Chereads / The R.E.M Chronicles: Lucid. / Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: Truth.

Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: Truth.

Sunday.

Day 6.

Issa.

Seeing George alone in the library didn't help at all the way I'd hoped it would. In fact, it made everything much worse.

I still wasn't quite sure I trusted the way he was acting, even though he told me everything was fine. Some good did come out of it though. I had gained inspiration and started working on my animations. This time I actually felt really good about it. 

Well, at least a little better than I was already. Wish was hardly at all.

It was now 10 which meant the bonfire was going to start in about an hour. I was excited to have a free night.

Now I was waiting on Lectra. After telling her that I was actually going to the fire, she told me she would help me dress up for it. Although I thought I had an okay fashion sense and could dress myself, I let her help anyway.

I was in the middle of taking clothes from my closet when, without warning, my door flies open and Lectra strolls inside. As if this was her room, she ignored me and went straight for my clothes. Looking in the pile and throwing things away that she didn't like, she looked at me and finally said;

"I haven't had girl time like this in forever, so I'm putting it to good use. Ooh, how about this!" She held up the skirt I picked out because Cam told me it wasn't like me. I had to admit, it was a good choice for tonight. Cam would be there so it was a perfect opportunity to get to him. I nod at her eagerly so she exclaims;

"Heck yes!" Lectra then throws me the black tennis skirt and continues looking in my pile for a shirt. After some time of her judging my clothes, she decided on a shirt.

"This one! It's perfect with the skirt. You have no say in this. Put them on!" She tosses me a pastel pink sweater which nearly takes me out with the force of her throw. I totally forgot I had ordered it and decided then to wear it more often. I put on the outfit and looked in the mirror. It was cute, but the only shoes I had so far were a pair of slippers that I came here with.

"Here, take my shoes. I'll just wear the slippers. You look too good to ruin the outfit with those-things." Lectra took off her ankle length, heeled boots and threw them at me. Somehow, we had almost the same sized feet. Once again, looking in the mirror, I felt great.

"Where's Wes at?" I ask Lectra still studying myself.

"He's already there. So if you're ready we can get headed out too." I didn't realize people would already be there. Before I could even answer Lectra interrupts;

"Wait! I forgot. I have something for you." From the purse I only now noticed she was holding, she pulls out some makeup.

"I'm gonna do your makeup. No objections." I didn't have much say in anything happening but she hadn't let me down yet so I just went with it. I go to sit down on my bed while Lectra follows. She puts her stuff down next to us and studies my face, then gets to work.

•••

Surprisingly, it only took Lectra about 10 minutes to do my makeup. She had brought some lipstick and tweezers for my eyebrows but I made it very clear that she would only be doing my eye shadow. After careful consideration, we ultimately decided on a casual black look. It went with my outfit and wasn't too showy, which was what I liked. After all, I was used to wearing no makeup at all. 

"You look-mm! George is gonna jump on you when he sees you."

"And you're sure I'm not too dressed up for this? It is just a bonfire. I don't want too much attention."

Lectra pulled me aside to look into the mirror with her. She was wearing a cropped shirt with short sleeves that hung off both shoulders, paired with ripped jeans. On her head was a small black bandana covering her hair slightly of which her bangs hung out of. She looked like she was sophisticated, yet would steal your man in a heart beat. She looked amazing as usual. She looks at us in the mirror then says excitedly;

"You'd get attention anyway, even without makeup, while also wearing a trash bag. Deal with it. Let's go!" I laughed at her and we left my room.

After a short walk through the halls of the school, we finally could see the doors to outside. In front of us, I see a couple of people laughing and pushing each other, then they disappear into the door outside. I could smell smoke and a sweet smell from the breeze coming inside.

Lectra pulls me excitedly then exclaims;

"Mmm. Smell that? Smores!" I couldn't believe a place like this would be letting us have bonfire and smores. I almost, for a second, forgot that just a few days ago I had been kidnapped. Just for a second.

We step outside and see a huge fire lighting up the night sky just to the right of us. A few feet away from it all, there are people playing volleyball in a pit of sand. We walk closer and I noticed there was a large speaker playing music. Next to the speaker was a large man I had never seen before, hiding just enough for me to only really see his figure.

He wore a fancy suit and a strange black mask over his entire face, so I couldn't actually see what he looked like even if I got close enough. But it didn't stop him from looking scary. I even thought for just a moment that I saw a strange glowing red from him but brushed it off. He looked important so I turned to Lectra and asked;

"Who's that? Looks scary." She glances at him then turns back to me, shrugging like she didn't care enough to find out. I assumed he was just keeping track of the music and was a dj or something and I went back to ignoring him.

When we get to the fire, my cheeks burned with the warmth of it instantly, making me feel a rush of happiness. Then Wes approaches us with some marshmallows and a couple sticks.

"Sup ladies. Got you some smores." I grab mine and immediately put it on my stick.

"Technically, it's just a marshmallow. Not smores yet. I need chocolate and Graham crackers for that." Lectra say matter-of-factly then reaches for her marshmallows. Wes whips his hand away before she can grab it and teases;

"Well if you don't want it, it's mine." He then pretends to eat it, making Lectra lung at him, trying unsuccessfully to get them back. Basically tackling him to the ground, they roll around in the grass. I begin to nudge away from then, getting slightly embarrassed for them. Then I hear someone shout.

"Wes! You dropped mine! You jerk!" She was yelling but didn't actually sound mad. I looked closer and noticed they were both laughing. I then noticed the man with the suit had moved slightly closer to us, watching us carefully. I see his newly red eyes flicker up to me, seeing me looking, then he moved back to his original spot. I assume the glow is from the fire and ignore the color again.

Feeling a little awkward, I quickly I looked away. I then started to move towards a big tree nearby to get away from the fire as I was starting to get a little too hot.

I lean against it and notice Cam standing right across the lawn from me, watching me. I start searching the area out of nervousness, trying hard to not make eye contact with him. Feeling his eyes still on me, I fail and look back at him. He doesn't flinch at our exchange. He just watches me. Once again I look away, this time looking at my feet.

I then realize why he was looking at me so intently. He had noticed I was wearing the skirt he told me I wouldn't look good in. Not knowing whether or not he was irritated at me for ignoring him or amused, I look back up to study him. He didn't look like he was either mad or entertained. I couldn't quite make out what expression he was making, when finally, I noticed someone had now walked up to him and started a conversation. Ignoring the other person talking to him, I continued eyeing him. 

Cam took a deep breath and looked away from me to finally talked to the person.

I was beginning to feel exposed for what I was wearing and ultimately just wanted to leave when I hear someone talking to me.

"Issa. What are you doing here alone?" Lectra walks up to me, looking concerned.

"The fire was getting hot, and you and Wes looked like you were having fun so I didn't want to bother you." She then leanes against the tree with me and stares over at Wes. He was with what looked like a guard. She was incredibly tall, alot taller than Wes was, and was absolutely beautiful. They were laughing and looked to be getting way too friendly with each other.

Was this the Claudia he had mentioned before?

"Well he's a little too preoccupied at the moment to care." This time, she made it a little too obvious that she was jealous about Wes being with Claudia. Knowing she would deny it, I didn't say anything else to her involving Wes.

"We can go somewhere else if you want?" I had a feeling she no longer wanted to be here, and I didn't either, so it worked out.

"I couldn't have said it better. I still want to stay outside though. Let's go over here." She grabs my hand and leads me behind part of a glass building. It must have been a greenhouse, judging by all the flowers protruding nearby. The area was lit up by small lanterns and I soon noticed there was a garden too. Nobody else was back here with us so I finally let myself relax.

The garden had a large assortment of plants growing all around. I looked and could name strawberries, bell peppers and what looked like carrots jutting out of the dirt.

"What a weird combination of plants." Lectra speaks up, reminding me she was there too. I nod slightly and pick a strawberry. I toss it to Lectra and she eats it. I see her eyes roll back in her head as she groans. She then walks towards me and picks another.

"You have to try one. This soil must have gold in it because, holy cow, it is so tasty." Without hesitation, she walks up to me and puts it in my mouth for me to bite. I bite down and my eyes basically did the same as hers. It tasted like pure ecstasy.

"Oh wow. It is really tasty." Lectra's still watching me, not saying anything as I finished the berry, as if amused by my reaction.

"We probably shouldn't eat all of them though. It's most likely Cam's garden." She turns and runs her hand through the ends of her hair, playing with it. Why was she acting so bashful all of a sudden? Not too long ago she was doing my makeup and picking out my clothes. And it definitely wasn't in Lectras dna to act shy. At all.

"It's weird to think that Cam would have a garden." Lectra finally says, giggling softly. She sits on a patch of grass next to the greenhouse and leans on it. I follow and sit next to her.

"Right? George keeps trying to defend him, but I just don't buy it." She simply shakes her head in dissaproval so I ask;

"Did you even see him tonight yet?" I had realized I was so busy worrying about Cam that I didn't even notice George anywhere.

"Yeah. Just a second after we left. He was standing next to Cam talking to him. Totally thought you saw him." He must have been the guy who had just approached Cam and I hadn't noticed. I didn't say anything so Lectra continued;

"He definitely saw you though. Should've seen him. Looked like he had just seen a diamond." I laugh, thinking she's joking and see she's staring me down again. I look away feeling weird then out of nowhere I feel her hand grabbing my face toward her. I didn't realize what was happening at first, it happened so fast. When I realized what she was doing, I pulled away fast. 

"Why-did you just-kiss me?" I only looked at her, trying to sound more calm than I really felt. I really wasn't interested in Lectra, she was just my friend. Suddenly out of nowhere, making me and Lectra gasp, there was rustling behind us. We both turned to look at what the sound was. After seeing nothing, I just assumed it was just a squirrel or something like I had seen earlier and turned back to face Lectra.

"I shouldn't have done that-I know. It just seemed like a perfect opportunity to get it out of the way-" Lectra looked embarrassed about what she just did the second I backed away, clearly in regret. I think back to when we were alone in my room talking about whether or not we've kissed a girl before. I wasn't really upset about it, but it confirmed I just wasn't into Lectra like that.

"I don't really mind. How about next time just like, ask or something?" She laughs and blows out a huge relieved breath at me.

"But just so we're clear, there will be no next time." She stops laughing and starts sniffling, saying;

"Never? Not even a pity kiss right now?" She leans in playfully again and I bat at her with the same energy. We laugh it off and agree, no more kissing each other.

"I'm feeling better, if you want to go back to the fire?" Lectra asks willingly.

"Yeah I feel better too." Weirdly, that kiss was just what I needed to snap me out of my episode I was having. We get up and walk to the fire again. But as usual, the calmness I was feeling never lasted very long.

Because as soon as I turned the corner to head back to the bonfire, I walked right into Cam's chest.

*George*

I finally get the nerve to leave my room and head to the fire, and I was even dressed up for it, although I really didn't give a crap how I looked again after all that happened between me, Cam and Issa.

I was wearing a black long-sleeved crew neck with black pants. It's an outfit I wasn't really used to wearing, but was feeling edgy tonight. I was also trying to come to a conclusion about what to do with Cam and Issa, but all I kept coming to was that I was being a big asshole. Like that was news.

I stop right before I open the door to go outside and take a deep breath. I had a huge feeling that something bad was going to happen tonight and almost turned back around, wanting to avoid it at all costs. Instead, the door opened and a guard came inside, running into me.

"Why are you just standing there? Get going." He was slurring his words so it wasn't hard to conclude that he was drunk. I walk past him and finally go out. The fire is giant and brighter than ever, which didn't help in my favor. I didn't really want to be seen by anyone, but with it this bright, I couldn't exactly avoid it now.

Making my way over slowly, I see Issa walk over to a tree and lean on it, clearly getting away from everyone. I stop walking and just take her appearance in. She was wearing the skirt Cam had told her not to get. Clearly she had decided to defy him and get it anyway. She looked amazing. I guess we both decided to dress up tonight.

Snapping out of it, I spot Cam. He was all by his self watching people like he was supposed to. I then noticed he's staring directly at Issa. I was expecting him to see her and be mad at her for not listening, but I don't see it. Instead it was like the same look he would give me when were alone together. 

I walk faster over to him, keeping my back turned as I approach him so Issa doesn't see me. He doesn't see me at first so I clear my throat, making him finally turn to me.

"George. Hey. Nice outfit." I look again at what I'm wearing and then look up at him. He wasn't wearing anything particularly different than he usually did. Just a dark green crew neck with a black collared shirt underneath it paired with black pants, much like mine. He was now playing with his rings like he was nervous. 

"You doing okay?" He glances over in the direction of the fire then quickly looks back to me.

"He's here." I don't have to look. I know exactly who he meant. His Boss. I go to look but Cam grabs my hand, making me stop. 

"He's looking." He let's go of my hand then clears his throat a little louder now;

"Ehem. So, should we talk about what you wanted to say to me now?" Knowing he was trying to change the subject, I say;

"Well we can. Or we can just enjoy the fire." He frowns at me understandably aggravated by me stalling, and says;

"Why are you delaying this? It's a simple yes or no." I sigh and just let all my emotions spill out.

"I have feelings for you Cam, you know that. But I-also-" Just in time before I finish the sentence, a girl appraches us. Ignoring Cam she looks right at me. She looked familiar but I couldn't quite remember why.

"George, right?" I look at Cam and see he is glaring at her, obviously angry that she has just interrupted what I was about to tell him. She seemed to not be even a little bothered by Cam though, which was surprising. Honestly, I could hug her right now for distracting us from what I was avoiding telling Cam.

"Yeah? Who are you?" She smiles mischievously and looks at Cam then back to me.

"Just thought you'd like to know, I just saw your girlfriend Issa making out with a girl in the back there." She points behind the greenhouse building and without another word, turns then leaves me and Cam together again. 

Too afraid to look at Cam, I keep my back turned. Who even was this girl, and how did she know about me and Issa?

"Girlfriend?" I tense up at the sound of Cams voice as he finally talks. I slowly turn to look at Cam's face. Surprisingly, he didn't look as mad as I'd expected him to look. I see him shuffle, and I glance down to see his hands in fists. I back away looking at his face carefully, seeing he must have bit his lip in anger, which now had a thick scarlet line of blood resting on it.

"I was just about to tell you. We weren't even together Cam-and you kissed me first." Now the angry look I was waiting for was beginning to form on his face.

"Oh, so it's my fault? You still went on with the kiss after I did! How about I go and tell 'Issa' that her boyfriend has been sleazing it with his boss?" He begins to walk forward but I pull him back. As soon as I grab him, he flings his head around to glare at me, then sneers angrily this time;

"I don't care if we're friends George. I'm still superior to you. Watch it." He pushes me aside and walks in the direction the girl had pointed. I walk after him feeling like I could throw up. I was about to lose them both. I know I'd have to tell them both eventually, but I didn't want that to be tonight.

I just about caught up with Cam to grab him once more but before I get the chance, he turns the corner, bumping into Issa. They just sit there, inches away. I finally grab for Cam's wrist, pulling him away from Issa.

"Cam. Don't do this here. You'll cause a scene. He's here. Remember?" As if I just flipped a switch in him, his facial expression changed and he immediately stopped watching Issa. He looked around and eventually found my eyes. His weren't angry looking anymore, instead they were full of tears.

I looked at Issa and noticed Lectra was following close behind her. She had grabbed Issa's hand and pulled her into her own arms as protection. Was Lectra the one who she was kissing her? I had no right to be angry at her for it, but I couldn't help it. Jealousy was settling in slowly the longer I watched them.

Trying to snap my mind off of it, I look back to Cam.

"Cam please." Hearing my words, he wipes his tears angrily and rushes past me, going back inside. Issa and Lectra look at me with big frightened eyes, waiting for me to explain something. At that moment the best thing I could think to do was follow Cam. I search Issa's face for anything telling me it's alright to follow him. 

She only nods at me, giving me permission to go, so I give her an apologetic glance and run after Cam.