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CAMERON CASWELL was not looking forward to his junior year of high school. He'd heard all about it from his older cousin, who was (albeit) only trying to get through the year rather than succeed.
Cameron felt his stomach drop as he neared the doors of East High with his two best friends, Ricky and Big Red. Ricky had a bright grin on his face, while Big Red was pale with nervousness.
"Today's the day, guys." sighed Ricky Bowen happily. "It's happening."
"Hell yeah." grinned Big Red. "Junior year, baby."
"Can't believe you're excited for more homework and more tests." said Cam, raising a brow.
"Not that." Big Red shook his head. "I wanna grow a mustache. I wanna do a lot of things."
"You're ridiculous." Cam rolled his eyes— Big Red had been complaining for weeks about going back to school.
"This year will be better than last year." Ricky assured them, although his tone indicated he was more so trying to assure himself of it rather than them.
"Even though Nini..." Big Red trailed off, looking up at his taller friends. Ricky's spirt was definitely not diminished.
"I mean..." Ricky tried to stay optimistic, never losing the grin on his face. However, Cam had clenched his jaw tightly, his glare set angrily on the ground.
Nini, or Nina, Salazar-Roberts was who Big Red was talking about. She and Cam hadn't spoken since freshman year, which is about when she and Ricky had begun dating. And then something occurred during the summer that sent the couple spiraling out of control, and then there they were; Ricky unsure of where he and Nini's relationship stood.
"I don't even know." Ricky sighed eventually as he burst the front doors of East High wide open. "Was there ever... anything between me and Nini?"
Cam, who was hoping to just ignore this entire conversation, hauled his backpack further up his shoulder. "I'll meet you guys over by your locker. I'd better talk to EJ..."
EJ was Cam's cousin, and the two boys were constantly drilled about it by people who didn't know them.
"Are you two related?" everyone had asked, including teachers whenever the cousins were sorted into a class, which was an admittedly rare occurrence.
Of course, his overwhelming thoughts distracted Cam, and before he knew what was happening, he ran straight into someone. Looking up from the ground, he was hoping to see some random classmate whom he'd never talked to before. Unfortunately for him-
"Hey, Cam." said the soft voice of Nini Salazar-Roberts. Helplessly, he sighed.
"Hey, Nini." Cam replied sullenly, hardly bothering to try and keep a positive tone. Clearly, she caught up on this, seeing as her face fell slightly.
