The Annoying Dreamer and the Artistic Doubter

Secrets and Soulmates: Trust

Camila stormed into the bodega, irate at Arden.

"Why are you texting other girls from my school?"

"Well, calm down. a friend of mine was telling me about this new trend of people using light detectors for fun relationship games and TikTok and stuff."

"How did you get her number?"

"Friend of a friend, apparently they knew each other on Facebook."

"Why did you ask them to let you know about me and Silas? We've been trying to get all those bad rumors off of us. They spread drama like wildfires."

"Only because if you guys had a strong reading, then that just means I need to work harder as your boyfriend. I didn't mean anything by it, I promise. And I'll tell you next time. Did he actually say he would cheat on you?"

"He was joking, but you shouldn't be doing that behind my back. We're just friends. I picked you over him!"

"Yeah, I know. That's why it's weird he's with another girl so fast."

"What are you talking about?"

"One of my friends told me they saw him with some girl a week or two ago," showing her his phone: a blurry picture of Silas and Tanya. " I mean, if he was into you how could he just bounce back with another girl that quickly? Did he ever tell you?"

"Well no. Did he keep this from me?"

"Yeah. They don't know how long it started and if it was before Valentine's Day that means he was probably two timing you. Just wanna make sure this guy wasn't hurting or using you."

He wouldn't- would he?

"I'll make you a B.E.C. Camila, I'll let you know first next time. Put on an apron, I'll give you half of my share today, I owe you that much."

Camila sighed and reluctantly agreed, stopping herself from texting Silas.

That night at home she contemplated what to do when her dad came in.

"You alright?"

"Yeah," letting him know about the situation.

"Well, rejections are hard, and hey, people take rebounds all the time. That doesn't mean jack, you two are still friends right? If he didn't tell you or won't, either he doesn't see it as a big deal, it's not something to worry about, or maybe it's not true. Don't beat yourself up over it."

"Would he be the kind of person to fake that just to hook up with me?"

"Look, your mom's more strict than me about you going out and having fun, but the answer you're looking for is inside. Trust your intuition, do you really think this is the guy that would do something like that?"

"Does that make me a bad friend for not knowing the answer?"

"Just one looking to make sure she's not making the wrong mistake. You'll talk to him tomorrow?"

She nodded as he tightened up her bed to let her sleep.

Silas' back jittering with uncertainty and confusion. Why would my friend's boyfriend ask about our romantic capacity via a fun viral trend around the same time he felt someone was watching it following him? If it was really that high, we would've been together by now.

"Well as long as he makes her happy I guess it's all worth it."

"Who are you talking to?"

"Speaking of the angel herself. So what did Arden say?"

After telling him everything but about the photo with another girl, he was mostly confused.

"I mean, at least he wasn't cheating. What does she have that you don't?"

"Bigger boobs?"

He looked down at his chest and rubbed them up and down. "Does that mean I'm his type?"

She lightly smacked him on the head. "Gah! That's domestic abuse!"

"We aren't even married!"

"Platonic abuse!"

"OK, but be honest with me for real. Have you been dating someone since last year?"

"Huh? No of course not! Camila, how can I ask you out if I was dating another girl? Do I look like my father to you?"

She tried to remember what he looked like. "A little bit: you both share the same DNA."

"That is not the point! Under almost any circumstance, I'm not gonna try to date two girls at once."

"You would pick me over Coco Jones?"

"I said almost! But Coco deserves better than me...and so do you."

He crossed his arms, completely annoyed. "I can't believe you'd think I would two-time anyone: has our friendship meant nothing to you? Do you really think I wanted to be your friend so I could get inside two pairs of pants at once?"

The pain from his words took her for a loop as the shock on her face reflected that of some people briefly turning to see what was going on, prompting him to lower his voice.

"Besides, if I want to get in your pants, I would've done so already."

That brought her back to reality. "Excuse me?"

He grabbed his regular khahis and threw it over her. While she tried to get it off, he snatched her school pants, putting his hand through it, and punched her arm on the side, lightly.

"Ouch, that hurt!"

"See, platonic abuse. That was a friendship punch," pouting and looking away from her. "Only an idiot would be stupid to throw away a friendship like that," sighing. "You mean too much to me anyways."

"I do? Who was the girl they saw you with?"

Time slowed down waiting for his response.

"I asked the girls from my program for advice and to make your New Years gift back in December. They were rooting for us, so after you said no, we've been hanging out more often to cheer me up. They've been teasing me and someone else but none of that happened after your answer."

He turned back to pull her back in for a hug.

"Trust me next time, alright?"

Her worries dissolved into his back.

"Alright."