Page 46 of Unspoken Truths

“Hobbies that I don’t have,” Rachelle says, amused.

“There wasn’t a lot of time or money for those,” her mom agrees, sighing. “Reading probably doesn’t count.”

“What else?” I ask, crossing my legs underneath me.

“You were learning photography at one point.” Julia remembers. “I don’t know if there’s a way for you to continue that. Your photos were pretty.”

“I was eleven,” Rachelle reminds her, laughing. “I don’t think they were that great, Mom.”

“But do you remember any of it?” I ask. “I’ve had to fill in way too many times to take photos for different events. We desperately need another photographer for the newspaper. Unless you need space from me, of course, then there’s an actual photography club.”

“Why would I need space from you?” she asks.

“Maybe because Lili hasn’t gone home yet today and she’s worried about smothering you,hijita,” Mr. Emil says, smirking.

Julia hip bumps him as she hides her own smile and my cheeks burn hot.

“Meh,” Rachelle says as if she wasn’t feeling smothered by me earlier today. I know it’s because she felt I didn’t trust her to stay, to keep her promises not to cut. Following her into the bathroom was also excessive. “Is it all digital photography?”

“It is for the newspaper, but the school likes to have print photos of any really exceptional photography,” I explain. “We have several dark rooms at the school too, since different clubs use them.”

“That does seem fun,” she admits. “Do I need a camera?”

“The newspaper has them,” I tell her. “You just check it out and bring it back after the event you’re covering. It can even be the next day since some of the sports games or meets run late.”

“If this becomes something you find you enjoy, we can buy you a camera,” Mr. Emil says too.

“Really?” she asks, to which he just nods and excuses himself to go to the school.

I don’t think she knows how to accept large gifts like this anymore after being on the other side of the financial spectrum for so long. Mr. Emil would rather walk away than let Julia and Rachelle see how sad that makes him. I can understand why, too.

A camera shouldn’t feel like such a big deal.

“Let me know if you guys need anything,” Julia says with a smile before following her husband.

Rachelle goes back to her homework, while I grab a book from my backpack to read and get a jump on my English class. Being caught up doesn’t mean there isn’t anything left to do…

* * *

Blinking,I wake up to darkness all around me, and Rachelle cuddled up against me. I can feel books near my feet and chuckle to myself, apparently she finished and decided to call it. She’s still wearing her uniform, as am I.

Grabbing my phone from my backpack, I wince when I see that it’s after two in the morning and there are messages from my father.

Dad:

Your location says you’re still at Emil’s house, so you must be safe. Did you forget where you live?

Rollingmy eyes because I’m doomed to be surrounded by overdramatic men, I text him back.

Me:

I’m so sorry. I fell asleep and just woke up. I’ll come home now.

Dad:

Be careful. I got worried, I didn’t expect you to have an overnight.

He’s very protective,and with good reason since Mom was murdered when I was three. It’s just us now, so I try to make sure he doesn’t worry about me.

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