Camila found herself waking up, escaping a dream where she was talking to an amalgamation of Silas' voice and head with Arden's style and figure, trying to imagine how one body could have two different skin tones across their section.

Her dad opened the door. "Survived your weird dream? Heard you talking in your sleep about you with some weird guy. Wanna talk about it?"

She scratched her head, having a clear mind to punch her bed for the waste of a winter break, but recalling what led up to this.

"After school today. You'll be home early?"

"Seems so. We'll talk about it later then," spotting her checking her phone. "Did something else happen before winter break?"

She covered her face with a pillow and dropped her phone in her bed.

"Not too much. Well, one you might like, one you probably won't."

"Hmm. Well I'm not the only person you should talk to today. Plus, you'll need help to catch up with the work you missed, right?"

"Oh," dropping the pillow only to see him hiding a chuckle. "What?"

"So easy to read."

"What does that mean?"

"You've got a compassionate heart. And those who notice and aren't scum mostly feel the same way. Your mom made this for you," handing her breakfast.

"Tell her I said thanks," compelled to get up and savor the taste.

"Will do," as she started getting ready.

Camila spent the morning checking the texts she got from Arden, who didn't send as many texts, at least apologizing for not responding, looking at the frame he gave her.

Maybe I should get him a gift too. What about Silas, not sure what would fit either of them.

Even though she was told he was there, she didn't see her throughout the school until the advisory started, talking to everyone else but her until the bell rang.

"Meet me in the science room during lunch. Ms. Caesar said she has a meeting later."

Huh? Curiosity filled her brain until she arrived there, just the two of them.

"Here, get naked."

"Hold on, what?"

He tossed her a bottle of naked orange juice, leading her to pout.

He does this on purpose, doesn't he?

"You're thinking I'm trying to tease you on purpose, aren't you," leading her to shake her head, her face growing sour.

"Of course I wasn't!"

His tauntful smile only made it worse. "Like an open color book."

She sucked her teeth while he asked her to close her eyes.

"Why?"

"I'm not just gonna kiss you from out of the blue again, but it wouldn't be a surprise if I told you. You'll see it when you finish drinking."

Out of curiosity, she visualized an image of her in a desert, weak, desolated, and on death's door begging for water. The closest comparison was people in gym class after two seconds of running.

Good enough, brainwashing herself well enough to need the drink, swallowing it all while her eyes shut black. When she opened them back up, Silas appeared in front of her with a jacket, unzipping it and catching what was underneath in his hands.

"Here."

"That's?"

She marveled at the sight: her image was replicated on a drawing board: auburn hair, bright pink lips, and calm demeanor, smiling with a sketchbook in one hand, and holding a Sephora gift card in the other. Camila reached for it, only to pull it off the drawing:

It was an actual Sephora card, and the art mimicked its actual appearance.

"You did this for me? How much is on the card?"

"Oh, um, just one hundred dollars." Then a gasp escaped his mouth. "Wait, the beauty industry is super expensive," sulking. "You'll probably be able to get only like seven things at best!" He squeezed his skull. "This was a terrible gift!"

He's overthinking again. "Hey, wait, I didn't mean it like that," although he is right. Would work great for holiday sales. Wait, isn't there a sale until the Wednesday after MLK? Yeah that's perfect. Snap out of it, pinching herself back to reality and taking the board after seeing his look away and rubbing his arm.

"It's not," appreciating the look and the details. "It's lovely," feeling her heart flourish, like it came out of her brain. "Thank you," watching him light up with joy.

His excitement grew gentle. "Welcome."

She tilted her head to the side. "But why did you hide it in your jacket?"

"Oh that? I left like an hour earlier than usual so I could catch the train," watching her face try to determine what time he woke up." There was no way in hell I was going to let this get ruined by a train delay leaving everything so packed and squished by someone's butt."

"Thought most guys would like a girl grinding on them," trying to tear him for a change.

He crossed his arms, pouting. "Do you really think I'm that immature?"

Her head dropped. "It's hard to tell sometimes!"

"Well you make made me hard-"

"See?"

"-to joke around with when I like you so much." Annoyance made his face squint. "Please, I'm being serious, this took a lot of time," briefly checking his phone and holding up a striking amount of confidence. "I've never put this much thought into a gift like this."

"Oh sorry." He was thinking about me this much? "How'd you make this?"

"Had help trying to start it, punching himself in the gut. "Focus. Just tell her," taking a deep breath.

"I like, no love you. And I want you to be with the person who makes you feel that way the most. And if it's not me, I get it. You've known Arden for like way longer, and me for like four months."

"But those have been some of the best months of my life. Even if you just want to be friends, you've done so much for me, and this is my thanks. Merry belated Christmas and New Years, Camila."

Those words elevated the drawing for her, pressing it near her chest. Those weren't feelings you had for someone that was just a friend. He matched the same infatuation she had for Arden.

Yet Arden filled her with doubts. The one being pursued has all the power to accept or to hurt. Now he was coming back to her. The love she always wanted made her daughter the love that was in front of her.

And yet, she walked in front of Silas, shedding a tear of joy, and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"This means the world to me. I'll treasure it for a long time. And I love you too. But it's not fair for me to give you an answer, when my heart is all over the place."

"Go talk to him. I'll still be here and if it doesn't work out, take all the time you need to heal."

"You're okay with that?"

"Why would I want someone that I care about to not be happy?"

That left her heart melting. I don't deserve you. I have to make up my mind. then I'll tell him that day.

"You're too sweet to me. I'll give you an answer on Valentine's Day. I promise."

"Sure," hugging her. The two stayed like that for a bit Until Ms. Cesar popped in, leading them to bolt away from each other.

" Oh wow that's such a cute drawing, Camila. Who made that for you?"

"Someone very close to my heart," exchanging warm glances with her muse.