Of the Twisted and the Lost

Chapter 25:

Sera gathers her best friend into her arms, aware that Cami has been keeping a lot of secrets from her. 

"Why didn't you tell me?" Sera finally asks, when Cami regains her composure. "You know, about Avelyn. I would have supported you." 

"Of course you would have supported me," Cami says. "I always feel like a horrible friend, compared to you." 

"What?" 

"It's always like, I have to race to keep up with you." 

"Friendship isn't a race." 

Cami looks her square in the eye. "Is it?" she asks softly, green eyes welling with tears. "You're so perfect, Sera. It's a pity." 

Sera shakes her head, confused by her friend's strange behavior. "Are you okay?" asks Sera. "Do you have a fever or something?" 

Cami smiles darkly. "I wish I could have a fever," she sighs. "Then I can pretend that all of this is a dream and go on with life." 

"What in the world are you talking about?" 

"Girl, you seriously need to get your research done. Tonight's the full moon." 

"Yeah," Sera says slowly. "And that's involved with you and Avelyn how?" 

"Not me," rasps Cami. "You." 

And with that, her friend falls slack into Sera's arms. 

"Oh my God," Sera whispers, before raising her voice. "Cami, wake up!" 

Cami doesn't stir, not even when Sera slaps her face. 

"Damn it, damn it, damn it!" Sera hisses in frustration. "Where's my freaking phone?" 

She fumbles around in her pocket, pulling out the tiny purple case, before dialing the number. 

"My friend, there's something wrong with her!" she yells, as soon as someone picks up. "I need help, please!" 

Something like panic swells through her, like that beginning of a storm, waiting to rage and destroy. 

After hurriedly blurting out Cami's address, Sera ends the call, her breaths growing shallow. 

"Cami," she whispers, pinching hard on her friend's limp hand. "Wake up. Cami! Wake up, please!" 

No response. 

"What did you mean by that?" Sera asks desperately, shades of quicksilver and worry dancing through her. "Come on, Cami! Wake up!" 

Nothing. 

"Oh God, oh God, oh God," Sera murmurs. "Where're your parents? Why the hell are they always on vacation?" 

The doorbell rings. 

Sera looks up, torn between leaving Cami on the ground and answering the door. 

She chooses the latter. 

Rushing to the door, she flings it open— 

Avelyn. 

"Sera!" Avelyn blurts, eyes widening. "What are you doing here?" 

"There's no time," Sera snaps back. "I know everything, and Cami's unconscious." 

"She's what?" 

In a flash, Avelyn strides into the house, each step frantic. 

"Oh my God." Avelyn's hands fly to her mouth, as she sees the unconscious form of Cami. "What happened?" 

"I don't know," says Sera. "It might be something to do with food or maybe lack of air?" 

"Oh my God," Avelyn says again, sinking on her knees. "Did you call the ambulance yet?" 

"Yeah. They should be on their way." 

"Oh my God, I can't believe— Is she breathing?" 

Sera checks, placing her fingers against Cami's temple. 

No. . . 

There isn't that soft pounding of Cami's heart. 

"I don't think so," Sera whispers, suddenly afraid for her best friend. 

"Oh God. Jesus Christ." 

Avelyn paces back and forth, frustration lighting in her blue eyes. "Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!" Avelyn swears, before spinning towards Sera. "What if she's dead?" 

Sera tries for a smile. "I'm sure she's not," says Sera, though there's an obvious uncertainty in her voice. 

They sit in silence, tears in Avelyn's eyes and fear weighing heavy in Sera — until they hear the sounds of the ambulance. 

Avelyn jumps up, flinging the door open. 

"That's her," Avelyn says, pointing at Cami. "You have to save her!" 

There's something in Avelyn's voice. . . 

"My ending's a sad one. I fall in love and she doesn't remember me anymore." 

Cami is wrong. 

"You still love her, don't you?" Sera asks, watching as the man gently lifts Cami into his arms. 

"What?" Avelyn says, startled. 

"You love Cami." 

This time, it's not a question. It's a statement. 

Avelyn starts to say something, before snapping her mouth shut. They both watch as Cami is brought into the ambulance. 

Then Avelyn strides away, leaving the words hanging through the air. She asks the man something and he shakes his head. Defeat crosses Avelyn's face. 

"We can't go with Cami," Avelyn announces. "He says we need to go to school. That's stupid. Our friend might be dying and he wants us to go to school?" 

"How'd he even know we were in school?" Sera mumbles, disappointed by the news. 

"Said we looked young or something, which is super offensive," scoffs Avelyn. "Maybe he's just old and we just look young to him." 

Sera nods. 

"So do we just go to school now?" Avelyn asks bitterly. "It seems so unfair. I don't want to go to school." 

Sera doesn't, either. 

"But then Mrs. Stone might give us detention and then we can't see Cami," sighs Avelyn. 

"She'll give me a detention," Sera replies. "Not you, the star student." 

Avelyn lets out a laugh. "I think she's changed her mind about me," Avelyn says. "She definitely hates me, like the rest of the class." 

Sera considers that. "Yeah, she does now," she says. 

They both lapse into silence once again, their eyes fixed on the ambulance that's taking Cami to the hospital. 

"I hope she's okay," Avelyn murmurs. 

"Me too," says Sera. 

A pause. 

"It just happened so suddenly, you know?" Sera says. "I just asked her a question and then she fainted. She was kinda acting weird, though. Like, something's going to happen tonight." 

"Isn't it the full moon?" Avelyn asks, though it's clear based on her voice that she already knows. "Me and Cami were planning to watch it together." 

"Oh. Cool." 

"Hopefully she gets better. Otherwise then, I'll have to watch it alone." 

Avelyn turns to go, her eyes glittering with tears. "I haven't answered your question yet," Avelyn whispers in a strained voice. "Yes." 

"What?" 

"Yes, I love Cami Wilson."