Unforeseen Echoes: A Love Tested by Secrets and Second Chances

Chapter 5

"No, but it was almost there." brought you a gift.

"Pee from turtles?"

Reaching into his rucksack, Cam shook his head, laughing. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but no. He produced a bundle of stapled papers. It's a syllabus. Yes, I am aware. This is exciting stuff, but I got it from the professor since I knew you wouldn't need one given your absence from class on Monday.

"I'm grateful." I was a little surprised at myself when I took the paper from him. "That was incredibly considerate."

Alright, get ready. This week, I'm really thoughtful. I brought you an additional item.

As he rummaged around, I bit the tip of my pen and took the opportunity to openly stare at him without his knowledge. It had been a while since I had spoken to someone of the other s*x that wasn't related to me, but based on how many people had watched my videos over the years, I felt like I was handling this well. Aside from the remark about ploughing, I felt a little pleased of myself.

With lengthy fingers, Cam unfurled the serviette that he had pulled out. "I'll get you a cookie. Cookie for me.

I took the pen out of my mouth and gave a headshake. That wasn't necessary for you to accomplish.

"My dear, it's just a cookie."

It just didn't make sense to me, so I shook my head once again. I couldn't understand Cam. Hell, I didn't understand most of them.

With a sigh, he peered up through those incredibly long lashes. Folding up one of the cookies, he tore the serviette in half before placing it in my lap. "I know it's said that you shouldn't accept candy from strangers, but technically I'm not a stranger and this is a cookie, not candy."

I took a swallow.

After taking a piece of his cookie, Cam shut his eyes. His throat gave way to a guttural growl of pleasure. I looked at him, my cheeks getting hotter and my heart skipping a beat. My mouth fell open when he made the sound once more. A girl seated a row below swivelled in her chair, her eyes misted.

"Is it truly that excellent?" I looked down at the cookie I was sitting on and inquired.

Yes, this is the real deal. It's what I told you last night. Would it help if I drank some milk? He nibbled on it again. "Mmm, milk."

He appeared to be about to have an orgasm or something as I ventured to take another look at him.

An eye snapped open. It's the marriage of chocolate and walnuts. When you combine those, it tastes less sloppy and more like an explosion of s*x in your tongue. Those miniature Reese's Cups would be the only thing better. Plunk those suckers in while the dough is still warm. Simply put, you should give it a try. Have a tiny nibble.

Oh my god, what is going on? It wasn't a crack pipe; it was just a cookie. I was doing foolishly. I opened the serviette and chewed into it. In my mouth, the cookie melted almost completely.

"Well?" stated Cam. "Yes?"

I nodded and grabbed another mouthful.

"Well, I have an abundance of them in my possession." He rolled up his serviette and stretched. "I just wanted to say."

After eating the entire cookie, I had to concede that it was really quite delicious. I began to roll up the serviette, wiping my fingers, but Cam grabbed it away from me. He shifted slightly in his seat such that his knee scraped my leg.

"Crumb," uttered by him.

"What?"

With a small smile on his face, he extended his hand without using the serviette and, without my knowledge, he caressed my lower lip with his thumb. My entire body tensed up, every muscle in it locking up. My eyes expanded, and I felt a tightness in my throat. I felt the small touch in multiple regions of my body, despite it being hardly noticeable.

"I got it." His smile grew.

Still, my lip tingled. All I could think of was that. I remained motionless until the front door of the school opened and the most peculiar man I had ever seen drove in. The man, clad in an all green polyester outfit, had thick, wavy hair that flowed in all directions, flecked with grey and black. His enormous glasses were perched on the very point of his nose. I saw that he was sporting matching bow tie and checkerboard Vans as he made his way across the main stage.

Cam gave a quiet laugh. "Professor Drage is an extremely special man."

"I see," I muttered.

I couldn't exactly place Professor Drage's accent, but given his olive skin tone, I assumed it was Middle Eastern or Mediterranean. Without a roll call or warning, he dove straight into the subject. While Cam scooted even lower in his seat and started his notepad, I hurried to catch up with his introduction to the fields of astronomy, units, and measurement. He wasn't taking notes, but his pen was moving quickly across the paper in short strokes.

He was sketching.

I c****d my head to the side and attempted to concentrate on the absurd number that I had no idea what an astronomical unit represented. turned revealed to be the Earth's average orbital radius around the sun. That was significant since most distances in our solar system are measured in astronomical units, but I kept glancing at Cam's notes.

How on earth was he drawing this?

Dr. Drage said, walking the length of the platform, "Now, most of you kiddos don't care about astronomical units or have never really heard of them." "You are aware of the concept known as a "light year." Nevertheless, I doubt that any of you actually comprehend what a light year is.

I had a good feeling that Cam was sketching Big Foot.

The lecture continued until, at the very end, Professor Drage abruptly altered course and began handing out star maps, surprising both Cam and me. "Although it is only Wednesday, here is your first weekend task. On Saturday, the skies are predicted to be as clear as a newborn's bottom.

"As clear as a newborn's bum?" I whispered.

Cam laughed.

"I want you to locate the Corona Borealis in the sky—the real, authentic, night sky," Professor Drage remarked, grinning as though he had just cracked a joke, but all of us were just staring at him. "A telescope won't be necessary. Utilise your eyes, contacts, glasses, or any other device. You may watch it on Friday night or Saturday night, but make an informed decision because Friday looks like a hazy day.

Someone in the front said, "Wait." "How is this map used?"

Cam gave me several grid sheets and a map that had been passed down our row.

In front of the students, Professor Drage paused. "Take a look at it."

I swallowed a laugh.

The pupil sighed. "I understand that, but are we really that tall?"

Yes. That is something you could do. Alternatively, you might just observe the appearance of each constellation and then utilise your own senses and reasoning to locate it in the sky. The instructor hesitated. Alternatively, utilise Google. I want you all to begin learning how to stargaze. This semester, you'll be doing a lot of it, so you'll be glad you did it now while it's still warm. So choose a moment with your significant other. On Monday, the grid will become me again. That concludes our day. May the power of the universe bless you and have a good day.

Many kids giggled, but I felt like my stomach was falling out of my butt.

"Colleague?" I said, looking around the classroom anxiously and speaking in a low voice. Nearly all of them had turned to face another individual while seated. "When did we choose our partners?"

Cam answered, closed his notepad and stuffing it into his backpack, "On Monday." "You weren't present."

I scooted to the edge of the seat, my heart pounding in my chest. B*tch. Already, Professor Drage had leaped from the room. By now, half of the pupils had left.

"Emily?"

How on earth was I going to find a mate at this point? On Monday, I really shouldn't have run around like a little kid. I was entirely to blame for this.

"Emily."

The professor's office was where? I would have to track down the guy and let him know I didn't have a partner. His office must have smelt like moth balls as well.

"Emily."

"What?" I yelled and turned to face Cam. Why did he still sit here looking at me intently?

His eyebrows lifted. "We work together as partners."

"What?"

He sighed and repeated, "We. Are. Partners." It seems that Drage assigned partner selections to the class at the start of Monday's session. When I returned later, he instructed me to pair up with anyone who had entered the class on Wednesday, or else I would not have a companion. You and I are partners because I dislike the idea of being alone.

I fixed my gaze on him. "We can choose to handle this on our own,"

Yes, but who would want to spend a night alone gazing up at the sky? He got up and began walking down the row, slinging his rucksack over his shoulder. "Anyway, I have a great location where we can complete our homework. I have plans on Friday, so it must be Saturday.

"Hold on." I got up and ran after him. "Yes," I say.

"What are your plans for Saturday?" He scowled. "Well, I could possibly"

Not at all. We don't have to be partners, but I don't have any plans on Saturday," I clarified. "I can handle this on my own."

I almost thought I was seeing Monday again because of how abruptly he stopped in front of the doors. "What makes you think that you should complete all of the assignments—and there are a lot of them, based on his class outline—by yourself?"

"Well, I'm not really in the mood to." I changed how much weight I was carrying on each foot. However, you're not required to be my partner. You don't owe me anything, really.

"I understand nothing you're saying." Cam c****d a sideways glance.

"What I'm trying to express is that. I became rambling. How in the heck did I say that? My issue was that I didn't understand him at all. He was unfamiliar with me. Even though I didn't know him, he was quite friendly. I just blurted out the following words. "Why are you treating me so nicely?"

A brow lifted. "Is that a legitimate query?"

"Yes."

He gave me a long look. "Well, I suppose I'm just a kind person. You're clearly new, too—a freshman. On Monday, you appeared a little weird, but after that, you fled and refused to attend to class, and I—

"I don't need your sympathy." I was appalled. He assumed I was a freaking freshman, which is why he was so nice to me. God, that really was...

Cam grimaced—I mean, truly grimaced. Emily, you don't have my sympathy. Just speaking, I assumed we would just be partners because you appeared out of it on Monday. His eyes narrowed as he halted. It's evident to me that you don't trust me. Was it the cookie, perhaps? Since you wouldn't sample my cookies last night, and since I was going to eat the other one anyway, I reasoned that since you appeared so worn out and dejected while sitting there, you must have needed the cookie more than I did.