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Mirabel looks to me, then Camilo, and back with a puzzled expression. After a few moments, she realizes what is happening and stifles a laugh.
"Hey, Camilo, I think mama is making arepas downstairs!" Mirabel says slyly.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZuAaC351G
"Wait, really?" Camilo bounds down the stairs to the kitchen and Mirabel shuts the door behind him.
She turns to me and looks like she is about to burst from laughter. "(Y/N), your "street-crush" is Camilo??"
I look embarrassed and protest, "Well I didn't know he was your cousin!! But I guess it guarantees I'll get to see him often," I giggle and Mirabel rolls her eyes. "Well, whatever we do, can't let him know! I don't want to be an outcast to him, too."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCZ69vCvaj
Mirabel sits up and props herself against the wall. "Tell more about the outside world! You said you were an outcast there, but I wouldn't have thought you would be."
I sigh and prepare myself for bumpy ride down memory lane. "My parents died when I was younger, so I lived with my cousins for a bit. No one ever had enough to eat, and as time went on, I was seen as only a burden. At age eight, I resorted to stealing food and clothes from foolish marketers." I pause before I go on. "It was the only way I could prove my worth to my uncle. But eventually, the demand for stolen supplies became so great that I couldn't catch up, and I was ditched." I look away.
Mirabel is watching me now, with sympathetic eyes.
"So what happened?"
I glance up. "I realized that it doesn't matter what you do in a world like that; no one cares. As long as you don't get in trouble with the law, you can live your life peacefully. So I traveled around for five years." I fix her with a stare. "But I wasn't alone all of the time. I discovered that while depending on people and them on you isn't wise, making acquaintances during travels brightens your life just the amount you need. I think about them a lot, actually." I avert my eyes, rubbing the toe of my boot against my leg. 228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU2fxhkrdi
Mirabel scoots over to me on the bed. "And then you came here," she finishes softly.
I nod, then realize that I don't actually know how I got here! I stand up abruptly. "Well, Mira -- can I call you that? -- I gotta go get some of those arepas your cousin is having!"
She smiles uncertainly and I slip out the door. Gosh, what was I thinking, telling her about my past? She might think I'm not worth trusting, since I used to steal stuff. She's just so easy to talk to... "AGH!" As I was worrying, I had missed the top step of the staircase and now I was falling down the stairs!228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsbGx8fVCu
I squeeze my eyes tight as I anticipate the twisted ankle or other ailment will come out of this, but gasp as I am caught by a pair of strong arms.
"Are you all right, chica?" 228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwymYMqYQRc
I nearly have a heart attack as I realize who caught me. "No! I mean yes!" I stammer, brushing myself off. "Uh, thanks, Camilo."
He smiles and my heart melts. "Por supuesto! And it's (Y/N), right?"
"Yeah!" I'm surprised he could remember my name! "I was actaully coming down to check out those arepas your Mirabel's mom is making!"
Camilo pouts. "There are none. Mirabel was just being annoying. But I was actually going to the market to get some snacks if you want to come with me!"
I beam, amazed at my luck. "Sure! Sounds like a great way to tour the town!"
"Si! I could give you a tour!"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6a19DzTpY7
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Hiyooo! Thank you guys so much for reading this! I've noticed the views have skyrocketed and just wanted to say thank you!! ^_^228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJdxv5Y1tl
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