Chapter 98
Camila TOY
I chewed on my bottom lip for a second, debating whether to call or aust pretend like nothing happened. But then again, she’d probably be worried or mad or both. And honestly, I felt like I owed her an explanation. I just didn’t want to give it.
Still… I tapped her name and hit the call button before I could change my mind.
She picked up on the third ring.
“Hello? Her voice was bright, too bright. Like she was in the middle of laughing or cooking something.
“Hey, it’s me,” I said, settling back against the pillows.
Oh, Camila! Hi, sweetie!‘ she said, just a little too enthusiastic. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, I mumbled slowly. “I just wanted to let you know I’ll be coming by tomorrow to get the rest of my stuff.
There was a pause.
“Oh?” she breathed out, sounding a little confused.
“And also…” I paused, fingers playing with the edge of the blanket. “I’m sorry I didn’t let you know I wasn’t coming back yesterday.”
Silence.
“You didn’t return yesterday?”
There was another beat of silence.
It stretched so far it could’ve wrapped around the whole damn room.
Then she cleared her throat. “Kidding, of course! Of course, I knew you didn’t come back,” she said quickly. “You’re a big girl–you can stay with your friends as long as you want.”
Friends?
I blinked slowly, eyes fixed on the crack in the ceiling above me.“I’m not at a friend’s place.”
Another pause.
“I’m back with my mom.”
Longer silence.
Then: “Yeah. Yeah, I knew that,” she said quickly, almost too quickly. “That’s why I didn’t call. Because I knew you were safe.”
Are you being for real right now?
‘Right,” I scoffed.
“I mean,” she added, stumbling through her words now, your mom probably missed you,”
“Mhmm.”
1/3
Chapter 98
Another awkward pause.
Are you okay? the acted finally, and for a second her voice Vinod wowed serious.
‘I’m fine, I lied.
More silence.
“You sure?”
“Yeah.
Okay… well, whenever you’re ready to come get your things, just let me know
I’ll come tomorrow,” I said. “After lunch.”
Alright, sweetie. Just call me when you’re close.”
“Yeah. Will do.”
The line went dead.
I dropped the phone onto my bed and stared at the ceiling like it had answers.
It didn’t.
All it had was a suspicious brownish patch near the fan that I’d been ignoring since I got here.
The room felt stuffy. Not physically, just emotionally. Like Ethan’s shirt was too thick for my thoughts, like it was hugging me a little ton close in all the wrong ways. His cologne had faded some, but the scent still clung to the fabric like a damn ghost. That clean, spicy scent that made my brain feel foggy if I thought about it too long.
I sighed and stood up, stretching my arms until my back cracked, and made my way to the bathroom. I needed to scrubs off the day–or maybe the week. Or maybe the months if I could manage that in one shower. A girl could hope.
The bathroom lights flickered on as I pushed the door open. I paused for a second in the mirror, looking like a hot mess. Hair frizzy, lips dry, eyes tired. And of course, Ethan’s shirt swallowing me up like I borrowed it after a one–night stand–which I didn’t. God, I didn’t.
I peeled the shirt off and dropped it into the laundry basket.
Steam filled the room quickly once I turned on the shower. Hot, just the way I liked it. The kind of heat that made it feel like I could melt out of my skin and maybe come back a little less confused.
I stepped under the spray, closed my eyes, and let the water pound against my shoulders. It felt good.
I washed my hair twice–because why not–and scrubbed my skin until it turned a little pink. Just me, the water, and the sound of my thoughts trying to shut the hell up.
Once I stepped out, I wrapped a towel around myself and wiped the mirror with my palm, revealing my puffy reflection again. Stil tired. Still confused as hell.
I padded back into my room, feet squeaking on the clean floor, and went straight for the wardrobe. My laundry from earlier was folded neatly, and I smiled a little to myself. At least one thing felt remotely put together.
I sifted through my now–clean clothes, fingers brushing over familiar fabrics, until I found something soft and comfortable. A pair of dark gray shorts and a loose top with a frayed neckline.
2/3
Chapter 98
As I dressed, I felt my shoulders slowly drop from where they’d been tensed all morning. I finally felt refreshed.
The window was open slightly, letting in a breeze that fluttered my curtains just enough to make the room feel alive. I sat on the edge of my bed and let my hair towel–dry a bit while I looked around. Everything seemed normal. But that was the thing about this place–it was always a little too normal. Like the quiet was hiding something.
