He thought it was their first date; she knew it was their anniversary.


Layla stared at him as if she was trying to tell him something through telepathy. All she wanted to do was to just tell him about the future and how it all ends.

But she knew she never could


Cameron looked up from the menu and smiled.

His smile was perfect.

His white teeth were straight, his small dimples showed, and it always looked so genuine.


It was crazy to think that she'd ever meet him so young, so vulnerable to love and so, so adorable. She kept comparing him to his older self.


His smile was the exact same, just his younger self didn't have those lines near his eyes.

His arms were still as veiny as ever, but she always found the long blue lines attractive.

His hair was also quite the same, just at this age it looked sleeker and blacker.

All that was different was his spirit and his youth.

She'd wished she met him like this.


Layla kept staring at him taking him his form, Cameron was too shy to keep the intense eye contact, so his gaze

darted back to the menu.


Suddenly a voice snapped her out of her own thoughts.


"Hello, I'll be your waiter for tonight, what would you like for starters?" A young woman with blonde hair asked.


Cameron looked over at Layla then back up to the woman.

Layla knew what that look meant. She's seen it so many times.


Layla spoke up. "Oh, just some wine for-" Cameron cleared his throat.


Layla looked over at him slightly confused by what made him interrupt her.

Cameron looked at her and shook his head.


'Shoot! That's right! Cameron told me he never liked wine until he first tried it when he was 21.'


Layla shot him a small nod and looked back over at the woman still waiting.


"Just some waters for now, thank you." Layla said.


The woman nodded and gave them both a small smile before turning on her heel and leaving.


Layla looked back at Cameron where their eyes met.


"Sorry I forgot you didn't like wine." She politely stated.

Cameron gave her a small nod. "No worries, I know on most dates you go on you probably have wine."


Layla cringed at that. Realistically, he's correct. But the person she went on dates with was him and he was the one who always ordered wine.


**


A couple minutes later they got their water and finally ordered their food. While they ate the air was filled with an awkward silence. Layla knew how much Cameron hated awkward silence, he'd always try to find a way to fill in the space, she also knew he hated filling it.


Layla decided she'd be the one to fill it in. She laid her fork down and finished her mouthful before speaking up.


"So, you told me you were 18, right, well do you have a job yet?" She asked softly.


Cameron looked up to meet her eyes and nodded.

Layla already knew what his job was because he's told her millions of times, but he doesn't that.


"Yea, actually, I work as a Golf caddy for one of my Dad's mates. He needed one and I needed a job. He's paying $80 an hour -which, I think is really good." He said sounding quite happy about it.


Layla smiled and nodded. "Sounds like you enjoy it."

Cameron smiled a lopsided smiled and nodded before going back to eating.


**

Cameron opened the door for Layla as they exited the restaurant.

He was always such a gentleman.


They walked together in silence along the curb of a road, only this time, the silence wasn't awkward.


Layla noticed his gaze dropping down to her hands before looking back ahead.

God, he was the most adorable thing ever.


Layla didn't think about it and grabbed his hand. She was so used to it. It was even better once he his breath hitched; it made her smile every time.


Although, this time was different. Even though he was right there, he wasn't her version of him. Her version was gone, and he was never coming back.

Layla suddenly felt nauseous and upset.

She ripped her hand away and stuffed it in her pockets.


The worst bit about it was watching Cameron's smile fade into nothing.


It broke her.


She knew using the time machine was a bad idea, but she wanted -no needed- to see him just one more time. Even if he wasn't exactly the same.


Layla walked him to a bus stop where he'd be taken home. Even though he was an adult, he was still a kid and at a curfew. Layla was old enough to stay out all night without anyone telling her off. The perks of being 25.


Cameron turned to her and smiled weakly. Seeing him still effected by her taking away her hand crushed her.


"Well, I had a great night tonight." His voice sounded small but thankful.


Layla smiled trying to make it look cheerful. "I had a great time as well. Thank you."


Cameron stuffed his hand into his pockets and nodded. "I hope to see you soon." He smiled again.


She knew she couldn't see him again and had to get back to her own timeline -even if he didn't exist in it anyone.


Layla looked down and smiled. "Yea, I do too." She looked up and met his eyes.


She hated lying to him.


It felt like a sin.


There was a long moment before the bus came to pick them up. Cameron glanced over at the bus and sighed.


"Well, I best be off. See you later?" He asked.


Layla nodded fighting back the sob stuck in her throat.


Cameron turned about to get onto the bus.


Today was a special day for them even though he didn't know that.

Today was the exact day she met him when they were 20.


Their anniversary.


She couldn't let it end like this.

She needed a proper goodbye.


"Cameron wait!" Layla called out before she could even process what she was doing.


Before he could even fully turn around, Layla had cupped his face and smashed her lips into his.


Passionate.


Desireful.


Desperate.


*****


Cameron had no time to react before Layla started to pull away.


But this was his first kiss.


With a real girl.


He couldn't let it end without him engaging in it.

Cameron had little time, but before she was fully apart, he wrapped her arms around her waist and pulled her back for a deeper kiss.


He's only just met this girl, but there's this feeling like she's the one.

Probably just the hormones talking, but still.


*****


The bus had already gone by the time they pulled apart. Both of them were breathing heavily trying to catch their breath from the intensity of that kiss.


Layla gave his hand a squeeze. And stepped back still holding his hand.


This was the last time she'd ever see him.


Cameron looked so perfect underneath the night sky.

His eyes shined so bright that she could see her redefection in them.

His hair flopped in front of his face over his forehead.

His lopsided smile was so lovable and appealing.

God he was perfect.

And God, I would miss him.


Layla and Cameron shared a chuckle together.


Cameron gave her hand a squeeze. "I guess I will be seeing you soon then, ay?" He sounded so sure.


Layla smiled -genuine this time- and nodded.


They stared at each other before Layla spoke up. "I- uh... thank you so much for the night. I really enjoyed it. I have to go now. Goodnight."


"Yea, goodnight, Layla." He grinned at her.


Layla gave him one last look before trotting off. She looked back a couple times before she turned the corner.


This was the last time she'd ever see him.


She knew that.


This was just the start for him... while it was the end for her.


At least she got to see him one more time...