Dance On Our Graves

Chapter 14

There have been no more dates, not for lack of trying on Camila's part. Camila's back to asking Lauren out every single day and Lauren's back to turning her down.

This morning though, Camila hasn't said much of anything. Camila's dressed for her a hearing regarding the lawsuit Shawn brought against her. Camila looks nervous and Lauren wishes that she could go with Camila. But Lauren has to stay here to drop off and pick up Emily from school. Normani's out of town and bringing Emily to the courthouse is definitely out of the question. Lauren doesn't want her anywhere near that asshole again.

Camila's biting her lip and staring at the kitchen counter when Lauren walks in to make Emily's lunch. Lauren's worried about Camila so she put her hand on Camila's shoulder. "You okay?"

Camila immediately nods, but Lauren knows that it's not true. Camila's freaking out. Lauren leans sideways against the counter. "Hey," Lauren said softly to get Camila's attention. Once Camila's made eye contact Lauren continue, "No matter what happens we'll be okay. I promise. We'll figure it out."

Camila's face is a little relieved at Lauren's words and she wraps her arms around Lauren's shoulders. Lauren holds her around the waist and rubs her back. Lauren doesn't want her to be worried and Lauren's worried about her so all thoughts of keeping a distance from Camila are momentarily gone.

When Lauren pulls back she offers Camila a smile, "C'mon I'll drop you at the courthouse on the way to drop Emily off."

Camila lets out a smile and thanks, Lauren. Lauren just shrugs it off and makes Emily's lunch. Once they're all in the car, Lauren pulls into traffic but keeps glancing sideways at Camila who looks like she's still freaking out. It doesn't take long before she drops her off in front of the courthouse. It takes Camila a little while to get out of the car, but when Lauren takes her hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze Camila walks up to the courthouse and steps a little more confidently.

Lauren glances back at the rugrat in the backseat and finds her contently humming to herself. Lauren knows where her school is because she had driven past it, but Lauren has never been inside. When they walk her in, the school is intimidating in all its grandeur. The walls are paneled with dark wood and the hallways are not lined with the white tiles of all the schools Lauren went to. It's a swirled marble that makes Lauren feel guilty for walking on it.

Emily drags Lauren to her classroom, pointing out every bathroom and water fountain between the front door and their destination. As they continue to walk, Lauren can see why Camila would want to make sure that Emily got to stay here. This is a school that every parent dreams of sending their kids to.

When they get to the classroom, Emily drags Lauren inside and shows Lauren her desk. There are other parents who Lauren guesses are nannies dropping their children off. A woman walks up to Lauren with a smile, "Hi I'm Cindy, Emily's teacher." She doesn't look like an elementary school teacher that Lauren has ever seen. She's on the younger side with light brown hair and clothes that she's sure were bought in the last year. Why didn't Lauren go to a school like this? God knows her parents could have afforded it. Lauren got the whole public school, older than god teachers who don't really like children anymore. And the young idealists who wore vests from second-hand stores, not that she's going to name names.

Lauren's not sure how to introduce herself. Hi, I'm Lauren, I used to date Emily's mom in high school, but now we're just kinda living together. Hi, I'm Lauren, I'm sorta dating Emily's mom, but not really...I mean it's complicated. Right now she's close to saying, Hi I'm Lauren, Emily's nanny.

Before Lauren can spit anything out, Emily announces, "This is 'Laur."

"Laur?" the teacher asks, looking from Emily to Lauren.