RIDE OR DIE ➸ OSCAR DIAZ [1]

EIGHT

"NINÕS YOU'RE GOING to be late!" My mother yells as I run out of my room, holding my phone and charger in my hand. 

"I forgot to charge my phone," I say breathlessly as I run a hand through my wavy dark brown hair. How am I going to get through the day without my music? Mario usually wakes me up in the morning and reminds me to charge my phone. How am I going to get through the school year without him?

"Doesn't matter, let's go!" Ruby says, grabbing my wrist and dragging me out the front door.

"Watch it!" I snap, yanking my wrist out of his hand. "You almost grabbed my extremely injured hand," I say, shoving my charger into my bag and making a mental reminder to charge my phone during class.

"Why are you so pissed?" Ruby scoffs as we walk down the sidewalk.

"My hand. It hurts like hell." I shrug, quickening my pace to catch up with Monse who's not too far ahead of us.

"What happened to your hand?" I spin around so fast that I almost lose my balance. I blink at Jamal, looking over at Ruby before looking back at him with a surprised look.

"Where'd you come from?" I ask, spotting Sam across the street. He jogs across, bumping shoulders with Monse, and giving the rest of us a smile.

Jamal points over his shoulder. "My house..?" I distractedly nod my head before catching up with Monse and Sam. I grab Sam's hand and lace our fingers together, giving him a small smile when he turns his head.

"Nervous?" He asks, squeezing my non-injured hand. I nod my head, resting it on his shoulder.

"It's our last first day of high school." I sigh, watching Monse cross the street to get to Cesar's house. "Of course I'm nervous. It's strange to think that we won't experience this again."

"Sure we will," Sam says as Ruby and Jamal jog after Monse, shouting her name. "First day of university." He says with a 'duh' look.

"Right, right." I nod my head, and we follow the boys across the street. We stop in front of Cesar's house, standing a few feet away from my brother and his friends. "But I mean, no first day of high school."

"Yeah, that's true." Sam shrugs, tugging me so I'm standing in front of him, rather than beside him. "I can't believe we're seniors now."

I spot Cesar over Sam's shoulder and smile at him. But he only gives me a confused expression in return, before whispering something to his friends. "Yeah, me either." I sigh. "Come on, time to go back to school for another ten months."

"Definitely not looking forward to it." Sam sighs dramatically, making me smile.

"You're so extra Samuel."

Sam scowls, "Stop using my government name."

"Cesar!" I whip my head in the direction of his voice, my heart beat quickening. Oscar gestures for Cesar to come over to his car before drifting his eyes over to me. He scowls but calls my name anyway, "Camilla come on. I'll drive you too."

I yank my hand out of Sam's and shove it into the back pocket of my shorts. I give him a tight-lipped smile as I shake my head, "It's okay Oscar."

He pushes his sunglasses down his nose, raising an eyebrow at me. He gives me a fake smile, "Wasn't asking mi amor." Sam nudges my ribs with his elbow, earning himself a glare from me. "Shotgun's open for you..." Oscar says, attempting to persuade me.

I sigh and glance over at Sam. "It's our last time walking together for the first day of school."

"Are you crazy? You're not going to ride to school with your hot ass boyfriend because it's our last first day of school?" Sam scoffs, folding his arms across his chest. I sheepishly nod my head, and he rolls his eyes. "Who cares Cami? There'll be a bunch of lasts, go be with your man."

"Fine!" I exclaim, throwing my arms up in the air. I walk towards Oscar's car making him smile. He pushes open the passenger door but before sitting inside I loudly say, "He's not my boyfriend."

"Stop telling people that." Oscar frowns as I sit inside and close the door. I glance over my shoulder at Cesar, who's watching us intently.

"Why?" I ask as I shift my body so I'm facing him. He pushes his sunglasses back into their place as his lips remain in a deep frown.

"Put your belt on." Oscar rolls his eyes as he purposely speeds down the street. I roll my eyes as well and reluctantly buckle myself in. "If you keep telling people you're single, they're going to have a go at you."

"What's wrong with that?" I lift my lips into a smirk as I push his buttons.

"Shut up, you're mine."

I lean over and place a soft kiss on his cheek, surprising both of us. And Cesar, can't forget about Cesar. "Even though we aren't official, I know," I whisper, resting my injured hand on the back of his neck. Which definitely wasn't a good idea, because pain instantly shoots up my arm. I wince and pull away from him, making him laugh.

"That was so cute, but your hand ruined the moment." Cesar sighs dramatically. I glare at him over my shoulder and see him dramatically clutching his chest. "It was just so cute."

"Shut up Cesar." Oscar and I say in unison.