Chapter EighteenKami
I didn’t want to go to school. In fact, I never wanted to set foot inside that building ever again. Call me a coward, call me insecure, tell me to toughen up, but when everything around you starts to feel like a threat… This was the first time I understood what it truly feels like to bebullied.
Stuff like this had always been so foreign to me. I’d never understood how kids could kill themselves. I’d never truly believed it until I started to feel like anxiety was chewing me up inside. It made me want to run away, just escape everything. I didn’t feel safe. And Danny was the one behind it all. I was sure of it.
Mom came to wake me up. Not that she needed to—I was already at my desk drawing, in such a trance that I hadn’t noticed what I was sketching, really.
“I’m going to take you to school today,” she said. She was already dressed, and my little brother was holding her hand.
“No need,” I said, thinking what a terrible idea it was.
“It’s time for me to talk to the principal.”
“Absolutely not!” I exclaimed. “Mom, you have to stay out of this!”
“Oh, I have to stay out of it? I’m supposed to just let people bully both my children? Are you aware of what’s been happening to Cameron?”
I looked at Cam. He was groggy—the poor thing hated having to get up early.
“Of course I know. They called you and Dad to tell you about it, and you didn’t even bother to come in. That’s why they called me instead.”
“How could you not tell me?”
“Why? It’s not like you would have done anything.”
“Of course I would have!”
I shook my head. “Your besties’ little golden boy Danny Walker is the one behind it. If there’s anyone you should be talking to, it’s them.”
“You’re telling me Danny Walker is harassing youandencouraging kids to beat up your little brother?”
“Cameron, you tell her,” I said. “Tell her who’s hitting you.”
He blinked. He was so scared he could barely get a word out. “I can’t.”
My mother seemed unable to believe what she was hearing. “What do you mean you can’t? You better tell me right now!” she shrieked.
“What’s all this shouting?” my grandmother asked from the hallway. She was still in her bathrobe and matching silk pajamas.
“Mom just found out that both her kids are getting harassed at school,” I said flatly, although deep down I still didn’t see myself as a victim. Where had all my strength gone? I’d always considered myself to be so confident. Until Danny and I broke up, at least. That was where everything had gone wrong. How had I been so blind not to realize he was the one behind it? He’d told me loud and clear! He’d enjoy watching me fall, although he’d never been specific.
“Cameron too?” my grandmother asked indignantly. “Anne, why haven’t you done something?”
“What do you think I’m trying to do? I was on my way to the principal’s office!”
“Mom, this isn’t something you can solve by going to the principal!”
Just when my mother was about to protest, the doorbell rang. “Who could that be?” Grandma exclaimed, marching downstairs.
“Kamila, get your things and get in the car,” Mom ordered me. “I’m not going to say it twice.”
I didn’t really have an option anyway. Outside, snow still covered the ground, and there was no way I would make it on my bike. I could try to hitch a ride with the Di Biancos, but the way things were with Thiago, even walking would be better.
“Kamila, you’ve got a friend here!” my grandmother shouted.
As I made it down the final step, I saw Julian had two to-go cups of coffee in his hands. Part of me felt relieved.
“I thought you could use a friend today,” he said with a sweet smile, and I couldn’t help smiling back as I invited him in.
