Page 55 of Saints & Sailors

He couldn’t have Cameron, so he settled for what he could take.

I didn’t want him to have to settle, and I didn’t want to be a person someone had to settle for. Everyone deserved to be wanted, genuinely.

Across the quad I caught Cameron walking with her arm looped through Aidan’s as she met up with Vanity and a few of their other friends. Cameron’s lively demeanor even radiated from our slight distance.

Who wouldn’t fall for a girl like her?

I faced Bonham. “They’re all wrong about you.”

He didn’t seem convinced. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah, they think they know you because you smoke and like to have fun, but that doesn’t give them a right to judge you and label you because you don’t fit into their neat little boxes. You’re not shit, you’re not lousy, and you’re not bad. You’re actually a pretty nice guy.”

Bonham clutched his chest. “You’re ruining my rep.”

“Fuck your rep, I’m serious,” I told him. Maybe Dreux’s optimism was rubbing off on me. “Even if you can’t get Cameron, you can and deserve another Cameron. Don’t settle, it’s not worth it. Chasing her in other girls will only leave you high and dry.”

Bonham ruminated on my words before lighting up another cigarette. “Thanks, Professor Stanley.”

He wasn’t ready, but that was okay.

Hell, I wasn’t ready or prepared in any aspect of my life either.

I was about to go when he called from behind me.

“For what it’s worth,” Bonham began. “They’re wrong about you, too. You’re a nice girl, Saylor.”

I tipped my head toward him before making my way for the nearest entrance, all the while wondering the validity of his words.

The mood returned to a steady calm as the school day carried on as if my semi-breakdown hadn’t occurred that morning.

I was going to make the best of Meadow Grove, even if the place was completely boring so far.

“Geez!”

Spoke too soon.

I practically jumped back as I shut my locker and discovered Cameron and Vanity waiting for me.

Taking in each girl, I found Vanity to be disgruntled while Cameron appeared to be pinched as well.

“Hey,” I let out cautiously.

Cameron placed her hand on my shoulder. “Girl talk?”

Having no choice, I fell in step with her toward the girls’ restroom instead of my fourth period class.

Once inside, Cameron went and checked each stall before facing me, prepared to get down to business.

“O-kay, someone want to clue me in on why I’m about to miss English?” I asked.

Cameron faced her friend and her expression softened. “Ebram and Vanity are over.”

I studied the girl by the door. “No offense, but the guy seemed like a dick.”

“Not helping.” Cameron swatted at me. “He cheated on her…again.”

“What an asshole,” I sympathized. When we were at the bowling alley, I thought it’d been in my head about him checking out other girls. “Good riddance.”