttered with a slight smile.
Jayda grinned. “You’ll understand by halftime!”
The game started hard and fast, the second the whistle blew, the entire stadium seemed to erupt into motion. People yelling, music blasting between plays, the crowd reacting to every movement on the field like the outcome personally affected their lives. At first, you mostly watched the atmosphere, the students, the cheerleaders. Jayda somehow yelling choreography instructions and football commentary at the same time from the sidelines.
But eventually… Your attention kept drifting back to Cameron. Not because everyone else was watching him, because you were. The focus in his posture was different now, Sharper. More intense than the version of him you’d gotten coffee with. Though weirdly It suited him, every time he ran onto the field, the crowd seemed to rise with him. Every throw… Every close play… Every near miss. .. The stadium reacted like one giant living thing.
“Oh my Gosh.. GO GO GO!” Jayda yelled from below, nearly losing her mind as the team pushed down the field.
You laughed despite yourself, gripping the railing slightly as the energy around you built. “I thought you said you were a cheerleader, not assistant coach!”
“I’m both!” she yelled back with a big grin.
That got another laugh out of you just as the crowd suddenly exploded into screams, home team had scored. The stadium shook with noise, people jumping up around you, music blaring again, and down on the field, Cameron pulled his helmet off briefly, breathing hard as teammates slammed into him in celebration.
For half a second, his eyes lifted toward the stands… But somehow, They found you. Your breath caught just slightly, not dramatically, just enough to feel it. Then someone grabbed him again, pulling him back into the chaos of the game.
By halftime, the sky had darkened into deep blue, the stadium lights had taken over completely now, bright against the night as the energy somehow only grew stronger. You sat back for a second, finally exhaling. “I get it now..” you admitted with a smile.
Jayda turned immediately. “RIGHT?”
You laughed softly. “Okay, this is actually kind of insane.”
“No, seriously, I thought it was just… ego and people screaming at each other.” you said, glancing back toward the field.
One of Jayda’s friends gasped dramatically. “That is so offensive.”
“I said thought!” you defended yourself before chuckling.
Jayda pointed at you accusingly. “You’re emotionally invested now.”
“You just stood up and yelled during that last play.”
You paused. “…That’s not important.”
“It’s extremely important.”
You shook your head laughing under your breath, But honestly? You kind of understood now. Not the toxic side people always talked about online, not the stereotypes.. But this, this felt different. The adrenaline, the excitement, Thousands of people reacting together not out of hate, but because they were caught in the same moment.
It felt alive, the second half was even more intense. The score stayed close enough that nobody relaxed for a second, every play mattered now, every near interception had the crowd groaning, every successful pass sent people into screaming fits again. But through all of it, Cameron stayed calm… Focused… Even when the pressure built and when the clock started running low.
“You good!?” one of Jayda’s friends asked as you leaned forward again during the final quarter, fingers curled around the cold metal railing in front of you.
You blinked, eyes still fixed on the field. “Yeah!” you answered automatically.
Jayda looked over from where she’d jogged back toward the sidelines briefly between routines, breathing slightly heavier now.
“She’s locked in!” Jayda grinned and announced dramatically.
“I’m literally just watching the game” you rolled ur eyes playfully.
Jayda then said immediately. “Oh no, You’ve entered football spirit territory!”
“You yelled at a referee ten minutes ago.” She teased.
“What was different about it?” She raised a brow at you.
That made the girls around you burst into laughter. Jayda pointed at you triumphantly. “See? Emotionally invested!”
You opened your mouth to argue again but then the crowd suddenly erupted around you. The game had shifted again, Fast, everyone shot to their feet almost instantly as the team broke into a run down the field.
The stadium lights reflected against helmets and rushing bodies, the noise becoming almost deafening as people screamed over one another.
Your pulse jumped before you could stop it, the clock on the screen was running low now, too low.
The score was tied, then suddenly the entire stadium felt like it was holding its breath at once. On the field, Cameron moved quickly, calling plays, focused in a way that made everything else around him blur slightly into the background.
You could see the pressure now. But somehow Cameron didn’t look nervous… Just locked in. The ball snapped, everything moved at once. The crowd screamed as players collided, the play breaking open faster than you could properly process it.
Then Cameron ran, fast, dodging past one player, then another as the entire stadium practically lost its mind.
“OH MY GOSH!-” Jayda screamed from below.
You were already standing fully now without realizing it, your heart hammering as he pushed forward, then crossed the line… The stadium exploded, like actually exploded. Sound crashed around you instantly, screaming, music, people jumping, students nearly falling over each other in excitement as the final whistle blew seconds later.
They won, they actually won.
You laughed in disbelief as the people around you completely lost control, strangers hugging each other, drinks spilling, everyone shouting over the noise. Beside you, Jayda looked like she was about to ascend spiritually. “I TOLD YOU!” she yelled.
You were laughing now, shaking your head. “Okay okay, I get it now!”
“THIS IS COLLEGE FOOTBALL!” She exclaimed enthusiastically.
“And you love it!” She grinned at you.
You tried to argue but honestly, you couldn’t. Because the feeling rushing through the stadium was impossible not to get caught up in. Pure adrenaline… Pure excitement… Not toxic… Not ugly, just joy. Everyone pouring onto the field at once, students climbing down from the stands, screaming and celebrating like they’d all won something together.
For a second, you stayed where you were, just taking it in. The lights… The noise… The energy still buzzing through your chest.
Then Jayda grabbed your arm suddenly. “Come on!”
“What! where are we going?”
Before you could properly protest, you were already being pulled down with the crowd flooding forward. The second your shoes hit the grass, the atmosphere somehow became even more unreal. People running everywhere, teammates yelling, music blasting through the speakers. The air thick with sweat, cold night air, excitement.
You almost lost Jayda twice in the chaos. “THIS WAY!” she yelled from somewhere ahead before Jayda disappeared again immediately after.
You laughed breathlessly under your breath, slowing slightly as the chaos moved around you. And then, you saw him… Cameron… Across the field… Still surrounded by teammates at first, helmet gone now, hair slightly damp from sweat, breathing hard as people clapped him on the back from every direction.
But then his head turned. His eyes landed on you, instantly. Like they’d been looking for you, something shifted across his face almost immediately… Relief… Happiness… Something warmer than either.
Without really thinking about it, you started moving toward him at the same time he started moving toward you. The noise around you blurred, not fully but just enough. By the time you reached each other, both of you were still slightly breathless from completely different reasons.
“You made it onto the field…” he said first, a little incredulous, smiling harder now than you’d seen before.
“Barely, Jayda nearly killed me getting down here.” You softly laughed.
You smiled, still catching your breath slightly. “You were insane out there.”
That made him shake his head once, laughing quietly under his breath. “Nah, the crowd was insane.”
“No way! You literally ran half the field in the last seconds!” you said immediately with excitement.
You softly smiled at him, teasingly “Oh, so now you’re humble?”
You laughed softly again and before you could really think about it properly, Cameron stepped closer. He then pulled you into a hug… It happened naturally… Quickly… But the second his arms wrapped around you, the noise around you seemed to disappear for half a second.
Warmth… Adrenaline… His chest still rising slightly from the game… Your hands instinctively catching against him as the reality of how close he suddenly was hit all at once. And for a moment, neither of you pulled away immediately.
You could actually feel how happy he was, not just because they won… Because you were there. When you finally leaned back slightly, there was still barely any space between you. Cameron looked down at you, still smiling a little, eyes softer now despite all the noise and chaos around you.
“Told you you’d like it..” he said quietly.
You laughed softly, still a little breathless yourself before admitting. “Okay, i guess you were right.”
“That was cocky.” You playfully raised a brow.
You shook your head, smiling despite yourself. Around you, students were still screaming and celebrating, but somehow the moment between you felt strangely calmer than everything else surrounding it.
Then Cameron glanced around briefly at the crowd pushing tighter across the field. “Come here.” he said.
Before you could ask what he meant, his hand lightly found your hand, intertwining your fingers as he guided you carefully away from the center of the chaos and noise toward the quieter edge of the field.. Not rushing.. Just keeping you close beside him, and for some reason.. You let him.
UGHH I need me a man with simple innocent love 😪 Anyways THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READINGGG! I got a trip coming up soon to a lodge since it’s almost lake house season and I can’t waittt! Hopefully I’ll get inspired to continue part four of my Ledger ward fic since I’m not gonna be stressed about other things and will finally be away from the city chaos lol but other than that, I hope you all have a lovely day! (sending virtual hugs xx)
@creds to the owner of the dividers
