Chapter 10: The Truth Will Set You Free

AN: Okay, so I'm not a frequent updater as other stories are, but at least I'm updating! Anyway, I got more feedback on the story then I was expecting so yay for that! And since I'm already procrastinating all of my finals studying, might as well attempt to whip up another chapter while I'm at it. I've got a story idea brewing in my head that's sticking pretty well so I might want to start another story soon too! Let me know what you think about that and I hope you enjoy the next installment of the story!

Zach and I didn't spend much longer in the city. He claimed it was because there was a storm coming soon and he didn't want us getting caught in it, but we both knew it was because we didn't want another run in with Josh.
Once we got back to campus, I started to walk in the direction of the girls dorms when I felt Zach tug my hand and nod in the direction of his dorms. "Just until curfew, I wanna talk to you about something."
I nodded slowly, nervous about the ominous vibe Zach was giving me. He squeezed my hand before dropping it, then securing it around my waist in a tight and protective grip. It was a silent blur by the time we got to his room, almost as if I was in a daze. My nerves were in control of my body and mind, filling it with every possible scenario that could happen.
We stepped into the room and I remained standing by the door, as he went and sat down on the bed.
"It's okay Cam, I'm not gonna hurt you." He smiled and patted the bed next to him, encouraging me to sit there.
"You can tell me what you wanna say while I'm standing right here." I said shakily, still nervous at what's going to come out of his mouth. But instead, he did something way better.
Slowly, he got off of the bed and took both of my hands in his. Walking backwards, he lead us over to his bed and sat down. And after I sat, he gently pulled my head down into his lap and started tracing lines over my face.
"Don't kill me when I say this." He said after a minute.
I laughed before responding, "I'll try not to, but seriously. Spit it out already, the suspense is killing me."
"I think it's time you tell everyone." He said slowly, as if he is afraid of what I was going to say before any words even came out of my mouth.
"Tell everyone what?" I asked, hoping it wasn't what I was thinking.
"About your past, your struggles." Shit, it's exactly what I thought. "They've started to pick up on a few hints, but I think Bex and I have scared them into not asking any questions so far, but we all don't know how long that's gonna take. You can trust them Cammie, with your life if needed. They wouldn't tell a soul, but it's time that they get to know the truth."
"Zach, I've been trying to figure out a way to tell them for a while, but I'm terrified at the same time. What are they gonna think about me after?" My breathing started getting quicker the more I spoke. "They're gonna think I'm a total freak! You don't understand how much this effects me every single second of the day. It's all I can think about, all the time. Whether or not people know or how they will react if it ever comes out. You've always had it easy, good friends, good grades, and a good reputation. I'm broken and still in repair, Zach. If they don't take what I say well, it'll kill me." I tried to duck out of his lap, but his strong arms were holding me in place.
"They're not gonna judge you, otherwise I wouldn't have even suggested it. Trust me when I say this, they're gonna love you even more if you be honest with them. That's all they want, to know who you truly are, and support you no matter what." Zach pleaded, one of his arms moving so that he could stoke my cheek. "The truth is what's gonna set you free, Cam. I promise to you that nothing bad will happen by you telling them. And I'll be right by your side, holding your hand, the whole time."
Getting his reasurrance was the last thing that I needed, and I finally caved. "Fine, but we're doing it where, when, and how I want to. Deal?"
He smiled and ducked his head down until we were nose to nose, then whispered, "Wanna seal it with a kiss?"
I lifted my mouth to meet his quickly before saying, "That's fine by me." and kissed him again.

We decided to tell them the next day after classes. All of us, Bex, Liz, Macey, Grant, Jonas, Nick, Zach, and me, were cramped in my small dorm room waiting for me to spill my beans.
"Just so everyone knows, whatever Cammie says right now doesn't leave this room. And if any of you try to be judgmental dickheads, I'll personally kick your ass for it." Zach stated stotically, then turned his head and kissed my temple. "Go ahead, take your time." And with that, I launched into my story.
I lost track of time quickly, knowing it was going to take a while for the whole entire thing; especially, per Zach's request, not leaving out a single detail.
Once I was finished, the room was so silent that you could hear the smallest pin drop. I looked over to see Liz's face streaked with tears, and Macey and Bex not far behind her either.
"So that's been going on this whole entire time, and nobody knew about it." Grant said, finally breaking the tension. "You could've trusted us Cammie."
"I know," I said quietly, "but it's hard earning people's trust these days."
"We're so sorry this happened to you." Macey added in, brushing the tears out of her eyes. "If there's anything that you need us to do, just say it. Visit them, take care of your home, some place to stay. You name it."
"Yeah." Everyone murmured simultaneously.
"Well there is one thing that you guys can do for me." I said, a ghost of a smile appearing on my face.
"What is it?" Bex asked immediately, her survival instincts kicking in.
I opened up my tiny arms as wide as I could, which was kind of challenging considering Zach sitting right next to me. "I just need a hug from everyone."
A small chuckles and laughs erupted around the room as everyone stood up in what seemed like synchronization and gathered together in the middle of a small room. With all of the tangled limbs coming together forming an extremely tight circle, it seemed as if the farther away I get from my past life, the more I'm liking the one that is starting to come together right before my eyes. And with that, I'm getting another family, of best friends that I now trust with everything I have.

So there you have it, she's spilled the beans to her friends. Anyway, there isn't really much for me to say here except good luck with finals if you have not taken them yet like me or good luck with the new semester ahead of you guys! I'll try to update soon and keep the reviews coming! So until then,

Stay Classy