Hi. I'm Camille. I live in a small corner of a desert, basically. It's weird - I've never left. I was born here, and I'll die here. I'm 12, and I've never been to school before. Or OUT. I've never stepped foot out of my house. I didn't need to. I'm curious though - about outside. I've never seen the sun, or the sky. There's no windows in my house either. It's so strange - I've only brought up leaving three times - Whenever I did my parents got very serious and angry. They told me to never leave... because it's not safe outside, and people will try to hurt me. It doesn't make sense - people sound lovely whenever I read about them.

I'll ask them again soon. Very soon! They can't keep me locked up forever.

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"Can I go outside? Just for a minute?" I asked my parents the next afternoon. "NO." my mother said sternly. "Never. Never ever," she continued. "Camille, it's dangerous. it's unsafe." I sighed. Figures. "What's so bad about it!?" my mom sighed too and rubbed her forehead. "Huma-people. People are bad." I rolled my eyes. "How!? I'm not! You're not!" My dad took a step toward me and crouched down so he was at eye level. "We're different."

"Then we can change the world!" I exclaimed. "No! It's too dangerous!" This was the fourth time I asked. They should let me soon! "Why!?" My mom sighed again. "Camille- it's too dangerous and risky." Risky. That's what they always say. "What's the point of never doing anything!? Sometimes risk is what gets you places." My dad stood up. "SOMETIMES! We are not going to take 'Sometimes.' It's. Too. Risky. Case closed, Camille."

"Fine." I said. "I won't go." My mom smiled. "Thank you." She said. She walked by me on her way upstairs. My dad bent over and rested his arm on his leg. "Good." He said slowly. I smiled. "I'll change the world from here." He rolled his eyes. "As long as you NEVER," He paused as he stood up. "leave this house." I swallowed and nodded. I turned and went upstairs. As if they could keep me in any longer. "I'm leaving tonight.." I whispered to myself. I was restless that night, waiting for midnight. I looked at my clock. 11:45. Good enough, I was desperate to get out of here.

I grabbed my bag that I had packed earlier that night, slipped my shoes on, and tiptoed out of the house. "I'm sorry," I whispered as I shut the door slowly. I stepped outside and breathed in the fresh air. I started walking, and as I did so, I looked at the sky and gasped. Millions of tiny lights lit up the earth. "Suns..." I breathed. "Stars, actually." I heard behind me. I turned around. Someone stood behind me, and i stepped back cautious of what my parents told me. The person laughed. "Don't worry, I only bite on Fridays." I stepped back. "Tomorrow's Friday!" I said putting my hands up.

He laughed again. "Isaac," he said putting his hand out. "Camille.." I answered uncertainly. He smiled. "Did you just move here? I've never seen you around." I shook my head. "No, I was born here I just never left my house. Ever!" He laughed again. What's so funny? "You have a good sense of humor," He said. "Thanks?" I said questioningly. I didn't make any jokes, but okay. "Are you going to start coming to the school near here?" He asked. "No," I replied. "I've never been to a school." He looked surprised as he started walking. I followed him. "You're homeschooled?" I shook my head again.

"Nope." He stared at me. "5 times 5." I laughed. "25." He looked startled. "Okay for real, what school are you going to?" I looked at him for a minute before answering. "None. By the way, 5 times 5 is so easy." He smiled and looked down. "Yeah, I know.. How did you know the answer if you've never been to a school?" I shrugged. "Books." He sighed and looked at the sky. "How did you learn to read?" I shrugged again. "I taught myself. It's pretty simple." He nodded. "It definitely is," He scratched his ear. "after you actually learn how to read." he laughed. "What are you doing out so late?" I asked.

"Um. Hello?" He said. "You're out here too." I laughed. "I guess I am. I actually snuck out." He looked at me in surprise. "Why?" I shrugged. "My parents would never let me outside if I didn't. I'm coming back tomorrow. Will the suns come back?" Isaac smiled. "Stars," He corrected. "Yes, the stars will come back." I nodded. We'd be walking for a while. "What time is it?" He reached into his pocket and pulled out a black square, clicked a button and it lit up. "I've read about those! Phones?" He nodded. "Yeah. It's 2:15 by the way." "Really!?" I asked. He nodded. "Yep. Later than I thought, we've been walking for two hours."

"I have to go at 5." I said. "Why?" Isaac asked. "I'll get in huge trouble if my parents know I'm gone. They think the world is full of horrible people who want to hurt me." Isaac sighed and looked at the sky. He does that a lot. "Honestly," he said. "It's true." I stepped away from him. "Not everyone," He said quickly. "Just..." He looked at the ground. "Just some people." I nodded slowly as I started walking at the same pace as him again. We kept talking for a while and then it occurred to me I should probably be going back. "What time is it?" I asked. "4:15. If you want to get back before 6 we should go now- And hurry."

I turned and started half run-half walking back the way we came. "Thanks," I said. "For what?" Isaac asked. "Explaining." I said simply. "I'm clueless when it comes to.." I shrugged. "Everything." Isaac snorted. "Sure you are," He said laughing. "sure." I looked at him questioningly. A little while later, we appeared at my house. "Already?" I said. Isaac laughed and nodded. "Yep, time passes fast sometimes." I smiled and waved at him. "meet me here same time tomorrow?" He asked. I nodded and turned around. I heard him start walking past my house and sighed as I slowly turned the doorknob and stepped inside.

I quietly ran upstairs and into my room, I leaped onto my bed. I hadn't realized how exhausted I was until then. My eyes had opened that day, wider then they ever would have before.

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The next morning I slept past nine, and ten, and eleven, finally at twelve my mom had to wake me up. "Wow, you were tired." She said when I opened my eyes. "yeah." I said. "Are you hungry?" I was. Very hungry. "Yeah," I said getting up. As my mom left my room the events of last night came rushing back to me. I sighed happily as I made my way downstairs.

A few minutes later when I was sitting at the table there was a knock on the door. I got up and answered it. "Isaac!" I said, shocked. "Hi." he replied smiling. "Go away!! My parents can't see you!" I whispered. He looked hurt. "It's not me, Isaac! It's my parents." "Who's at the door?" My mom yelled. "Um.." I said. "A..." I stalled, waiting for an answer to pop into my head. "I don't know, I think someone trying to sell us useless stuff. Isaac! I'll see you tonight, you better go." He nodded. "sorry, it was stupid of me to assume I could come." He turned and ran off. "That was close," i said to myself sitting down.

Him coming had made me even more excited for that night. "What were they selling?" my mom asked. "I don't know, i didn't let them try to sell me anything." I answered. Which was true. Kind of. "Alright," My mom said smiling and sitting down with me. "I'm sorry we can't let you go," She said. "It's not safe." I put my spoon down. "Mom, I didn't bring it up, we don't have to talk about it." She sighed. "And it's okay. I know it isn't safe... I understand now, and I won't ask again." She smiled. "Thank you sweetie." She stood up. "I'll see you later," I frowned. "Where are you going?"

"I got a job!" I stood up too. "You're going outside but I can-" I paused. "Sorry. You can take care of yourself. I'm just a kid. And you need a job, as well as Dad." She nodded. "Thank you. Dad's on a business trip, so he won't be back for a few days. I'll be back around 9 tomorrow morning." I blinked. "9!?" She nodded. "It takes 4 hours to get there," She explained. "Okay." I smiled. "What are you so happy about?" She asked. "I'm just... happy." I said. Truth is, I'm happy I get to hang out with Isaac. "Bye mom." I said. She nodded and walked outside. Obviously, I'm going to wait a little while before leaving.

twenty minutes later, I was out the door and running down the street the way Isaac had come the night before. A little while later, I came across a small house. I heard loud voices inside, and quickened my pace. "Camille!" I heard behind me. I turned around expecting to see my mother. It was Isaac. He had come out of the house. "Hi!" I said. "I thought you weren't allowed out?" He asked. I grinned. "I'm not." He tilted his head as he caught up to me. "My mom got a job she's gonna be there til 9 tomorrow morning." He grinned. "and your dad?" I shrugged. "Business trip."

"Cool," Isaac said. "Very cool." I said. "Just... don't get caught okay?" He said. "Why?" I asked. "I'll risk it - I love being outside." He smiled. "Cool." I looked up. "Star!" I exclaimed. Isaac laughed. "The sun. The sun IS a star, but everybody calls it the sun." I looked down, my face burning from embarrassment. "It's okay," He said. "I know.. I'm fine." We kept walking in silence for a few minutes. It was nice. Peaceful. Isaac kept looking at me, as if he didn't understand me. I mean, it would make sense. I've never stepped foot outside. Until last night, of course. And i'm 12. "How old are you?" I asked.

"I turned thirteen last week." He replied. "You?" I nodded. "Cool. I'm twelve." Isaac shrugged. "Being thirteen isn't much different from being twelve," he laughed. "When's your birthday?" I shook my head. "It's so different though! You're older, different! My birthday is February 7th." He nodded. "Cool. You're birthday was earlier this year, then?" I nodded. "Yep." For some reason, I feel something with Isaac. Like... he's the only person I can ever relate to. He's the only one who understands me. I want to say this. I really do, but he'll hate me. He glanced at me for a second. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fine," I said. "Why wouldn't I be?" He shrugged. "I don't know. You just look like you're worried." I smiled. "I'm not worried, I'm Camille." Isaac snorted. "Classic." We kept walking. As we did my curiosity grew. "Who..." I began. "Who was yelling in your house?" Isaac's smile disappeared. "My parents." I looked down. As much as I get annoyed with all the rules, I'd never want my parents to fight. "Sorry." I said. "It's okay." He said quickly. "I don't blame you for asking." He smiled again. "And..." he paused. "And?" I prompted. "Never mind." He said. "It's nothing." I shook my head. "It's not nothing if you want to say it..." I looked down. "Words matter. They have value. I wanna hear it."

"No," Isaac said. "it's nothing." He repeated. "Okay. But.. if you wanna tell me something, you can. It won't change how I view you." He looked down. "Right.." He said. "Of course it won't." I smiled. "By the way, what time is it?" He pulled his phone out. "Four." He said simply. He seemed hurt. "Whatever I said," I started, choosing my words carefully. "Wasn't meant to hurt you." He nodded and smiled. "Of course," He looked at me. "I know. You're not that kind of person. That's why I li-" He stopped. "That's why you're my best friend. You never mean to be rude. You never are." I grinned. "Thanks! You're my best friend, too." Isaac laughed. "That means a lot. Even though you don't know anyone else besides your parents."

"Sorry," I said. He smiled. "It's okay." I slowed my pace. "Even if I knew 100 people you'd be my best friend." Isaac turned to look at me. "Thank you." He said. "You know," He continued. "If you ever know 100 people... You can pick one of them to be your best friend, just because you're my best friend doesn't mean-" I covered his mouth with my hand. "You would be. I promise. Even if I met everybody in the entire universe you would be." Isaac removed my hand and hugged me. I stood there like an idiot. He backed up. "Sorry." He said. His face was bright red. I laughed, and wrapped my arms around him. "It's okay." I said. We kept walking. There was tension between us. But, in a good way. So..

not tension. It was something else, but I couldn't make out what it was. "Can I show you something?" Isaac asked. "Sure." I replied. He grabbed my hand and pulled me left of the sidewalk, across the road, onto another sidewalk. He kept pulling me for a few minutes til we got to a open field of swings, a slide, and monkey bars. "Playground?" I asked. "He dropped my hand and nodded. "I've read about these." He watched me for a few seconds. "You've REALLY never been outside before last night?" I shook my head. "Never." He started walking over to the swings, and sat down. I followed him. "How do I start it?" Isaac laughed and stood up. "Here," He said, pushing my back. "I'll show you."

The swing lifted me into the air, and my hair flew behind me. "Whoo!" Isaac laughed, pushing me harder. My hair flew in my face. Isaac stepped back and let the swing fly. "That's as close to flying you're going to get," He said. "Which is pretty close." He smiled. The swing started slowing. "Push your feet back," he said. "Foward, then back," He instructed. I did as he said, and the swing went higher. "Woah!" I exclaimed. Isaac laughed again. I stopped moving my feet and let the swing slow. "I love this place!" I said. "it always sounded fun, but it's..." I paused looking for the right word. "Amazing." I said. Amazing wasn't half of what it was, but it's as close as I'll get.

Isaac pulled his phone out. "It's only five." He said. "Thanks," I said. "We have time." He nodded. "Plenty of time. And tomorrow night," I laughed. "Isaac its five pm, we have ALL NIGHT before tomorrow night." He nodded. "Oh yeah," he smiled. "Look, Camille-" he began. "OOH!" I exclaimed and ran over to the slide. I climbed the ladder connecting it to the ground and slid down on my feet. "Camille!" Isaac ran over to me, and then started laughing when he saw I was alright. "Just because I've never come outside doesn't mean I'm incapable of things." He looked down. "Kidding," I said, smiling. He smiled back. "You're right - You're not, and I shouldn't assume you are."

"It's okay," I said. "I promise, it's perfectly fine for you to assume that. I probably would too." Isaac nodded. "I know. Also, that was awesome." I tilted my head. "Isn't that how everybody goes down a slide?" Isaac shook his head. I heard footsteps and turned around, to see two girls coming towards us. Issac hid his face in his hood. "Aw," one girl said. "Isaac has a girlfriend!" Isaac's cheeks lit up. "What's so bad about having a girlfriend or boyfriend!?" I exclaimed. "last time I checked, that's a choice, not a curse," The girl stood there in surprise. "and besides," I continued, "I don't see YOU dating anyone." She flipped her hair. "That's because EVERYONE wants to date me." I crossed my arms.

"Well, obviously," I said. "Low prices attract the most customers." The girl stood there stunned. "By the way," I said as she turned to leave with the other girl (who still hadn't spoken) "Isaac's not my boyfriend. He's my best friend, there's a difference." Isaac looked down. The girl curled her bottom lip, making it tremble. "Aw, poor Isaac got friend zoned." Isaac looked up. "Alright, Elizabeth," He said angrily. "I'm HAPPY being her best friend -She's my best friend too! What I WANT is for you to stop bullying me," he finished. "okay." The other girl said. "We'll bully her." Isaac stood taller. "HER has a name. It's Camille. And you will NOT bully her."

The girls stared at him for a second. "Elizabeth?" The other girl said. "Be quiet Katie." Isaac grabbed my hand and stormed off the other way. "That's right, losers! Run away!" I pulled my hand away from Isaac, and stomped over to Elizabeth and Katie. "Shut up!" I yelled, and slapped Elizabeth across the face. "Stop bullying people, words are hurtful. Isaac was not running away, he was being the bigger person. He is NOT a loser. He's my friend! Something you'll never have." I turned and walked back to Isaac, grabbed his hand, and pulled him along to the other side of the street. "Are you oka-" I was cut off by Isaac wrapping his arms around me in a tight hug. "Thank you," he said.

"For what?" He pulled away. "For helping me do what I haven't been able to do for years." I smiled. "Of course." He stared at me without saying anything for a few minutes. "What time is it?" I asked. He looked at his phone. "It's only six," He said. "Okay." He grinned. "Hey," he said. "Have you ever had ice cream?" I shook my head. "Nope." He smiled bigger. "well that changes today!" he grabbed my hand and pulled me about a half mile down the road, to a small square-ish building. He ran up to a window, and lady was inside the building. "Hi! What can I get for you today?" She asked. "Can I get two medium vanillas?" He asked. The lady nodded and disappeared. "You're gonna love it!"

A few seconds later she appeared handing both ice creams to Isaac. He came over to me and handed me one. "What do I do with it?" I asked. "You smash it on your head like a unicorn." He replied. I pulled my arm away from my face, about to smash my face with the ice cream but Isaac laughed and said, "I'm kidding. You eat it." I stuck my whole mouth around the ice cream, devouring half the ice cream part. "You lick it, don't eat it too fast or-" I clutched my head. "Ow!" He laughed. "Or you'll get a brain freeze." I gasped. "MY BRAIN WILL FREEZE!?" Isaac shook his head. "No, it just makes your head really cold for a few seconds." I nodded, eating the other half of the ice cream, leaving a flat

layer of ice cream. "Wow." Isaac said. I smiled. "what do I do with this?" I asked. "Eat it, too." I bit into the cone, expecting it to be soft, but it was hard. I stuffed the whole cone in my mouth. "Don't choke." Isaac said laughing. He's done that a lot. I guess i'm funny. "Wow you're slow." I teased, looking at his half eaten ice cream. "I guess I am." He handed me a napkin, and I wiped my face on it, and then my hands. "Thank you so much!" I said grinning. "You still have ice cream on your face." He reached over the table with his napkin, and wiped it off my cheek. He checked the time. "Eight. We better head back." He tossed the remains of his ice cream in the garbage, wiped his face and hands,

and started walking back the way we came. "Where?" I asked. "My house. My parents will get worried." I took his hand and smiled at him when he looked at me with a startled look on his face. "Thanks for today. It's been awesome so far." He smiled back at me. "You're welcome."

About an hour later, we appeared at his house. He quickly dropped my hand. "My parents will be mad if they see us holding hands." He explained, opening the door. Understandable. My parents will be mad if I do anything other than sleep and eat. "I'm home! I hope it's okay if I have a friend over." Isaac called. His mom burst into the

"Of course sweetie!" She said. "Are you alright?" He nodded. "I'm Camille." His mom looked at me, smiled and nodded. "I'm Isaac's mother, Carla." She reached her hand out towards me, and shook my hand. "Great to meet you." She said, still smiling. "It would be great to meet me, I'm pretty dope." I replied. Isaac snorted. "It's nice to meet you too," I said smiling.

Isaac and I started walking to his room. "By the way my parents can be a lot to take on sometimes. Ignore them." I nodded. "okay."

A few hours later, Isaac and I left again.

"Hey, I'll meet you outside. I want to tell my mom we're leaving." I nodded. "OK." I stepped outside and sat down on the stairs, closing the door. "Mom," I heard from inside. "mom, we have to make this quick Camille's waiting for me." "What is it?" His mom asked. "We're leaving again, but mom." He replied. "Yes?" "I like Camille," He said. I heard his mom laugh. "Aw sweetie," I could hear the aggravation in his voice. "But I don't know what to do!" He exclaimed. "I like her, but what if she doesn't like me back?" His mom sighed loudly. (I mean it has to be pretty loud if I can hear it outside.) "She does, honey. I can tell." I ran over to the dirt and started tracing my finger through it.

The door opened, and Isaac stepped outside. "Ready?" He said. I stood up. "Yep!" He watched me as I brushed the sand over my drawing and stood up. "Camille I..." I turned and smiled at him. "I like you too, Isaac." He looked down his face burning red. "Playground?" I asked grabbing his hand. "He looked up, and nodded. "Playground. We walked over to the playground again, and guess who was there! Elizabeth and Katie. "Aw look who's back!" Katie said. A few seconds later fear struck her face. "Don't slap me!" She said covering her face. I dropped Isaac's hand. "Sorry about that, I just don't like when people make fun of my friend." Katie tilted her head. "Thought you were best friends?"

"Whoops," I said as i turned and smiled at Isaac. "Did I say friend?" I said to Elizabeth. "Yeah, weirdo, you did." She rolled her eyes. "I meant boyfriend." I said. Katie looked shocked, and Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Called it." She said. "Since when!?" I shrugged. "Since ten minutes ago when Isaac said he likes me." Elizabeth laughed and rolled her eyes. "You?" She said. I nodded. "You and Isaac are perfect for each other! You're annoying, and you're just plain stupid." She said pointing at us. "You can be annoying, and you won't even realize because of how stupid you are." I sighed and rolled my eyes. "I don't see you with anyone besides your annoying yappy dog." I covered my mouth and nose.

"Isaac we have to get out of here! I'm allergic to rude!" Elizabeth rolled her eyes and got up from the slide, and stormed off the playground. "You don't want to make her mad." Katie said standing up. "Too late, she's already crazy." Katie giggled. "Good one. Gotta go," she ran back to Elizbeth. The second they were out of earshot I turned to Isaac and laughed. "They're so stu-" I got cut of by Isaac grabbing me by my arms and kissing me. A second later he stepped back from me smiling. "Stupid. Yes they are." He said laughing. He sat down on the woodchips and patted the ground next to him. I sat down too, still at a loss for words. Isaac looked at me. "sorry," He said.

"Kissing you," He replied. "No! It's fine, it's okay. I'm not angry or upset. I'm just surprised." He turned his body so he was facing me. "Surprised? Why?" I turned too. "That someone likes me. It always seemed unreal. Honestly, all of this feels so unreal." Isaac stared at me. "Camille, how is any of this unreal? Feel it, the ground, the slide, the emotions. They're all REAL." I nodded. "I know. It feels like a dream. A dream that I'll never wake up from." I looked down. "You know if my parents find out about this they will literally lock me in my room like Rapunzel. Can't climb up my hair though, there's not a single window in my house." Isaac stood up and brushed his shirt off.

"Good thing they wont find out." He said grabbing my hand and pulling me up. I smiled. "Of course they won't. What time is it?" He pulled his phone out. "half past midnight." He replied. "Plenty of time to hang out." I said. "Yup." Isaac replied. My hair suddenly whipped out behind me, from a sudden gush of wind, and a blue portal appeared. "What's that?" Isaac asked. "A portal. I've read all about them! Let's go!" I grabbed his hand and leaped into the portal before either of us had a chance to think about it.

(Author note: *Cue teleportation music*)