Chapter 23: Old Matters

Who knew Lauren would wake up in the middle of the night because of a terrible nightmare that seemed too real to be called one?

No one did, except for Camila.

So finding Lauren take ragged breaths and clutching her stuffed toy didn't take Camila by surprise.

She just came back from the canteen right after the doctor briefed her of Lauren's condition.

She would have nightmares, which are actually just flashbacks of the accident, ever so often these upcoming weeks. She wouldn't be as sociable as she was before, but just for a couple of weeks; patience was something Camila should lay out on the table. A new phobia would probably develop, but this is still yet to be observed. Lauren would have to stay in the hospital for a few weeks, but Camila didn't mind. Not at all.

Entering the private room, she saw Lauren clutch on the new stuffed toy Camila gave to her. It was Nala from the Lion King movie, one of Lauren's favorite Disney movies. Both of them settled on naming it Nala.

Camila slowly shut the door close, making sure not to make any noise that'll startle the girl. She tiptoed towards the bed until she was in the green eyed girl's view. Green met black, calming the green one's and returning it to its natural state.

"Another nightmare?" Camila asked as she placed the fruits in a fruit bowl on the table. She made her way to Lauren, a banana in hand.

Lauren nodded at the question.

Camila gave her a sympathetic look. She slowly wrapped her arms around the older girl's waist, noting on how the previous night went.

Sudden affection scares Lauren. And she learned it the hard way.

She placed a gentle kiss on Lauren's cheek. "Don't worry Lo. I'm here. Those nightmares are never gonna get to you, as long as I'm here."

"What if you're not here?"

Camila smiled at the fact that Lauren has spoken actual sentences to her, not just hums of approval and single word responses.

But her heart ached at the question. She sighed and rubbed Lauren's back. She faced her, instantly being met by wide, anticipative green eyes.

"Do you remember the story you told me when you were asking me to be your girlfriend?"

Lauren nodded. Good thing she still remembers. It was one of the most unforgettable days of her life, and one of the best too.

"Well you told me how I was the cause of your agony, but still I was the one who saved you from it?"

Lauren nodded.

"And do you remember the story of the sun and moon?"

Lauren absentmindedly nodded.

"Well, all of those were your points of view. Now I'm giving you mine."

Lauren just nodded, too enthralled by the beautiful chocolate pools in front of her.

Camila saw that Lauren was just staring. She shook her head with a light smile playing on her lips.

"Lauren please listen to me. I want you to know how I feel."

Lauren tilted her head, confused.

"You love me." Lauren simply said. "And that's all I need to know to get me through the day."

Camila couldn't help but blush at the statement. That's probably the longest she's uttered. But other than that the other girl was insanely blunt, but in the good way.

"Of course I do Lo. Since the day I spotted you at the doorway with Dinah, I have already fallen in love. And I hadn't stopped since."

Now it was Lauren's turn to blush. Normally, a smug smirk would play on her lips for getting payback. But this time is different.

Camila shook her head and smiled at Lauren. "Now I'm gonna teach you about magnets."

Lauren's head tilted to the side. "Magnets?" Camila nodded. Lauren's bushy brows furrowed in confusion.

"Magnets are two bodies composed of opposite atoms, which are actually the main cause of attraction."

Camila rolled her eyes at Lauren. "You're still a geek."

"But I'm your geek." Lauren replied smoothly. This made Camila blush.

"Anyways. I'm not gonna teach you what a magnet is, but I'm gonna teach you my philosophy behind it."

Lauren's mouth formed a wide O. "Ohhhhh." This made Camila giggle.

"Now listen up, smartass." Camila playfully started, nudging Lauren's shoulder.

"Magnets attract to each other, right? And do you notice how they usually come in pairs as to rather being single? I believe that the magnets that come in pairs represent two separate beings meant for each other. As to those who come alone, they are yet to find their partner."

Camila stopped breifly to check if the green eyed girl is really listening to her.

"I believe that you and I are a pair of magnets, destined to be together. No matter what comes in the way, we still find ourselves back to each other just like how magnets do."

Lauren was so enamored by the words coming out of her girlfriend's mouth that she couldn't help but steal a kiss from them. It took Camila by shock, but she reciprocated a few seconds later. It wasn't a kiss filled with need and want. It was a kiss emanating the three words that they have yet to speak for a while.

"Let me finish first Lo." Camila playfully said. Lauren sighed and motioned for her to continue.

"So no matter where you go, no matter where I go, we'll always find ourselves back together. Just like magnets, we're stuck with each other. And I love every second of it."

Lauren didn't notice the hot streaks flowing down her cheeks. She couldn't contain the smile on her face as she pounced at Camila and squeezed the air out of her.

"I love you."

Camila's world stop. Lauren might have said it before, but hearing it again after everything happened made it more special and magical to her. So it didn't take long for her to respond with as much passion and love as Lauren did.

"I love you too."

Camila leaned in and closed her eyes. She anticipated soft plump lips to cussion hers, but was disappointed and disorientated when she felt something else press against her lips. Something a bit rough. She opened her eyes to see something yellow pressed up close to her. She pulled away and almost laughed at the sight.

Lauren was trying her best to contain her laugh which just turned her into a spazzing tomato with a banana in hand.

Camila feigned shock and annoyance. "Lauren!" She whined, which officially broke the dam Lauren was enforcing. Laughter came flowing out freely off her mouth.

"Y-You should've seen t-the look pn y-your face!" Lauren said in between fits of laughter. Camila pouted and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Meanie.." Camila mumbled. Lauren slowly recovered from her laughter and wiped the stray tear away from her eyes. She then proceeded to place feather kisses all over Camila's face.

"I'm sorry. Please forgive me."

"I hate you."

"I love you." Lauren responded smoothly. A song popped into her head.

I hate you, I love youI hate that I love youDon't want to but I can't putNobody else above you

Three loud knocks came from the door. Camila was about to get it when the door suddenly opened in one swift motion. Familiar faces stood just at the hallway.

Harry, Louis, Liam, Niall, Zayn, Dinah, Normani, and Ally stood there with bright smiles on their faces and bags held in hand.

"Oh my god." Was all Lauren could say. She was speachless. Many things ran around in her mind that she couldn't express in words. All that her features could express was pure happiness.

All of their friends welcomed themselves in the room. They placed the bags on the table and they made their way to surround Lauren's bed.

"Hey Lauser!" Dinah greeted first. All that Lauren could do was open and close her mouth, wide eyes accompanying the sight. Dinah tilted her head and furrowed her brows in confusion. The rest greeted Lauren but were all met with the same result. They looked at each other in confusion, then their gazes finally landed on Camila who was suppressing her laugh.

Dinah quirked a brow and made her way to her best friend.

"What's up with Lauren? Has she gone mute or something?" Dinah said with concern. Camila just laughed at her.

"She's just overwhelmed guys."

"Ohhh." Everyone chorused.

Lauren scanned every face in the room. Her eyes watered at the fact that her friends visited her after they somewhat parted ways. Care, love, and concern was still very evident in them. The moment they found out what happened, they immediately booked flights and cancelled plans just to see if their friend is okay.

The rest of the day went by with light conversation. It was just like the good ol' days in college. They are reminiscing the events and crazy stuff that happened in college, but no one dared to bring up the accident. That would have to be for another day.

As the night was going smoothly, loud knocks came from the door. Everyone's attention turned to it, Ally making a move to get the door.

"I'll get it!"

Ally slowly opened the door. She gasped and covered her mouth with her hand.

"Oh my god!

Ally ran up to two male figures and engulfed them in a hug.

"Dalton and Charles stood outside the door with wide smiles on their faces. Everyone, except the guys, had their jaws hanging.

"After how many months we didn't have contact with each other.. now you guys are finally here, flesh and all." Dinah said in the background. The girls laughed whole heartedly.

Ally held the door open for them but Dalton insisted that he'll close the door himself.

Lauren's bed is now officially surrounded by quite possibly his favorite people in the world, Camila being first of course.

Lauren wasn't aware of her actions anymore. Multiple tears slid out of her eyes. Camila immediately noticed and her instincts perked up. She immediately went to Lauren's side and comforted her. After Lauren's sobbing died down, she managed to croak out a sincere message.

"Thank you."

Dalton, among with everybody else smiled. "Don't worry Laurenza. You always have our support!"

"Right guys?" He faced the others who were nodding at him.

"Yeah!" Everyone screamed, pumping their hands up in the air.

Lauren turned towards Camila, a look on her face.

Hope.

Camila's heart warmed up. She felt a smile creep up on her face. She tenderly kissed Lauren on the cheek.

"We will always be here for you. We always look out for each other. We are each other's support. We are your support."

Lauren let the tears flow freely this time.

She couldn't ask for anything better.