Just You (Camilo Madrigal)

Chapter 7: Past Tensions

"Abuelo" you muttered

"What are you doing here!" he shouted, visibly angry. He'd probably be foaming at the mouth if there weren't a lot of people around

But clearly it wouldn't stop him from publicly scolding me. The music was loud but the people around us began to watch from afar

"Abuelo I-"

"I told you, you were not come to this party and what did you do? I gave you an answer and you disobeyed me" he yelled

My eyes began to swell with tears and I tilted my head down a bit.

Camilo, still by my side, looked sympathetically at me. Wanting to reach out, but kept to himself to not make things worse

"Look up at me!" Abuelo said firmly

I kept my head down and began to sob uncontrollably, but tried my best to keep it quiet

"Argh!" Abuelo shouted. He grabbed my chin and forced me to look up. Tears flung out of my eyes as I let out a little whimper

Camilo looked shocked

"You're in big trouble when we get home. Get your ass out right now" he yelled, pointing to the door

"Abuelo please" I said, my voice shaking from the crying.

"It was just tonight, I had a lot of fun. I met lots of new people. Maybe you should come to town more often too. Don't be mad because I've had more fun in one night than on your stupid little far-"

*Slap*

Camilo and the people around us gasped. The chatter began to grow loud as more people watched

Abuelo hit me and I dropped to one knee, holding my right cheek. The sting began to pain me more and it felt like it was spreading. It probably left a mark

Abuelo stood. Some people in the crowd yelled from afar. He looked like he was getting ready to hit me again

"STOP THAT" Camilo said to Abuelo as he stepped in, helping me up and trying to look at the damage done

"How bout you mind your business boy" Abuelo snapped at Camilo

I glanced to Camilo, my facial expression telling him I'll be ok. He backed down a little bit before Abuela walked back in the room

"What is going on over here" Abuela said as she stormed in with an angry expression

"Who's fighting"

As Abuela came, she looked at my Abuelo with a shocked face. She noticed me holding my cheek and Camilo with me

"Emmanuel" she said aloud but quietly, locking eyes with my Abuelo

"Alma" my Abuelo replied. He sounded like he was struck with fear.

Abuela Alma was visibly getting angry.

Julieta also came over. Hearing a fight, she knew to bring some food with her. She saw me holding my cheek and bent down.

"Here, eat this" she told me, handing me buñuelos. I ate and began to feel better, but the emotional damage and embarrassment had been done. Nothing could fix it.

"What happened" Julieta said before she looked up, answering her own question. She too looked shocked, but remained quiet

"How dare you come to this house" Alma shouted at him. Me and Camilo looked at each other confused

People were definitely watching now and the crowd began to grow. I could see Pepa in the distance telling Antonio and Dolores something. Dolores nodded and took Antonio to another part of his room. She probably told him to not worry about what was going on over here. Looked like she told Dolores to take him somewhere else