The Chameleon's Grin ll Camilo Madrigal

Chapter 32 : Dangers

Camilo's pov:

On the bus I sat with Mateo, and from the backseat we both watched what Pedro was doing.

The boy was sitting a little ahead, in the seat behind Mirabel and Carmen, chatting with them, and cracking jokes.

Carmen and Mirabel smiled at his attempts at humor.

Those aren't even funny. I thought while he told a knock-knock joke.

Mateo cringed at his brother. "Kind of weird how he decided he likes Carmen as soon as he figures out she has a gift."

My eyes widened. "You're right! God, I didn't even realize that!" I watched Pedro's actions closely, like how he tried to drape one his arms over Carmen's shoulders, but she recoiled away, making such a judgmental face I almost laughed. I watched her confront him, making him sit back down and stop bothering them.

"I think it's safe to say he doesn't have a chance." I concluded, but Mateo looked worried.

"That may be, but careful Camilo, you know how he acts when he doesn't get what he wants."

I nodded, recalling last year when he humiliated a girl for months just because she said no to a date.

Pedro could be dangerous, or maybe even in danger.

After all, he wasn't the girl with the uncontrolled gift.

But, to be fair, she'd only hurt who deserved it.

***

In third period, I noticed a paper crumpled on my desk.

It was a pretty sky blue, and in it were the words: 'raspberry frosting'.

I looked towards the girl who threw it, and I was met with a devious grin.

Carmen had a competitive streak, that was for sure.

Just as she promised, she pelleted wagon-loads of paper on me.

By lunch I couldn't fit all of them in my desk anymore.

"Wow, you weren't lying." I said to her.

"Don't underestimate a Cortes!" Carmen laughed.

I was about to reply, but I heard a 'Pst, Camilo.' from the other side of the hall.

I excused myself, walking over to who called me: Pedro.

"What is it?" I asked him.

"Why are you talking with the girl I'm going after?" He asked defensively, crossing his arms. He was an inch taller than me, but I made up for it in character.

"Uh- I believe you're forgetting that I live with her. I can talk to her all I want, you have no control over who she talks to, and if you try, good luck. That girl isn't a force to messed with."

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, whatever. I mean, stop making her laugh so much, she won't even look my way if all she's focused on is you."

I took a moment to question why I had been friends with such a horrible person. "Heh, yeah...no. Again, I can talk to her and make her laugh whenever I want. You barely even know her, why are you so smothering?"

"I'm not, I just want a fair chance-"

"Yeah, and you had one! But you messed it up the moment you told a knock-knock joke and tried to touch her. It took me a while for her to let me hug her, and that was under terrible circumstances."

"Wait." I paused, taking in what I had just said. "You've hugged her?"

"Buddy, again, I live with her. Why is this coming to you as a surprise?" Not only was Pedro horrible, he was slow too.

I had never seen this version of him. Usually, he was a happy-go-lucky guy who talked to the majority of the girls around us, and made good jokes.

Where the heck was that guy?

In a confused huff, he turned around and walked back to where Carmen had gone down the hall with Mirabel.

Great, just when I think we can go our separate ways.

I turned into a random student passing by and followed Pedro into the library.

He looked around, but I doubt it was for books.

I silently wondered to myself exactly where the girls had disappeared to. I knew they ate back here, but where?

Pedro decided to sit against a bookshelf, scanning the library still.

He was like a hawk, searching for his next meal.

I shifted back into myself. "Hey man," I greeted, as if we hadn't just argued. "What're you up to?"

He jumped at my sudden appearance, and got up quickly. "I- nothing, just looking for books."

That was very obviously a lie, but I let it slide, as long as he left the room and joined lunch where I could see him.

Carmen's pov:

Mirabel and I both let out the breath we had been holding.

Pedro was gone.

We watched him from our secret spot, peering through the shelves.

It was like he was hunting us down.

I'm pretty sure he was looking for me, because his brother already liked Mirabel.

As if reading my thoughts, my friend said, "I think he's here for you."

I nodded. "Yep, and from now on I will be moving with groups of people, because he was very obviously trying to find me, and if he did- well, I don't know what he'd do. But he doesn't have good intentions."

"Agreed, we should stick around Camilo, and when we get to Casita. We need to perfect your gift. It could be good for self defense."

I felt a trickle of adrenaline through my system.

He could've wanted to hurt us, and all we had was our voices and my unreliable gift.

We sat down to eat, but we both had our eyes towards the gaps in the bookshelves, dreading that he would find us.