Chapter 1
-Cameron Mendez-
*Friday, October 8th, 2021*
*Los Angeles, California*
My alarm went off at 6:00 in the morning. I ran through my normal routine. Get up, take a shower, get dressed, brush my hair and teeth and then grab breakfast and go to school. Who cares about making a bed anymore. What’s the point?
All you do is sleep, mess it up, wake up and then do it all over again.
So there is no point.
But that’s my opinion and I’m a clean person so my room is always clean and I make my bed anyways just because my girlfriend got me used to it.
I’m Cameron Mendez, 16, Female, Gay, and I’m a Junior in High School.
White-American
Dirty blonde hair, hazel eyes, grey Nike sweatpants, and a grey Nike hoodie to match with white Nike shoes. What can I say! I love sweatpants and hoodies, that’s how I roll.
I have a girlfriend, her name is Kierra Lockwood but (Kie) for short.
She is 16, Female, bisexual, and also a Junior in High School. We always match clothes so she wore the same thing as me but had her hair straightened and that’s my favorite hairstyle for her but I don’t control my girlfriend. I love her and everything she does.
She is Dominican, Italian, German, White, and African American.
Her mom is Dominican, Italian, and German while her father is African American and white.
She has Brown curly but loose wavy hair, beautiful caramel-colored skin, one hazel-green eye, and one blue.
I always joke with her saying that she is a part of me because she has an eye the same color as mine. The truth is, she is a part of me, not literally but mentally and emotionally she is a part of me. I love her a lot and she is the true definition of perfect in my eyes. I don’t know how I got so lucky to have her but I thank god every day for him blessing me with having her in my life.
We both go to Carlson Academy and we live in a community where people couldn’t care less about money and making sure that their kids go to this school.
Now from where I stand it doesn’t matter to my parents where I go, just as long as I graduate. But I’m my point of view I’m happy to go there, it’s where Katie and my friends go.
Buzz... Buzz.., Buzz... Buzz...
I looked at my phone and I saw the group chat with all of my friends, blowing up but I ignored it.
I walked to school.
I saw my friends and my girlfriend as I got closer to school.
I walked over to the group and they were all sitting on the steps so I went over to my girlfriend and I sat on the step below her. I leaned back and put my arms on her legs and she wrapped her arms around me.
I got a warm, happy, fuzzy feeling in my stomach.
I leaned up and kissed her and we all just hung out before school started like we always do.
*7:15*
*Friday, October 8th, 2021*
School starts in 1 hour so we all just sat there and talked about what we were going to do this weekend.
There are 7 of us including me and my girlfriend.
-Kameron Romero,16, Junior, Dominican, white, male, and he is straight.
(Single)
-Sydney, 16, Junior, White, Dominican, female, and straight.
(Has a crush on Kameron - single)
-Donnie Miller, 16, Junior, African American, Native American, white, male and straight.
(Dating Natalie)
-Natalie, 16, white, African American, female, and is bisexual.
(Dating Donnie)
-Jayden Cross, 16, White, female, and gay.
(Single)
We are all best friends and we would kill for each other. Honestly, I think that Kameron has or had a crush on Sydney too but it’s none of my business.
Kierra and I are sitting together on the steps but I’m talking to the homies. When I say homies I am talking about Jayden, Kameron, and Donnie. The girls are talking to each other. When I say the girls I am talking about Kierra, Natalie, and Sydney. Which are the “girly girls” and the homies including me, are boys/tomboys. My and the homies or guys which is also what I call them, went over to the bottom of the steps and we were showing off the impressed people but the main person I was trying to impress was my GF, To be honest, it was a contest to see who could do a better flip. The homies and I were all on a parkour team. We were in our team, “The devils” that’s our name. The girls stayed on the steps and they talked while we did our thing. Two of them sat on one step and the other sat on the step below in the middle and they talked about girly things the whole time.
-Coming home-
*Friday, October 8th, 2021*
We were doing tricks still, I checked my phone and it was 7:40, we had 35 minutes left until school started.
“Girls come down here” Donnie yelled up to them. They walked down and stood together.
“So what y’all want?” Kierra said, they all had smirks on their faces looking at all of us. I stared at Kie looking at her up and down. She was all I could think about at that moment.
*My phone rang*
I didn’t pay attention to it, I was steady staring at my girlfriend and her beautiful face.
“Bro, you gonna get that?” Jayden said, while casually hit my arm.
*everyone looked at me*
I was still looking at my Kie though.
I stopped staring and looked at everyone.
What??, I asked.
Buzz. Buzz... Buzz...
“Babe, your phone?” Kie said.
Ohh my bad. I grabbed my phone out of my pocket and answered it.
I walked over to the side and they all talked to each other while walking up the steps.
*8:05*
*School starts in 10 minutes*
Kie went to her locker with the girls and the guys followed behind them and they waited for me there.
Hello?
“Hey sis, it’s been a while and I know you haven’t heard from me much but I’m coming home I can’t wait to see you and dad.”
… (I didn’t know what to say, my sister had been gone for a while because she’s in the army but I was happy and shocked at the same time).
Avery!! You're coming home I don’t know what to say but I’m excited and shocked I thought u were coming home for Thanksgiving??
“No, we get to come home early!!”
That’s awesome, look I got to get to class but I love you and can’t wait to see you!!
“Okay, Cam I love you too!!
*I hung up*
I started to tear up but not because I was sad but because I was happy that my sister was coming home after 2 years.
I walked up the steps and walked in the big double doors of the school.
I walked over to my friends and Jay looked at me and told Kie to look.
I wiped my eyes from tears but they were still red. I went to my locker with my friends and Kie came over to me as I was grabbing my stuff.
“Babe”
*I turned my head to the left and seen her and smiled *
Hey, I looked at her and closed my locker.
“Are you okay?”
Yeah, I’m good.
“Cameron, your eyes are red Jayden seen it too when you were walking in the door”
…
I looked down away from her and looked at my phone.
“Babe,” she said, gently grabbing my face making me look at her.
“You can talk to me so tell me what’s wrong, please”
..my sister Avery, she’s coming home from deployment after 2 years and I’m happy but sad because I know that she is going to have it again and I don’t want her to leave me again.
“Aww baby”
*she pulled me to her and wrapped her arms around my neck and held me*
I wrapped my arms around her waist and put my face in her neck and took a big breath in. I could smell the perfume I got her for her birthday last week. I calmed down and felt safe and I was okay now. She made me feel okay again and feel safe. She looked up at me and I looked back at her. She put her hand on my face and we kissed.
We had been dating for 6 months and right then and there I said it, I said I love you.
*She smiled at me and kissed me again*
“I love you too”
Okay, we gotta get to class c’mon.
I put my arm over her she wrapped her arm around me and we walked over to the group and we all went to our classes. We all have the same classes together. Yes I know it’s crazy but we have always had the same classes together since fourth grade.
*12:05*
*time for lunch*
*We walked to lunch together*
I got in line and grabbed food and I was one person behind Kie in the line everyone else was at the table. She went to the table and sat down with the group by the time I had paid for my lunch.
I paid and I started walking over to the table that we all sit at together, the guys on one side and the girls on the other side but I always sit next to Kie.
There were always 4 of us on each side of the table even though there were still extra seats. I walked up to the table but a new guy was sitting next to Kie.
He was talking to them and they let him sit in my seat just because he is new I guess.
I wouldn’t care if he sat next to someone else besides my girlfriend but I guess I got jealous.
*I sat my tray on the table and tapped his shoulder*
Hey, man, you're in my seat.
Do you mind sitting in another spot?
*He looked at me*
“Oh, my bad I didn’t know we had assigned seats.”
*I smirked*
Bro look I always sit here okay just sit across from me! No hard feelings or anything.
You know what it’s fine just sit there it’s okay.
“Okay thanks” I sat across from him and Kie.
*I sat down next to Jayden*
I started eating and I asked Jayden (Jay) who he was.
“His name is Kevin, he said he’s new and came over from Notre Dame Academy.”
Ohh okay. He talked to Kie a lot and smiled when talking to her. I looked at them and got annoyed because I knew he was flirting with my girlfriend.
*I got up*
Hey guys I’m not hungry I’ll catch y’all later.
I looked over at Kevin and said, It was nice meeting you, Kevin.
I walked away.
“Hey I’ll see you guys later I’m gonna go too”, Jay said.
I walked out of the lunchroom and went to our last period.
I walked into the gym and Jay came with me.
I went into the locker room and put on shorts and my gym shirt.
Jay changed too.
*we walked out and the rest of the group walked in*
The homies changed and the girls sat on the bleachers and watched us play.
The new guy Kevin walked in and changed and we all started to play basketball.
He was on the opposite team as me and I was point guard, I passed it to Jay and she passed it to Donnie and he passed it back to me.
I went up to dunk the ball and Donnie passed it and I made it in the hoop. It was 2-0 I played hard and I was guarding Kevin now, he made a few points after the first quarter and it was 12-8 with my team in the lead.
*1:45*
*8 seconds on the clock and it was 45-45*
It was the fourth quarter and I went to shoot the ball and Kevin pushed me and I fell back.
“My bad”
It’s cool.
Jay and Donnie helped me up and I got 2 free shots.
I made them both and my team won by 47-45.
*We all shook hands*
Good practice guys.
“Yeah, good game,” Kevin said.
I walked over to the lockers with the guys and we all took turns in the shower. There were only two and girls and boys couldn’t be in the same one at once.
*20 minutes later*
We all walked out and seen Kevin over talking to some of the other guys and they all three went over the girls.
I and the guys walked over to the girls too and I said, y’all ready to go to class? Kie said, “yeah, cmon girls”
*Kevin stopped Kie as we were walking out of the door and asked her for her number* I walked over to them as he said it and I cleared my throat. Yo, Kevin no you can not get her number. I grabbed her hand and said, c’mon. “Why you buggin?? It’s not like she’s your girl anyways!” Kevin said loudly and everyone in the gym looked.
I stopped and turned around, I walked up to him and I was face to face with him.
*I punched him in the face hard, I made his nose bleed*
She is my girlfriend bro, back off and stop trying to get at her or any of my friends and stay out of my seat at lunch.
-Avery-
*Friday, October 8th, 2021*
*6:00*
Everyone came to my house after school, we were all upstairs in my room hanging out.
“I got it we can go to a haunted house!!” -Jayden
“Yeah that’s a good idea” -Donnie
“Okay so it’s settled we are going to a haunted house!!” - Kie
I was sitting on my bed and Kierra was sitting with me. Sydney and Jay were on the floor, Natalie and Donnie were sitting in my bean bag, Camila was laying across the bottom of my bed and Kameron was in my hammock.
“Bro can we talk about THAT CRAZY PUNCH THAT CAM THREW THOUGH!!!!!!!” -Camila
*I laughed*
Nah I just don’t take disrespect towards me especially when my girl is involved.
*Kie looked at me*
*I smiled, and looked back at her*
*She leaned over and kissed me*
*I kissed her back*
*Donnie and Natalie started snuggling*
“Brook get out of here with all of that!!” -Jay
*Everyone starts laughing*
*I heard the door open*
I stopped laughing fast and said, “Everyone be quiet, y’all stay here.”
I walked out of the room and went downstairs and I saw my sister.
I ran to her and hugged her tight.
Hey, my friends are upstairs, do you want to meet them?
“Yeah ofc, I missed you so much!!”
I missed you too sis!
*I ran upstairs with my sister and walked into my room*
Guys this is my sister Avery, she just got back from deployment and hopefully, she can stay home for a while.
Come on in sis.
*everyone looks at her*
*Kierra got up and stood by me*
Oh sis this is my girlfriend Kierra!
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you!” Avery said.
“Yeah, it’s nice to meet you too!” Kierra said.
Umm.. so sis this is Donnie, Natalie, Kameron, Sydney, and Camila. They are my friends. Oh which reminds me, do you want to go out with us tonight? We are going to a haunted house!!
“Umm IDK I don’t want to intrude,” Avery said nervously.
No, it’s okay, is it cool with you guys?
They all said yes.
Okay well, y’all go downstairs okay I need to take a shower.
*Everyone left my room except my girlfriend*
*She sat on my bed*
“Babe, are you gonna get scared?”
* I laughed*
No!! Are you?
“No, I’m tougher than you” she smiled at me.
*I walked out of the bathroom and went over to her.*
*I picked her up and looked her in the eyes*
Babe.
“Yes?”
How did I get lucky enough to get an amazing woman like you?
“Hmm?? Idk I guess you got lucky”
*We both smiled at each other*
*I went over and threw her on the bed*
*I leaned down and kissed her*
Okay baby I’m gonna go take a shower okay, you can go downstairs and hang out with them if you want to.
“Or... I can stay up here with you and wait for you to be done!!”
Okay, I love you!
“I love you more”
Mhm!
I kissed her again
*25 minutes later*
I got out of the shower and got dressed and got ready.
I got dressed while Kierra took a shower.
*30 minutes later*
We got matching clothes on and walked downstairs.
I wore black jeans, my black Nike Air Max 97’s, a white black Nike jacket, a white shirt, and my black Nike hat.
Kierra wore black jean shorts, a white Nike shirt, white Nike Air Max 97’s, and a black Nike headband with her hair down but with loose wavy curls.
We walked into the living room and everyone was ready.
We all left the house and my sister drove us to the haunted house.
- Haunted house -
*1 hour later*
We are in line for the haunted house and it is kind of cold outside.
Kierra came over to me.
“Babe I’m cold!”
I unzipped my jacket and put it on her.
I hugged her and held her the whole time trying to keep her warm while we waited in line.
Her back was facing me as I held her, I was holding her tight to keep her warm, and I had my face buried in her neck.
I took a deep breath in and I smell her perfume again.
-Kierra’s point of view-
*I smiled*
When Cam wrapped her arms around me from behind, knowing that I’m safe, that she can hold me at any time of the day, and that she loves me makes me feel safer than ever. I know I am safe with her.
We were waiting in line and I started to warm up.
Donnie and Natalie were snuggled up together keeping each other warm. Sydney and Camila were talking about how scary this is going to be and Kameron was talking on the phone with someone.
-Back to Cameron-
It was almost our turn to go into the haunted house and the girls were getting tense.
Kierra was holding on tight to my arms as I had them wrapped around her, Natalie wasn’t letting go of Donnie as he held her, Kameron and Sydney were hugging after he got off of the phone and Camila was standing next to us but she was cold.
Sydney gave Camila her hoodie, Kameron kept her warm enough to go without it.
“It is finally time for us to go in!!”
I know bro the girls are gonna be scared and probably pee on themselves.
Kierra hit me for saying that.
Oww!!
“Well don’t be mean then, plus we can handle anything,” Kierra said and Natalie agreed with her and hit Donnie for saying what he said. Kameron was smart and didn’t say anything.
We all walked in and the girls were holding on tight to us.
*After the Haunted House*
We all had fun, Kierra and I went back to my house and my sister had taken us back home,
We walked into the house and went up to my room. I changed and put my pajamas on and went over to lay down with Kierra.
We turned on a movie and cuddled.
We ended up falling asleep.
-Celebrate-
*Saturday, October 10th, 2021*
*9:25 a.m*
I woke up.
I didn't follow my normal schedule of waking up at 6 in the morning, it's the weekend so it doesn't matter what time you wake up.
Nowhere to go.
Nowhere to be.
In some kind of way, you could say I felt free.
No worries and no homework to do, being in high school is fun but it comes with challenges and obstacles. You either make it or you don't. There is no in-between. I have one last year of school, my senior year but that's next year. This year I'm a junior and school started not too long ago. I'm not too sure if I want to go to college yet but I still have time to figure out my life.
Okay, I won't lecture anymore but this weekend is going to be fun. We are going to celebrate the fact that we are making it. Not a lot of people graduate from school. Either they get into drugs, gangs or they drop out of school and never return.
I made a promise to my mom, I told her that I would stay on the right path and that I would make her proud.
I hope I am doing that and keeping my promise. It's hard not knowing if I am making her proud but my sister Avery says, “She is proud of you for everything you do, she is proud of the both of us.” My sister is like a mom to me, she takes care of me, we do everything together, and on my birthday my sister and I go to the store and get a cake and candles. We go to mom's grave after and we celebrate my birthday there, just the three of us. It's a day of happiness and sadness but I know mom wouldn't want me to cry on my birthday so I hold back the tears. I know she is with me and Avery every day of our lives but it's still hard. None of my friends celebrate my birthday on my actual birthday, we do it the day before. Nothing is more important to me than sharing my special day with my mom. I would do anything to have her back for 1 day. For my birthday.
Tomorrow is my big day and it’s reserved for me, mom, and Avery.
*6:30*
*At the beach*
My friends and Girlfriend always do something fun for my birthday.
We went to the beach. The sun was setting, we had booze and the fire was going. We tossed a football around, made s’mores, and had a fun night out for my birthday.
*Sunday, October 11th, 2021*
*9:20 a.m*
I woke up and my Girlfriend didn’t spend the night this time, she knew what I was doing today for my actual birthday. I got ready but I didn’t follow my normal schedule again.
But I never follow my schedule on the weekends.
Nothing new.
I went downstairs and Avery was ready and she had made breakfast. We sat down at the table and ate together.
Eggs, bacon, sausages, and some toast.
It was delicious.
*10:50*
We went to the graveyard after we picked up the cake and candles.
We ate cake with mom and talked to her about how life is going for us.
*Monday, October 12th, 2021*
*6:00*
I woke up to my alarm feeling better than ever and I followed my schedule like I always do.
I texted my girlfriend,
“Good morning beautiful!!” with a heart emoji at the end.
She replied,
“Good morning!” With the heart eyes emoji.
“What are you wearing today?”
I told her,
“Blue Nike hoodie, blue Nike headband, white air forces, and black Nike sweatpants”
She said,
“Okay”
“I miss you!! How did things go yesterday?”
I replied,
“They went good, I feel better after talking with my mom and I feel happier after telling her how things are going. that I have an amazing girlfriend!!”
She replied with a smiley face emoji and she said, “that’s good, I am gonna go get dressed okay. I love you and I will see you later”
I replied,
“I love you too!!” With a kiss emoji at the end.
I went to school after I ate and had a normal school day.
I hung out with my girlfriend and our friends like always. That new guy Kevin stayed away from us after I had punched him in the face.
-Kierra's point of view-
We went to school and had a good day but Cameron was being clingy, not that I don't like her being clingy but she was more clingy than normal. I don't know if she is okay.
My head flooded with reasons as to why she would be like this. It's not that serious but maybe I should check on her.
After school, we were walking out of the double doors of the school and I pulled her to the side.
Hey, are you okay? I asked her.
She replied,
“Yeah, I'm okay. Why?”
I told her, “Well I just want to make sure. I love and care about you and I know last week has been a little bit crazy with your birthday and your sister coming home so I wanted to check up on you to make sure you are okay.”
She said,
“I love you too and I know you care, I have been a little tense and feeling low because a lot was happening but I have you and my sister, and you guys have been there for me. I appreciate it a lot and after talking to my mom I have been better, knowing that I can still talk to her makes me feel better, and I know I have been a little clingy lately but I just have things going good right now and I guess I was trying to hide that I was hurting from you but now you know and I'm okay so it's nothing serious. I just don't want to lose you. I feel like we haven't spent much time together. I was pushing you away from me, not only you but everyone else and you're the most important thing to me right now. Our relationship is important and I don't want to lose you. I tried to hang out with you more today.”
I replied,
“Okay well I love you and you're not going to lose me okay!” I kissed her and I hugged her tight, letting her know I was here for her.
We spent the rest of the day together and went to the football game with our friends to watch Donnie and Kameron play.
-Back to Cameron-
We spent the day together and after talking to her everything was back to normal.
We watched Donnie and Kameron play against the Beltron Tigers.
We won 28-14.
The next couple of days were normal and we all hung out on the weekends and I took Kierra on a couple of dates. I owed her at least that. I owe her my life, she is my everything and she's the love of my life. I'm very thankful for her.
