TRUE LOVE [Chapter 5: Cherry Blossom Cliff]

Cameron lived on the opposite side of town. He lived in a two story colonial style home with columns in the front, a fountain in the center of a circle driveway. I came to a stop and as Cameron unbuckled his seatbelt, I did mine as well. I jumped out and ran to his door before he could open it. I look at him. He had a smile on his face and what looked like to be shock. I slowly opened his door and gave a slight bow.

“Thank you, kind Sir.” He said

“I will be there too.” I said

“You will?” he asked

“Just like you will.” I smiled

We gave each other a patted hug and I got back in my car as he walked towards his front door. He turned around and waved at me before he walked inside.

As I was about to drive off, I noticed something in the passenger seat. There was a napkin from the pizza place and something was written on it. I picked it up and read it.

Next week’s forecast calls for warm sunshine.

Meet me at the beach on Saturday.

 - Cam

I’m not sure why he just didn’t tell me while we were in the car, or at school on Monday. Maybe I was missing the point of the note? There was something going on. In my gut. I could feel that there was some sort of…feeling. I wasn’t sure what it was. I’ve never had a friend this close before. Maybe this was normal? I knew that I enjoyed my time around Cameron. And Natalie. But…I enjoyed Cameron’s company more. Maybe it’s natural bonding? All these thoughts and emotions ran through my head on the way home. Even worse, they ran through my head all week long. Even though I went to school with Cameron, he didn’t always have time to hang out. He was busy at practice. When the weather got nice, he would usually run track. His water polo practice wouldn’t start until the late spring or early summer.

            That long awaited Saturday afternoon came and I was ecstatic to head to the beach. The weather was unusual for February. I wore board shorts, a tank top, flip flops, sunglasses and carried a towel around my neck. The drive to the beach was about thirty minutes. There was a good amount of people at the beach, however I expected it to be packed. The beach strung along the coastal cliff of Depoe Bay. Three piers stretched out into the ocean, standing high above the blue water. I raised my hand over my eyes to shield the sun as I scanned the beach for Cameron. Almost not recognizing him, I saw someone waving at me. It was Cameron. He was in white and blue shorts with a Hawaiian print and shirtless. He must have just come out of the water as his body sparkled with droplets. He had defined abs, his tattoo now visible of a tribal vine like design. His pecks bounced as he jogged towards me. I began to feel a tingle run up and down my body. I felt as if I was free falling and my stomach turned.

“Hey!” he said finally reaching me and embracing me with a hug

“Hi. Wow.” I said before I could stop myself

“What?” he asked

“Oh…um. You…really work out.” I laughed

“Yeah. Gotta stay fit.” He said patting my back, “Come sit with us.”

“Us?” I asked as I stood still in place

“Oh…my sister and Phillip are here too.” He said

“Oh.” I said relieved

“Don’t worry, I asked Nat not to invite Jasmine this time.” He laughed

Natalie and Phillip were snuggled up next to each other on a large beach blanket facing the ocean. I snuck up on Natalie, even scaring Phillip.

“Boo!” I shouted

“Oh Jeez.” Natalie yelped, “You made it!” she hugged me

“Hey man. Get comfortable, sit with us.” Phillip said shaking my hand

I took off my sunglasses and then my shirt. As my shirt came over my head, I noticed both Natalie and Cameron were looking at me. Well, my body actually. I realized it was the first time I had gotten this naked in front of them.

“Shit.” Cameron let slip out

“What?” I asked with dismay

“Oh nothing bad. I just didn’t realize you were that toned.” Cameron said

“Ditto.” Natalie said

“Oh. Well…I like to keep fit too.” I admitted

“What do you do?” Phillip asked

“I lift a little, but mostly I jog and do a little cardio at home.”

“Want to go for a swim?” Cameron asked me                                       

“Is the water cold?” I asked

“At first, but it’ll warm up quick.” He smiled

We stood up and walked towards the water. The wet sand began to stick under my feet. Shells were lined up along the beach, seagulls flying above us. The waves coming in and out removed sand beneath me, giving the illusion that I was moving. We continued to walk further until the water was half ways up my leg.

“Watch out!” Cameron shouted

He startled me, I lost my balance and fell into the water.

“Oh fuck. I’m so sorry.” Cameron said with concern grabbing my hand to lift me back up

“It’s okay. Why did you say watch out?” I asked combing my hair back with my hands

“Oh…uh. Take a look.” He said pointing down

It was a blue starfish. I had never seen a blue starfish anywhere on television or in real life. It was actually stunning to see. Cameron leaned down and picked it up gently. He began to walk deeper into the ocean and I followed closely.

“I’ll be right back.” He turned to look at me

I nodded. Cameron then dove into the ocean with the starfish in his hand. A few moments later I could see Cameron a few yards further out, bobbing. He looked at me and then dove straight down. I waited. Waited for a few moments, which turned into seconds…and then it was a minute. My God. Where was he?

“Cameron?!” I called out

Shit. I began to panic. Just as I was about to dive under, I felt something yank me down and deeper into the ocean. As I tumbled under the surface, I felt hands around my waist. I reached out in front of me, my eyes closed to prevent salt water front entering them and felt a firm object with ripples. I realized it was Cameron. We both popped up at the surface as a wave crashed into us. We jerked our heads to get our wet hair out of our face. Cameron’s hands were still on my waist.

“You jerk!” I yelled

“What?” he laughed

“I thought something happened to you!” I said with anger

His smile turned into a slight frown. I could see he felt guilty. His grasp on me loosened and we bobbed next to each other.

“I’m sorry. I was just taking the starfish to the bottom so nobody stepped on it.” He said

“I thought something happened.” I said with less anger

“I’m fine.” He smiled

“Good.” I finally cracked a smile

We just looked at each other until another wave hit us.

“I want to show you something.” He said grabbing my wrist under the water as a gesture to follow him

We swam back to the shore. As we walked out of the water, our soaked shorts were stuck to our bodies. I was behind him and couldn’t help but notice his muscular thighs and what looked like a perfect ass…for a guy of course. Fuck. What was I doing? He’s my friend…maybe its just envy?

We walked away from the beach, heading towards the parking lot.

“Where are we going?” I asked finally catching up to him

“It’s a special place.” He said with a grin

Next to the parking lot was a pathway that lead up to the cliff which overlooked the beach and the whole ocean. The hillside was grassy and at the tip top of the cliff was a pink tree. After about a ten minute walk, we reached the top of the secluded area. The tree was a cherry tree and full of pink blossoms.

“This is beautiful” I said looking up at the tree

“It’s the only cherry tree within a hundred miles of here. It was planted by a local over sixty years ago. It started as a seed and finally became this magnificent tree on this cliff.” Cameron explained, “The cherries are said to be the sweetest in the state.” He said looking into my eyes, “People come here to make wishes.”

“Wishes? How?” I asked curiously

He smiled, “I’ll show you.” He said leaning towards me, but I noticed he plucked something from the tree.

In his hands was a small twig with a bundle of cherry blossoms. The pink flowers smelled sweet.

“I have to confess something.” Cameron began

“Okay.” I said unsure of what was to come

“You are such a good friend. I’ve grown very fond of you.” He smiled

“You have?”

“Yes. You’re special to me. It’s rare I am able to have this strong of a bond with someone. We have a lot in common, I always find myself smiling when I’m with you and…best of all. I can be myself.” He admitted

“Cameron…” I said unsure of how to respond

“I just felt like you needed to know that.” He said

“I feel the same way.” I confided, “I don’t think I would have been able to bare this much change in a new town if it wasn’t for you…you and Natalie.” I included

“I want to make a wish with you.” He said pulling of each blossom and tossing the twig

He placed the bundle of flowers in his hands and stepped behind me. I looked down, not knowing what he was doing and then I saw his arms appear on either side of me. In each hand was a handful of the blossoms.

“Raise your hands and cup them together in front of you.” He said

His hands reached mine and he placed the blossoms in my hands. His soft hands were now resting against mine. I could feel his chest against my back and his breathing on my neck. Every time he inhaled, I could feel his flat stomach against my lower back.

“When we make this wish…we will release the blossoms into the wind and they will be carried away, granting our wish.” He said

“What should we wish for?” I asked standing still

His mouth was close to my face…I could feel his breath now on my cheek. At the corner of my right eye, I could see him glancing at me.

“I hope I speak for both of us, when I make this wish, but…” he began, “your friendship means so much. I wish that we both stay in each other’s lives.” He said

I turned my face towards his…we were inches from each other and I responded, “Forever?”

He smiled back at me and said, “Forever.”

He turned and faced the ocean, as did I and we slowly released the blossoms as they floated on the current of the wind, dancing through the sky and above the ocean.

            After we stood and admired the scenery from the cliff for a few minutes, we walked down the hillside not saying a word, just taking in what we both just experienced. At the parking lot, we ran into Phillip and Natalie.

“Hey, what were you guys up to?” she asked

We looked at each other and smiled.

“Just took Joey up to Cherry Blossom Cliff to see the view.” Cameron said

“Oh. It’s beautiful, isn’t it, Joey?” she asked

“Yeah. Absolutely beautiful.” I smiled

Cameron and I were about to head back to collect our things on the beach, as it seemed Phillip and Nat were ready to call it a day.

“Oh I got your guys’ stuff.” Phillip said

“Thanks.” I said, not realizing I was still smiling

“You okay man?” Phillip leaned in to ask in a low voice

“Yeah.” I shook my head, “Why?”

“Oh. You just seem flustered.” He said pointing at my face

“Eh. It’s the weather I guess.” I said turning my head away

“Cameron, did you tell Joey about the camping trip?” Natalie asked

“Shit, I knew I forgot something.” He responded

“Well, I’ll tell him.” She said walking over to me as we packed the car back up, “My dad likes to take us camping twice a year; in the spring and fall, we’re going next month and we were wondering if you would like to come?”

“Oh…umm.” I started

“My dad said its totally fine, if your parents are cool.” She said

“Sure. I’ll ask my folks.” I said

Cameron stood behind Natalie smirking at me.

“Sorry, Phillip. I tried to talk my Dad into letting you go, but he said no boyfriends allowed. Maybe, I’ll have to invite Jasmine…” she paused

Cameron uttered under his breathe.

“Oh. Nevermind. Looks like its just me and the boys.” She said

“I’m excited.” Cameron said


© 2015 Copyright J.M. Casas Jr. Royalty Novels / True Love Saga. All Rights Reserved.