Camila – POV
Julia had finally fallen asleep, her breath soft and steady against my shoulder. Her fingers were still tangled in the edge of my hoodie, like she needed something to anchor her. I didn't move. I couldn't.
Not after what she'd said.
How scared she was. How she felt like she'd lost them both—Tyler and Antwan. How stupid she believed she was for even thinking she could manage her heart, like it wasn't some wild, burning thing too big for one body.
I'd held her until her words melted into sobs and the sobs dissolved into exhaustion.
When I was sure she was asleep, I carefully slid out from under her, tucked the blanket tighter around her shoulders, and stepped into the hallway. And texted I truly felt bad for lying but I had to it's what Julia needed
Camila : Julia is safe I have her go home both of you
Tyler: thanks are your sure where is she?. Anthony's with us. He showed up with some girl, but he helped look too. We're heading back now. Are you sure she is OK
I stared at the message, heart stuttering in my chest.
Some girl.
I wasn't even sure why it hit the way it did. Anthony didn't owe me anything. We weren't together anymore
But still, the image rooted in my mind—the girl beside him in the passenger seat, their laughter spilling into the night air, her sitting in the space I used to know.
I bit the inside of my cheek and closed my eyes.
This wasn't the time for that. Julia had needed me tonight. She still did. And yet... the ache spread anyway, quiet and steady. Like it had just been waiting.
I couldn't sleep I stayed up until past midnight watching Julia when
My screen lit up
I got up biting my nails and walked into the hall
Anthony:Is Julia okay?
I froze.
Then, as if he could sense my silence:
Anthony:Are you okay?
Of course he would ask now.
I didn't answer right away. I stared at the messages, thumbs unmoving, brain full.
Was I okay?
No. Not even close.
But I didn't want to be cruel. I didn't want to be cold. Because the truth was, I'd thought about him every night since we'd last spoken. Since the tree and the rain Since the silence between us grew louder than anything else.
So I typed slowly.
Camila:Julia's sleeping
I hovered over the next words, unsure if I wanted to tell the truth or play strong.
Camila:not really but you know that already
Sure I was being petty or maybe part of me wanted him to continue the conversation
I pressed send and turned off the phone before I could second-guess myself.
Back in my room, I curled up in the chair across from the bed, watching Julia sleep in the soft blue light.
I wasn't sure what would happen with her. With Tyler. With Antwan.
I wasn't sure what was happening with me.
But tonight, I was here.
And that would have to be enough.