I want thank, so very much, for all her precious time, and quick turn-over rate, Anekri. She's been a wonderful editor, and I hope she'll do more of my stories in the future. Thanks, Anekri!
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Faking sick hadn't ever been hard, and it wasn't because her parents were gullible. It was probably because she was such a stupendous actress. All right, it was because her parents were a little on the manipulated side. But Camille was accustomed to faking sick so she could stay home from school or work, not to miss out on one of her family's dinners. She loved her family dearly, and enjoyed sitting around a big table, talking and debating, catching up on all the things that had happened between visits.
"Do you want me to bring you up some dinner after we've finished eating, baby girl?" Her father's big, comforting hand smoothed over her brow, sweeping her bangs back from her clear green eyes, which were heavily lidded and fringed with thick black lashes.
"No thanks, Daddy, my tummy hurts too much to really think about eating." A hand fluttered down her pink and white comforter, caressing her own tummy through the plush fabric, as if to try to soothe away the ache that twisted low in her abdomen.
"I guess it would be fairly rude if I kicked Nathan out just before dinner, huh?"
Aghast, Camille lightly smacked her father's arm, "Daddy! That would be beyond rude. You'd make my boyfriend think you didn't like him. And now you can get to know him better." With a teasing roll of green eyes that matched his daughter's, Michael rose from where he was perched on the edge of his sick child's bed.
"You know I wouldn't do that. You get some rest, and I'll go entertain Nathan in your absence."
The moment her bedroom door clicked closed, Camille jumped from the bed and darted to her dresser. Dinnertime was rapidly approaching, and she still had to get ready.
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Ten minutes to seven, Camille Baker was peering around the couch and into her family's dining room. She was certain she looked goofy on all fours trying to be discreet and hidden, but it was pertinent that she wasn't caught. Likely, nothing bad would come of the situation, but she'd feel humiliated, even if no one knew the reason for her sneaking around.
At five foot, four inches, Camille Baker had grown into a stunning woman of eighteen years. Her platinum blonde hair was long and silky, falling in spiraled curls past her shoulder blades. Her eyes were a clear green, and her skin a soft alabaster that gave her the appearance of a fragile porcelain doll. Her pink lips were full, her cheekbones high and prominent, her eyebrows perfectly sculpted to a delicate arch. Her neck was thin, and at the hollow of her throat rested a simple white dove in flight that hung from a slim silver chain. Proportioned to her body, her breasts weren't large, but high and perky, the nipples a rosy pink, which strained against the thin white cotton tank she wore, making it obvious she had chosen not to wear a bra. Her hips weren't wide, and her backside certainly wasn't large, but her waist did narrow and flare once more in the feminine shape of an hour glass, tapering down to toned, slender thighs, and legs that were long considering how petite she was in height. Through elementary school, she had been teased about her fair skin and even lighter hair, the merciless bastard children calling her names such as vampire, and Wednesday, even though she wasn't dark-haired, or a member of the creepy Adamm's family. Middle school had been less awkward for her, most of the children maturing enough to get over teasing her, and even sheepishly apologizing and befriending her. But in high school, oh how she had blossomed, and had even begun to date one of those cruel children who had taunted her. Right now, he was standing with her father in the kitchen, who was introducing him to the rest of the family.