Camila's POV
Who was she kidding?
The moment she wasn't distracted or deep in conversation, her thoughts drifted back to the Mahoe tree. He may as well have told her he was in love with someone else. Not that he ever did tell her he loved her. Maybe she'd just been deluding herself the whole time.
She barely ate. She didn't enjoy anime anymore, or the games she used to love. Those things had always been their things. Now, they were just reminders of what she'd lost.
She pretended she was okay. But the truth? She wasn't.
Sleep was rare, and when it came, it wasn't restful. She hated everything lately. But still, she kept going. This was her first real heartbreak, and she had no idea how to handle it.
Still, as tired and worn down as she was, something deep inside told her: You need to do things you love again. Even if it hurts.
With a burst of determination, she jumped out of bed. Exams were finally over, and she and her friends had done well. So what was the point of rotting in bed?
She ran to the stables, saddled Kitty, and took off into the open fields.
It was the best ride she'd had in ages. The wind in her face, the rush of adrenaline—it felt like freedom.
Kitty came to a stop by the creek for water, and Camila slid off the saddle. The water called to her, wild and cleansing. Without overthinking, she stripped down to her bra and underwear and dove in.
Who cared?
This was living—well, as best as she could manage right now. The water did what it always did: washed everything away. Until it didn't.
Until she remembered this was their spot.
His curls. His laugh. The way he called her name.
Tears pricked at the backs of her eyes, and she cursed herself for crying again.
What am I even doing? she thought bitterly. Why does he still have this much power over me?
She took one last dive, then climbed out, dripping and cold. She pulled her clothes back on, mounted Kitty again, and rode off before her emotions took over completely.
Anthony's POV
He came to the river creek to think. It had always been his place to clear his head.
But then—there she was.
Camila.
His Camila.
His breath caught as he saw her laughing with Kitty, shedding her clothes, diving into the water. He wanted to run to her, to scoop her up, to say everything he hadn't said.
But something else caught his eye.
A figure. At the far edge of the property.
Watching her.
A creep.
Rage exploded in Anthony's chest. His fists clenched as he stalked over and grabbed the guy by the back of his shirt.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he snarled. "This is private property."
The guy tried to retort, stammering something stupid, but Anthony didn't wait. He shoved him hard and growled, "Get the hell out of here."
When he turned back, Camila was gone.
As if she'd never been there at all.
Julia's POV
Camila was dealing with her heartbreak, and Julia didn't want to add to her burden. So she decided to go see Tyler instead.
With exams behind them and only results left to wait for, she figured it was time to talk—to apologize. To explain.
She rang the bell at Tyler's house, and when he opened the door, he looked surprised... but not unwelcoming.
A little nervous, even.
He offered her orange juice once she was inside. She accepted. He kept looking at her with those eyes—those beautiful, searching eyes.
She didn't know where to start.
He stood in front of her, and she froze, unsure what to say, afraid of what might happen if she let herself feel too much.
She shifted away slightly when he reached out—not because she didn't want him to, but because she did. Too much. And that scared her.
He looked hurt, but didn't push.
Finally, she broke the silence.
"I know you saw Antwan kiss me at the gate," she said softly.
He blinked, stunned. "Camila told you?"
"No. I saw it for myself."
He looked away, visibly shaken. "So... what's the point of this? Why are you here?"
"I came to apologize," she said. "I haven't chosen Antwan. What happened... just happened. But I don't see you as a mistake. Not during the storm. Not ever."
His voice was low, rough. "Then what does this mean—for us?"
She stared down at her glass. "I don't know. I don't know what to say. I want you. But there's Antwan..."
She looked up, voice trembling.
"How am I supposed to choose? Either way, I lose something."
Her frustration spilled over.
"I like you, Tyler. You taste like freedom and redwood. You smell like everything I've ever wanted. And don't get me started on the way you look at me. But Antwan..."
Tyler flinched at the mention of his name.
"...he's sweet. He's kind. I like him too."
Her voice cracked. "How do you expect me to choose when my heart is split in two?"
Tyler stood up suddenly, stepping closer, eyes stormy. She stood too, startled.
He kissed her.
It was everything she'd feared: raw, desperate, overwhelming.
Her back hit the wall. His hand came up to shield her head. His frustration poured into the kiss, but so did something else—love. Longing.
And she let him.