After (Camren)

Chapter 4

"Uhmm.. Where is Steph?" My voice comes out as more of a squeak than I intended. My hands are clenched around the soft fabric of my towel, my eyes keep darting down to make sure the towel is securely covering my naked body.

She looks at me, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly but doesn't say a word.

"Did you hear me? I asked you where Steph is," I repeat, trying to be slightly more polite than the last.

The assumed expression on her face magnifies and she finally mumbles, "I don't know," and turns on the small flat screen on Steph's dresser. What is she even doing in here if she doesn't know where she is? Doesn't she have her own room? I bite my tongue, trying to keep my rude comments to myself.

"Don't flatter yourself, it's not like I am going to look at you," she scoffs and rolls over, her hands covering her face. She has a light Spanish accent that I didn't notice before. Probably because she was too rude to speak to me. Why is she in Pullman? Unsure how I should respond to her rude remark. Maybe she thinks I'm ugly, that's what she meant by "it's not like I am going to look". I hastily put on a bra and panties followed by a plain white shirt and khaki shorts.

"Are you done yet?" she asks, snapping the last bit of patience I held.

"Could you be any more disrespectful? I mean honestly, you're in my room while I change and you have the nerve to be rude to me? I did nothing to you, what is your problem?" I shout, my voice at a much higher volume than I had wanted but the surprised look on her face, my words had the intended effect on the tattooed girl.

She silently stares at me and while I am waiting for her apology, she bursts into laughter. She looks at me and just laughs. Her laugh is a deep and almost lovely sound. It would be much more enjoyable if she wasn't so adamant on being a jerk. Dimples intend in her cheeks as she continues to laugh and I feel like a complete idiot, unsure what to do or say. I don't usually like conflict and this girl seems like the last person I should start a fight with. The door opens and Steph bursts in.

"Sorry, I'm late. I have a hell of hungover," she dramatically says and her eyes dart back and forth between Lauren and I.

"Sorry Camz, I forgot to tell you Lauren would be coming by," she shrugs apologetically, taking in front of her.

I would like to think me and Steph could make our living arrangement work, maybe even built some sort of a friendship, but with her choice of friends, I'm just not sure anymore.

"Your girlfriend is rude," the words tumble out before I can stop them.

They both burst into laughter. What is it with people laughing at me? It's getting really annoying.

"Lauren is not my girlfriend!" she laughs emphasizing the not.

"What did you say to her?" Steph turns and scowls at him. "Lauren has a.. a unique way of conversing" she explains, looking back to me. Lovely, so basically what she is saying is that Lauren is, simply a rude person. The Spanish girl shrugs and changes the channel with the remote in her hand.

"There is a party tonight, you should come with us, Camila', she offers. It's my turn to laugh at her.

"Parties aren't really my thing. Plus I have to go to get some things for my side of the room," I look at Lauren who, of course is acting as if neither of us are in the room with her.

"C'mon.. it's just one party! You're in college now, just one party won't hurt," she begs. "How are you getting to the store, I thought you didn't have a car?" she asks. I can't go to a party.

"I don't know anyone, besides I was going to Skype with Noah," I tell her and Lauren laughs again, acknowledging that she is paying attention after all, "and I was going to take a bus to the store"

"You do not want to take the bus on a Saturday! They're way too packed, Lauren can drop you on the way to her place.. right lauren? And you'll know me at the party. Just come.. please?" She presses her hands together in a dramatic plea.

I've only known her for a day, should I trust her? I know that despite how tough she looks, she is quite sweet. But a party?

"I don't know.. and no I don't want Lauren to drive me to the store," I say. Lauren rolls over across Steph's bed with an amused expression.

"Oh no! I was really looking forward to hanging out with you," she dryly remarks, her voice so full of sarcasm that I want to throw a book at her cocky head.

"Come on Steph, you know this girl isn't going to show up at a party," she laughs, her accent is so soothing. The nosey side of me, which I admit is quite large, is desperate to ask her where she is from. The mocking grin on her smug face pushes me to prove her wrong. 

"Actually, I'll come," I say with as sweet of a smile as I can muster. Lauren laughs again and Steph squeals before  wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug.

"Yay! We'll have so much fun!!" She shrieks.

I sure hope she's right.

A/N: OKAY, I KNOW IT TOOK ME LIKE FOREVER TO UPDATE AND I'M SORRY! I'm 100% willing to finish all three books and i'll try as much as I can to update faster.

VOTE & COMM, ILY