The Problem

CHAPTER 5

LAURA

So this morning was...interesting I woke up in Charlie's arms. It felt nice then she woke up and we awkwardly separated from each other. I decided to brush my teeth and make breakfast. Once she got downstairs we ate and had coffee in silence. Then she left almost immediately with a subtle thanks.

For the past four hours I've been writing and it's been going well. Occasionally I think about what Charlie asked me. And why Gavin assumes that I have feelings for someone else. I definitely don't so I'm very confused.

Camila texted me about ten minutes ago saying that she is on her way, "I'm here!"

Okay speaking of the devil!

She walks towards me and sits beside me then shuts my laptop. This is one I bought myself a few days after Charlie broke my old one.

"Now you have to tell me what's going on with you and Charlie."

"Friends with benefits...well more like frenemies with benefits I guess."

Camila just stares at me, "You slept with her? How May times?"

I feel my cheeks heat up, "I lost count."

Her jaw drops, "How long has this been going on for?"

"About two weeks I think. We don't have any feeling towards each other except pretty much rage or lust."

There's silence for a while, in which I watch Camila try to wrap her head around what is going on. "I can't believe it. Well it makes so much more sense. Mark was saying how Charlie seems a lot more happier recently. And I've been telling Mark how you have been getting a lot of progress with your book and seem to be more social. All this time, you were fucking?!"

"Yes Camila. Now please don't make it weird. It was weird enough this morning."

"You slept together last night too?!"

I shake my head, "No. We didn't. But we woke up in each others arms which isn't allowed. It was awkward until she left."

She shakes her head, "You guys made rules too? This is crazy. I mean I wanted you guys together but not like this!" Shrugging, I grab myself a bottle of water from the fridge with her following. "So when are you going to you know..."

"Cam, I don't know. It's whenever we feel like we need it." She seems so engulfed in this which is quite amazing to watch.

Just as we walk back to the living room, in walks another devil. Honestly I am jinxing myself with this. She looks at me with soft eyes and tear stained cheeks. I immediate walk up to her concerned, "What's going on?"

She looks behind me and wipes her tears, "I um I'll talk to you later. Don't worry about it."

"Camila can you leave please, we can catch up later."

She looks at us with pity, "Sure thing. Hope your doing alright Charlie." After hugging her, she leaves with just Charlie and I here. I know stroke her cheek with my thumb, as I watch a tear fall from her delicate eyes. I've never seen her so vulnerable and lost. "What happened?"

I lead her to the sofa and she sits down putting her head in her hand. "My dad stole a major client of mine which I was working with for years."