Chapter 3
Camie checked her phone for the thirty second time since she had arrived. Only two minutes had passed since the last one, making the time half past ten.
Calm down Camie, she’s probably just running late. You shouldn’t let what that barista said get to you. Have some faith in Toga.
Another five minutes stretched by and Camie started to get nervous. Her stomach swirled uneasily and her heart dropped.
Maybe she really did get bored of me? No! She isn’t that type of person and we did agree to meet here. Ugh, I’m such an idiot! Why didn’t I ask for her number? What if something came up and she couldn’t make it? I’ll be standing outside like some kind of loser all day. How long should I wait? It’s been thirty minutes, that’s long enough right?
Camie turned away from the entrance and started to walk off. After two steps, she turned around and returned to her original spot.
I can wait a little longer.
After five minutes she spotted Toga. The girl was running towards her, dodging the other people that were walking calmly along the street. She stopped in front of Camie and bent down slightly holding up a hand to prevent Camie from asking the questions she so desperately wanted to.
She took a second to catch her breath, “Sorry I’m late. I overslept because I stayed up late for a personal project.” The words flew out of her mouth in one long breath.
Camie smiled, mad at herself for doubting Toga. “No problem. You’re here now and that’s the important part.”
Toga’s smile widened, “Let’s go in. They have a dolphin show on Saturdays and I’m so excited to see that.”
“Are dolphins your favourite animal?"
Toga nodded, “I love it when they jump through the hoop because it always looks so effortless and majestic.”
The girls entered and each paid for themselves. They spent two hours walking around the aquarium, looking at the exotic fish and other animals that were on display.
“Look at that one!” Toga exclaimed pointing at a brightly coloured fish that swam past them as they walked down a passage that cut through the display. Her finger was millimetres away from touching the glass.
Camie could tell that even though Toga was excited, she was trying not to touch the glass. The girl had previously complained about not being able to see due to smudge marks left on the glass by children’s fingers. Since then Camie had made sure that she didn’t accidently touch the glass as to respect the other girl’s pet peeve.
“It’s really pretty,” Toga continued, speaking about the same fish.
Camie looked at the vibrant fish and then towards Toga who was bathed in the dancing light that filtered through the tank above them. “It is.”
Just not as pretty as you... Oh my soul, I can’t believe how cliché that was.
Camie buried her face into her hands, embarrassed at her own thought. The sudden force made a sound, making it seem as if she’d just hit herself. She quickly looked up; her face heating up as she noticed a few people around her had turned to stare.
Toga had wandered a few feet further, following the fish as it swam along. Camie was grateful that she hadn’t seen it. She walked up to the blonde to find that she was now staring at an ugly fish that was half buried in the sand at the bottom of the tank. Camie crouched down next to her.
“Do you like fish?” she asked Toga.
“Mmm hmm,” Toga answered before looking at Camie, “I’d love to have a Siamese Fighter.”
“Why don’t you get one?” Camie asked.
Toga shrugged and went back to looking at the fish that had started to bury itself completely. Sensing it was a sensitive topic, Camie didn’t press further and the two of them watched the fish in complete silence.
After the fish had vanished from sight the two girls walked out of the passage and into a room with a massive tank against the one wall. Smaller tanks were spread out around the room in different shapes and heights. They started walking along the big tank when an announcement came through the speakers.
“Please note that the dolphin show has being cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances but the penguin feeding is starting in ten minutes. Please make your way to the penguin enclosure for the penguin feeding.”
Camie turned to see that Toga looked disappointed after hearing that the dolphin show was cancelled, “Do you want to go watch the penguin feeding?”
Toga shook her head, “I don’t like penguins.” She grumbled softly.
Camie’s lips turned up slightly admiring the pouting girl; she looked around to see that everyone had already exited the room to go watch the feeding. “There’s still a possibility that you can see the hoop jump.”
Toga’s head quirked to the side, “How?”
Camie looked around once more to make sure that no one was around. She opened her mouth, activated her quirk and let the smoke pour out. Toga seemed taken aback and a small gasp escaped her lips. The grey substance spilled down to the floor before moving out and up again to create a sphere around them. A blue colour started to spread, leaving grey lumps scattered around. The air around them seemed more vibrant and took on the affect of being underwater with the sun shining down onto them. The lumps started to take shape, moulding themselves into dolphins.
Camie watched as Toga spun around slowly, her face lighting up as she watched the dolphins swirl around the blue smoke sphere that encased the two. They were blocked off from everything, existing in their own small world that was being created. Camie opened her mouth once more, releasing a few wisps of smoke. Camie formed a hoop with some and others spread out around them creating a glimmering effect. Both girls watched as the elegant smoke creatures lined up and one by one jumped through the hoop before dispersing into nothing.
After every dolphin had gone the smoke surrounding them faded away slowly. Camie held her breath as she waited for Toga’s reaction. Looking over at the girl she noticed a glistening trail that led from the corner of her eye to a droplet that had collected on her chin.
“Toga!” Camie took a step closer to the girl and placed a hand on her shoulder, “Are you okay? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Toga looked up at the concerned person in front of her before smiling softly, “No, I’m not upset. It’s just that that was so beautiful. You have such an amazing quirk.”
Camie sighed in relief and gently wiped the tear off Toga’s jaw. “Thank goodness.”
“Sorry for startling you.” Camie found herself getting lost in the golden eyes that starred up at her.
She was brought back to reality by her stomach protesting in hunger.
“Uh... um it’s fine,” Camie responded quickly releasing Toga, “as long as you’re fine.”
Toga giggled, holding her hand to her mouth, “Do you want to go to the usual café for lunch?”
Camie shook her head, “No, I’m not going back to that café, but lunch at another café sounds great.”
Toga smiled widely and bounced on the balls of her feet, “Luckily for us, I know an amazing café that serves the best grilled cheese sandwiches.”
Camie followed behind Toga as she skipped passed the different shops that lined the street. Just behind a sign that advertised a reopening bar, they turned into a decent sized café. Camie immediately noticed the differences between the other café and this one. This café was less busy and it felt more homey. Camie couldn’t help but think that it suited Toga. They were greeted and led to their seats by a cheery waitress.
“It’s good to see you again Toga, we’ve missed you.” The girl commented as she handed them a small menu each.
“I’ve been busy lately,” was the only explanation Toga gave her.
Camie watched as the waitress left before turning to Toga, “How’d you find this place? I wouldn’t have noticed it along the street unless it was pointed out to me.”
“A family member of mine used to live around here and they showed me around on one of their days off. What are you going to get?” Toga changed the topic of conversation while looking over the top of her menu.
“I was thinking of getting an iced tea and a grilled cheese and tomato sandwich, and you?”
“Hmm, I think I’ll go with a strawberry milkshake and a pomegranate mousse tart today.” Toga said moving her lips with a thoughtful expression on her face.
“Will those two flavours even complement each other?” the waitress asked, having heard Toga on her way back.
“There’s only one way to find out.” Toga grinned.
“I’ll have the same,” Camie added.
The waitress nodded and walked off again to place their order.
“Are you sure?” Toga asked, leaning forward slightly, “You seemed quite hungry earlier on.”
Camie nodded and gave the girl across from her a smile.
Their orders eventually arrived and they both made small talk while they ate. Throughout the meal and up until they paid for their food, something lurked in the depths of Camie’s thoughts. An uncomfortable feeling which irked her each time she thought of the waitress who had served them.
That’s ridiculous!
She hasn’t done anything to harm me or annoy me. She’s polite and very friendly. So why is it that I find myself in a foul mood whenever she is at the table? No. It isn’t whenever she’s at the table. It’s when she speaks to Toga.
Toga.
Is it because I like Toga? Am I jealous? Do I even have the right to be jealous? We aren’t dating so I have no reason to be jealous. Or do I? I’m really pathetic; honestly I’m getting way ahead...
“Camie!” a shout interrupted the down spiral of thoughts that raced through her mind. Camie looked up to find that Toga was leaning across the table and was waving her hand in front of Camie’s face.
“Oh sorry,” Camie blushed, “I got lost in my own thoughts for a moment.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re finally back,” Toga said with her signature grin. She leaned back to her side of the table. “Are you ready to go?”
Camie nodded and they both stood up. A sharp breeze had picked up during the time they were eating. The icy chill caused Camie to shiver. She knew she should be getting home soon or her parents would start to worry.
“I should be heading home,” Toga stated and began to walk off after saying goodbye to Camie.
“Wait!” Camie called out after her. “Um...” she hesitated once Toga had turned to face her again. “C...could I get your number?”
Toga tilted her head slightly as she processed what Camie had said.
“So we can meet up again sometime,” Camie quickly explained herself.
Toga looked down for a second before meeting Camie’s eyes with a sad expression, “I don’t have a phone, I’m sorry.”
“Oh...” Camie didn’t have a response and could only watch as Toga thought for a moment.
Toga suddenly brightened up, “I’ll still see you next weekend Camie. Bye.” She turned around with a wave.
Camie watched as Toga weaved her way through the evening crowd and out of sight.
Wait...did she say next weekend?