Through Your Eyes || Camilo Madrigal

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"Oh my gosh, what happened?" Julieta exclaimed as Camilo set Ana gently on the kitchen counter, both dirty and bruised.

"Her ankle is sprained or twisted or something. Im not sure. I'm going to go get her a change of clothes." Camilo's words were choppy and disconnected, as though his body and brain were in different places.

"Hold on." Julieta grabbed his shoulder and shoved an arepa in his mouth.

Camilo hummed his thanks through it. He left the kitchen, leaving Julieta to tend to Ana.

She handed her an arepa and helped her wash up, even brushing her hair. They stayed together for some time. Ana had taken off her dirty clothes and was sitting in her tank-top and shorts on a stool waiting for Camilo to come back with whatever clothes he had found. Julieta gently ran the comb through her hair and then neatly redid her braids, tying them back with the yellow ribbons.

"You have beautiful hair." She said after a while, her voice soothing and soft. The candle light provided a warm glow in the kitchen, the sky outside was peppered with the first stars. "What happened?" Her tender voice floated to Ana's ears, but she didn't know how to respond. Julieta apparently sensed the hesitation in her demeanor because she said "It's okay, you can tell me. If it involves Camilo, it's probably a good idea to say something because Lord knows he won't."

"I don't really know where to start." Ana answered truthfully. "I mean, I only got here two days ago, but while Camilo was walking me home today, we were ambushed by this kid from school and some of his friends. I don't think they like Camilo very much." She didn't know what else to say. She had no idea why they picked on him or what made them attack out of nowhere, but it was clear that Camilo was struggling with more than just algebra.

Julieta gave a thoughtful hum. She sighed and asked "Is Camilo being bullied?"

"I honestly don't really know." Ana sighed as well, the events of the day catching up to her and showing their effects on her tired and aching body. "I can't see why anyone would. He's only ever been nice to me and everyone else, but it's not like we go through life without making a few enemies." Ana watched as Julieta walked around to face her, gently grabbing her hands and holding them in hers, just as Camilo always did. "Sorry I'm not of more help." Ana added.

"There's nothing to apologize for. I feel sorry that you got wrapped up in all of this. It seems that Camilo hasn't been very up-front about school on a number of levels. He thinks he needs to carry the weight of everyone's emotions. Pepa is too focused on monitoring her own mood that she can't see how much he's struggling. And he would never say anything. It would kill him to put his burdens on someone else, but he's starting to crack." Her voice was full of buried emotion for her beloved nephew. "Abuela puts so much pressure on the kids..." She trailed off with a sigh, squeezing Ana's hands a little tighter.

"Where is Camilo anyway?" Ana asked, looking towards the kitchen door.

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"Camilo!" He heard his mother's voice, filled with anger, before he heard the rumbling of thunder that hung over his head and permeated the foyer. "What is this about?" She sounded exacerbated as she held up a piece of paper. Camilo stepped hesitantly down the stairs, gripping the clothes in his arms. "It's a letter from the school." She continued. "You're failing algebra? How come you didn't tell me you were having a hard time? 45%. You haven't been turning in homework?" His mother's words were as tumultuous as the clouds hovering above their heads.