LOVE IN DISGUISE

Building trust

“What else is he hiding and who is he?" She thought inwardly.

Was it possible that this guy had been searching for something genuine all along?

....

After a long silence she left Cameroon heading back to class leaving him speechless.

....

🦋 INSIDE THE CLASS 🦋

As usual students were taking pictures of people like Austin, jasmine and Damric while some just sat watching. Among them was Maddie, she sat still thinking of what had happened earlier.

“Why would he just pretend or was there something more to it?“ She muttered inwardly. And just then Avery approached her taking a seat close to her.

“Hey Tom beey!“ Avery called and Maddie turned to her faking a smile. She wasn't usually friendly to anyone except Cameroon.

“Hi” Maddie whispered.

“What's up? Heard you're working for Austin.. how was your first day there?“

“It was okay” Maddie answered turning her face to the window and Avery smirked.

“That's the nicest thing you've ever said since you came to Clifford high”

Maddie just chuckled at her words and soon Cameroon walked into the class. And all attention seems to be on him.

Maddie's gaze met his, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. The tension between them was intensed.

Avery, who was sitting next to Maddie, noticed the exchange and raised an eyebrow. "Looks like someone's got a crush," she whispered to Maddie, who quickly looked away.

Cameroon made his way to his seat, his eyes never leaving Maddie's face. He sat down, his movements fluid and confident.

Then a teacher walked into the class and began the lesson, but Maddie's mind was elsewhere.

She found herself stealing glances at Cameroon. She noticed the way his eyes moved at the corners when he smiled, the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck.

"Hey, Tom beey, you're staring again," Avery whispered to her ears.

Maddie quickly looked away, her face flushing with embarrassment. But she couldn't help sneaking another glance at Cameroon.

As the lesson came to a close, the teacher assigned homework and dismissed the class. Maddie packed up her things and stood up, her eyes meeting Cameroon's once again.

Then, without a word, Cameroon turned and walked out of the classroom, leaving Maddie feeling frustrated and confused.

"What's going on with him?" Maddie wondered, shaking her head in frustration.

“He's just hiding something “ she heard someone whisper in her right hear and she shivered.

And when she turned... It was Avery. They were the only one's left in class.

“Huh?“ Maddie raised an eyebrow and Avery chuckled.

“Maddie, there was a day I saw him talking to someone on the phone... And when I confronted him, he still stood on the ground that he was mute. What do you think?“

Maddie stared at her confused unsure of what to say. “I.. I.. maybe he's really mute” she lied turning her face away.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, “ Avery sneered.

“Maddie.. he's just using you. He's hiding something from you” Avery added and walked away leaving Maddie confused.

●♡♡♡♡｡♡♡｡✿ ♡♡

MADDIE'S ROOM

Maddie lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling as her mind wandered back to the events of the day. She couldn't shake off the feeling that Cameroon was hiding something from her.

As she lay there, her thoughts drifted to Avery's words. "He's just using you. He's hiding something from you." Maddie's brow furrowed in concern. Was Avery right? Was Cameroon just pretending to be interested in her?

Maddie sighed, feeling frustrated and confused. She didn't know what to believe anymore. She closed her eyes, trying to push aside the doubts that were creeping into her mind.

Just as she was starting to drift off to sleep, her phone rang, interrupting the silence. Maddie's eyes snapped open, and she hesitated for a moment before picking up the phone. The screen displayed an unknown number, and Maddie's heart skip a bit.

"Hello?" she said, her voice cautious.

And then she heard his voice, a voice that sent shivers down her spine...

She couldn't believe it. How did he get her number?

"Cameroon...?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah, it's me," he replied, his voice low and husky. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."

Maddie's eyes widened as she sat up in bed, her heart racing with excitement. "No, you're not disturbing me," she said, trying to sound calm.

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Maddie wondered if she had said something wrong. But then Cameroon spoke up again.

"I've been thinking about you all day," he said, his voice sending shivers down her spine. "I couldn't concentrate in class."

Maddie's face flushed with embarrassment as she realized that she had been thinking about him too. "I've been thinking about you too," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

As they talked, Maddie felt like she was getting to know Cameroon on a deeper level. She felt like she was seeing a side of him that no one else got to see, and it was making her fall for him even more.

"Cameroon, can I ask you something?" Maddie said, her voice hesitant.

"Of course, what is it?"

"Why did you pretend to be mute?" Maddie asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Maddie wondered if she had overstepped. But then Cameroon spoke up again.

"I'll tell you everything, Maddie," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "But can we meet in person? I don't want to have this conversation over the phone."

Maddie's heart skipped a beat as she considered his request. She wanted to know the truth, but she was also scared of what she might find out.

"Okay," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "Where do you want to meet?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Maddie wondered if she had made a mistake. But then Cameroon spoke up again.

"How about the park close to school?" he suggested, his voice low and husky. "I'll meet you there at 7 pm tomorrow."

Maddie's heart skipped a beat and she agreed to meet him. She didn't know what tomorrow would bring but she had to find out.

Just as Maddie was about to put her phone down, she heard a knock on her door. "Come in," she said, expecting it to be Amanda.

Amanda walked into the room, a big smile on her face. "Mom's back!" she exclaimed. "She's calling you for dinner."

Maddie sighed inwardly, feeling a knot form in her stomach. She hadn't been looking forward to facing Alice. Their relationship had been strained lately.

"Amanda, tell Alice that I'm not hungry," Maddie said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Amanda raised an eyebrow. "You're not coming down for dinner? Mom will be upset."

Maddie shrugged. "I'm just not hungry, okay?"

Amanda hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Okay, I'll tell her. But you're going to have to face her eventually, you know."

Maddie nodded, feeling a sense of guilt. She knew Amanda was right, but she just wasn't ready to deal with her mom's questions and concerns.

As Amanda left the room, Maddie couldn't help but think about her conversation with Cameroon. She was still reeling from the fact that he had called her, and that they were meeting up tomorrow.

She felt a flutter in her chest as she thought about seeing him again.

✨ LANGLIN'S MANSION ✨

Jasmine lounged on her bed, watching a video on her phone with her hand under her chin and her legs raised slightly. She let out a tired sigh, her eyes fixed on the screen.

"Ma'am, you have a visitor," a feminine voice called out from behind her door.

Jasmine's face lit up with a smile as she quickly got off the bed and made her way downstairs. "It might be Damric," she thought to herself, her excitement growing.

However, when she reached the bottom of the stairs, her smile faltered, and she frowned. "Michael, what are you doing here?" she asked, her tone laced with surprise.

"I...I just wanted to say hi."

Jasmine raised an eyebrow. "Couldn't you just text or something?"

Michael chuckled. "It's not like you would answer my texts. So, I decided to come in person."

Jasmine scoffed, folding her arms across her chest. "Now you've said hi...you can leave."

Michael's eyes narrowed slightly. "Leave?" he repeated.

"Yes. You know the way."

But instead of leaving, Michael took a step closer to Jasmine, his face inches from hers. Jasmine's eyes looked into his, and she felt a flutter in her stomach.

"Do you really want me to leave?" Michael asked, his voice low and husky.

Jasmine tried to sound calm, but her voice came out shaky. "Yes...you know the way."

Michael's eyes seemed to bore into hers, and Jasmine felt her heart skip a beat. "Are you sure?" he asked again, his breath whispering against her neck and sending shivers down her spine.

Jasmine's lips parted slightly, and she felt her resolve weakening. She couldn't explain why, but she didn't want Michael to leave. Not yet.

Without thinking, Jasmine's hands reached out and grasped Michael's arms, her fingers wrapping around his biceps. Michael's eyes looked into hers, and he leaned in closer.

Their faces were inches apart, and Jasmine could feel the warmth of Michael's breath on her skin. She closed her eyes, her heart pounding in her chest.

And then, without another thought, Michael's lips brushed against Jasmine's. The kiss was soft and gentle, but it sent shivers down Jasmine's spine.

She felt herself melting into the kiss, her lips parting to allow Michael's tongue to explore her mouth. The world around her melted away, and all that was left was the sensation of Michael's lips on hers.

Jasmine's arms wrapped around Michael's neck, pulling him closer as they deepened the kiss. She felt like she was drowning in the sensation, but she didn't want to come up for air.

As they kissed, Jasmine realized that she had been denying her feelings for Michael for far too long. She had been trying to convince herself that she wasn't interested, but the truth was, she was.

Jasmine knew that she was in trouble. She was falling for Michael, hard.

NEXT DAY 🦋 at:

CLIFFORD HIGH

Maddie opened her locker and pulled out a few books, Just as she was about to close her locker, she heard a familiar voice behind her.

"What's up, Maddie?" Austin asked, flashing his famous smile.

Maddie turned around and smiled back at him. "I'm fine, boss," she replied, using the nickname she had given him.

Austin chuckled and leaned against the locker next to hers. "Glad to hear that. So, how's the job going?"

Maddie shrugged. "It's okay, I guess. I'm still getting used to it."

Just then, Cameroon appeared out of nowhere and walked towards Maddie, his eyes fixed intently on hers. He reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her towards him. He didn't want anyone talking to his girl!

Maddie pulled away, startled. "What's wrong with you?" she exclaimed, her voice rising.

The hallway fell silent, with all eyes on Maddie and Cameroon. Austin raised an eyebrow, looking concerned.

Cameroon raised an eyebrow, signaling Maddie like he was saying "I'll tell you later". But Maddie didn't understand, and instead, she pushed him slightly.

When Cameroon tried to hold her hands again, Austin intervened, glaring at him. " Hey, be careful” he chuckled.

Cameroon then went to his phone and typed something showing it to Maddie. "Let's talk outside," the text read.

Maddie scoffed. "Why don't we talk here? Is there something you're hiding from everyone? Or you're not mute?" she asked, and Cameroon stared at her, his expression unreadable. "Or are you just using me?" Maddie asked, her voice rising.

“This is getting interesting” Avery who had been watching the scene smirk.

But Cameroon remained quiet, his eyes on her. He didn't understand why she just changed all of a sudden.

“Tell me!“ she screamed more louder.