The same day, Camila had touched her face, punching the air.

"I'm cured!"

She slumped back into her bed.

"I've missed so much work," checking her Google Classrooms to see the list of assignments rising up. "Urgh, after I just got an A on the project too! Where did it all go wrong?"

She looked back to when Arden came around and Silas's lips met her own. She held up both cheeks.

"I can't believe that happened," recalling him running off when Arden opened his eyes.

"Oh, he actually left. Camila, are you two a thing?"

"Well, um....hesitating. Well he and I have gotten pretty close, but we're not together."

"That look in your eyes. You looked so happy. Well, I thought I'd make this for you."

He handed her a picture frame of them together, the first time he had corazȯn tattooed on his body.

"For me?"

"For an amazing girl. I'm serious, I want you back," coming up to her, and reaching for her lips.

"And I don't want to lose you to anyone."

"I," shaking off his words. He sounds so genuine. But, argh.

She stared into his eyes, about to pull back when people from her school came down.

"Camila? Who's that?"

"Um...my cousin." He paused, raising a finger. "I'm not from Alabama."

"Just come," walking with him away from everyone, swinging her fingers as he tried holding her hand, not focusing when a speed walking pedestrian was about to slam into her.

Just as she noticed, Arden spun her away from them, pushing the other guy aside to hold her up and move them towards the free parking lot space.

"Urgh, jerks. Even Brownsville and Bed-Stuy aren't this crowded. How do you get used to it?"

"I've been learning to move around faster," she giggled. "The snow doesn't make it easy though," going between the walkthrough towards the train station.

"Do you like it?"

"From our first date. Do you really wanna get back together?"

"Obviously," smirking. "It feels like the universe is telling me we should get back together."

After that, they got separated on the elevator down to Jay Street station, ended up in a crowded train where they weren't able to get close thanks to the insane amount of other teens and adults also trying to get home until they both got off.

"Okay, the universe didn't want to be kind to me."

I don't think the universe agrees. Well, Silas would try to fight that, chuckling.

"Well good to know I can still make you smile."

"I..can I be honest?"

"Sure."

"You mean a lot to me, but my heart's all over the place. I've spent the past couple of weeks just going through a lot," yawning. "I need time to think about a lot of things."

His fists tightened and his head sank. She grew worried until he dispelled the energy and loosened his hands.

"Okay, fine. Just let me know sooner than later," pulling her hand up and kissing it. "Answer my texts every now and then," before he walked off.

She got homee, slamming head first into her pillows, when she had gotten Silas' texts, who managed to get a giggle out of her.

"He's so cheesy," covering herself up. "But," yawning again and blushing when the text about the kiss popped up, texting how tired she was, and him telling her to rest and getting an A put her in a good mood.

She closed her eyes, smiling and thinking about the kiss.

The next morning she had gotten her text, but Cabello forced her into the kitchen as Carlos came back, forcing all of them to spend the day cooking, getting condemned when she was going to reach back for her phone.

By the evening, Camila slipped onto her bed, finally pressing send and sending another message.

To her dismay the next morning, she hadn't gotten a gift.

"Then stop hiding your report card!"

"I told you, they put the grades in already. We'll get the report card when we get back! You don't trust me?"

"I'll believe it when I see it."

"I'll show it to you right now," heading back into the room, searching for her bag. "Where is it?"

She texted Silas, who quickly helped her out, bringing her laptop, relieved Ms. F graded it.

"See, ninety-eight!"

"Where's the work itself?"

She sucked her teeth, arguing with her and showing the other grades until her dad arrived. Camila got him up to speed.

"Yeah, tech's getting faster. Not too hard, looks like her boosted her grade up," forcing her mother to look deep into her laptop.

"And Silas has the paper!" She grabbed the phone, ended the recording, sent it to him, and showed them the text. "We got interrupted, but they liked our story!"

Her dad nudged her on the head. "Awesome, good job," giving her a kiss on the cheek. "All that work was worth it, huh?"

"Yep," waiting for her mother's reply.

She nodded. "Well, you did it," embracing her with a hug. "I'm proud of you."

Camila rejoiced in every second, almost asking if she could record that.

"But we used the money for your Christmas gift for your cousins."

She sucked her teeth. Well a win's a win at least, hugging her mom. Thanks Silas, hugging her so much while imagining it was him, that she ended up getting tapped several times to loosen her grip much to Carlos' amusement.

Unfortunately, her younger cousins had come over, forcing her to watch their ever move and make sure they didn't mess up or screw anything. Finding out they were staying over while her hair was being pulled left her to hide in the bathroom at times.

Boxing day, Silas' text made her smile just as her sibling sneezed on her. Later that day, she found herself sick, sneezing and sobbing as she thought about hanging out with him after learning about it.

Her mom did her best to take care of her, but she kept daydreaming and asleep about her responses to Arden and Silas.

One was unpredictable, who she was just growing to learn every week, but had a warm presence and always found a way to make her smile. The other was familiar, comforting, but always had a charming aura who could either lead to excitement or regret.

Whatever was going through the air or poisoned with love: which was more sickening?