MY LITTLE ARTIST

FOURTY ONE

Lauren

I didn't believe Camila even a little bit when she told me she was ok. I knew she wasn't, with the news of her sister it was a given that she'd be at least a little broken inside. Unfortunately, I knew the feeling well.

I spent the entire night thinking about her, trying to figure out if I had the strength to help her in the way she needed. It hurt, looking at those once vibrant brown eyes that were now full of pain and absence. I'd only known her a little while, but somehow, I already missed her.

I tried to text her but had no response. I decided after a while just to lay my phone down and forget about it all together. When laying my head against the pillow however, the image of her laying beside me forced a new wave of anxiety into my stomach.

The next day wasn't much better either, she arrived to class with the same absent expression and refused to participate in the lesson. I cooed Nova over for a chat, but even she had no idea what the girl was thinking. Something within me felt terrible for not knowing automatically, awful for not being able to help

Camila was struggling, drowning even and I had no idea how to fix it. I sat watching her for the next couple of days, seeing as how she had no interest in being around me. I figured that she needed space or at least a little time alone, when giving her what she wanted however I couldn't deny my desire in wanting to hold her

I tried for the next two or so days to communicate as we once did, sending texts and inviting her over to my desk. Yesterday she even told me she'd been going out instead of wanting to spend time with me. Her eyes now seemed more glazed than ever, so quiet in nature I almost forgot she was present

Today was a day no different. She sat at her desk in total silence, the room around her booming while her eyes remained trained on the sketch below her wrists. I missed her, wanted her and craved for her to at least let out a small giggle or laugh

I spent the entire class looking on at her helpless expression. My heart prickling every time she sighed in despair. Nova tried to converse with her but evidently failed when being blatantly ignored for the one thousandth time. Eventually the bell rang and I saw her once again leave my class with not even a smile in my begging direction

It wasn't until Sam ventured into my room moments later that I lifted my gaze from the chair she'd been sitting within. He paced towards my desk and dangled his legs over the edge "You look deflated mama" he warmed, admittedly healing the part of our friendship that had recently suffered a rough blow

I sighed quietly, dropping my gaze to now sit in my lap "I can't get through to her" I complained "I've tried texting, talking, calling? I even tried to hug her Sam?"

The man nodded towards me with a soft smile that didn't for a single second make me feel any better "I told you" he began "When she's in this kind of mood, she's almost importable to crack!"

"She's broken!" I grumbled, staring up at the yellowing ceiling tiles "I just want the happy go lucky girl I met back? I want to be able to help her and make her feel better but I can't!"

"She's struggling, Lauren" Sam clarified, my stomach ached "This is Camila, she's a cycle! Happy for a moment but distraught the next. That's just how it is for her unfortunately and no matter how good you treat her, she'll falter back into her abyss eventually"

"It doesn't have to be that way" I bit "She's not a cycle either! Life just seems to be fucking her over every time she starts to feel good!"

Sam sighed, jumping from the desk to stand beside the wall "You should know, it's just the way it is girl? There's only so much we can do right now!"