Chapter 5: Infatuated
803 Words
Chapter 5
As Camille stepped inside her apartment, it hit her all at once.
The quiet.
The space.
The fact that she was really here—alone, independent, starting a new chapter of her life she had only imagined before.
She closed the door behind her and leaned against it for a second, letting the silence settle around her.
Then she smiled softly.
“This is it,” she whispered to herself. “College.”
Her phone buzzed in her hand. Without thinking too much, she dialed.
“Hey!” she said the moment the call connected.
A warm, familiar voice answered almost instantly. “There she is. I miss my baby.”
Camille chuckled, kicking off her shoes. “Elena, I’m not a baby anymore.”
“You will always be my baby,” Elena replied firmly, affection wrapped in every word. “Now tell me—how was your first day of school?”
Camille moved toward the couch and sank into it, staring up at the ceiling as she began to talk.
“It was… a lot,” she admitted. “The students are kind of what I expected. Some are really nerdy, some are… definitely from that rich circle. You can tell—sons and daughters of CEOs, always dressed like they’re in a magazine.”
Elena hummed knowingly. “And you?”
“I think I blend in,” Camille said with a small laugh. “I made friends though.”
“Oh?” Elena’s tone immediately brightened. “Tell me everything.”
Camille smiled. “Rachel… she’s like supermodel material. Everyone notices her the second she walks in. And Jasmine—she’s so bubbly. She talks a lot, but in a good way. She makes everything feel lighter.”
“That’s good,” Elena said warmly. “I’m glad you’re not alone.”
Camille hesitated for a moment, then continued. “And this morning… I almost got hit by a motorbike.”
“Elena gasped loudly. “Camille!”
“I’m fine!” she quickly added. “Someone helped me pick up my stuff.”
There was a pause on the other end. “Someone?”
Camille rolled her eyes even though Elena couldn’t see her. “Yes. A guy in my class.”
Another pause—but this one had a different tone. Curious.
“And?” Elena prompted.
Camille shifted slightly on the couch. “His name is Cameron.”
“Mm-hmm,” Elena said slowly, like she had already decided this was important.
“He’s… nice,” Camille continued carefully. “And he helped me. That’s all.”
“Elena wasn’t convinced. “And?”
Camille sighed, trying to sound casual. “And he’s—” she stopped herself too late.
Elena caught it instantly. “He’s what?”
“Nothing,” Camille said quickly. “I’m just tired, that’s all.”
But Elena laughed softly. “You’re blushing through the phone, aren’t you?”
“I am not!” Camille protested, sitting up straight.
“Camille,” Elena said gently, “you’ve never talked about a guy before.”
That made her quiet.
She looked down at her hands.
“I’m fine,” she said finally, softer now. “It’s just… first day stuff. New people everywhere.”
Elena’s voice softened too. “You don’t have to rush talking to me. But don’t hide things either, okay?”
Camille exhaled. “Okay.”
A small silence followed, comfortable but heavy with unspoken thoughts.
Then she spoke again, quieter. “Elena… I’m a little tired. I’m going to wash up and rest.”
“Alright, my baby,” Elena said warmly. “But promise me you’ll call again soon.”
“I promise.”
After they hung up, Camille stayed still for a moment, phone resting on her lap.
The apartment felt even quieter now.
She stood slowly and walked into the bathroom, turning on the warm water. Steam filled the room as she stepped into the bathtub, sinking into the heat until her shoulders finally relaxed.
Candles flickered softly around her, casting gentle shadows against the tiles.
For the first time that day, she let herself breathe fully.
Her eyes closed.
But peace didn’t last long.
Because in the stillness behind her eyelids—
she saw them again.
His green eyes.
Calm. Steady.
Watching her just like earlier that day.
Camille’s breath caught slightly.
She opened her eyes quickly, staring at the ceiling as if it might answer something she wasn’t ready to ask.
“…Cameron,” she whispered under her breath, almost annoyed at herself.
The water rippled slightly as she shifted.
But his eyes didn’t leave her thoughts.
And somewhere between exhaustion and curiosity—
she realized she wasn’t just thinking about her first day anymore.
She was thinking about him.
- Writer
