[KAMILA]

I huff.

“Everybody wants to judge, but nobody want to listen…” I mumble, throwing a headphone in my ear and walking away.

I hear my best friend behind me, her voice silencing the further I get.

I didn’t tell the police about the interaction or who it was because… because… Caleb is my friend. Yeah. He’s my friend.

I’ll prove to everyone I can be a good, loyal friend. I did it in kindergarten. I can do it now.

——————————

I march into the nearly empty café and look towards my mother in determination.

“Mama, can I have a hot cocoa to go? It’s freezing outside,” I exclaim, pulling my coat tighter around myself.

“Yes ma’am! And, I would hope so. It’s almost winter,” she replies with a laugh, “Are you going to your grandma’s like you said you would?”

I hesitate.

“Yeah! I might take a short detour, though,” I state, leaning over the counter.

Mama glances up at me with a strange expression, obviously curious about the detour.

“I’m stopping at a friend’s,” I lie through gritted teeth.

It isn’t a complete lie. I am stopping at a friend’s. Just not at their house.

“Okay, but be safe,” Mama warns as she hands me the hot chocolate.

“Yes ma’am!”

———————

A few minutes ago, I realized I have no clue where I’m going.

So, I decide to stop by the Sullivans to ask.

“Hi, Mrs. Sullivan!” I emphasize as the door opens. The woman standing there is easily recognizable, with her petite figure, blonde hair, and her beautiful dress.

“Kamila?” She gasps. “It’s been forever, honey!” Mrs. Sullivan pulls me in for a hug.

I strain a smile, but I hug her back.

“Where’s Mr. Sullivan?” I blurt, remembering vaguely of his appearance.

Mrs. Sullivan shakes her head.

“I haven’t seen both of them for years, Darling.”

“Oh. I’m so sorry for bringing it up! I wanted to say hi to Caleb, though.” I look down towards my shoes and start to fidget. “Would you by any chance know where he might be? It could be in as big of an area as a city. I just need to know.”

I look up in time to watch Mrs. Sullivan’s eyes light up.

“Oh! Maybe you can relight the kindergarten romance,” she coos, “I believe he gave me a town name a few months ago when he texted.”

She pulls out her phone.

“Ah! He lives in…” Mrs. Sullivan delivers, squinting at her screen, “Vinewood. About ten miles away.”

I huff, yet again.

“Oh… okay. Well, thank you, Mrs. Sullivan.”

“Please, call me Jade.”

———————

After a brief bus ride, I make it to Vinewood, which is smaller than anticipated.

It’s a beautiful city. Very well cleaned up with gorgeous decor and wildlife.

I start looking around.

He’s a criminal, so he can’t be in the open. He must have a sidekick or boss or something… Villains and criminals in movies usually inhabit wearhouses or something…

My research leads me to a large run-down mansion in the North side of the city.

“Possibly?”

I knock.

What a stupid thing to do.

I’m only deterred by my conclusion when an unfamiliar man answers the door. He looks around Caleb and I’s age, with a newly grown beard and curly brown hair cut short on the sides.

“Hi, by any chance, does a Mr. Sullivan take shelter here?”

The man’s mouth twists up in a smirk.

“With the first name Caleb? Yes.” He looks around at the snow starting to fall. “Would you like to come inside? I can call him down,” he adds.

I’d say that’s a safe bet.

I may be a woman, but I am very much confident in fighting against men. Unless their name starts with a ‘C’ and ends with a ‘B.’

“What’s your name?” I ask as he shuffles to let me inside.

“Tobias.”

I catch his green eyes very quickly before walking further inside the entryway.

This place is the pure definition of ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover.’ It has the best interior design I have seen in a while. With a beautiful birch wooden flooring and light blue wallpaper. The living room is ginormous! I think, the child in me grinning like an idiot.

“What a nice name! I’m Kamila,” I answer.

“Oh, yes. Kamila,” Tobias replies with an unreadable expression. “Feel free to lounge wherever. Caleb will be sure to come talk in a few minutes.”

“Okay.”

I sit down on the couch, as Tobias disappears up a staircase.

I did it.

I may actually be the biggest idiot ever.