Signs

The Last Chapter

It was the middle of summer, two years to the day that Lauren first saw Camila.

Not the first day they met, but the first time Lauren had walked into the library and saw Camila stacking books between the shelves. Camila didn't know the significance of this day; she was oblivious as she sang loudly along with the radio as she drove.

Surprisingly she was a good singer, and Lauren smiled as she watched her behind the wheel. A few months ago Camila had got her license, finally overcoming the final barrier in her fear of cars.

The sun beat down on them as they left the city behind them. It was the middle of the day, and they had a long way to go.

"You're staring again," Camila stated, turning to face Lauren. Her glasses covered her eyes but Lauren knew they would be crinkling at the corners.

"I like staring at you," Lauren told her, lifting one of Camila's hands off the steering wheel and placing a kiss to the back of it. Camila rolled her eyes, smiling widely as she concentrated on the road.

"So when are you going to tell me where we're going?" Camila asked, raising an eyebrow and turning her head slightly in Lauren's direction.

"I'll tell you when we get there," Lauren smirked, taking in Camila's frustrated expression.

It was a surprise, something she had planned for Camila because she knew she would enjoy it, even if Lauren wouldn't.

- --

It took them hours.

They drove through the desert, basking in the warmth of the sun as they chatted and Lauren listened to Camila sing whenever a song she liked came on.

Everything was right in the world, and neither of them wanted to be anywhere else. It was hard to imagine that two years ago, Lauren was scared of getting attached, of loving someone, and Camila couldn't talk and hadn't been able to overcome the trauma of her childhood. It seemed as if Lauren had been made to love Camila, to shower her with love and affection, and these days Camila would talk nonstop, filling every silence with her bubbly chatter. Lauren could hardly remember a life without Camila's voice in it.

By the time they got there Lauren suspected that she was three shades whiter, already dreading her decision. She was so scared, and maybe a little bit nervous as they pulled over where Lauren indicated. They got out, stretching their legs after sat in the car for so long.

"Now what?" Camila asked, gazing around at the featureless landscape. There were some gigantic rocks a hundred yards away, and a lot of sand, but besides that there was nothing.

"This way," Lauren said, holding her hand out for Camila to take.

The sun shone brightly on the horizon as Lauren led them towards the rocks; sunset was almost at hand. Out here it would be spectacular, nothing to interrupt the sight. None of the big city lights to hide the stars once night had fallen.

The rocks grew larger the closer they got, and with each step Lauren grew more nervous. She grasped tightly at Camila's hand, seeking comfort and reassurance. Camila would never let anything bad happen to her.

Up close the rocks were easily a hundred feet tall, casting giant shadows, which the welcomed after the blistering heat of the sun. Still, Lauren led them forwards, bringing them out the other side of the rocks.

Camila shaded her eyes against the sun, letting out a surprised gasp as she took in the view. A dozen yards away a man stood next to a half inflated hot air balloon, the source of Lauren's fear and anxiety.

"No way!" Camila squealed, throwing her arms around Lauren, who laughed as she hugged her back.

"Oh my God, I can't believe we're going in a hot air balloon," Camila laughed, bouncing with excitement, as she beamed at Lauren.