Clandestine

Prologue

TEN YEARS AGO | MIAMI

"Camz!"

"I'm coming!" Camila dragged her backpack behind her as she darted across the playground

"You're so slow," Lauren whined and waved her favorite Barbie doll around in the air as if that would motivate her best friend to run faster.

Camila dropped her bag on the grass and hunched over with her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath. "And you're dramatic,"

"But you still love me," Lauren smiled to the point where anyone a mile away could see that her front tooth was missing. "Right?"

"Duh," Camila said. "Did you bring the snacks?"

Lauren pointed to the small lunch box her mother packed for her and nodded. "My mamí packed you animal crackers,"

"Mmm," Camila eagerly unzipped the bag once she sat down next to Lauren. "My favorite,"

"Are you gonna come over later?"

"If you want," she responded with a mouthful of crackers. "Can I sleep over if I do come?"

"Only if you let me braid your hair,"

"Fine. But only if you let me sleep with your blanket."

Lauren scrunched her face up. "I can't sleep without it,"

"We can share it then," Camila easily compromised, handing Lauren one of the crackers in the ziploc bag. "Deal?"

Lauren thought about it for a brief moment before nodding and gratefully accepting the broken piece of animal cracker. The two of them ate in silence, looking at the other kids run around near them while their mothers gossiped on the park bench.

"Camz," Lauren scooted closer and laid her head on Camila's shoulder. "I love you,"

"You too," Camila mumbled.

"Huh?"

"I said you too," she repeated.

"No, say it back the right way!"

Camila grimaced. "Ew, no,"

"Please? Just this once? I won't ask you to again, I promise." Lauren stuck out her pinky finger.

Camila dusted her hands off on her jeans and interlocked their pinky fingers together. "Fine, I love you too,"

"Now, tell me I'm the greatest best friend ever," she didn't unlink their pinkies.

"That wasn't apart of the deal!"

"Say it," Lauren furrowed her eyebrows. "Or else I'll tell your mom abo—"

Camila quickly pounced on her and covered her mouth with her tiny hand. "Okay, okay! You're the greatest best friend ever."

Lauren licked the palm of Camila's hand, giggling once she pulled away with a screech. "Promise me we'll be best friends forever, too?"

Camila rolled her eyes. "I guess..." She smiled when Lauren hit her in the arm lightly. "I promise we'll be best friends. Forever and ever."

Lauren adjusted her Barbie's dress and smiled back. "Forever and ever,"

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Short prologue just to get the ball rolling. I hope you guys enjoy! I have a lot in mind for this story.