Sunshine & City Lights | Cameron Boyce Story

Chapter 9 ~ Busted?

It's only been a day and a half since Cam and I fell out and I've been avoiding him at all times. It's even gotten to the point where I'm sleeping on the couch downstairs.
I still don't really understand why Kai is so intolerable to him. When I tried to ask Cam just told me to fuck off and don't talk about him. So, I've given up on trying and I'm continuing to pretend my cousin doesn't exist.
I have no regrets.
Anyway, today is Monday. I have go to school and then I have my friend date with Mateo after school. Truthfully I'm really looking forward to it, but I'm terrified of the thought of Kai hurting me again.
"Carsen, there's some cereal in the kitchen for you." Aunt Libby tells me as I finish getting changed.
I smile, "Cool, thanks." I slide across the floor and into the kitchen, grab the cereal and head into the living room. Maya is sitting watching Dance Moms on TV so I decide to join her.
"Cameron!" My uncle shouts for Cam and he comes stumbling downstairs tiredly.
He combs his hair with his fingers, "What?" He says bluntly.
"Your mom and I are off to work early today. We're taking Maya into school but we need you to drive yourself in and take Carsen with you."
Cam glares at me and then folds his arms, "I can't do that."
"Why?" Uncle Victor asks, getting mad at Cameron's tone.
"Because I don't tolerate sluts."
I choke on my cereal and flip him off.
Victor pulls Cameron down the stairs and shoves the car keys in his hands, "I'm not liking your attitude, Cameron Mica. I don't want to treat you like a kid, and I also don't want you to speak to your cousin in that way. Drive her to school. It's not much of a chore."
I smirk at him.
"Fine." He storms out the front door and I follow, getting into the passenger seat and letting him slam the door in his anger.
For the entire drive I stare at nothing out the window, trying to ignore the random road rage my cousin keeps having at dumb things like someone's trash can is too far out so it's in his way.
When we arrive at school, I get a few stares from people who came to the party. They must've seen me yelling at Cameron.
"Jeez, what's up with Mr Big-Shot?" Kyla laughs, joining me at our desk in homeroom.
"He got all pissy 'cuz I slept with your brother." I tell her. It takes me a while, and some weird looks from her, to realize what I just said, "Ah, shit."
Kyla shakes her head, "Oh, Carsen; sweet, innocent, little Carsen. You just don't get it, do you?"
"No, Kyla, I don't get it at all." I say in annoyance.
"He's going to fuck you up, real bad. Cameron's only trying to protect you. You haven't been here long enough to understand that like your cousin." She pauses as Ms Grier entered the room.  "This is the last time I'm warning you, Boyce. Then you'll have no one to watch your back."

***
"Hey, Carsen!" A familiar Spanish accent says from behind me.
I close my locker and hold my books in my arms, "Mateo! You ready to head out?"
"Sure, where are we going again?" He smiles.
I grin back, his smile is way too contagious, "I was thinking we could just hang out at the mall. Y'know, get In-N-Out, talk about stuff, buy things..." I drop a few text books on the floor and fumble to pick them back up.
"Sounds like a good plan. And, here, let me take them."
We're not even out yet and you're already killing me with kindness, Mateo.
We make our way out of school just talking and being all friendly and I can honestly say that I have way more (innocent) fun with Mateo than I do with Kai. But then again, Kai is amazing and we get along so well. I feel as if I'm the Bella of this love triangle but instead of vampires and werewolves, I'm stuck between a Hispanic science geek with God-like beauty and the so called 'bad boy' with equal God-like beauty.
Being 15 is hard.
I try to take my mind off everything whilst Mateo orders our burgers. The cashier talking is blatantly flirting with him and I can feel my cheeks burning red with jealousy.
I shoot her a dirty glare.
"Um, enjoy your food." She says, scratching the back of her neck. I think she got the hint.
Mateo and I sit at a booth at the back of the restaurant and continue our conversation about the future. I know, a deep subject for people who just became good friends.
After discussing childbirth, Mateo puts down his fries and looks me in the eyes, "Carsen, I know this is really off topic, but what's the deal with Kyla at the moment? She's always around Cameron and I saw her getting mad at you this morning. She's acting kinda shady."
I sigh, "I don't know. I saw her a while back having lunch with Cam, even though he said he wasn't into her. Also she's really against me and Kai being together. I'm not sure what's going on."
"She's being really bitchy to Avery too." He adds. I had no idea about that, but I nod in agreement.
"You know what I think is really bitchy? Friends talking about other friends behind their back."
We both turn around slowly at the sound of the girl behind us.
Craaaaaaaaaaap.
It's Kyla.
"Ky, we didn't mean-" I try to explain, even though I know I've done wrong.
She shakes her head, she looks super angry at both of us, but even more at me, "Save it. I give up, I tried so hard, Carsen. I tried to help you fit in and I tried to keep you away from all the drama. You just don't listen and you think that everything's just going to work out your way. Well guess what; life isn't a Hollywood movie. And I don't care if that's what you're used to. Don't come to me for any help, just go crying to your stupid little boyfriend."
And then she storms away, leaving Mateo and I staring at each other in shock.
"Do we go after her?" He asks, I can see the guilt in his eyes.
I hit the table in a mini tantrum, "No. You heard her, she never wants to even see me again. I've blown it for real now. Great." I get out my phone and call Cameron. Surprisingly, he actually answers. Maybe he'll even apologize.
He groans, "What do you want now, slut?"
Maybe he won't.
"Don't call me that." I say, not really caring.
"I'll call you what I want." He mumbles.
Pissed with life, I get to the point, "Can you please come and pick me and my friend up? We're at the mall."
I hear his keys rattle, which gives me hope, "No, learn to drive, lazy ass." And then he hangs up.
"Mateo, I'm sorry but he-"
He's gone, and so is the tray of food.
"Fuck my life..." I slump into the chair and attempt to think up apologies, homework notes, and a plan B to get back home.