And then it was Monday again. That dreaded, terrible day. I wasn’t especially looking forward to it after all, I mean, Mondays meant a few things.

1) It meant getting up early and going to school.

2) It meant interacting with Rowan, the overly excited puppy who wanted to meet my brother and

3) Mondays meant dealing with the extremely social butterfly aka Jace.

I arrived at class a bit early to make up for being late the week before and at least this time I had an entire portfolio of work that I could use if necessary. Being the first one there, even before Ms. Norris, I decided I could get another drawing in. I pulled out a piece of paper and a black pen, tracing long, thick lines across the paper, flicking it up for wisps. I wasn’t entirely sure what I was drawing; just doodles I suppose. Each line was different from the last, whether it was thicker or longer or wispier and it created a fabulous illusion on my paper. I heard the door open and someone enter, however I paid them no attention. They set their stuff down and settled in the chair next to me and I could feel them looking over my shoulder.

“Stop,” I said without glancing up.

“Sorry, it’s just that... that’s really good.” I looked up in surprise when I heard who it was. Jace was looking right at me, his expression blank.

“Oh. Well. Thank you,” I said and he simply nodded in reply and pulled out his own work. I was then curious. What did his artwork look like? Craning my neck, I attempted to see what he was working on. For the most part, I just saw lots of shading and lots of scraggly, creepy lines. I frowned at his drawing, trying to figure out what exactly it was. It looked so awful and terrifying, what on earth could it be?

“If you want a look,” Jace began, turning slightly towards me, “you could always ask.” I looked aside guiltily, but then turned back.

“I do want to look.” He looked at me in surprise, probably thinking I was going to back off, but then he slid his arm away and pushed the drawing towards me.

It was dark and depressing. Narrow, weathered trees took up the foreground with an eerie looking moon in the distance, hovering over tall mountains. A creature, I’m not sure what, stood hunched in the corner of the picture. However, despite the darkness of the picture it was incredibly well done. 

“Wow,” was all I could manage to say. He reached back over and took back his drawing, quickly putting his folder over it to skew my view.

“Good morning everyone!” I looked over to see Rowan entering the room, her arm flying out above her as she made an elaborate entrance. 

“Hi?” I asked as she practically danced into the room, flopping down in the chair next to Jace.

“How are you this morning, Jace? Same ol’ dark and gloomy attitude?” She dropped her arm over his shoulder and he shook his head and rolled his eyes as if this was a common thing to happen. When he didn’t reply, she shrugged and removed her arm saying, “I suppose so.” She reached down into her bag, pulling out her folder of work. “And you, Camille? How are you this wonderful morning?”

Before I could answer, Jace huffed and looked over at her, annoyance clearly plastered across his face. “Did you eat unicorns and rainbows this morning or something? Seriously, how are you this happy?”

“I had Lucky Charms, so yes, I did eat unicorns and rainbows. You could use a bowl or two yourself,” she retorted, crossing her arms.

“To your earlier question, I’m good.” I thumbs-upped and turned away.

“How’s James doing?” She asked and I tried not to verbally groan. Was she really going to be own of those people who tried to be my friend just because they were curious about James’ everyday life? Jace must have seen this, because he replied for me.

“Rowan, you don’t even know him so it shouldn’t matter to you.”

“But I’m curious!”

“It still doesn’t matter to you,” he closed the topic, Rowan glaring at him and then turning away while I smiled gratefully at him.

“Thank you,” I lipped. He shrugged like it was no big deal as Ms. Norris entered the room and told us to pull out our homework.

Classes passed along normally and I nearly jumped for joy when my last teacher dismissed us.

“Alright kids, remember to finish your synthesis essay by next class and study for the exams coming up next month! Both of you are registered right?” Rowan and I nodded our heads. “Good, have a nice day. See you Thursday.” Before another thought was given, my books were shoved in my bag and I was already booking it down the hall.

“Camille! Wait a moment!” I turned and found Rowan following closely behind.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“I was wondering...” she looked to her feet and for a moment I thought she was going to invite herself over to meet James. “I was wondering if you’d like to come for tea sometime soon. I wouldn’t be able to today, too much homework, but maybe next week or something?” For a moment I stood there surprised. We barely knew each other and she had invited me over for tea. For tea. How British could a person be?

“Yeah, that’d be great,” I said, somewhat surprised of the words coming out of my mouth.

“Awesome, I’ll see you Thursday and we can talk about it then,” she smiled brightly and made her way out of the school. I trailed along, watching her bound inside a car and drive away as I headed down to the main road to hail a taxi.

Twenty minutes later, I arrived at home, throwing my backpack in the entryway closet and dragging my feet up the stairs when I heard giggling. And not ordinary James-like giggling. This was girly giggling. Just as I was rounding the corner, I could hear James saying something and then the girly voice came louder.

“You’re an idiot,” she said between giggles.

“What? Like I tried to mess up the entire scene by dropping my coffee loudly when Vic scared me,” he said.

“Vic didn’t scare you! You guys were plotting, I could see you out of the corner of my eye,” her voice was Irish. I only knew one Irish girl.

“Ava?” I asked as I came into the kitchen. I looked at the scene before me. Ava sitting at the island, her hands wrapped around an empty glass, leaning forward, her entire face beaming and James leaning against the counter, arms crossed, that stupid charming smirk playing on his face that he used when he liked someone. Wait.

“Cam! How are you?” Ava asked, her smile vanishing into a bit more of a polite grin.

“I’m alright, how ‘bout you guys?” I wanted to give James a pointed look, trying to convey what I was thinking in a simple look, but Ava was looking at me also and I couldn’t stare at James directly without her noticing. 

“Good, just hanging out. Nobody else could come over, y’know?” James replied. 

“Uh-huh,” I said, tongue between teeth to hold back any words I was tempted to say.

“We were about to watch a film, you should join us,” Ava told me and I was about to back out when James said, “Yeah! We’re going to watch The Italian Job.” Curse James and his movie choices. He knows I can’t resist that movie, but then why would he suggest it? I don’t want to be some awkward third-wheel and I doubt he does either.

“Sounds great,” I told them.

“Great, James make some popcorn! I’ll be right back!” Ava slid off her stool.

“Aye, aye Captain!” James saluted.

“You’re a dork,” Ava said laughing and started moving away, “I just need to run to the toilet,” she muttered the last bit mostly to me as she disappeared around the corner. I waited until I heard the door click before making a few quick steps towards James and slapping his arm.

“Ow!”

“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!” I squished my face between my hands, starting to smile like a fool.

“What. Is. Your problem?” James asked, rubbing his arm.

“You and Ava! When did this happen because it is adorable. I approve. Oh my gosh, James, I so approve.” James looked away flustered.

“What are you talking about? We’re just hanging out,” he told me, turning to grab the popcorn machine.

“‘Just hanging out’ are you kidding me? You like her. You like her big time,” I said getting excited again.

“Cam, it’s nothing. Really.” He wasn’t even making eye contact with me, he just focused on pouring in the kernels and starting the machine.

“‘Nothing’ my -”

“Ava, do you like butter on your popcorn?” James happened to turn at a very precise moment and catch Ava walking into the kitchen. It’s like he has a sixth sense or something that’s tuned in to Ava.

“Love it! I’ll put in the film,” she went over to the shelf and started searching. 

“You. Do something,” I lipped to James, pointing harshly to where Ava was.

“Like what? Cam. We’re hanging out,” he lipped back. I raised an eyebrow, rolled my eyes, and shook my head.

“Sure you are.” 

“I can’t find it!” Tired of dealing with James and his silliness, I went over to help Ava look for the movie. “Seriously, you have a huge collection,” Ava said in awe as she looked at our towering movie case.

“We like having options,” I agreed and when I heard the popcorn start popping and getting louder, I turned to her. “So... you and James, huh?” Ava’s eyes widened and then she quickly collected herself.

“No, that’s crazy. We’re just hanging out,” she told me, waving away the idea.

“It’s alright if you do. Like him, I mean. I’m okay with it.”

“Maybe I’ll say that, the day you admit to you and Liam,” she said, adding a quick wink for good measure.

“But there really is nothing going on there!” I defied, instantly not liking where this conversation was heading.

“See? We’re in the same boat. We both fancy a guy that we’re not sure if he fancies us back.” I really hated how true that was turning out to be. But I wasn’t even sure if I really did like Liam yet. I was attracted to him, that was for sure. I was interested in him, definitely. But did I actually like him? 

“I don’t like this anymore,” I pouted like a five year old.

“I know, now. Oh look I found it!” Ava reached up and plucked the movie off the shelf without barely looking at the shelf. Realizing what she had originally intended to do, I looked at her in complete awe and disbelief.

“You sly devil.”

“What?” She said innocently.

“Saying you can’t find it so James would come help. Unbelievable.” She merely shrugged as I heard the popcorn stop and then James joined us.

“Alright, movie time?” He plopped down on the couch with the giant bowl of popcorn looking like a little kid and looked back at us. “Are we watching this or not?” Ava smiled at me and then sat down near James, plunging her hand into the hot, buttery popcorn as I took the couch adjacent.

“Cam, you don’t want popcorn?” James asked, holding the bowl out. “Best seat’s next to me.” He smiled innocently as he shook the bowl a bit more as if to tempt me.

“Not that hungry, I’ll be alright from over here.” All the better to watch you, my dears, I thought. James shrugged and Ava gave me a slight shake of her head while smirking. I shrugged innocently and settled into my seat as James hit play.

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Hey lovelies! I realize it's been awhile, but guess what? I WENT TO CANADA. And now I'm home. And I'm getting busy again because I'm off to camp next week (aka no updates) but hopefully I can squeeze in another July update or two. Because Liam and Cam stuff will happen!

But before Liam and Cam (and guys, I want a ship name for them. So badly. Help? I was thinking Camiliam. Mostly because it sounds like chameleon), WHAT ABOUT AVA AND JAMES? Yay or nay? Thoughts on them? 

Hope you enjoyed it! Stay classy and remember to VOTE and COMMENT and FAN and share! Seriously guys, it's slightly discouraging to see people read your story and then hardly have any votes. SO PLEASE! If you liked it, let me know. And if you didn't like it, tell me why.

Mini rant over, have a splendid day and stay classy!

-Katie