4. Some Sort of Date

The two lovebirds were obviously tired of me now. I could tell. And now, Tiff was making the 'I'm still mad at you' eyes towards me. "Anyway, anyone up for dinner?" Pete asks, "I know a great place that serves pasta. Our treat."

I nodded along, liking the sound of dinner. But, Cameron declines, "I should really get going, besides, I already ate dinner, so."

"Oh, that's alright. It was great having you tonight." Peter says.

I gave Tiff a knowing look, oh no no no, the night is cut off waaaay too short. In a way, Tiffany sees my grief and soon catches me to the rescue. "Yeah, it was great, seriously, we should do this again sometime soon."

I managed to nod and smile, although a little disappointed that I didn't get to spend more time with Cameron than I hoped to. "Gail, want to join us for dinner?" Peter asks.

I shook my head no, "Nah, I think I'll be heading home."

"Oh, that's great," Tiff says, which confuses me, "why don't you two go on home together. Gail, take Cammie home safely."

I smile at her. When all of us said our goodbyes, I gave Tiff a brief hug, "Sorry and thanks. Love you so much." When we unlocked, she gave me a knowing nod and smile.

Cameron and I have watched the two settle inside the car and drive away. "So, shall we?" I ask, which she agrees with a smile.

We took a cab home, and because of my nerves, it was a pretty silent ride. When we neared her place, I decided on asking her about where she stayed. She told me she lived with a roommate, since it's a pretty big place and she couldn't afford it all by herself.

"So, this is me." I got out the cab with her and signaled the driver to wait a moment, "Thanks again for tonight, send Pete and Tiff my regards."

I nodded, the chill of the night seeped again, "Of course. It was awesome spending time with you too."

Silence loomed for a moment as we both nodded a little awkwardly, "Uhm, why don't I give you my number? You know, for the dance thing?" Cameron offers with a smile.

"Yeah," I smiled brightly, "I'd love it if you did."

I took out my phone and turned the screen on. Until now, I still haven't had the courage to change my wallpaper from Pam's picture to another one. The picture stared at me and I paused for a moment, feeling my knees ache from my ex-girlfriend's picture.

"Are you all right?" Cameron asks me, seeing my sudden change of mood.

I looked up to her and tried my best to smile, "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine." I unlocked the phone and went to my contacts, and then I finally handed it to her. The phone beeped as she pressed her number in.

"There," she says, handing my phone back to me, "I named it Cammie."

"Cammie," I chuckled, "all right."

She thanks me again, and whispers a vibrant goodbye. I watch her go up, I watch as she opens the door, and then I watch the door swing to a close.

-

I heaved out a breath as soon as I sat back inside the cab. After a few seconds, I finally told the driver where to next. My hand was still gripping my phone, the phone Cameron touched.

Wanting to remember the moment, I clicked the phone on, and there was Pam yet again. I heaved out another breath, adjusted my glasses, then finally unlocked my phone.

Cameron's number stared at me. Her name was 'Cammie Hughston'. Well, all right, I thought, at least now I know her full name.

Out of impulse, and I hoped to god she found this normal, I pressed the call button. It rang a few times, and somewhere along those rings I thought of dropping it off, but she picked up eventually. "Hello?" Her voice still sounds sweet over the phone.

"Ah, hey, Cammie. It's me, Gail." I heard her breathing a breath of relief.

"Gail! I'm a little relieved that you called." She was relieved?

"W-why," I started to stutter, "what's the matter?"

From the other end, I started to hear a light knocking and knob turning. "Well, I forgot my key inside the apartment. And my roommate seems to have gone off somewhere..."

Her voice trails off, I presume she was thinking of another way in. "Uhm, what about your landlord, surely he-or she, must have a master key to your apartment."

It took a few moments before she spoke again, "I've tried that. The man's not in either. Just my dumb luck, I guess."

Inside my head, I went back and forth in offering her my help, but I just didn't think it was necessary. What do you mean it's not necessary? She might not have anywhere else to stay! "Uhm, well, why don't you wait for me? I'm coming back."

"Hey, you know, you really don't have to do that." Cameron says.

"No, I insist. I'll be there in a few minutes. The least I could do is help." She paused for a second and then she finally agreed with a light chuckle.