MY LITTLE ARTIST

THIRTY FOUR

The remainder of the day went as expected, Camila and Lauren spent half of the lesson staring at each other while Nova talked the brunette's ear off until she inevitably bit for her silence. It was as calm as the chaos allowed under the circumstances and frankly, nobody had any complaints

That was until Camila decided to make the most of the afternoon sun, sitting out on the green against a tree with her phone in hand and headphones in ear. It was a brief moment of bliss, the gentle breeze and forgiving rays of sun lashing against her skin, like a well deserved reward

It wasn't often she'd sit still, taking the time to absorb her environment. Today however, she felt relatively calm, the conversation with Lauren last night although intense, seemed to be rather productive. Knowing that for the moment she had the clarity of a secure relationship was just about enough to stop her falling over the edge

The news of Sofi had clearly knocked her new found stability, after a year of no contact, she'd resided to the fact that all hope was lost. With profound amount of disappointment, she'd gotten quickly used to the notion and hadn't bothered to fight much more than she had the energy for

Hearing Sam say those promising words had ripped down every security wall she had built over the past year. The possibility of seeing the little girl again ripping through the water tight wound that had once gaped within her heart

For now however she had relief, sitting on the soft blades of grass with her feet gently crossed at the ankle. Sadly her relaxation would soon be disturbed, the rustling foot steps padding through the grass forcing the girl to open her closed eyes

"Hey stranger" Summer smiled, inviting herself beside the girl to sit "Thought I'd check on you after the other night"

Camila reluctantly tugged at the white cord hanging from her ear, her eyes rolling to look down on Summer sitting slightly further down the hill "How kind of you" she replied, her tone evident to the elder right away

Summer took a deep and knowing breath, she was good at being manipulative and she knew it. She realised however, Camila was fully aware of that as well "I'm serious, I just wanted to make sure you were ok"

"What, after deliberately pushing me into getting high?" She laughed with a shaking head "I know what you were doing Summer, I'm not that stupid!"

The air suddenly became undeniably tense, Summer fidgeted on the spot and Camila sighed into the ground "I was just trying to gauge how you were feeling, it's called being a friend?"

Camila rolled her eyes "You were probing on purpose!" She spat quietly "Getting into my head just so you could win your little bet!"

The elder squirmed slightly "Didn't think you'd remember that" she laughed awkwardly "You were pretty drunk that night" Camila raised her brows confidently "I've been drinking since I was thirteen, I can handle more than your average nineteen year old"

"Look" Summer huffed "I did have a bet about getting you to use again" she admit "But it was just a bit of fun Camila? I didn't intend for it to happen like that?" The younger didn't believe a word but chose cleverly to continue listening anyway "I thought maybe I could get you high and have fun? Not use it to cure some shitty news, I meant it when I said I'd grown up!"

"Have fun? You think that shit is fun?" Camila gasped in shock "Do you have a head injury Summer?" The elder swallowed "That bullshit ruined my life! Just because you enjoy it, doesn't mean I do too"

The elder laughed to herself as she twirled locks of glossy hair around her fingertips "So what made you change your mind?" She asked with a smug tone "I mean if it ruined your life, why did you give in and do it?"