reasons to go, reasons to stay ➸ camren

chapter thirty five ➸ a sense of normality

Camila let Lauren do all the talking.

"Keith was blackmailing her, basically. Setting her up to do things to make it look like she was cheating," Lauren glanced at Camila, wondering how much of the story she would allow Ally to hear. She decided to play it safe. "She tried to run away, but there was a... an accident. She ended up in the hospital. She can talk, by the way. She just doesn't do it much because... it's difficult for her. After the accident she worked at a bookstore. Under a different name. I used to go there every day, and I didn't realize it was her... she had her face hidden pretty well," she smiled at Camila, who gave her a shy smile back. "And then it just sorta ended up happening that we were reunited. And now she's here. Right?"

Camila nodded softly.

Ally gave them both a sad smile and reached over to squeeze Camila's hand. "I'm so glad you're okay," she said softly. Camila stood up from the couch and motioned for Ally to do the same. When the small girl did, Camila wrapped her in a hug.

Ally gave Lauren a surprised look over Camila's shoulder and Lauren just smiled. When the hug pulled away, Ally took both of Camila's hands in hers and met her eyes.

"Mila, I know you, and I know you're probably over thinking everything. You did the right thing, okay? In a twisted, fucked up way, it was the right thing to do. You did what you had to do to protect the people you love, I would've done the same thing," she squeezed Camila's hand, causing the small girl to nod softly.

"Th-t-thank y-you," Camila whispered. Not missing a beat, Ally pulled her in for another hug. Lauren couldn't have been more proud of her.

——

Lauren and Camila sat in the kitchen, tossing an orange back and forth out of boredom. Rowan and Ally had disappeared onto the balcony, not allowing the other two girls to follow them. Rowan claimed it was a 'secret meeting.'

The other day, Lauren had purchased an expensive computer program that converted text to sign language. If she were to type a sentence, it would then be made into a video so Rowan could understand. Lauren had bought it with the intent of allowing Camila to learn more sign language, but now it was coming in handy as Ally was visiting.

"I wonder what they're talking about out there," Lauren laughed, throwing the orange across the counter to Camila, who caught it effortlessly and sent it flying back towards Lauren.

Just as Camila was about to respond, Rowan came running back into the room and crawled up on the table in the corner of the living room where they kept the printer. She clapped excitedly and grabbed the two pieces of paper that appeared moments later. Without another sound, she disappeared back onto the balcony. Camila and Lauren exchanged questioning glances.

"N-now I'm c-co-concerned..." Camila giggled. Lauren just rolled her eyes playfully and tossed the orange back to Camila, who happened to be completely unprepared. The fruit bounced off her forehead and onto the floor.

"Shit, sorry, are you okay?" Lauren asked, hurrying over to Camila and cupping her face in her hands. Camila just giggled and nodded, crossing her eyes and crinkling her nose at Lauren.

"You're a dork," Lauren mumbled before leaning in and kissing Camila's forehead. Not a second later, Rowan came running into the kitchen, followed by Ally, who was hiding something behind her back.

"We've got a last minute birthday present for you, Lauren," Ally smirked. She nudged Rowan with her foot and motioned for the small girl to take whatever was behind her back. Rowan did as she was told, and happily held up a small envelope for Lauren to take.

Sending Ally a questioning glance, Lauren took the envelope and turned it around in her hands. She looked over at Camila, who looked just as confused as she did.