Between You and Me

Chapter 17

"So... was it as terrible as you thought it would be?" Camila asked with a cheeky grin.

Camila and Lauren were walking hand in hand along the worn path by the rapids, Leo and Thunder climbing all over the half-submerged rocks. They had passed the rougher rapids about half an hour into their hike, the water now more of a calm stream. Lauren eyed Camila– her loose wavy hair and brown eyes covered by casual Ray Bans – from behind her own pair of sunglasses. The brunette was wearing a fitted pair of joggers – Lauren's favorite – and a loose tank, Lauren dressed similarly in a pair of leggings and an oversized shirt that hung off one shoulder. Camila's focus was on Leo as she waited for Lauren's response, watching the boy carefully, on alert should he slip.

"L-man!" She called out to the boy, waiting until he lifted his head to show he heard, "Be careful please, the rocks might be slippery."

"Ok Camila! But I'mma good climber!" He announced confidently as he attempted to scale a larger rock, "See!"

Lauren snorted at the exchange, yeah, that kid wasn't going to be careful. It was sweet Camila was concerned for his safety, but Lauren knew that no matter how much you told them to be careful, they never would be.

"So?" Camila prompted, now looking down at her.

Lauren rolled her eyes half-heartedly with a chuckle, knowing what Camila was playing at. "No," she drawled. "No, it wasn't as terrible as I thought. It was actually quite nice, Sinuhe is wonderful."

"Yeah, she is isn't she?" Camila pondered out loud. "I'm so grateful they took me in. I wish you could have met Alejandro too, and...and my parents. I think they would have loved you," she finished wistfully, clearly sad it would never happen.

"Me too baby. I know I would have loved them – they made you," Camila smiled proudly at that. Lauren pressed her lips into Camila's shoulder, the brunette dropping her own to Lauren's head. "After being terrified for a week first, of course."

Camila barked out a laugh, head thrown back. Lauren smiled, glad she was able to distract Camila from her momentary sadness. The pair kept walking, Camila watching Leo closely almost with a hint of want. Lauren squinted at Camila, scrutinizing her.

"You want to go climb with him, don't you?" She deduced with a smirk.

Camila bit her lip and turned to Lauren looking sheepish, "Little bit."

Lauren chuckled and shook her head, "Go on you goofball." She waved her free hand towards Leo and Thunder in an 'off you go' manner with a smile.

"I love you," Camila rushed out, pecking her cheek before running to the rocks and climbing after Leo. Thunder bounded over excitedly, barking happily when the three of them were stood at the top of a rock together.

The trio made their way across the rocks, trekking high and low, laughing as they went. Well, Camila and Leo laughed, Thunder barked and even howled on the odd occasion. Meanwhile, Lauren walked alongside on the path like an adult, shaking her head at the antics of them. Camila was definitely a child at heart.

They hiked for a few hours, exploring the National Park with interest. Taking in the lush greenery at every turn. As they neared their starting point again Leo began to tire, dragging his feet and acting out when Lauren would ask him to listen, throwing rocks in protest.

"Come on, bud," Camila scooped him up, understanding he was just getting tired and grumpy. "Why are you being like this, hm?"

"I don' know," he huffed pitifully. His head was resting on her shoulder facing away, the back of his skull resting against Camila's neck comfortably. His arms and legs were wrapped around her, Camila's hands interlinked under his backside holding him up.