Page 82 of Catching Camila

Camila

Three weeks later

Camila boundeddown the steps of her trailer. Fer stood at the bottom in a new Avenged Sevenfold T-shirt, her face beaming with pride.

“Sweet. Where'd you get it?” Camila said, pointing to the shirt.

Fer smiled. “Shawn got it for me. Said I should have something new. Not look like such a scumbag all the time. I punched him in the nads for that one.”

Camila laughed. “I like it.”

Fer pulled something from behind her back. It was another T-shirt, similar to Fer's but with a different black logo on the front.

“Oh my God, Fer. For me?” Camila held the shirt up and examined it.

Fer nodded, looking proud. “I bought this one. No drug money. Thought it'd be a cool memento for our first concert.”

Camila gave Fer a big hug. “Many more to come,” she said, pulling it over her head. She smoothed her hair out and stared down at her new shirt.

A dented Honda pulled up, music blaring. Michelle sat in the driver's seat, a scowl on her face. Travis beamed at them from the passenger seat.

“So, she is dating Travis, huh? I just can’t imagine,” Camila whispered, leaning into Fer. “Travis hasn’t said anything to her about what happened, right? She doesn't know?” She lowered her voice. “About John and the beast?”

Fer shook her head. “We both swore we wouldn't tell. Don't worry. Travis is a solid dude.”

Travis hopped out of the car and jogged over, tossing his shaggy hair out of his eyes. “You cats ready?”

Fer nodded. “It's gonna be kick-ass.”

Travis nodded. “Cam, do you have a minute? Michelle wants to tell you something.”

Camila stiffened. She wasn’t ready for a confrontation with Michelle, but Travis was smiling at her expectantly. She blew out her breath. “Sure.”

Travis waved at Michelle, who reluctantly stepped out of the Honda and strode over. She stopped on the sidewalk and crossed her arms over her chest. Camila had a feeling this would not be good.

“Go on,” Travis said, placing his hand at the small of her back.

Michelle cleared her throat and raised her eyes to Camila. “I know I made you think my dad put your mom in jail, but it wasn't him.” Her eyes flicked to Travis and heat flooded into her face. “I was pissed you were with him.” She looked back at Camila. “Well, anyway, I'm sorry how that all went down.”

“It's okay. Travis convinced me you had nothing to do with it. But thanks for the, uh, apology.”

There was an awkward silence. Michelle shrugged and looked to Travis, who kissed the top of her head. She strode back to her car and pulled away.

The screen door screeched open and Abuelo stepped out onto the porch steps. Camila turned and waved. “Abuelo, this if Fer and Travis, the friends I was talking about.”

Fer gave a shy smile and a nod. Travis shook Abuelo's hand. Abuelo turned to Camila. “Not out too late, mi amor. Moving trucks, they come mañana.”

Camila nodded. “Not too late.”

Abuelo retreated into the trailer. Camila could see the stacks of packed boxes from here.

Fer stood, shaking her head. “I don't like it. We've been neighbors for seven years.”

Camila threw her arm around Fer, her cast banging on Fer's back. “The house he bought us is, like, three miles away. Plus, Abuelo says he’ll buy me a car. Used. Let’s not get too excited.”

Travis leaned in. “No more trailer trash.”

Camila released Fer and smiled. “I'll always be trailer trash.”

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