The Nights ✘ Camren

five

*the next morning*

I woke up in Camila's bed alone.

I walked down the stairs, and noticed Camila in the kitchen, dancing. As I stepped off the last step, her eyes locked with mine.

For a second, I felt safe. Then it finally hit me. What the hell am I doing here?

"Good morning," Camila smiled.

"Morning."

"How'd you sleep?"

"I slept fine."

I'm guessing Camila noticed my attitude, because she went quiet. I looked up and noticed her staring at me, trying to figure something out.

"Are you okay?" she asked, taking a step closer to me.

"Yep," I answered quickly, handing her a plate, as we headed to the dining table. I sat first, and she sat next to me, leaving enough room between us for three more people. I ignored it, and continued on with my food.

"Are you going to school today?" Camila asked.

I thought about it for a second, and almost decided against it. But I nodded my head, and walked back into the kitchen, taking our plates with me. I washed the dishes and grabbed my clothes, throwing them on quickly.

"Thanks for letting me stay last night," I said, honestly. Camila smiled and walked over to me, wrapping me in a hug. "I should get going, though. My friends are probably worried."

"Do you need a ride to school?" Camila asked. "You want to show up to school with me? Are you sure about that?" I questioned. "Yes, why wouldn't I be?"

"Shawn." Camila sighed, and took a step forward. "Do you want a ride to school?"

"I don't think you want to be seen with this thing," I rolled my eyes, referring to what Shawn had called me yesterday. "Lauren... I didn-" Camila tried.

"Camila. It's fine. I know. Thanks for everything, I should go."

And with that, I opened her front door and left, closing it behind me. I pulled out my phone and brought up Dinah's number. I pressed the call button, and waited for her to answer.

"Hey, Laur," a different voice answered. I already knew who it was. "Hey, Mani. Where's DJ?" I asked. I heard Normani shuffling around, and then I heard her whisper. "Baby, wake up. It's Lauren."

Baby? Normani and Dinah?

"Lauser!" Dinah cheered. I stayed silent for a moment.

"Lauren? You there?" Dinah asked.

"Yeah, I'm here."

"Where are you? Are you okay?" Dinah asked quickly.

"I'm alright, I stayed at someone's house," I said. I didn't want to tell her it was Camila's house. I knew she would be here in two seconds to kick her ass.

"Do you need a pick up?"

"Yeah... if you could," I begged.

"Of course, Mani and I will be there in twenty minutes. Send your location," she said. "Done and done."

"See you soon, Lauser."

"Bye DJ!" I hung up the phone.

Twenty minutes passed, and Dinah and Normani were right on time. They pulled up to Camila's house and beeped the horn a few times. I jumped in the back seat, and glanced at Camila's house.

I noticed a curtain shut as the car started to move. Was she watching me?

"So, who's house did you stay at?" Dinah teased, raising her eyebrows at me. I rolled my eyes and let out a slight laugh.

"I think I should be asking that to you guys," I whispered loudly. Dinah and Normani shared a look, and we continued on driving.

"So, how'd you guys sleep?" I asked, trying to get some answers out of them.

"I didn't sleep. I had a headache," Normani said, looking towards Dinah.

"I had to stay up and take care of her," Dinah smiled, and winked at Normani when she thought I wasn't looking.

"Aww, how sweet. Normani was sick and her baby took care of her," I giggled.

"What?" Dinah asked.

"I heard Mani call you baby over the phone," I laughed. Normani and Dinah both shared a look, then they turned to me. "Relax guys, I'm not mad. I'm happy for y'all."

I really was happy for them. I've seen the way that they look each other. They're perfect for each other.

"Sorry we didn't tell you, Laur," Normani smiled.

I shrugged and kissed them both on the cheek.

"My two best friends are in love," I teased, dragging out the 'o'. They both rolled their eyes as we pulled into the school parking lot.

We all stepped out of the car. Dinah walked on my right, and Normani walked on my left. They linked arms with me as we walked through the school entrance.

Almost every pair of eyes was on me. I guess I was the new gossip of the school. We walked through the hallways, trying to avoid everyone. We finally made it to our lockers, and I quickly greeted Ally. I grabbed my things and raced to my first class. I sat at the back, keeping my head down.

The first bell sounded, and students started to fill the class. I noticed as Brad and his friends walked in the room. He took a seat next to me, as the other boys opted for a seat in front of me.

Almost every seat was full. There were two up front, and one next to me. The teacher was late to class, so they hadn't been there to see Camila and her two friends walk in late.

They looked around the classroom, trying to find free seats. The two other cheerleaders took the two seats up front, which meant Camila had to sit next to me.

Her eyes met mine as she walked closer to the seat. I looked away quickly.

"Hey," she said, as she took a seat.

I ignored her.

"Hello?" she said, tapping my foot with hers.

I stood up, and grabbed my things, walking a few seats away. I looked down at the boy, and clenched my jaw.

"Move."

He chuckled to himself, and gestured with his hand for me to go away. I sighed, and grabbed his shirt with my hand, pulling him up, and out of the seat. When the seat was empty, I let go, shoving him to the ground.

I sat down, and watched as the boy looked at me with fear in his eyes. He scrambled his things together and raced to the seat next to Camila.

I looked over at her, and she was looking straight at me, with a tear rolling down her face.

I hurt her. I hated that I hurt her, but I don't need anymore people in my life. The more people you let in, the more people can just walk right out.

I turned back to the front of the class, and kept my head down low.