Chapter 4

Camilo

The girl's eyes went huge.

"What?" she screamed, sounding shocked.

"I said, it's 1951," I repeated, "Also, please don't scream again."

Was she messing with me?

She sat up.

"You've got to be kidding me," she said. Her eyes were two different colors: one forest green, the other gold. Freckles covered her skin, something I hadn't noticed before, since they looked so light against her tan skin.

Right now, she looked ready to cry.

"Are you okay?" I asked her. She nodded. Then shook her head.

"This is a dream right?" She whispered, "Th-this is a dream. I-I-I-I'm at home, I just fell asleep, and I'm dreaming."

"Trust me, you're not asleep. I'm as real as you are," I said. I wished there was something I could do to help...

"I know that... I just... hoped it was a dream for a second," she whispered. She wrapped her arms around her knees.

"Hey, it'll be fine," I said, "we'll get you home soon, okay?"

"I don't know if you'll be able to," she whispered. A single tear slid down her cheek. I felt horrible, watching her cry.

I sat down next to her. She was quiet for a while.

"So, what's your name?" I asked, trying to fill in the silence.

"Shayla," She said quietly.

SHAYLA?!

I tried to contain my surprise. It could just be a coincidence. After all, there isn't just one Shayla in the world, just like there are many people named Camilo.

"Well, um, I'm Camilo," I told her. Shayla simply nodded. She swung her legs, which weren't long enough to reach the floor on the tall bed she was sitting on.

There was a knock on the door.

"Should I...?" I asked Shayla. She nodded. I went up to the door, and Luisa, Mirabel, Isabela and Dolores came in.

"Oh wow that's a tall woman," Shayla muttered when she saw Luisa. I tried really hard not to laugh, but I still felt my lips smile. Dolores must've heard her too, since she smiled.

"Oh, right," I said, remembering Shayla didn't know my family yet, "These are Isabela, Mirabel, Luisa and Dolores," I pointed at each one of them as I said their names, "Cousins and sister, this is Shayla."

Mirabel made a high-pitched sound in her throat, but then covered it up with a cough.

"Hi," said Shayla.

"Hello! We thought we could help you get settled in!" Dolores said, "You know, get you someplace to sleep--"

"And get you new clothes," Isabela interrupted. Shayla's cheeks went as pink as her hair.

"What? Why?" she said. She looked down at her tattered clothes and made a silent Oh.

"Let's go!" Isabella took Shayla's hand, ignoring her protests, and led her down the hallway. Luisa and Dolores followed, but Mirabel lingered behind. She slowly walked to the hallway, and I followed.

She suddenly turned to face me. She opened her mouth to speak, but I cut her off.

"I know what you're thinking," I told her, "And just because her name is Shayla, it doesn't mean she's the owner of the door."

"But what if she is?" Mirabel argued.

"Escucha," Listen, I said, "don't think she's something that she's probably not."

I knew what it felt like to have everyone expecting you to be one way, or to feel like being yourself just might not be enough.

Mirabel considered my suggestion.

"Okay, you're right," she said. Then, she went to catch up with the others, leaving me alone.

After Mirabel left, I stood at the top of the stairs, thinking.

"What are you thinking about?" said a deep voice, interrupting the silence. A warm feeling bubbled up in my stomach, and before I could stop it, I shapeshifted into many different people, one after the other.

"Oh, hey Tío Bruno," I said, after I'd become myself again, "'You scared me."

Bruno laughed.

"I have that effect on people," he said, "So," he stood next to me, "What were you thinking about, before..."

"Nothing, really," I said, even though it wasn't the truth. But then again, I don't think anyone would want to hear about any of my problems.
But what if he can help? my brain told me.
Shut up, I told my brain. My brain still kept thinking things I didn't want to think about. Inconsiderate brain.
"Well, then," Bruno said, eyeing me carefully, "Julieta says it's time for dinner, just so you know."
And with that, he left.