The Red String

Chapter 2. Unexpected Help

Camila started sobbing again, and both Dinah and her mother embraced her, feeling deeply sorry for her. Milika's daughter sighed, well aware of the strained relationship between Camila and her dad, and even though Camila didn't say much, she knew the situation hurt her. The blonde had heard Camila cry several times as she clung to her neck, wishing she could just be like everyone else and date some random guy. For Dinah, it was heartbreaking to know that she still shed tears over it even after all this time.

As Camila started telling everything that happened in between sobs, Milika decided to check on the girls, leaving the two alone in the kitchen after hearing about how Alejandro had just walked away without remorse and left both of his daughters with nothing. Dinah and Camila loved each other like sisters, and Camila was likely going to need Dinah's support now more than ever. Milika watched Regina and Sofia sitting at a table before walking over to the phone, her thoughts centered on Camila and her sister. There was an important call she needed to make to her husband.

"Calm down, Chancho," Dinah whispered, kissing her cheek. "You are strong and you're going to get through this. You've always been the one in charge, so your dad would be useless either way."

"I'll have to drop college," Camila stated painfully, and Dinah shook her head. "I can't just work part-time. I'll need all the money I can get to make sure Sofi has everything she needs."

"You can't do that," Dinah objected with a sigh. "What about your scholarship and med school?"

"Right now, my priority is to find a place and have enough money to cover all the expenses," she said with a somber look.

"But if you give up your studies now, you won't be able to give your sister everything she needs," Dinah pointed out. Suddenly, she locked eyes with her friend, remembering a conversation they had almost two weeks ago, something Camila had brushed off because she was too busy reading a book. "Have you thought about what I told you?"

"About what?"

"The ad I saw at NYU about Narciso Rodriguez looking for models," Dinah said.

Camila sniffed, her forehead creasing. "Who?"

"The designer," Dinah clarified. "I want to go to the casting, even though I haven't talked to my mom about it yet... We could go and check it out, maybe we'll get hired. I heard they pay well, and my mom might be okay with it if we go together. You know I've always wanted to be a model, the business world isn't really my thing."

"Dinah, I'm not exactly model material." Camila rolled her eyes and looked away. "I'm gay and I don't have what it takes for that type of job."

"Come on, you're gorgeous, Mila," Dinah said softly. "And it doesn't matter if you're into men or women when you've got a booty that many would love to see in a swimsuit."

Camila stared at her friend in astonishment but shook her head again.

"Just think about all the sexy women you'd run into," Dinah added with a smirk. "I mean, considering you're lonelier than a mushroom, it would be the perfect chance to find love."

"I don't have time to think about that, Dinah." Camila said. "My dad just left, and I don't even have money to go to the grocery store and get Sofi something for dinner."

"Camila, I'm your best friend and my family owns a restaurant," Dinah stated matter-of-factly. "I'd never let you starve."

"It's not that simple, Dinah," Camila whispered. "I need to do what's best for Sofi and I can't just waste my time looking for jobs I know I'll never be able to get."

"But we can give it a shot," Dinah suggested. "Just to check it out, Mila. If you don't like it, we can leave and find something else."

"I'll need a place to stay..." Camila lowered her head, and Dinah gently lifted her chin.