Camila winced while Silas shook in terror.

"You haven't answered my calls," said the light skinned black woman, mature and with concern and fear, rushing over to hug him.

"I was - asleep until a few minutes ago," patting her on her neck.

"Don't tell me you're afraid to hug your mother when your friend's around. Who's she?"

"My classmate, friend, and partner, Camila," straining himself to keep calm.

"He helped me out in the fight."

"I want an explanation, now."

"Camila?"

The curtains opened to both her parents in the window. 

"What are you doing up," her mom asked, noticing her injuries.

"She's less beat up than him. Of course she'd be worried about her boyfriend." 

"Dad!"

"Oh no."

Silas turned to her mother, who's mood changed.

"Girl-friend?"

He gulped, Camila looked on in horror, and her dad felt an negative aura.

"That was supposed to be a secret, wasn't it?"

The two silently nodded up and down.

"You had a girlfriend? And you didn't tell me?"

His mother's voice was firm, filled with anger, before eyeing Camila.

"Didn't I tell you to keep away from girls like her?"

Camila's mother stepped in.

"Excuse me? Girls like what?"

"I'm talking to my son!"

"You're insulting my daughter! I can see why he didn't bring it up to you with that behavior."

"But he,"

"Mom!" 

His fists shook with anger and rage.

"Apologize to both of them, now!"

"Don't talk back to me!"

Camila saw him shudder but still not back down.

"We're both hurt because of someone else, and you're blaming the victim? She saved my life!"

"She's not the cause of this?"

Camila's mother tapped her on the shoulder. "Where would you get that idea?"

"The parent coordinator said they asked for a girl named Camila."

"Mother, he was after both of us! Mr. Rose, could you pass me my bag?"

"Oh, sure Silas."

"Why do you sound so friendly with him?"

"She helped me with my group project, I told you about this already. You forgot, again, didn't you?"

"You know I can' t remember everything."

"Can't, or won't?"

"Now is not the time for this."

Mr. Rose handed it to him.

"Thank you, and good to meet you in the flesh again."

"And you in one piece instead," sharing a laugh while he opened his bookbag.

"This is," handing his mother and her parents a series of printed articles, "our newspaper."

They read it, finding both of their names on their paper.

"Camila and I noticed there was a group using teens to sell illegal stuff. She and I try to warn an old friend of hers, but he didn't listen and hurt us both. We thought the cops could've handled it, but while we dated, we've been collecting evidence of everything, every since with Numel."

They saw credit and information next to Camila's names.

"Mom, without her, Numel would be dead. If she didn't convince me to look into it, other kids like us could've gotten hurt. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but don't talk about my girlfriend like that! Without her, you wouldn't have a son to talk to right now."

"But isn't she the reason you got hurt?"

"Look at her," pointing to the scars and injuries on her back. "How do you think she got those? Protecting me from the guy who caused her to get those. We can put the person who did it behind bars, but not if we don't do it together. We started this story, we're ending together. Maybe if you read it, you'd change your mind."

His nerves pulsated, and the monitor starting buzzing. He reeled, sitting back down in anguish.

"I'm fine," hearing the doctors come in, asking everyone to step outside and Camila to go back to her seat.

"Wait dad, I have an idea," quickly telling him about an idea before he had to go. She overheard him asking Silas' mother about the idea and listening to them exchange phone numbers, also going to sleep.

Both of them eventually woke up, calling for the other's name.

"Sorry, doctor said I shouldn't be under much pressure."

"Go back to sleep."

"I'm fine now."

"Better be. That article."

"Don't worry, it's a draft combination of all the past stories we've written about. But I want you to write about what happened. The school should hear it from your words, not mine. You're the heroine of your own story, not me."

"You had that planned?"

"I knew I'd have to tell her about us one day. But you gave me the courage to try it. Plus, she's not good when multiple people know she's in the wrong. So we've got nothing to worry about." 

"Wait, wasn't today supposed to be when you finalized your application for the Young Writer's Association?"

"No...they never sent me the email. Hold on," checking his phone. "It's in my junk. Today was the day," checking the time, "and I'm too late! Argh!"

"Shit. Sorry."

"Can I murder your ex?"

"We've done enough damage to him for one day. There's something else you should know. I asked my dad to invite your mom over."

"He's gonna cheat on your mom to hook up with mine? We'd be step siblings then, we wouldn't be able to date anymore!"

"That is not what he or I meant!" She lowered her tone. "That should get them on the same page. I don't want your mom to be the reason we break up."

He sucked his teeth. "That's on me, I should've brought you up when we started dating. If only I could get her to focus on your good," as his mind envisioned a reality where the two were on the same page.

"That's it! Her birthday is a few weeks away-and you can give her the ultimate present! I need two favors from you."

She agreed with the first. "What's the second?"

"Let's make out again."

This time she made him come to her.

"Needy."