I spoke too soon. I got my hopes up too quickly.

Cam was back to the whole zero conversation thing. And I missed my "Good mornings."

I thought with him offering me a ride and being nice that maybe he had stepped through a time machine and all my worries would melt away.

How could we take two massive steps forward only to take five back?

I slumped forward, hunching my shoulders over my lunch. None of this looked remotely appetizing, but a girl's gotta eat.

I took a bite of my ham sandwich, mentally cringing at the bland taste. It could use some mayo and some other type of cheese that wasn't Swiss. I didn't care what anyone said; cheese slices with holes in them did not taste yummy.

I peeled the disgraceful cheese out of my sandwich, resting it on the side of my Styrofoam tray. It didn't last long because Rosie picked it up and ate it.

I scrunched up my nose at her. Out of all of us, she had the weirdest food taste like mustard and mayo on her fries or dipping her chocolate chip cookie into nacho cheese. The thought alone made me want to throw up in my mouth. Rosie looked like the sweetest one out of the three of us, and it was true. She had more of a calm demeanor, friendly tone, and warm aura. The only problem with that was it was the perfect recipe for a pushover. If we didn't step in sometimes, the people around Rosie would gladly walk all over her.

While Kenny and I could potentially be sweet, friendly, and all-around decent people, we had a short fuse. Me, more so than Kenny.

"Seems like Cam's got a new friend," Kenny stated as her eyes found their lunch table in the corner of the cafeteria.

I peeked over my shoulder for the umpteenth time today. "Yup," I sighed. "Good for him," I mumbled bitterly. I picked at my sandwich before taking another bite.

"He's a freshman on the chess team. Wicked smart." Rosie told us. "I think his name is Suho Kim. He's half Korean like me." She smiled.

If they were more Koreans in this school, Rosie would start a club. And if they would let me, I would join them because why not? Koreans were awesome. Especially my bestie. I could learn more about their culture and cuisine. So when I finally got to South Korea after years of planning a trip with Rosie and Kenny, I'd know how to appreciate the country respectfully.

"That's cool. I wonder why he chose Cam out of all people to hang out with. He's not exactly Mr. Friendly anymore," Kenny said, throwing a fry a soggy French fry into her mouth. She enjoyed her lunch just as much as I did. That was sarcasm.

"Who knows?" I muttered, wanting a topic change.

Kenny laughed. "How long will you be holding a grudge against him this time?"

"Only until he bats his long eyelashes at her," Rosie supplied.

"Or maybe it'll be when he winks, flashing her his famous grin."

"You guys..." I said under my breath with irritation. It's no secret that I spent the summer cursing out Cam and wishing he'd stub his toe or something. But as soon as I saw him outside his mom's salon, it's like I'd forgotten all about those weeks of radio silence. Even now, we're back to practical strangers, and I knew if he were to strike up a conversation, I'd be putty in his hands.

Gosh, that was pathetic.

"I get it. I do. I'm weak where Cameron St. James is concerned," I confessed through my teeth. "I'll get over him... in time." Maybe.

Cam wasn't giving me a choice. He clearly doesn't want to explore what we could have been, and I was the one being all... whatever you called this.

"I should move on!" I said with a firm nod.

The girls looked at me, stunned. They hadn't expected that.

I continued, "I should find some other guy to crush on, date, and take to prom. It shouldn't be that hard. There are more guys than girls at this school. The odds might be in my favor." I smiled, but it didn't feel genuine.

The girls traded looks with each other. "I think..." Rosie began but was interrupted by Vance taking the empty seat next to Kenny. "Hey, ladies."

"Hey," Rosie and I said in unison.

"Out of all the seats in the cafeteria," Kenny hissed.

Vance winked, "I wanted to sit next to you." He stole one of her fries.

Kenny stared at him with a look of disgust. "Don't touch my food."

"Come on, take it easy on me. My bestie replaced me, and the hockey guys were driving me crazy. Okay, it was mainly Jason and his talk of Cameron this and Cameron that. I was sick and tired of it. I told him to grow up and shut up. Then bounced because I don't need that kind of negative energy."

Vance glanced down at her box of fries. "Don't think about it." Kenny pulled her food away from him, and Vance pouted.

"Why am I the only one that gets this side of you?" He rested his forearm on the table, leaning into her. Kenny angled her head away. "Not saying I don't like it. The standoff-ish thing is kinda hot."

Kenny's nostrils flared.

"Like this blush." Vance smoothed the back of his hand down her cheek. She slapped it away.

"It's not a blush. I'm overheating because of how angry you make me." Kenny shuffled in her seat.

"You keep telling yourself that."

Kenny shoved the fries to him. "Here, I don't want them anymore."

"Sharing is caring." Vance happily dug in.

"The only thing I care about is shutting you up. Eat the fries and be quiet."

"Your wish is my command," Vance joked, making Rosie and I giggle.

Those two were always denying their attraction to each other. Maybe Kenny more than Vance. If Vance ever decided to finally pursue her, he would have his work cut out for him, and I'd have to give him my blessing.

But I had a good feeling about those two. It's the way Kenny smiled when we brought up his name and how Vance couldn't take his eyes off of her when she was around. Not to mention how those two were constantly at each other's sporting games.

"Trouble coming your way, Sum," Vance warned me just in time.

Jason filled the seat next to me.

"Hey, Summer." He smiled then greeted Rosie and Kenny, who both replied with a dry "Hi."

I saw his eyes shift to Vance, but they didn't exchange words.

"What's up, Jason?" I asked, confused as to why he'd want to talk to me. I spoke to him now and then when I was friends with Cam.

"Nothing much. So you going to Abbi's party tonight?" he asked, adjusting the collar of his polar shirt.

"Nope. It's probably some mean girls trap, and while I'm not easily embarrassed, I don't wanna risk it." I made him laugh. "But seriously, I wasn't planning on gracing her with my presence."

Jason leaned in closer to me, "I think you should go and be my date."

Rosie snorted, unamused. "Real smooth, Casanova."

Kenny agreed. "He could have brought more game than that. Not that it would help if he did." Meaning, I wouldn't consider going out with Jason with Cam still on my brain.

Kenny took a sip of her soda, appearing unimpressed with Jason and bored with the conversation.

Jason chuckled nervously at their commentary.

Meanwhile, I just stared at him. When Cam and I were dating, and Jason never looked bothered by it. He used to cheer us on. I thought it was kind of weird that he thought it okay to ask me out.

Technically, I didn't think he was breaking bro code if he and Cam weren't bros anymore. But still, I had half a mind to say no. Jason wasn't my type. He was the opposite of Cam in looks and personality. Even if I hadn't been interested in Cam, Jason, unfortunately, wouldn't have stood a chance.

As a matter of fact, I knew dating him would be one way to get on Abigail's bad side permanently, and I didn't want that kind of heat on me.

"What about Abbi? Won't she be jealous? I'm sure when she asked me to go to her party, she didn't expect my date would be her ex." I pointed out.

At the corner of my eye, I could see the girls nodding their heads.

"PSH!" Jason said dramatically, making a motorboat sound with his lips. "Don't worry about her. She has her eyes on other fish. We're done, done. Nothing will bring us back together again."

That wasn't the least bit comforting but alright. I chose to seriously consider his question. I knew Jason wanted to act as if he had no ulterior motive, but I did.

My only problem was would I be able to pull this off?

And what would Cam think if he saw me with Jason? Would he feel betrayed?

Cam's feelings should be the last thing on my mind since he doesn't stop to think about mine.

Alright, I made up my mind. Okay, universe, you basically delivered this guy to me. I knew I sign when I saw one.

"Okay," I told him.

Jason's eyebrows shot up. "Seriously?"

"Yup."

"Okay, cool. I'll see you there then."

He doesn't want to meet up beforehand? "Okay," I repeated.

Jason smiled then walked off.

"That was...interesting," Rosie said, trying to be nice about it.

I waited for Kenny to say something, but she pursed her lips.

Maybe it was a good thing. She was holding it in. Her words could quickly make me want to change my mind, and I didn't need that. I needed to wave goodbye to the ship that has sailed and wish it well.

Vance's expression made it blatantly apparent that he disapproved, but he wouldn't interfere either. Or maybe he would, behind my back.

***

After school, I headed to my locker to retrieve a textbook I forgot I needed for my homework this weekend.

I was powerwalking through the halls when I heard Abigail's annoying voice. I turned the corner then quickly reversed.

She was talking to Cam about the party tonight.

I knew I shouldn't eavesdrop, but I wanted to be nosey.

"You're coming tonight, right? On your motorcycle?" She asked in a disgustingly flirty tone.

Not only was I not minding my own business, I stuck one eye out to watch the scene play out.

"No, can do. I already told you that."

She stomped her foot and pouted. "Don't be like that. Please" She flipped her hair over her shoulder and batted her eyes at him.

Cam was immune to that kind of thing. She should stop while she's ahead.

He gave her a resounding, "No."

Cam took two steps away from her, and Abigail said, "What if I told you Summer would be there?"

HA! Cam doesn't care. And yet, Cam had frozen mid-stride.

Abigail smirked. "Yeah, I heard she'll be there with your old pal Jason."

Word travels fast then.

Cam hung his head. "None of my concern," I saw his fist clench and unclench.

"Normally, I would un-invite anyone who wants to show up with my ex to my shin-dig, but I told myself to be the bigger person. Summer can have my scraps, I want a full course meal, and his name rhymes with Ham."

Sam blew out a heavy breath. "Can I bring a friend?"

My jaw dropped. You know what? Time to go. I'll take the long way to my locker.

Stuck in my head, I hadn't seen someone heading towards me, and I crashed into them.

"I'm so sorry!" I said, helping them pick up the pens that flew out of their bag.

"It's okay, Summer," he replied under his breath.

My head whipped up. "How do you know my name?"

We both stood, and I handed him his belongings.

When he lifted his head, I snapped my fingers. "You're the kid who's always hanging out, Cam."

He nodded slowly. "That's me. I'm Suho." He smiled shyly. "It's nice to meet you. I am sorry again." He bowed his head. I heard a hint of an accent on him like English wasn't his first language, but he spoke it well.

Suho wasn't tall like Cam. If I had to guess, I would say he's about five foot nine. He had a slender frame, no muscles or fat on his body, and then his eyes were nearly covered by his thick jet black hair that shaded his forehead.

"Nice to meet you as well," I told him. I almost mentioned my name, but he already knew it.

"I know your name because Cam talks about you a lot," he exclaimed out.

My eyes widened, and I stood speechlessly in front of him. WHAT?

"OH NO!" He covered his face with both hands. "I wasn't supposed to...forget I said anything." He flitted his hands in every direction. Was this him panicking?

I giggled. He was adorable in a little brother sort of way.

"YA! Kaja." I heard from behind me. I saw Cam down the hall, motioning for Suho to go.

"I'm teaching him Korean. Those are his two favorite words," Suho chuckled. "See you later, Summer." Suho ran behind Cam, who looked at me oddly from over his shoulder.

I quirked a brow, crossing my arms against my chest. You got something to say?

Cam spun on his heels, leaving me alone in the halls.