;New York is always a great idea

"This shouldn't be so fucking hard. Christ, I've had showers harder than this." Jason cussed, rolling his neck and eyes at the same time.

Miles snorted behind him. "You have hard showers? Join the fucking club, bro." He smirked, holding his fist out for a respect bump.

I can see Cammy's eyes wondering off into the distance, not even taking a second to engage in this horror show. His head hasn't been with it all morning, he looks torn between lost, sad and worried - as much as he's trying to mask it, I can see it - I've been there before.

I nudge Maddox's hard stomach with my elbow, his brown eyes looking down at me under furrowed brows before he leans into my face.

"Is Cammy alright?" I whispered into his ear as he leans his shoulder into the back of mine.

He followed my gaze over to the sidewalk where Cammy's still staring blankly at absolutely nothing - hands stuffed into the pockets of his sweats, eyes glossy, dark bags ringing them - absent minded while everyone else bickers about seating arrangements.

His lips purse, twisting to the side. I can see a wash of concern flash through his eyes before he leans back into me, his hot breath fanning my ear. "I've tried talking to him but he keeps shutting me out."

I've never heard Maddox sound genuinely sad. Cammy was his best friend after all, and through the conversations we've had, and watching them interact you can tell they have a lot of history, love and respect there - which makes it all the more confusing as to why Cammy is shutting Maddox out.

Was he scared? Worried? Sad? Angry?

Whatever it was - because there is something - surely he knew he could talk to his best friend, right?

I rest my back into Maddox's chest. His slow, controlled breaths rising and dropping me gently. "Don't worry, he'll come around sooner or later." I promised. Hoping it's true.

At seven in the morning, the last place I wanted to be was standing outside the baller house arguing with everyone about who wants to ride with who.

Jason claims he wants to ride with me, Maddox, and Steph. Miles and Eli wanted to ride together with Steph and Hannah. Cammy couldn't careless, but I wanted him to ride with me and Maddox - but I don't think he'd open up with me, Jason and Steph there.

It was all too fucking stressful.

Legit being in kindergarten again when we'd go on a school trip and everyone wanted to sit next to their best friend who's best friend with another best friend.

Fuck this.

I stormed off with a huff, dragging Cammy and Maddox by the sleeve of their hoodies to Maddox's G wagon and leaving the rest of them to deal with it their self.

"There's two free seats. We're leaving in two if you're not in the fucking car, then tough."

I heard Maddox snort behind me, and Cammy chuckle - smiling to myself that I go something other than a blank reaction out of him.

One point to Tori.

"She's a bossy one, huh?" I could hear the amusement in Cammy's tone.

"The bossiest." Maddox shot back.

I turn my head and glare at them both. "Someone has to be or we'd still be standing there tonight."

Maddox clicks the fob on his keys and the G blinks, the locks unlock.

As I tug on the back door behind the drivers side, a large hand pushes it shut from the side of me, brushing my shoulder with their chest - looking up to see Cammy staring down at me.

"You don't ride in the back, Tee. Get your ass in the front." He orders me. Tilting his chin upwards.

"But, you,"

He raises a brow, holding the same demanding glare. "Front."

I blew out a white puff of air. "Now who's the bossy one." I mumbled under my breath, shuffling my feet around him.

Maddox bursts out into a howl of laughter, I shove him into the door as I stepped past him.

We all jump into our seats and get situated.

Through all the excitement, and the extensive amount of shopping I did with the girls the other day, I roped Maddox into packing the cars with me late last night - snacks, drinks, clothes, booze - everything we needed to get the party started.

Everyone decided to stay at the baller house last night so we could wake at the crack of dawn and leave - not even thinking we'd be stood in the cold, brisk morning air arguing about who's riding with who.

Childish.

I could barely sleep a wink though.

It's been three nights in a row I've slept side by side with Maddox and knowing we were going to be sharing a bed for this trip too sends my stomach into a overdramatic cheer routine that contains a lot of handsprings, back springs and far too many mounts to not consider them butterflies.

I think I even smelt like him now.

After another twenty minutes of picking cars to ride in, we finally set off on our 16 hour, 1,200 mile road trip.

One hour down, 15 more to go.

The plan was too swap drivers over when the original driver was too tired, unwilling to stop so we could get there as soon as possible, and all of us praying with crossed fingers that traffic would be nice to us and cut us a freaking break - kinda pissed off we didn't listen to Jason's protests about catching a flight, but with Hannah and Miles afraid of flying - driving suited us best.

We hit the highway that leads out of Georgia and into South Carolina - I've taken over the driving of Maddox's G - much to his disapproval - and he's now sleeping peacefully in the back seat with his beautiful mouth hanging open and a bag of share sized chilli Doritos resting on his chest.

Cammy remains silent in the passenger seat beside me, staring out the window as the open fields rush by us.

Radio humming an old RnB classic in the background sung by Nelly, Ashanti and Akon - a song I love - so obviously has me singing along and tapping my finger on the wheel.

Stealing a quick glance at Cammy's still form, I can't help but say something, "hey, is everything okay? You seem a little off." I try to sound as gentle and soft as possible.

I can see his shoulder pop from the corner of my eye. "Fine." he muttered.

I give myself a mental eye roll. "You know you have plenty of people around you that love you, yeah? Maddox being number one."

His shoulders slump, his head falls back against the head rest and he sighs.

Finally, some kind of reaction!

"Tee, whatever Mads has said to you, forget about it, okay? You don't need to be worrying, it's christmas break, lets just enjoy ourselves."

"I don't think that's an option, we can't help but notice you're not yourself, haven't been for a few days if I'm honest."

He snorts softly, turning his face towards me, "we?"

I nod. Keeping my eyes on the long stretch of country road ahead of me.

"Mhm. Maddox isn't the only one to notice, I'm aware of your presence too, Cameron. And I don't like what I'm seeing."

Please talk to me. Please talk to any of us. Talk to someone. You're not yourself.

"I thought you'd be all consumed with Mads and this trip?"

"I'm a people watcher, what can I say. I observe, and take notice - you being my main focus these days" I state. When he doesn't reply and turns his sight back to the whizzing by window, I sigh, "Cameron, I'm not trying to pry into your brain," he breathes out a laugh, "but, I do care about you, I just want you to talk to someone - anyone - about what's eating away at you. Please?"

"Aww, you worried bout me, Mrs Hunter?" He teases.

At last, a god damn smile!

Two points to Tori!

I nod earnestly. "I am as it goes. I don't like this side of you and I only hope that whatever it is, is worth losing your spark." I glance at him, "So, do we have a deal? You'll talk to someone?"

He blows out a strong puff of air before replying, "I will. For you. For him." Tipping his head towards the back seats, "but can we forget about it this week? Lets just have fun, make memories and get shit faced."

I chuckle. "Sounds like a plan." I cheer, and he snorts, turning the radio up slightly louder - not too loud that it's going to wake sleeping beauty in the back.

The small but well needed conversation with Cammy lifted my spirts sky high.

I could tell by his tone he meant what he said, he just wants to have a good time and get wasted with his closest friends in New York fucking City.

We're young, rich and looking for a good time - but seriously, how much trouble could we actually get into?

We're not savages, for Christ sake.

I was mostly looking forward to showing Maddox around my American hometown - where I grew up, taking him to the nicest places for food, waking up to him every morning, showing him what ultimately made me, me.

Not to mention the amazing amount of memories we're going to make here, all of us.

My F I U family.

I was so excited, but if happiness was taking over why was there a nagging asshole in the back of my mind taunting me with everything that could go wrong?

Why was it telling me I should feel guilty for leaving my parents over the family holidays because I was undoubtedly mad at them?

Should I feel guilty for leaving them, for inviting my friends to leave their families too?

I mean, me and Eli could of spent this holiday on our own and still have a lot of fun - gone to clubs, dined out, watched movies, made hot chocolates, built snowmen and create angels in the frosty white water - but everything seemed to feel so much more homely doing it with the group of friends I've become somewhat attached too.

I just hope nothing goes wrong.

I'm preying it's every bit amazing as I'm playing in my mind.

Fingers crossed. Toes curled. Heart beat pounding.

I beam at the sight of the sign welcoming us to New York City.

The bright lights, the smoky fog in the air, the constant eruptions of blaring horns and pedestrians yelling.

Maddox hooks onto my thigh and shoots me a sexy smirk and a cheeky wink and he guides us further into the city.

This week is going to be everything - because he's here with me.

The Baller king of FIU.

My knight in a red jersey.