It's A Long Ride Home, I'm Afraid. {Camren} ✔️

~{16}~

"Karla Camila Cabello Estrabao!" My father yelled. "You are not to disobey me, I have found you a good college to attend, and you will be receiving a scholarship too!"

"Papi, don't you understand that I don't want to go to college?" I shot back. "I want to live my life how I want, and that means being in New York City producing music and making a name for myself that way!"

He frowned at me. "No! It's too far away, and we need you here. In Miami!"

"Besides, I doubt you'll have the success that you are really looking for. Please understand it's not that I don't have confidence in your talents, it's just so hard to make it out there all on your own."

I thought about him and my sister. I thought about the comfort of being in the nice warm weather. I thought about the beaches, the community.

This was the place my parents fought so hard for us to live in, and maybe I was selfish in wanting to leave it behind.

But the truth is, you have to be a little selfish when it comes to doing what you love. That's the only way to be happy in the end.

Even without my father's approval, music was going to be the life I chose for myself.

Maybe one day he would come around and realize that.

"A person who is sick and not completely healthy should not be traveling so far from her family." My father continued, his voice softer this time. "I can't lose you too, my daughter. You mean the world to me."

I sighed. "I know, I know. You and Sofi mean the world to me too, it's just.."

"I can't be cooped up here for the rest of my life. I need to get out. To go and see the world, Papi. That's what I've always wanted."

He smiled sadly. "Okay. I understand. I should've known I wouldn't be able to change your mind. You are your mother's daughter too, after all."

I took his hand, and looked him in the eyes.

"I'll be fine." I told him. "I'll call you often, I'll visit as much as I can, and I'll make sure that one day you'll be proud of my decision."

He nodded, and then pulled away from my grasp.

That night, I packed my things. I went through everything in my room, deciding what I should keep and what I wouldn't need any longer.

"Kaki?"

I froze. She was the last person I wanted to hurt right now, but I knew my departure would do exactly that.

"Hey, Sofi." I said softly. "What are you still doing up?"

"I heard you and dad arguing. Why are you leaving us, Kaki?"

I frowned. "I never wanted to leave you, mi hermana. I need to go pursue my dreams. One day, you'll understand."

She looked at me, and I could already see that she was about to cry.

"C'mere." I told her, to which she did.

I held my little sister as close to me as possible, letting her cry into my shoulder.

"It's not like I'm going away forever." I said. "You can call anytime you'd like, okay?"

"But what if you are gone forever?" Sofi retorted. "Dad says you have the same sickness as Mami did."

Shit. I thought. Why would he tell her about my private medical business?

"I promise I'll be okay." I quickly replied, trying to diffuse the situation. "You don't have to worry."

"Pinky swear?" Sofi asked.

I smiled, and held out my pinky. "Pinky swear."

She linked her pinky around mine, and then pulled away a moment later.

"If you break the promise I'll hate you forever." She said with a grin.

I laughed a bit. "Okay then, whatever you say."

With that, I finished packing and then said my last goodbyes. After that, I was off to the airport.

As I was headed there, I thought about what my sister had said about hating me forever. I knew it was a joke, but still...

If I really didn't turn out alright, and I died, she would be going through what I had to go through all over again.

She wasn't old enough to really remember Mami, but she has solid memories with me. Just like how it was for me when Mami had passed away.

I didn't want her to have to hate me the same way I hated Mami.

She'd be hating a corpse.

~

A/N: I've been really good with writing up chapters for this story, so expect a triple update in the next week. My treat lmfao 😂