Differences

Chapter 1

Camila's P.O.V

I sit down at my dresser in my underwear to start getting ready for school.  I look at the dark circles under my eyes from lack of sleep and I think "I wonder if people ever notice how tired I am. I doubt it".  I sigh and start to apply my daily make up to hide my fatigue; I'm so used to doing this by now that it feels like I'm just going through the motions. I finish my make up then take my hair out of its messy bun and let the waves fall over my shoulders.  I walk over to my walk-in wardrobe to decide on my outfit.

Finally, wearing a striped, long-sleeved crop top and high-waisted blue jeans along with white converse and a long, beige cardigan, I make my way downstairs to greet my family.  Reaching the end of the long hallway, I arrive in the kitchen to see my mother, as always, sat at the kitchen island with her reading glasses balanced on the end of her nose and her laptop open in front of her as she reads through her latest work and sips her coffee.  As for my father, he sits at the table reading today's newspaper with his thick, black glasses properly fixed on his nose as he also drinks a cup of coffee.  Almost in sync, they greet me, "Morning, mija".  I give them a kiss on the cheek each then grab a bottle of water.

"How's the new book coming along, mami?", I ask.  

She looks up at me and removes her glasses.  "Almost finished.  Are you picking up Lauren and Dinah this morning?",  she questions. 

I look at my watch and realise that I'll be late if I don't leave now.  "Yes and I need to leave, in fact.", I reply.  I give them both another kiss on the cheek, telling them to have a good day and that I love them in succession.  They both shout their replies as I throw my bag over my shoulder and rush out the front door to my prius.  I pull out of the driveway and head to pick Dinah up first.

I stop in front of Dinah's house to see her sat on her porch swing reading like every other morning.  I beep the horn, making her head shoot up in shock.  She quickly puts her book away and makes her way to the car.  

"Morning", I say as she enters the car.

"Hey, mila.  We better pick up the pace before Lauren starts complaining", she says making me speedily pull away from the curb and head towards Lauren's.  Dinah and I discuss the English homework for the next ten minutes until we arrive outside Lauren's house where we're greeted by unamused looking Lauren. "She still looks gorgeous", I think.  

"What took you guys so long? You know I hate being late", Lauren says as she climbs into the back seat. 

"Yet you still allow me to pick you up even though you know I'm late to everything", I say making eye contact with her in rearview mirror and raising my eyebrows.  

She breaks the eye contact and sighs, "I know, I know".  Ending her complaints, we continue to discuss school among other things until we arrive.

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We stand by Lauren's locker waiting for the first bell to go for home room.  Down the hall, I see Niall, Liam and Tyler walking towards us.  When they get closer I run up to Niall and give him a hug and a small peck on the lips - just enough to make it believable.

That's how I hide my sexuality - by having a ''boyfriend''.  The truth is Niall is gay too and he's one of the only people who know my secret.  He's scared to come out because he's on the basketball team and thinks that his friends won't accept him - ugh, stereotypes. We've been in a ''relationship'' for nearly three years now but, in reality, we're just really close friends.  

"Hey, handsome", I greet him after he releases me from his hold.

"Hey, babe.  You look great", he says as he wraps his arm around my shoulders.