Point of View: Miranda

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As Gordo and Lizzie both selected where they were going to eat, I wandered this place called the Promenade.

I found a small walk-up Mexican restaurant, and thought that it would be perfect for my tastes. I stood in line behind a boy that looked about my age or younger with blonde hair.

As I stood there, I noticed that he was nervously looking from side to side, almost as if he was avoiding someone. Another person came up to the line, and he turned his head, as if he did not want that person to see them.

However, his efforts did not work, and he saw him anyways.

"Simon Camden. How are you? Is your dad here?"

Simon turned around, and looked to the ground.

"Hi. I've been better, and my dad is not here."

Whoever he was talking to was satisfied at this answer, and walked away.

I looked at him inquisitively, but he did not notice.

He saw someone in the distance, and pretended to bury his head in a menu.

"What are you doing?" I asked him, almost laughing at the sight of him, trying to hide himself behind the menu.

"I knew that I should not have come here," he whispered.

"Why?" I whispered too, playing along with this stranger.

"Someone is bound to see me here."

"Why does that matter?"

"I was hoping to get away, for a day or two."

I looked in the distance at was he was looking at, and I saw light brown haired young woman, scanning the crowds.

"My sister, Lucy. I hate this, having six siblings."

"Are they looking for you?"

"Probably."

Simon walked up to pick up his food.

"Do you want you hear my story?"

"Sure. I need to get my food first."

"It's a long story."

I looked over to Lizzie and Gordo who were in a shop.

"I've got time."

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"Wow. This is really confusing. So, let me get this straight. Mary is MARRIED to Carlos? And they are having a baby?"

"Yeah. Weird, huh?"

Still confused, I asked him, "Would you name your brothers and sisters, oldest to youngest?"

"First there is Matt-"

"Who is married to Sarah, and they are in medical school?"

"Right, and then Mary, who we have already talked about, and Lucy-"

"She is studying to become a minister, and is married to Kevin, the police officer."

"Yeah, and then there is me, and Ruthie."

"Ruthie is...the spunky one? With her little boyfriend Peter?"

"Yeah, right again. And then the twins, Sam and David."

I widened my eyes, and said, "I feel like I just completed a college course."

He nodded, "Camden 101. What is your story?"

"I don't really have a STORY per say. Just part of an inseperable trio that lasted all throughout school. My two amigos are, like, destined to become soul-mates, but they don't know it yet. Not interesting stuff," I replied.

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

"No...Do you?"

"No, I do not have a boyfriend."

We both laughed.

"I know that, I meant girlfriend."

"Yeah, but I don't know what is going on with her."

We both smiled and looked into each other's eyes. Lizzie soon walked up and sat down beside me.

"Are you ready to go?" she asked me.

"No."

She sighed, exasperated, and walked back to sit with Gordo.

"Is that your friend?"

"Yeah. You never told me why you are running away from all of this."

Simon sighed, and began to talk.

"At the beginning of summer, I hit a kid with my car. He died, and I have never been able to forgive myself. I know that it is in no way my fault, and it was an unpreventable accident, but...I just want to leave Glen Oak...forever."

"Wow...I don't know what to say."

He sighed, and I felt bad for asking him to disclose this information.

"Nobody does, especially my family."

"Listen Simon, I know that I do not really know that much about your history, but...maybe it would be a good idea to go back to your family."

"I know."

I looked back at Lizzie and Gordo, who were anxiously waiting to leave.

"Listen, I think I have to leave now, but if you ever want to talk, here is my cell number."

I wrote down my number on a napkin, and handed it to him.

"Thanks," he said, and wrapped me into a hug.

"Good luck."