Chapter 16: Stuck
2027 ‖ Washington DC, MD
The first thing Cameron notices after waking up is the soft blanket covering his body. Thank god, he did not sleepwalk this time, forcing himself to spend another night out in the cold.
He stretches and turns onto his back. Then he slowly opens his eyes, the lids, outlined with dark lashes, heavily lift themselves.
Contrary to his expectations, the room is not covered in darkness, caused by the closed curtains and the tall pine trees standing behind them, blocking the fragile morning light.
Instead, a soft fluff of sunshine covers the ceiling. The lamp above him is turned off, but the sun reflects in the light bulb, creating a sparkling pattern of pinks and blues.
But something is not right.
Cameron doesn't know what it is, but as his fingers blindly glide over the blanket covering his body, he has a feeling that he is not in his dorm room.
Then he feels movement next to him.
Cameron's head shoots around and what he sees makes him jump.
Kaz is lying there, his eyes are closed but he seems to be slowly waking up as well.
Cameron is not in his dorm. He is in D.C. He didn't travel back. He fell asleep and woke up without leaving the future.
A feeling of panic makes its way through his body. Why is he still here? Is he stuck? What is going on?
Kaz yawns and slowly opens his eyes. When he sees Cameron he furrows his eyebrows. "Did you sleep here?" He sits up.
"You had a nightmare and asked me to stay." It takes a second before Kaz seems to remember.
"Right. That happened. I'm sorry."
"No, it's fine. Don't worry."
Kaz looks around the room until his eyes find the clock. "Shit." He kicks off the blanket. "I'm going to be late for work." Kaz tries to get up, but Cameron grabs his arm. "Wait!"
When he sees Kaz' bewildered look, a memory shoots through his mind.
Summer. The beach. Him sitting on the rocks after a near-death experience, holding onto another boy's arm, stopping him from disappearing.
Kaz looks down at Cameron's hand, puzzled.
Does he remember?
Kaz slowly pulls back, his cheeks covered in a soft blush.
Cameron clears his throat. "Won't they find you there?"
Kaz buries his face in his hands. "Fuck. You're right. Where's my phone?" He goes into the hallway to grab his backpack, which is still lying on the ground, and pulls out his smartphone. Kaz wanders back into the living room and starts to quickly type a message.
Cameron can't help it and stares at his naked legs. He looks so hot, only wearing Cameron's t-shirt and trunks. He looks like-
"I guess I'll go meet up with my girlfriend then."
Cameron's heart stops.
"Girlfriend?"
No no no no no no.
"Yeah. Or do you think I'm too ugly to have one?" "No! No. I..."
Kaz can't have a girlfriend. He is his. So far they've gotten close every time they met. Last summer. Yesterday at the party. On the sofa in the storage room. And now all of a sudden Kaz has a girlfriend? It doesn't make sense.
He looks at Cameron, confused.
"I mean...why didn't you stay at her place then?" "Because they would have found me there." Right.
"Hey, do you...do you have some more clothes for me?" Cameron can feel his throat tightening. This can't be real.
"Y-yeah. In my closet. Just take something." Kaz nods. "Thanks, dude." Then he leaves the living room.
Cameron's head falls into his hands. He can't hold back the tears any longer and so he starts to cry in silence. He cries while Kaz rummages through his closet, cries while Kaz gets under the shower, and he is still crying when he comes out again.
Cameron's heart pulls together, and he suppresses a sob.
He wants to go back. Back home. To Denver. To his parents.
Please. Please. Please. Make this stop. Get me out of here. I don't want this anymore.
But then Cameron stops. Kaz can't see him like this. He'll think he's insane. Which he probably is, considering his nightly time travels, always only one step away from heartbreak.
Cameron looks at Toby, who is still peacefully sleeping, unaware of his owner's pained soul, and dries his face with his shirt.
Then Kaz sticks his head through the half-open door. "I'm leaving now. But I'll be back later."
"Okay." He can't look at him. Cameron stares at the turned-off TV and listens to the sound of Kaz opening the front door and closing it behind him.
As soon as the door falls shut, Cameron's stomach begins to turn and he starts feeling dizzy.
Finally.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone