SALLY.


I pushed the gym door open and marched across the room, stepping over the host of people lying on the floor. If they wanted me to leave, I would leave. I didn’t know where I was going but I kept walking, certain that I’d arrive somewhere sooner or later. I walked into the hallway and turned the corner. I stopped in my tracks and blinked in surprise at the image in front of me.

Grayson had Rayne pinned against the wall in a fiery kiss. I turned and headed the other way. Who’d have thought? Grayson and Rayne? I never saw it coming. Now I understood why she was defending him the other day. I doubted Ryan would be glad to hear the news.

My angry stroll led me to the pool. I pushed open the door and peeked in to see if anyone was in. The place was empty. I went to the poolside and sat down, dipping my legs into the water. The ends of my pants got soaked instantly but I didn’t care. The water felt good.

I didn’t know how long I sat there in the silence staring at the water but I felt better. I supposed Cameron was right, I had lied to them. I had lied to Gail too and she was probably mad at me for it, that must be why she was so adamant on me leaving.

The door opened and Ryan walked in. He smiled at me as he walked towards me. “What are you doing all alone out here?”

I shrugged. “Nothing, just gathering my thoughts I guess.”

“Mind if I sit with you?” he asked but he had already sat down beside me.

“Sure, I guess.” It wasn’t like I could do anything about it. He could sit wherever he wanted to.

“So what are you really doing out here? I don’t think the pool is a place to gather your thoughts.”

“What do you mean?”

“For one, the gathering of thoughts is done out in an open area.” He smiled.

“Really now?” I couldn’t help smiling too.

“Yes, really. Also by the pool, I could do this.” He pushed me into the water and I shrieked.

“Whoo!” He threw his hands up and jumped in after me.

“Oh my God, Ryan!” I hit him on the shoulder repeatedly and he laughed and grabbed my hands. The water was freezing and I shivered.

He pulled me closer and whispered. “I’ll warm you up.” He dipped one hand in the water and I looked down at his palm glowing red. The water started to feel warm and I sighed.

“Thank you, even though you did push me into the pool.”

He chuckled lightly. “Sorry about that, I was just trying to make you feel better. Do you feel better?”

I thought about it and I realized I did feel better. “A little,” I said instead.

“I know what will make you feel even better.”

“What?”

He dipped his head suddenly and seized my lips. “Ryan!” I pushed him away. “I can’t believe you.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that,” he said and I frowned.

“No, you did. You did mean to do it.” I moved away from him and swam to the edge. I placed my palms on the tiles and lifted myself up but his words stopped me mid action.

“Alright, I did mean to do that. I’m sure you know I like you, Sally. Hell, almost everyone knows I do.”

I turned to face him. “No, I didn’t and that wasn’t the right way to tell me your feelings. You could have told me not kiss me.”

“I’m sorry.”

I turned and got out of the pool. I was soaked and shivering now thanks to him. I walked to the locker where the towels were kept and took one out with a robe. I turned to him. “Do you mind leaving? I want to change my clothes.”

He swam out of the pool and walked towards me. “Don’t worry, I’ll just turn around. I can help you dry your clothes, I did get them wet after all.”

He turned around and I rolled my eyes at his antics. I unzipped my pants and took them off then wrapped the towel around my waist.

“If this is your way of apologizing, it’s not working.” I took off my shirt and bra and dropped it then tied the robe around myself. I took off the towel and wrapped it around my head.

“I know but it’s something.”

“Alright, I’m done.” He turned around and took one look at me before bending to pick up my clothes. His eyes went to the bra on the floor.

“Don’t even think about touching that,” I warned.

“I wasn’t going to touch it.” He laughed, I narrowed my eyes at him. “Sorry.”

He picked up my shirt and within seconds, it was dry. “I know you like Cameron. I just wanted to try my luck to see if you maybe liked me too.”

He picked up my pants and I sighed. “No, Ryan. I like you but only as a friend.”

“Of course.” He nodded. “Do you know Cameron has a girlfriend?”

“What?” No, I did not know that. He never once mentioned a girlfriend.

“Her name is Jemma. She was infected with the virus, that’s why he’s trying so hard to find a cure.” He handed me my pants. “I’ll leave you to get dressed now.” He walked out and all I could do was stare at his retreating back.

Cameron had a girlfriend. Of course he did. Why wouldn’t a guy like him be taken? It was wishful thinking on my part to think he might like me. I slipped into my pants. It felt warm on my skin. He had almost kissed me back at the cave and he had a girlfriend. I slipped on my shirt sans bra.

When he had tried to kiss me what did he think I’d feel? He had just been playing with me. And earlier he’d looked at me like he didn’t want me to leave, like he actually cared about me. I was such an idiot. My chest ached and I felt tears brimming, I sniffed. I wasn’t going to cry. At least I hadn’t made a fool of myself and did something stupid like tell him I liked him. I guess I could thank Ryan for that save. I walked out of the pool and almost collided with Cameron.

“Hey,” he said and rubbed his neck. “I’m sorry about earlier.” He looked contrite. His eyes were wide and he stared at me like I held the key to his happiness.

“It’s okay,” I said. I just wanted him to leave so I could lick my wound in peace.

“Ar–Are you sure?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay then.” He still stood there staring at me. “So we’re good?” he asked again.

I just said that, didn’t I? What was wrong with him? “Yes, Cameron. We’re good.”

“Alright then.” He still didn’t leave. He slipped his hands in his pocket and rocked on his feet. “So,” he dragged out, “I told them you weren’t leaving. Anyone who isn’t comfortable with you being here can leave if they wanted to.”

That was nice of him to do but after what Ryan told me, I wasn’t sure I still wanted to stay here. It hurt too much to look at him right now, I couldn’t imagine having to see him everyday.
“That’s nice, Cameron–“

“You do know you can call me Cam, right? All my friends call me Cam, you can too,” he cut me off.

“I think Cameron’s fine.” There was no need for us to get too familiar. “I’ll be leaving tomorrow.”

“What? Why? I just told you you could stay.”

“Yeah but I thought about it and I decided it would be best for everyone if I left. Kowalski is only after me, it doesn’t make sense to put everyone else in danger because of me.”

“All the more reason you should stay here. We can protect each other better together.”

Why was he being adamant about this? Didn’t he realise I was trying to do both of us a favor here by leaving?

“Sally, look.” He tried to take my hand and I moved away from him. He withdrew his hand and clenched it. “You’re right. Maybe it’s best you leave,” he said and walked away.

I watched his retreating back feeling even more hurt than I’d been before. I got what I wanted, right? He left so why was I feeling so wretched about it. I took the opposite direction he went and passed by the Principal’s office. I stopped and faced the door. Ryan had said Cameron had a sick girlfriend but I’d never seen her with him before. Then I remembered the girl Ryan had carried into the school the day we left the cave. Cameron stayed in the Principal’s office. If she was anywhere it would be here. I touched the doorknob then let go. This would be me invading his privacy.

I chewed my lip in contemplation. Going into his room would be an invasion of his privacy but I needed to know if what Ryan said was true before leaving. I needed to see her. I grabbed the doorknob and turned it. The door opened with a click and I stepped in. The huge desk Principal Cullen usually sat behind had been moved to the side, clearing the room for a mat a girl currently slept on. She was small and had brown hair that covered her face. The rest of her body was covered up so I didn’t know what she looked like. I didn’t need to, I already got the answer I was searching for. The girl being in the room alone meant Ryan was right.

I turned to leave and she rolled over. “Cameron?” she asked. The action caused her hair to fall off her face and I gasped. There were black veins going from her neck to her face and went up to her dark eyes. Her skin was pale and leathery looking. It was a horrible sight. I had heard everyone talking about the virus but I’d never seen what it looked like until now.

She coughed and groaned. “You’re not Cameron. Who are you?” she asked in a quiet voice.

“Uhm! It’s Sally. Sally Jenkins. I’m so sorry for disturbing you.”

“I’m Jemma. Were you looking for Cameron?”

“Yes,” I said too quickly and tried again. “Yes, I was looking for Cameron but I can see he’s not here so I’ll leave you now,” I was already turning to get the door.

“Okay. Nice meeting you, Sally.”

“You too,” I said and quickly opened the door. I closed it behind me and let out a breath. I understood why he was looking for the cure now. No one deserved to be infected with that. I was going to help make sure no one else ever had it again.