For Cam's love

Chapter 1

I run a hand through my hair, staring at my reflection through the mirror. Today is one of the most important days of my life. I'm going to change high school for my last year. I spent the summer fighting with my parents to agree to transfer me from my private high school to a public one. The one where Cameron Boldwyn was last year. The one where I'm going to have to find out what happened during my boyfriend's first three years of high school.

- Jo! Are you ready ? You have to go now.

I huff and run my hand through my hair again before I step out of my bathroom and grab the leather jacket lying on my bed. I put it on and put my school bag over my shoulder before joining my mother who is waiting for me in the hallway. She takes a look at my outfit and rolls her eyes. She's used to me wearing a uniform with a tie and logo from the private school where I was recently enrolled. I know that my new look is stressing her out and that she doesn't understand my sudden urge to want a change of chest.

- You don't really think you're going to high school in that outfit, do you?

- I'm no longer in private. I must blend in with the crowd, not pass for the money-armored guy who comes to spread his money.

She sighs again as I walk past her to get down and join Lily, my little sister who has decided she will follow my madness for wanting to go in public. I thought our parents were going to have a heart attack because they weren't prepared for their two children to refuse re-enrollment in the most expensive institution in the county. I grab the keys to my motorbike and wave to my younger sister to follow me. The last tips are coming out, as always. The usual “Be careful” and “Watch out for your sister” have become my daily life since I have my bike and I take the brunette with me, wherever I go. She puts on her helmet and I do the same before getting into my car.

* * *

I breathe when I see the establishment stand in front of me. Lily slides her hand into mine and squeezes it gently. She knows how hard it is for me to be here. My parents have no idea what I am going through. They gave me their condolences to the con before returning to their little lives. I don't see why I thought they would be interested in me. I do believe that the great Noah Tiger was never interested in anything other than his wife and his more than successful business. As for Annie Tiger, born Stones, she only has eyes for her creations and her stupid parades. The only person I can really count on is my baby sister who gives me unwavering support, no matter what. For her part, she knows full well that if she has the slightest problem, I would not hesitate to defend her and to explode anyone would hurt her.

- Are you sure it was a good idea to enroll in his old high school?

- My boyfriend killed himself, Lil '. And there's no way I'm letting them get away with it that easily. I saw him walk away from me before he screwed up and I know it has to do with his classmates. I have to figure out what happened to my boyfriend who was so happy and enjoyable. I would never know if I didn't sneak into their establishment.

She nods and withdraws her hand before adjusting her pack to her back. We breathe at the same time to give ourselves courage and we enter the establishment that will welcome ours for the next ten months. It isn't long before I spotted the blonde hair of Bianca, one of my late boyfriend's best friends. When her gaze meets mine, she smiles and apologizes to her little group before approaching. Of all of Cam's friends, this is the only one I've managed to appreciate. Everyone else was too wrong with me. She has always been sincere. She didn't change her behavior believing it would help her get my favor. Cash, she wasn't shy about telling me when I was doing something that she didn't like or understand, sometimes accusing me of playing too much the perfect guy and following my parents' advice too much.

- I'm so glad you managed to convince your parents to enroll in Williamson.

- It's great to be here. At least I feel like I would have some genuine friends. Well, at least one.

- You can count on me. You're in my class, unlike the others. It is…?

Her sentence cuts as she slides her fingers over the collar of my jacket. Cameron's. I bite my lip and nod, understanding the collateral question she's trying to ask me. She reaches out her second arm, offering me a hug. I smile and nod my head approvingly as she hugs me, hugging me just enough so I can feel her support and realize that she needs it too. She didn't just lose a friend. She lost a brother. I put my arms behind her back and hug her back to show her that she can count on me.

When we separate, I introduce Lily and her, telling my sister that the beautiful blonde is the captain of the high school cheerleaders team. The brunette gives me a nod, proving to me that she will try her luck when the selections begin. She knows who to contact to sign up now.

- I'm going to go check my class and try to locate the school. I leave you in good hands. Bianca, thank you for helping my brother integrate.

- The pleasure is mine. Hoping to see you at the selections. They take place on Wednesday, at 2 p.m.

My little sister nods before walking away to enter the hallways. The blonde who stayed with me turns to the small group watching us. I do not recognize anyone but Lucas Thompson, the so-called best friend Cam. Unlike Bianca, him, I never managed to trust him. There is something extremely wrong about him that I cannot understand. I don't think I would trust him no matter when it is or no matter what.

- I'll show you the school. Pay no attention to them. They'll try to get their hands on you. Either to destroy you. Or to make you join their gang of little shits. If my brother wasn't one of them, I ain't would hang out with them for a long time. And I would have done anything to protect Cam from them. Sadly, Dylan is a full member of this brainless bunch and if no one watches him, he would be able to set high school on fire or get into bigger trouble than he already has. My parents are already on the verge of sending him to boarding school, now is not the time for me to let him drift completely.

- I understand, don't worry. I know I would be willing to do a lot of things to protect my little sister too, so I think I understand your protective instinct towards him. And if they try to destroy me, I wish them good luck. They haven't finished trying. As for becoming their friend: it is not because I am their friend that I have to go into their stupid schemes. I can very well stay out of all the mess that they are creating or that they are involved in. I am a very responsible person on this subject, according to my aunt.

The teenager who keeps me company hooks her arm over mine and leads me inside the hallways to show me around my new establishment. I only half concentrate, knowing, anyway, that she will be by my side to support me. I think more about what she told me. Make you join their gang of little shits. I think she doesn't realize that's all I want. Cameron had become their friend before he did something irreparable. I need to figure out what happened and why my boyfriend ended his life. And I would never get there better than by becoming their friend, precisely. This is the ultimate goal that I set for myself. Join their gang to better conduct my little investigation and better understand the mystery surrounding the suicide of my boyfriend. One of them pushed Cam over the edge, until he cracked and screwed up. I have to find out which one it is and make him regret it. I have to figure out who is leading my boyfriend to his ruin and making him pay. This is my last project of the year. The one and only. The one who will take all my time in the preparation.