Chapter — Camila's POV
It was Friday morning and I'd had the whole week to plan this. Anthony had been talking about his secret spot by the river for days it was where he wanted to take me that day but couldn't , and I wanted to surprise him first by making a day of it—with all of us.
When Anthony pulled up after school, I slipped into his car, clutching my backpack and excitement.
"I was thinking," I said casually, "how come you've never really hung out with my friends before? Like properly?"
He shrugged, glancing at me as he pulled out of the school lot. "I don't know. I figured I'd meet them when you were ready."
"Well," I smiled. "Get ready. You're meeting them ."
He gave me a side look. "Should I be scared?"
"A little," I teased. "Tyler has a thing for evaluating people with weird questions."
Tyler motorcycle guy?
okay. Where we going?
I pulled out my phone and waved it. "I got snacks, Bluetooth speakers, blankets, and the weather is perfect. You just have to drive."
Riverside Hangout
Tyler had already spread out the blankets, music buzzing low and steady. Julia sat next to him, sunglasses shielding her expression, but I could tell she was a little off. Antwan arrived just after us, two milkshakes in hand, handing mine over with a quick hung .
I introduced Athony to everyone formally, even though he'd already known of them—and vice versa. They kept it civil. Mostly. It was good. Until it wasn't.
Because that's when Lana showed up.
She sauntered down the trail, perfectly windblown as usual, waving like she hadn't just shattered the vibe.
"Hey, Antwan," she said sweetly, ignoring the rest of us. "I hate to interrupt, but I really need a huge favor."
Antwan blinked. "Uh—what's up?"
Julia stiffened.
Lana launched into her explanation about a family emergency and needing help moving something, and of course, Antwan—being Antwan—agreed.
Julia looked away, jaw tight. Tyler watched her like he was ready to say something, but didn't. Antwan promised to return soon and walked off with Lana, just like that.
Camila and Anthony pov
I caught Anthony's hand. "Now's our chance."
He looked confused until I pointed toward the trail beyond the bend. "Your secret spot?"
His eyes lit up. "You remembered."
We slipped away, giggling like kids escaping detention. The path was overgrown, but manageable. When we finally reached it, the world fell quiet.
The river shimmered gold beneath the falling sun. A broken dock jutted out, crooked but charming. Flowers peeked from the brush and fireflies had already begun to spark.
"Anthony…" I breathed.
"I wanted you to see it," he said. "Before anyone else ever does."
He pulled me close, his hands warm on my waist, and kissed me like he'd been waiting all day. And maybe he had.
Julia and Tyler's pov
Back at the blanket, Julia was still staring at where Antwan had walked off.
Tyler leaned back, arms behind his head, like he didn't have a care. "You gonna let Lana steal every guy you like or just the good ones?"
Julia glared. "Not funny."
He looked at her then, really looked at her. "I'm not joking."
Silence stretched.
"You always liked him," Tyler said softly. "I get it. But when you were at my house. And I gave your head I wasn't just some storm-induced mistake."
Julia looked away.
"I don't want you to pretend this didn't happen," he continued. "If you pick him, I'll deal. But I'm not disappearing."
"Tyler…"
He leaned in, brushing hair behind her ear. "You can figure out your heart. But I'm not going anywhere. Even if I have to share you a little—I'd rather have part of you than none."
Before she could stop him, he kissed her. Soft. Warm. Patient. And she didn't pull away.
Just then antwan was rushing back he saw how Tyler sat close to Julia and hated it it left a bitter taste in his mouth that when he saw it Julia straddling Tyler and kissing him his hands steady on her waits his heart fell . He knew something had happened
Between them the night of the storm and that punch to the gut only confirmed it even tho he had pored out his heart to her
She hadn't even responded what was good about Tyler he had ok graded treated girls like they were trash and he made the worst jokes
Known to man or animal
But if he was who she wanted
There was nothing he could do we decided to go home