Together. (Camilo x OC)

Chapter 7

Mara and Camilo were walking down the hall, holding hands.
Well, just barely. Mara was speedwalking.

"I'm not going to see Marià, Camilo. No matter how much you persuade me to."
"Come on, it's been what, six years? I just think it would be good for you if you talked to her."
Mara flinched, remembering the last time they tried to talk.

"No, Cam, I won't go."

Camilo smiled all of a sudden, looking at Mara.
"You gave me a nickname."
"What?"
"You've started calling me Cam."
Mara stopped, a blush spreading across her face.
"Shut up."
"Ok."

Mara sighed and rubbed her temples.

"It's just... I have to be helping Mira with something right now, and-"

"What?"
"Alot of things have been happening since yesterday, and I wanted to tell you. But I got... distracted."
"Did you like that distraction?"
Mara started fiddling with her hair, that was messed up from earlier.
Camilo whispered in her ear.
"Want to get distracted some more?"

"Camilo, I-"

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!"
Yet again, it was Abuela.

Camilo dropped Mara's hand.

"Camilo, what are you doing?!"
"Nothing, Abuela."

Abuela looked at Mara.
"I do NOT know what is going on with you. We take you from that horrible place you called a home, and this is how you repay me? By trying to seduce my grandson?"

Abuela strode over, grabbing Mara by the arm.

"What is going on with your hair? I told you keep it under control!"
"Abuela, leave her alone."

"Not a sound from you, Camilo. I am very disappointed in you. Fraternizing with the likes of her."

Camilo stayed quiet, hanging his head.

Abuela looked back to Mara, spite in her eyes.
"You shouldn't give yourself away like this! I took you in to train you! To guide you!"
"Let go of me!"
"I have every right to kick you out of this house!"
"LET. ME. GO!"
"JUST LET ME DO THIS FOR YOU, XIOMARA!"

Mara stopped struggling.

"That isn't my name. Who is she?"
Abuela's eyes filled with tears.
"Someone who ought to be forgot about. Prepare yourself for dinner. The Guzmans are coming."
Abuela walked to her room and slammed the door.

Mara's arm had been released from Abuela's grip. Seeing her chance, she started to walk away.
Camilo caught her by the arm.
"Mara, wait. I'm sorry-"
She whirled around, eyes glowing a deep red.
"If you know what is good for you, cambiaformas, you will never talk to me again. You're not even brave enough to hold my hand in front of other people. If I'm an embarrassment to you, you're an embarrassment to me, too. You don't even know who you fucking are."
With that she pushed him away, running down the hall, to find the one person who she knew loved her for who she was.

Mirabel.

                                                    ****

Mara saw Mirabel in the distance as she was leaving the Casita. Luisa was walking away from her, holding a bunch of donkeys. Mirabel looked confused.

"MIRA! MIRABEL!"
Mara screamed at her from a distance.
Mirabel saw Mara and waved, running towards her.
"Mara!"
"Mirabel!"

They hugged eachother.
"Mirabel, I'm so sorry I didn't try to help. I saw you trying to find out more about the cracks with Dolores. I got...distracted by something."
"It doesn't matter, Mara. Look at what's happening to us right now!"