In Mr. Garvin’s room, Adam held her as they heard two more faint pops. Shay flinched both times while Adam stroked her hair and held her tight.
In guidance, those two pops were loud, but there was no ringing sound that followed like before. There were only screams from a female voice followed by a lot of hollering and demands to drop the weapon followed by two more loud pops. There was momentary silence followed by the sounds of police officers throwing open doors then calling out, “Clear!” as they searched each room for other shooters.
When the door opened to Erin’s room, she screamed, “Please don’t kill me!”
The police officer pointed his weapon at Cameron and said, “Is this boy a student?”
“Yes, yes! He’s a student. Don’t hurt him!” she screamed.
The police officer lowered his weapon, turned, exited, and shouted, “Clear!”
As he did, Erin’s knees buckled and she began to fall. Cameron caught her and picked her up with both arms. She put hers around his neck and said, “I was SO scared! Oh, my God, Cameron. I have never been so afraid in my entire life.”
As she fought for control she looked up at him and said, “Thank you! Thank you so much! You said you’d protect me and you did. Please don’t let go of me. Please!” As they looked into one another’s eyes, Cameron lowered his head to kiss her. This time, she didn’t worry about being seen. She kissed him back—passionately and longingly. When she felt his tongue in her mouth, she gave hers to him.
After no less than 30 seconds of this first real kiss, he pulled back and said, “I can’t help the way I feel about you, Erin. I know you see me as a boy…as just a student…but if you only knew how I feel about you…”
Erin had managed to stop crying, but she was still shaking as he continued to hold her. “You are not a boy in my eyes, Cameron Garvin. You’re the bravest man I’ve ever known.” She wiped away tears and said, “I called you up here to tell you this can’t happen and now…this is the only thing that makes any sense. I was so afraid of dying and now I’m so afraid of losing you.”
“You’re not gonna lose me, Erin. We made it through this together and we’ll find a way to make this work. I don’t know how yet, but I swear to you we will.” He kissed her again and told her, “And I’ll never betray you. No one else will ever know about us. I promise.”
“You promise?” she said her body still shaking. He nodded and this time she kissed him. “My beautiful, handsome hero,” she said to him after the kiss.
“Can you walk on your own yet?” he asked her.
“I think so,” she said as he gently stood her up. She squeezed his hand as he led her toward the door which had been left wide open. She stopped him and said, “I’m afraid to see what’s out there.”
He squeezed back and said, “You don’t have to face it alone.”
Together, holding hands, they stepped out into the hallway and saw two white sheets draped over bodies in front of the principal’s office. A police officer was unfolding an American flag then draped it over one of the lifeless forms.