Excerpt: In Memory

Though he was already eighteen, Brendon did not have his drivers’ license, so Cambri was left with the task of driving whenever the two wanted to go somewhere or do something together. Cambri looked past this minor discrepancy, rationalizing that in a relationship, both parties give a little and take a little; she just gave by way of gas money, and he gave by sitting through innumerable chick flicks.
Today, the two went to Hastings, Brendon on a mission to find the Princess Bride and the Phantom of the Opera. Cambri was getting a journal for Samantha’s birthday.
“Cam, are we seriously going to rent these movies again? I might as well buy them for you.”
Cambri grinned at Brendon. “Excellent! My birthday is coming up soon!”
Brendon looked down at Cambri, being a good 5 inches taller than she, and glared. “Cambri, I know you love these movies, but don’t you want to watch something else today?”
Cambri looked down, feeling guilty. “Well, you can pick whatever you want, I guess. I’ll go get my sister’s present, you get a couple movies, and I’ll meet you in the coffee shop in a few minutes.”
Brendon grinned, sensing his victory. “Do you want me to get you a Hershey’s bar or something?” he asked, kissing her on the forehead.
“Sure,” she said, perking up a little, for though she was still upset at the notion of not watching her favorite movies, she loved chocolate, which could always improve her mood, no matter what was making her upset. After she watched Brendon head for the rentals, Cambri turned around to look for a journal for her sister, when she walked right into someone. Instantly, she began to apologize, but stopped when she saw who it was she’d run into, and the look on his face.
It was Ryan Jordan, a boy from her English class. Usually, he was wearing a huge smile – most often due to something he’d said that he thought was really witty – but he was currently wearing an expression of utter disgust. It was this expression which made Cambri feel guilty for the second time in a matter of minutes.
“Hi, Ryan,” she said feebly, turning away from him.
“That was a jerky thing of him to do, you know.”
Puzzled, Cambri faced him. “What was?”
Ryan seemed frustrated, “He shouldn’t complain about how many times you want to watch a movie. It’s not a lot for you to ask.”
“You don’t understand. I make him watch those movies all the time,” she waved her hand, dismissing his comment. “Like, twice a month, or something.”
Ryan’s face twisted into an expression that Cambri couldn’t even imagine. He was quite obviously furious now. “Don’t you realize that you’re worth more than that? He doesn’t treat you very well at all. It isn’t a lot for you to ask, and he should jump at the opportunity to make you happy, and not make you feel guilty like that!”
Cambri had no idea where all this was coming from, but she was now almost as angry as Ryan seemed. “You don’t know anything about me and Brendon, so why don’t you just leave me alone!”
Ryan rolled his eyes. “Yeah, whatever you say. Hope you two are happy together,” and he walked past Cambri to the exit, leaving her to fume at his audacity.