Jazmine in the kitchen was nothing short of poetry. Cameron knew she didn’t actually need his help, but the invitation to join her in the kitchen made him feel good regardless; she wanted his company, and the feeling was mutual. However, the ginger, trying to be considerate and out of her way,  put himself on the dish. He didn’t think it'd be a problem, but then again, he didn’t know Jazmine too well. Cameron just hoped he could prove he wasn’t…a burden.

“No sir, put the bowl down!”

One part of the ginger wanted to immediately follow the direction, but another, bigger part was tickled at how she scolded him like a dog. 

“We don’t treat guests like that. Put it down,” she rebukes once more, with the addition of her hands on her hips.

The amusement won out. His peal of laughter shocked both of them; Jazmine because she was being serious, and Cameron because of how much he couldn’t stop it. Mindful of her roommate’s door being so close, the ginger tries to purse his lips together to muffle the sounds, but it only devolves into snorts. 

“Cameron!” He could tell the junior intended to be stern, but her own shoulders were shaking despite herself as she shrugged to keep her frown. 

Finally catching his breath, Cameron shakes his head before he can get the words out. “I’m doing perfectly fine over here.”

“But you are a guest!” She tries to take the bowl he is working on, but he just tucks it to his stomach. “I can’t have you—.”

“No! I’m fine,” he yelps as she wraps around him, tickling his side. “No! Staaaahp. I actually like doing dishes.”

Her over-dramatic gasp started a fit of giggles. She’s so stunned, she actually loosens her grip enough for him to turn to see her expression. A picture of pure disbelief and horror. 

“Oh, my god. Dishes are not that bad, Jazmine!”

“In your opinion,” she snarks back. “Dishes are the worst part of cooking to me, and here I was trying to be nice.”

“Well, thank you, but I’m good. I like doing dishes,” he laughs again, much quieter with her being so close. “It’s calming.”

Not that he is very calm in this moment. It takes everything in him not to lean forward into her frame. He liked how her eyes were still amused even as she mockingly huffed. He is so focused on the warmth of her arms around him that he nearly misses her next words. 

“…don't let Nikki hear you say that. He’ll have you do that at the Soup Kitchen when the queens go volunteer.”

Just the thought of him being accepted made him smile wider. “Fine by me. I’d prefer anyway.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I…I like to observe people in their kitchens before playing sous chef. Get a feel for how they do things,” he tries to shrug nonchalantly.

“That’s smart. I guess I’ll have to invite you over more than.”

They start to remember that her arms are still wrapped around his waist as suds drip onto their feet. Yet neither move. Cameron really wished they didn’t have to, but before his poor heart gave out, he gently poked her shoulder to remind her as he spoke again. 

“I..” Would love to. I want that. Please, all fill his head. “Guess you will. I dry a mean dish.”

Chuckling, Jazmine doesn’t make it awkward by rushing to get away from him. Now she calmly lifts her arms away, and Cameron simply leans back against the counter as she takes the first step away. For a moment, they both stare at each other. In the blink of an eye, as if mutually agreeing to move on, they both silently turn back to their activities at the same time. R&B filled the air once more, but something else existed in the space now, lingering in the haze of the kitchen and the small smiles on their lips. Cameron for the life of him wished he knew what it all meant.

It was so…easy being around her. He knew he should find another word, but it was so fitting for it all. Every now and then, she’d hand him a spoonful of whatever she was making and explain if he asked a question, or adjust if they mutually thought something was missing. It wasn’t a test of intelligence, a trap to catch his ignorance, or anything of the like. It was just a collaboration that made him feel welcomed, which was a rare experience for Cameron.

“When you get to a stopping point, come help me,” Jazmine requests after a few minutes of quiet.

“I’m coming.”

“Cameron, I didn't mean now,” the junior begins as she returns to his. Only for her eyes to go wide as she sees him empty the side with dishwater. “Hotdog, you actually busted through every dish.”

“Not quite. The ones on the stovetop aren’t cool enough. Also, do you have a towel or a cleaning cloth you use to wipe down the counters?”

“Ah-unh. Wash up, and sit down.”

“Fine,” Cameron grumbles, but obeys. Sitting next to her, he waits as she sets the cooked burgers, fries, and wanton cups onto the warmer. She continues puttering around for a few more seconds, bringing a big platter of cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, green onions, cilantro, and a few other ingredients in front of him.

“This the veggie plate?”

“In a way. You know how to make a spring roll?”

“Yep. Oh,” Cameron gasps excitedly as he understands.

“Mhmm. We’re going to use the spicy tofu as the protein,” she nods as she places said tofu beside the platter.

“Got it.”

It had been a minute since the last time he’d made one, so Cameron was slower in comparison to hers, but she only grinned at him when he added his one for her every two. It did shock the ginger when she made another two in rapid succession, only to dip them in her own homemade sauce. 

His thoughts of her being really hungry slow as she holds one out to him. 

“They’re taking forever to get here, let’s try one.”

“Oh-okay.”

As soon as Cameron grabs one, without delay, she bumps their rolls together. 

“Bone-apple-tit!”

He can barely bite through the roll as he laughs, but succeeds—sort of. Instead of sputtering the food all over the table, Cameton chokes on the roll as he tries to prematurely swallow it. A few pats on the back and half a glass of water later, they laugh for a few seconds before the doorbell rings. 

“That must be everyone.”

Suddenly less hungry, Cameron wipes his mouth and fixes his hoodie as she opens the door. Yet the worry flees as Amari’s voice booms through the room:

“Where’s my boy?”

Standing up, Cameron is mostly prepared as Amari sweeps him up into a hug. It’s unusual for a stranger to do this, but it’s really on brand for the president. It lasts for a short spin before he’s put back on his feet.

“How’d it go, man?” Amari whispers so low that Cameron barely hears it.

“Good. We talked.”

“And?”

“Nothing. We just were chillin’.”

“Sure. Funny thing is, I heard she was at yours for hours.”

“How the hell did you—“

“Roommates thought she was with us.”

“We were just talking,” Cameron defends. 

“But for that long? She doesn’t do that with a lot of people.”

“Don’t make it more than it was.” I’m already doing that on my own, he complains internally. “We just lost track of time. Sue me,” Cameron huffs as he turns back to the spring rolls.

“That sounds like more than nothing,” Amari says in a singsong whisper. “Did you talk about the whole modeling stuff?”

“Yeah,” Cameron murmurs with a slight blush. “We both feel a lot better about it.”

“See. I knew it was going to be fine.”

“Oh, you guys talked,” Nikki smiles as he wraps an arm around the ginger.

“Yup,” Cameron says quickly as Jazmine starts to head back to the kitchen. “All’s good.” 

“Great. Now, did you pick a good outfit for tonight?” Nikki elbows him.

“I’d like to think so, but you can be the judge of that.”

“More like the girls will. I told the rest of the House about you. They want to meet you tonight at the party.”

“Really?” Shit. Cameron didn’t think it would be so soon.

“Mhmm. But you’ll be fine. Won’t he, Maia?”

The rugby player had been focusing on moving the couch, and finally turned their way. Cameron had been nervous even after Jazmine’s reassurance, but the junior’s best friend only gave him what seemed to be a genuine nod. “Yes, Lucky will be just fine.”