Stars Burn - CamiloxM!Reader

We Don't Know - Part 26

Camilo POV:

After we all ate, everyone went back out to find Mirabel. I stayed seated beside Mama while Andrés stayed on the opposite side of the concrete block we were sitting on.

  A small sting shot through my back when I was eating but I think it was just a bug.

  Andrés and Ma kept a conversation constantly going. I tried to listen but kept zoning out. Antonio was still playing around with his stuffed animal.

“Hey Camilo, how about a song?”

“With my broken ukulele? Yeah, I don’t think that’ll go too well.”

“I’ve got some tape at home. We can just tape the crack up and it’ll be good as new!”

“I don’t think it’ll be as good as new,” I muttered under my breath, “but sure let's give it a try.” I plastered a smile onto my face as Andrés left to go fetch the tape he mentioned.

“You need to be nicer to him, Milo.” Mama stated as soon as Andrés was out of earshot.

“Huh? Why?” I questioned.

  I didn’t think I had been particularly rude towards Andrés.

“Because he’s trying really hard right now.”

“Trying to do what?”

“Trying to keep smiling. Trying to act like everything is ok. He’s in denial, Milo.”

  I stopped in my tracks. Of course he is. Any sensible person would be. It’s only been a night.
  Last night, Y/N had a house- no, our house fall on him.

“We don’t know that he didn’t make it.” I said shakily.

“Milo…maybe you should go back to Andrés’ and the two of you rest up.”

“I’m fine,” I brought my sleeve up to my eyes and wiped what tears were forming, “ I’m going to tape up my ukulele and play a song for everyone.”

Mama had such a sad smile on her face,
“Ok.”

By the time Andrès had returned, I had already picked a song and returned my strings.

“Here it is! Do you need help with it or you got it?”

“I’ve got it.”

  I laid the end of the tape where the crack started, beside the sound hole and pulled the tape all the way across to the other side. I ran my hand over the tape to get air bubbles out and strummed the strings.
  The sound wasn’t good as new but much better than it was prior. Andrés sat down on the other side of Ma and I returned to my usual spot.

  The music flowed through my fingers, strumming chord after chord. Once I was done, Antonio and Andrès started to clap. Ma followed suit, I took a bow in return.
  This feels familiar and this thought brought a painful stinging to my heart. And another sting on my wrist, I let out a small hiss.

“Are you alright, Camilo?” Ma worriedly started towards me.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just keep getting stung by something.”

“Let me see.” Ma stood in front of me and pulled my sleeve up.

  On my wrist was a star? That’s got to be some weird bug.

“When did you put that there?” Mama returned her gaze to me.

“I didn’t.” I stated bluntly.

“What is it?” Andres chimed in.

“A star?” Ma returned.

Andres jumped up and ran over.

“A STAR?” he looked over at my wrist just like Ma was, but Andres started to cry.

  Though, he didn’t look sad at all. No, Andres has the biggest smile I’ve ever seen him have.

“What does it mean?” I was confused by his excitement.

“Y/N,” he started to laugh between his sobs, “He has to be alive.”

“What?”

There’s no way he’s being serious, right?

“Andrés...” Mama said softly before taking him into a hug.

Andrés let go of my wrist and hugged her back enthusiastically. What does that even mean?
  A star burns on my skin then all the sudden Y/N is alive? I bit my tongue before speaking sternly,

“How does this mean that he’s alive?”

“There’s no time to explain! We just need to go! Play your songs! What songs have you played for mi hijo? Just anything he would like!”

  I stared blankly into Andrés’ energetic eyes. He was practically running away from us, ushering me to follow him.  Should I follow him? I turned towards Mama to see what she thought. She looked so defeated in that moment before bringing her hands forwards and shooing me towards Andrés as well. 

  I picked up the pace some to keep up with him but Istill don’t understand. I don't want to get my hopes up. How can he be so positive about something like this?

“Hurry up, Camilo! Let’s go to the last place everyone saw Mirabel.”

“Alright.”

I followed along with Andrés as closely as I could. He continued running so quickly that he misplaced his steps many times, almost falling over. I can’t say that I haven’t almost  done the same trying to keep up though.
  We made it to the center of the rubble.  The last place anyone saw Mirabel and the last place Mirabel saw Y/N.  Andrés stared at me expectantly, I darted my eyes around looking around as I had before. 

  I’m still not quite sure what this is supposed to do? Or what exactly he wants me to do?

“What do I do?” the reality of this situation finally hitting me.

  Y/N might be here. He could be alive. We could find him.  Or I could be playing into Andrés’ delusions…

"Just play something! Anything!" He said moving towards me, the desperation sinking into his voice.  I flinched slightly hearing the state he was in.

"Ok…"

  I readied myself to play a song. The last song we played. Our duet at the river. A let a soft smile rest on my face before the music drifted from my ukulele.

Y/N POV:

  My body hasn’t stopped burning. The moment things seem to calm down, it’ll all start up again.
It all hurts…

What is that sound?

  I pressed my body up against the side of the large block of cement. It sounds so familiar. Yes, I’ve heard this before. I tried to get closer to the sound but to no avail.
  How did it go again?
I tried my hardest to remember the words but none were coming to me. I pressed my ear up to the wall, trying to hear anything more. Maybe I don’t know it after all.

  I lowered my body back to its former spot. Propped up, trying not to make things any worse. I let my head roll back to rest upon the concrete and hummed the tune.
  It’s a wonderful melody. A heartwarming song. Just thinking about it makes me happy so why do I feel so sad hearing it now?

  Who’s playing this song? Is it all in my head? If so, why don’t I remember the words? Why can’t I remember? I let out a sigh and continued humming the song.

  My eyes started stinging with tears rising in the corners. But why? What about this song is making me feel like this? A lone ukulele playing an upbeat melody. What’s so sad about that? I opened my mouth to sing the song.   
  Even if it’s just a louder hum, maybe just maybe I can remember. The moment I started to sing, it all came back to me like muscle memory.

  I don’t understand the words I’m singing nor do I know them, but someway somehow this is important to me.
The burning won’t stop.
The tears won’t stop.
I hope that I can get some sleep soon.

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1270 words