Say You Won't Let Go

Dancing Under The Moonlight

I finish my homework after two hours or so and I leave the table quickly to put my stuff away and grab my phone from my backpack.

Unlocking my phone, I see that I have one message already. It's from Noah. I ignore it, plopping down on the couch and taking out Lauren's number from my pocket.

"Jeez, what kind of mission are you on?" Alejandro asks from beside me, lifting his eyes up from his book.

"An important one." I play along, smiling faintly.

"For?"

"Nothing you should worry about." I mock his words from earlier today. He scoffs at me before going back to reading.

I wouldn't say I'm angry with him for not telling me why Sarah was here yesterday but I am slightly frustrated. I just want some answers. First, it was Mom and now it's Dad. What is going on?

Putting Lauren's number into my phone, I send her a simple text message.

My phone: Hey! It's Camila. I know we never came up with a time for you to come by, but I just wanted to let you know that I'm free whenever.

I grimace at my message. Did that sound too desperate?

Sending it anyway, I relax against the couch. Alejandro looks over to me, shutting his book.

"Who are you texting?" He asks, drumming his fingers against the book's cover.

"A friend." I reply vaguely, hiding my smile by biting my bottom lip.

"Does this friend have a name?" He inquires, lifting an eyebrow. I roll my eyes at him, shutting my phone off while I wait for a response.

"Of course." I laugh. "Her name is Lauren."

"Pretty name. Do you have any other friends I should know about?" He asks, leaning closer while lifting his eyebrows.

"Dinah, Normani, and Ally." I list them off, facing my dad with bright eyes. Lucy's name crosses my mind for a spilt-second but it doesn't stick. "They're all really nice."

"They better be." Alejandro says sternly, making me scoff.

"They are." I promise.

My phone suddenly dings in my hand, sending my heart into overdrive. I look down at my screen to see that it is just Noah. My heart settles down in disappointment.

"Is it Lauren?" Alejandro inquires, curious.

"No, just Noah."

I decide to reply to this message. I mean, Noah is my best friend. My eyes scan the text message before responding.

Right now: My Main Man: hey, Mila. Please call me. We need to talk.

I sigh, clicking his contact and hovering my thumb over the phone button. I'm about to press it when my phone dings again. I tap the pop-up notification.

It's Lauren.

As I read the message, my heartbeat speeds up incredibly.

Right now: Unknown number: Hi! I just have to go water my mom's plants and then I'll be free. I'll text you when I'm done.

"Who is Noah?" Alejandro asks suddenly, taking me out of my daze. "I've never heard you talk about him before."

"He's just my best friend from Seattle." I explain, typing Lauren back.

My phone: Okay, cool. Don't drown the plants!

I turn my phone off, tossing it onto the couch. I sprawl out, laying most of my body on the couch and my leg on my father's.