Halfway Gone (Camren)

Chapter 12: Moves and Countermoves

Word for this Chapter:
Countermoves:
NOUN
1. a move made in opposition or retaliation

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The next morning...
Camila's POV

"I can't believe the tour is over!" I shout into the phone, hoping Roy could hear my emotion.

"DAYUM, I think you just blew my eardrum Camila, thank you for that" He replies with sass.

I chuckle, "I'm sorry Roy, I'm still in shock. Time passes so quickly, I felt like it was yesterday writing the songs on the album, now the tour is done."

Roy speaks about upcoming advertising endorsements, photo shoots and T.V interviews I have in the next few weeks. As I held the phone up to my ear, I walk around Lauren's apartment looking for her.

Still listening to Roy's voice, I slightly push the bathroom door with my opposing hand, letting the door slowly open up by itself. There Lauren was, leaning over her bathroom sink in her black booty shorts and an oversized hoodie thrown on. She was treating the gash on her face, with numerous creams that seemed to calm down the redness glowing on her upper cheek. She caught my gaze through the mirror, and poked her tongue out playfully, then smiling.

"I'll call you later Roy"

I hang up the phone, and lean on the doorframe, crossing my arms. "You look so hot right now"

I watch as her brows raise, setting down her cream and walking over to me while biting her lip. I cup her chin stopping her momentum, "But I hate seeing you with cuts and bruises on your face baby."

"I'm sorry you had to see it happen Camila, trust me, I want to keep you far far away from that kind of life"

"Kind of life? Is this what you go through often?" I ask curiously.

"Camila- I ummm, well...."

I sense her tensing up. "Tell me Lauren, you know I won't judge you."

"I know you won't, it's just....this is kinda what I live with. I do boxing Camila, its a rough sport. And it gets rougher at tournaments. That's why I said I wanted to keep you as far away from that as possible. Especially this one that's coming up. I have such a bad feeling about it Camz..."

I lift her face, as it fell from her last words. "Then don't do it Lauren, can you pull out?"

She smiled half-heartedly. "I wish that's how it works baby, but I can't do that. I'm in this now. Plus, this is a different tournament entirely."

"What makes this one different from the others you've done?" Letting my curiosity ask questions.

She lets out a nervous laughter, "Well let's just say the hosts for this particular tournament are dangerous people. People that I never wanted to be involved with, but Rocky pushed and pushed until I eventually said yes to this. I didn't want to let him down, he is like a brother to me."

"Baby please be straight up with me, who are these dangerous people hosting this tournament?"

"Uhhh, wow look at that airplane outside baby!" She points out the window to try and change the topic.

"Your tomfoolery won't work on me Rippy. Now tell me who these people are"

Accepting defeat, she finally gives in, then embracing me in a hug. I assume she did this so she won't see the reaction on my face.

"The underworld baby. The Mafia."

"WHAT?" My voice raises enough to break our embrace. I watch her head fall, knowing this kind of reaction was warranted.