Chapter 23

It's been a week since Lauren had left for Carrollton and everyday, Camila missed her girlfriend's presence. Sure, they hung out after school, but they'd only have a few hours and Camila wanted more time.

Since Lauren left, Camila went back to being her quiet self. Not talking unless needed and she went back to playing her emotions out on the piano in the music room.

"Mila, this is not healthy," Dinah said.

"Funny, that's what Lauren said," Camila said as she picked on her food.

"You're acting as if you two broke up," Dinah pointed out.

"I miss her."

"I know you do but acting this way when she's gone is not good. Besides, weren't you the one who encouraged her to go in the first place?"

"Don't remind me. I regret I ever said that," Camila said as she buried her head in her hands, "I just... I don't want to keep her from anything. So I let her go."

"You're an idiot," Dinah said.

"So I have heard," Camila said. Camila stood up as she excused herself. She walked out of the cafeteria.

~

Days, weeks passed by and Camila could feel the strain in their relationship. Lauren was busy with school while Camila was busy with her school work. Since Lauren had joined the softball team again, they rarely have time. Their relationship consisted of a few texts and calls every now and then. Camila missed her desperately. The thought of her drifting away from that dark haired green eyed girl she loved with her entire being scared her.

"Hey beautiful," Lauren said on the other line as she answered the phone.

"Hi," Camila said. She felt a lump in her throat as her voice cracked.

"Camz, what's wrong?"

"Nothing-"

"You don't have to lie to me, Camz," Lauren said, "What's wrong?"

"I missed you. I missed your voice. Your touch. Your eyes. I missed you. And knowing that I... That I can't see you, kinda hurts," Camila said.

"I miss you too, Camz. So much," she said.

"But?"

"But now's not a good time," Lauren said.

"When is, Lauren? When's a good time for you?"

"Listen, Camila-"

"No, Lauren, you listen," Camila cut her off, "I'm trying. I'm trying so hard to make this work but I can't be the only person trying. You have to meet me halfway," Camila said.

"I know," Lauren said, her voice betraying her.

"Then why are you pulling away?"

"There's... There's somethings I have to take care of first. I'm fine but I have to do this alone. I'm sorry," Lauren said.

"Lauren-"

"I love you, Camz," she said, "So much."

"I love you too, Lolo," Camila said as a teardrop fell. Then the line went dead.

~

"Camila?"

"Huh?" Camila asked as she looked away from the window. She looked around and everyone in the class was looking at her. Camila looked up and saw Miss Lovato looking at her.

"Could you see me after class?"

Camila nodded.

After class, Camila stood up and walked towards her English teacher's desk.

"You wanted to see me?"

"Yes. I was wondering how you were," the teacher asked.

"Fine," Camila said with a shrug and a confused frown.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah?"

"Take a seat, Camila," the teacher said. Camila took a seat across the table as Miss Lovato stood up from her desk and leaned against it.

"I've looked at your grades and it looks like you're not. You were a straight A student and now you're getting Bs and Cs. Is everything alright?" Miss Lovato asked the brunette.

Camila looked away. She looked at her hands as she started playing with her fingers nervously.

"It's okay, Camila. You know you can tell me anything."

"I miss her," Camila said quietly.

"I know you do. But from what I heard, Lauren has been doing really well in her school. And it's all because of you and for you."

"I didn't want her to go."

"Camila, I know you love her but moping around isn't helping. Haven't you heard of the phrase... Absence makes the heart grow fonder?"

"You might be away but you're still with her," Miss Lovato said.

"And you can't let that affect your work. Understood?"

Camila nodded.

"What should I do?"

"That's up to you, Camila."

"Thank you."

Miss Lovato gave her a small smile.

"Alright, go get some lunch."

Camila stood up and left the class.

~

Camila's phone buzzed.

"Hello?" she said as she answered the phone.

"Hey beautiful."

"Hey you," Camila said.

"Um, where are you? It's so loud," Lauren said at the other line.

"Cafeteria. It's lunch, in case you forgot," she said.

"Are you alone?"

"No. I'm with Dinah but she's getting some food right now. She'll be back though," Camila said.

"Why are you calling me now? Usually you'd wait until after school," Camila asked.

"I won't be able to call you or text you in the next few days."

"Why?"

"Something came up."

"Lauren-"

"I gotta go. I love you," she said before hanging up. Camila brought the phone down from her ear, confused.

"Was that Lauren?" Dinah asked.

"Yeah."

"What's wrong?" asked the tall Polynesian.

"Something's wrong. She's being... Distant. It's like when we first met."

"I'm sure she has a good reason."

"Me too."

~

Almost a month went by and Camila hadn't heard from her girlfriend. She wasn't sure if she should call Lauren that. She took Miss Lovato's advice and channelled all her energy into her school work. In no time, Camila raised her grades up and she was the top of the class again but she was lonely. Her heart ached for her girlfriend. She missed her with every fibre in her body.

Prom was coming up. Usually, Camila would stay home and have a movie marathon by herself. But it was her senior prom. Her last dance in the school and she only wanted to spend it with the girl she loved but she couldn't reach her.

Camila was sitting in the cafeteria alone, picking at her food when her phone buzzed. Her heart almost leaped out of her chest when she saw Lauren's name popped up.

"Lauren?!"

"Hi Camz," Lauren said in the other line. Tears welled up Camila's eyes as her smile widened.

"I missed your voice," Lauren said. Camila's smile faded when she heard how different Lauren sounded.

"Lauren, is everything alright?"

"Where are you?" Lauren asked instead.

"The cafeteria. Lauren, what's wrong?"

"Are you alone? Is Dinah with you?"

"Yeah, I'm alone. Lauren, you're scaring me," Camila said as her heartbeat quickened.

"You're so beautiful," Lauren said.

Camila frowned, "What?"

"Turn around," Lauren said. Camila turned around and she almost dropped her phone. By the double doors of the cafeteria, stood her girlfriend, Lauren Jauregui. She wore a black tank top with dark blue ripped, high waisted, skinny jeans with black heeled leather boots and her signature black leather jacket. Camila met her gaze as tears welled up in her eyes.

Camila ran towards her girlfriend and hugged her tightly. Her arms wrapped around Lauren's neck and her legs were wrapped around Lauren's waist. Lauren wrapped her arms around Camila as she hugged her back tightly.

"I missed you so much," Camila said.

"I missed you too, Camz," Lauren said.

Camila jumped down as she pulled away from the hug. She watched as Lauren's face softened. Lauren cupped Camila's face with both of her hands as she used her thumbs to wipe the tears away from Camila's cheek.

"Why are you crying?" Lauren asked.

"Because I'm happy," Camila said.

Lauren gave her a loving smile before she pulled her in and kissed her lips. She could taste the salty tang from Camila's tears but she didn't care. All she cared about was the girl she was holding.

~

"So where have you been?" Camila asked as the two walked hand-in-hand down the school hallway.

"I've been around," Lauren said.

"I was so worried-"

"I know and I'm so sorry I made you worry," Lauren said as they reached their usual spot under the tree at the courtyard. They sat down as Lauren kissed the back of Camila's hand.

"I thought you didn't want me anymore. I thought that you didn't love me anymore," Camila said.

Lauren looked into Camila's eyes.

"Camz... I love you and I've always loved you. That never changed," she said seriously, "I'm so sorry that I made you think that way. I want you and only you."

"Why were you so distant anyways?"

Lauren took a deep breath, "My grandmother passed away. On my mother's side. It was pretty rough to say the least," said the green eyed girl.

"I'm so sorry," Camila said, "I can't even imagine what you went through."

"It's okay because I had you. Just thinking about you... It helped me," Lauren said.

"Why were you gone for so long? I could've been there with you. You know that I'd be there in a heartbeat," Camila said.

"I know. Which was why I didn't tell you. I didn't want you to drop everything just for me," Lauren said.

"But I would've. And I'd know that you'd do the same," Camila said.

"True but you, too, would do the same as I did. You already have. You made me go back to Carrollton," Lauren said, "And because of you, I graduated. And I graduated early. Can you believe it?" Lauren said with a huge smile.

Camila wrapped her arms around her girlfriend's neck as she hugged her, "I'm so proud of you, Lo," Camila said. Lauren set her girlfriend down as she pulled away.

"Now, I have something to ask you."

"Anything."

Lauren pulled out a single red rose, "Would you do me the honors of being my date to your senior prom?"

Camila took the rose before she hugged her again.

"I love you, Lolo," Camila said.

Lauren hugged her back tightly, "I love you too, Camz," she said.