Signs

Chapter 2

It was a week before Camila saw Lauren again. Camila thought about her every day for those seven days. Why hadn't she seen her at the library before? Was she new to New York City? Where did someone with an interest in Electroanalytical Chemistry, of all things, work?

Since she'd opened up the library that morning, every time the door had slid open Camila had eagerly looked up from her computer screen, hoping it was Lauren, only to be disappointed when it was a college student cramming for finals, or a mom bringing her baby to the kids corner for story time.

It was one o'clock, and Camila was reorganizing the shelves in the romance section when the sound of the automatic door opening caught her attention, followed by the gentle thud of books being placed back in the return box.

Camila peered around the end of the bookshelf to see who the new arrival was, but was disappointed again when she saw it was just one of the college students on their way out. She sighed as she pushed the trolley back up the aisle, picking up the next book and crouching down to slide it back into its place.

As Camila stood back up she found herself staring into the same eyes she'd been dreaming about all week. Lauren Jauregui stared back at her through the bookshelf, a smile slowly spreading across her face. Trying to mask her surprise at seeing her, Camila smiled back at Lauren, ducking her head down as she felt her cheeks flush with excitement.

"Oh, it's you again!" Lauren said, sounding a bit surprised to see Camila.

"I didn't see you when I walked in," she continued, walking around the bookcase to stand in front of Camila, "I was wondering if you could help me, I'm looking for something."

Camila nodded enthusiastically, her smile widening. She was still a little bit in awe at how beautiful Lauren was, and the fact that she was here, again!

"I'm looking for any books you might have on pathogens and viruses, particularly airborne ones," Lauren said as Camila nodded, gesturing for her to follow.

As Camila led Lauren over to the science section of the library, she snuck little glimpses at her out of the corner of her eye, biting her lip to hide a smile when she realized Lauren was doing the same thing. They wound their way through the bookcases, until Camila stopped in front of a shelf and started pulling out books about pathogens and viruses.

One by one she passed them up to Lauren, feeling a thrill pass through her body when Lauren's fingers touched the back of her hand. She looked up and felt her face turning red when she realized how close Lauren's face was to hers. She awkwardly ducked her head, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose, as she picked up the rest of books and stood back up.

"Thank you so much for your help! You're a lifesaver," Lauren gushed, as another smile spread across her face. Camila's hands fluttered at her sides, making half formed signs as she acknowledged Lauren's thanks with a dip of her head.

They slowly walked towards the end of the aisle, carrying a pile of books each. Lauren led them both over to the counter, waiting as Camila walked around, and sat behind her desk. Slowly, Camila began to scan each book, as Lauren leant her elbows on the counter, her chin resting on her interlocked fingers.

"You don't talk much do you," Lauren mused, her lips turning up at the corners.

Camila closed her eyes, and exhaled through her nose as a gentle sigh. She opened her eyes to look in Lauren's piercing green eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips.

'I don't know if you understand sign language, but I don't talk because I can't'

Camila's fingers flitted through the familiar signs, watching Camila's face as her playful smirk was replaced with a shocked and slightly embarrassed expression as she realized that Camila couldn't talk.