Getting out of bed was impossible, and I'm glad I had Becca to drag me out or I wouldn't have made it to school. I'm surviving off three hours sleep and a cold shower, I don't know how I'm going to play basketball later.

I had to go to school alone, and to my delight she wasn't even there waiting for me.

I slumped down onto a sofa in the social area, scrolling through Instagram while I waited for someone tolerable to come in.

But instead I was greeted with Matthew's presence. I wanted to beat the smile off his face.

"Morning."

"Hi." I barely glanced at him, shuffling further to the left of the sofa to create distance between us.

His spread legs and arm on the back of the sofa takes up way too much room, inconsiderate dick.

"Is Cam not here yet?"

"Nope."

Almost exactly on time, the blonde girl slipped into the classroom. She looked at me first, which was comforting until she looked at him for longer.

"Hey."

"Hey."

We said in sync, making me want to bite my tongue off.

"Hi." She took off her bag, placing it at her feet as she sat between us. I glanced at her attempt of a smile but bit my cheek when I saw his hand wrapped around her. He must be doing that on purpose.

"How are you?" He asked her, holding her closer to him, making me want to barf.

"Nervous, for the game."

"Don't be, you'll be fine."

"You okay?" She turned to me, looking concerned.

Of course I'm not okay. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Zoe's off work tomorrow..."

She tried to make conversation like Matthew wasn't there, but it's hard when he's glued to her hip and stroking her arm. I can't talk to her when he's here, it just feels weird.

"Good- I'll let Mom know."

I heard her sigh as she looked away from us both, glancing around the room.

"Hey, Jake, right?"

Is she serious?

Jake turned around, placing his basketball under his arm. He looked at me with a confused expression, and I answered with a shrug because I really don't know what's going on. "Oh, Camila- hi."

The bell rang and she rose to her feet, letting Matt's hand fall to the sofa which made me smile on the inside. "I wanted to talk to you, walk me to class?"

"Oh- um... sure."

They were the first to exit the room, leaving Matt sat confused on the sofa. "Who's that?"

"Jake - he's cool."

"Are they friends?"

"Yeah, he's on the team too, he's starting today."

"Oh, right. Yeah."

"Since when did they talk?" Katie asked, seeming kind of worried, taking Camila's spot on the sofa.

"I don't know, why?"

"Just... wondering."

Matt hurried out of the room, ran his hands through his hair and looked around the halls for her, but she was already gone. Maybe it's not me that's she's avoiding...

*

I was on my way to class, half asleep but still looking around for Camila. I turned a corner and spotted Joey's bleached head, with his arms wrapped around both Cami and Matt.

"A little birdie told me someone here is captain of the netball team."

"Co-Captain, volleyball." I heard Camila correct him with a hint of attitude behind her voice.

"Same thing. I'll be watching..."

I find it funny how Matt just lets Joey walk all over them both. "I hope you wear those shorts again-"

"Drop it, dickhead."

I pushed Joey's back, making Matt stumble slightly too. Two birds with one stone?

"Damn, DeMarco."

Matt muttered something too, but I was too busy taking my seat at the back of the room to even spare them a glance.

Camila went straight to Katie when the bell rang, I presume for co-Captain reasons but I hope it's so she can avoid Matt.

I took my time leaving the classroom, pulling out my phone in hope that Camila's still getting changed.

*hey, good luck :) can we talk later?*

I took no reply as a response, and made my way to the gym.

But I can't do anything in peace anymore. "There's my favourite ramen head boy!"

"Seriously?" I said out loud, as Matt and Joey came up behind me. He must be stoned right now. "You got a free class too?"

"Every class is a free class if you don't do it."

I kept my mouth closed and walked with the to the gymnasium.

My eyes instantly scanned the court for her. I spotted her with Katie, stretching and tying up her hair beside the net.

"Let's get a high seat, tits look best from above." Joey pat my back.

Katie spotted us and whispered to Camila, who seconds later stretched her back to look at us, not being as sneaky as she must have thought.

"Nah man," Matt went to the third row up, "I actually want to watch the game."

"The game is turning you into a simp."

I let the two of them squabble as I glanced up the bleachers. Zoe was sat by herself on her phone, so I made my way up to her. "Hey."

"Theo! Hi. Shouldn't you be in class?"

"I've got a free period."

I took the bag off my shoulder, placing it in between my feet as I sat beside her.

"How's things? Camila told me Rebecca's in town."

"Yeah, just for the week. Are you coming to dinner on Friday?"

"I wouldn't miss it."

"Let's go girls!"

Katie, Camila and four other girls jogged onto the court, taking their positions.

"Have you talked to her today?" Zoe asked.

"Not really, no."

"You should."

I have a feeling Zoe knows more than I do. Camila tells her everything, and after our encounter the other night, she also knows about the 'benefits' thing.

"How's things with Spencer?" I changed the subject.

"Good." She smiled, "I'm actually going out with him tonight."

"That's good."

"You should come over later, I won't be home, and I promise I won't sneak in after midnight again."

I laughed at the memory, "Yeah, I'm sorry about that."

"Me too. I'm sorry you had to see me... shirtless."

"You've seen me shirtless." I shrugged, trying to make her feel better about it.

"But you don't have boobs." She whispered.

"Neither do you." I muttered even quieter as a joke, earning me a swat to the arm.

"You bitch."

"Sorry-" I spluttered, laughing. "I'm sorry."

The whistle blew and I looked down to see the girls congratulating each other like they just scored. "Shut up and let me watch my sister play." She snapped with a small smile, turning back to the court.

"But you're still welcome to come over later."

"She's probably doing something with Matt." I said before thinking it through.

"Not if I have any say in it."

"Do you not like him?"

"Nope. There's just something off about him. He keeps kissing her, he just won't take the hint."

I couldn't help but smile, knowing he doesn't have Zoe's approval. She subtly pointed down the stand in front of us. "She tells him 'no, I just want to be friends' but then he turns up on our doorstep and tries to get in her pants. Something's not right."

"That's what I've been saying." I agreed, "but Camila's too nice and feels like she's going to hurt his feelings."

"Protecting people's feelings is making her lie about her own-"

She shut herself up, turning back to the court and pretending to watch the game.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean... she just needs to put herself and what she wants, first, and not care what anyone else wants."

"I wish she would." I lent back on the chair, just in time to watch her get a point. We both started clapping, but the loudest clap came from the third row.

"Is he here for her?"

"Yep."

"I'm going to file a restraining order." She sighed.

Camila seemed unfazed by him, judging by the way she never looked at the stand, only the court, completely tuned into the game.

I'm mad at her for being so caring. Like Zoe said - she needs to put herself first. It's one of her best and worst traits, at the same time.

"I have a question, and you don't have to answer..."

"Shoot."

"Why'd you stop things?"

"Her call, not mine. She didn't think it was worth it, didn't want to fuck up the friendship or something." I stuffed my hands in my pockets, not knowing what to say. Zoe clearly knows the answer already.

"Did you want to stop?"

"Honestly - no, but it wasn't serious anyway. I know a part of her likes Matt, and I just want her to be happy."

"She's not though. Haven't you noticed? She's been miserable the past few days."

"She told me it was a migraine..."

"Convenient timing for a migraine, don't you think?"

"I never thought about it like that."

Is she upset about it ending? Did she really want to stop?

"Just promise me you'll talk to her before Matt gets to her?"

"I will, I promise."