With her phone taken, Camela scowled at her mother while staring at the dinner table every other second she was working on something you drew..

"You're punishing me on Thanksgiving?"

"You conveniently are never around when you are cutting class you're coming later than usual."

"I told you already, my friend and I started a club! You need that on your resume."

"Then why am I hearing from neighbors you're still hanging around with the same people who-"

"I'm not, I'm just trying to stop everyone else from getting hurt! Why don't you trust me?"

"Because I'm trying to protect you. For all I know, your friend's probably doing more work than I am."

She sucked her teeth. "Don't turn me against my friend!"

"If he's so great, why not bring him over?"

"Because I don't want him to know I live with someone judgy like you! My grades are better, I'm making good friends, and I'm trying to do better. It's never enough for you, isn't it?! You hate me so much? Until dad comes back, I'll let you spend Thanksgiving without me!"

"Camila!"

She got up and snatched the phone away from her mother and rushed out the house. Her mother tried chasing after her, stopping and picking up the sketch she was working on.

Kiara King had picked up supplies from the few stores available, regretting not asking for help when she saw a familiar face crossing the street from her block to walk on the other sidewalk.

"Is that? She had that odd look before. The owner or a worker?"

Kiara texted on her phone for a second with a curious grin before trying to run with the heavy belongings, screaming for help as she dropped her supplies loud enough for Camila to turn back around.

"Oh hey, you're um, Silas' not-girlfriend from Halloween. Kiara!"

"His cousin, right! Uh you need help?" Crouching to help her pick up the supplies quickly got her a bit of a thanks, though Kiara grabbed her hand.

"Whoa, it's only Thanksgiving. You're either going out or going home. What's the sit'ch?"

"Family, mom's just a bit too rude and my cousins aren't coming over, plus dad's working today."

"Damn, that's no fun, so you stormed out. No friends texted you?"

"They all just said happy Thanksgiving or didn't respond."

"Well that's disappointing," rolling her eyes.

"My mom would say the same thing about me."

"Hey, family's busy, but there's someone who would never call you that."

"Who?"

She grinned as Silas put the breaks up on his dash, out of breath.

"You needed my help- Camila? Happy Thanksgiving!"

"Don't you usually text your friends on Thanksgiving?"

"Not my fault, the service's all over the place today! Bars only work in the bathroom!"

A vibration touched Camila's phone and Kiara watched her smile start to sprout.

"Alright, I'll let you two talk for a bit."

"Don't you need me to help you?"

"With how long you took, maybe your mouth's better than your legs," leaning in his ear. "Cheer her up, maybe return that kiss later," giggling and watching him fluster before walking back. "I'll cover for your mom."

"You've got a good cousin."

"They're more annoying than me," listening to her rage, including the drawing.

"She probably touched it. I'm not good enough for her anyways."

He matched her face, knowing that wasn't the case.

"My family usually does a prayer for what we're grateful for, and I thought about you. Stopping Numel, the rumors, the club, none of that would've been possible without you. If that's how you think, I get worried I'm not doing enough for you."

"You have. I just got a lot of skeletons."

"And? I tricked the school by describing a skeleton. Our past means we've got the bones to handle anything that comes our way," slowly getting her to look up.

"You're doing the best you can. By next semester, she's gonna see it," wiping off her tears before they could drop," feeling how cold her face was and seeing her just in a long sleeve shirt.

"So don't let anyone blow away your flame," swooping to her side.

A peck to the cheek caught her by surprise, warming up her face.

"What was that for?"

"To warm you up! You're out on Thanksgiving in fifty-one degrees with no jacket! That's insane, and that's coming for me! And payback for Halloween," taking her phone and going to voice memos.

"Camila is one of the most intelligent, kind, sweet, and artistic people I've ever met, and anyone a part of her life or raising it shows know they've met one hell of a person," pressing. "And done. Before I go, two things."

"Yeah?."

"Instructions. Eat. Finish the drawing. Play the recording to her and sleep."

"The second?"

"If you're ever in doubt, fall asleep. So when you need someone, I'll always find you in my dreams."

"I could try."

"You will," giving her one last hug. "Happy Thanksgiving."

"Ditto," accepting him before letting him free.

When he got back, Kiara opened the door.

"How'd her cheek feel?"

"Shush. Thanks."

"I'm sure she said that in her own way."

Camila returned home to find her mother's turkey completely done.

"Thanks."

Her mother watched her savor the food down, taking time out of her meal to finish up her drawing with such speed her mother raised a finger.

"Mija, you-"

She played the recording, watching her mother's surprise before handing her the phone, rapidly storyboarding before running back to her room and taking seconds randomly until she was done.

"Turn it over when dad's home."

She headed back to bed, jumping in and letting herself fall asleep to keep her promise as her dad came in, apologizing for being late and finding her work.

"Look," showing her wife. "First time we taught her how to cut a turkey. We really got one hell of a daughter."

She teared up as the memories flowed in.

"We sure do."