Homer, Goner 《Camren》

VI.

So perhaps Lauren being a little down at the fact that it wasn't Camila who retrieved the ball isn't that preposterous. If Lauren was being honest with herself, she'd even say that that's spot-on. It's so spot-on, in fact, that Lauren hopes that the next time a soccer ball comes, it would be Camila who would approach and collect it.

Lauren has never been known for her luck, nor has she been lucky in all the things that she's done. Her wishes almost never come true as well. Which is why, when she sees Camila coming over for the soccer ball, she's more shocked than anyone else.

With the ball in her hand, Lauren involuntarily takes a few steps towards a jogging Camila, the first time she's ever moved forwards from The Spot while waiting. She shakes her thoughts away when she sees Camila's figure getting closer.

She can see the way Camila looks stiff as she takes each stride, almost as if uncertain if it's okay. And that bothers Lauren more than it should. She wonders how she's supposed to act. Should she act cool and pretend as if nothing happened? Greet her with a "yo." Doesn't that seem a bit too rude? Perhaps she should apologize for what she said. Start the conversation with "Hey! About the other night..." This could be the best choice? Or maybe she should be coy and flirty as Camila has usually been. Begin with a "Hey, cutie." Oh god no, that sounds terrible.

But then Camila is already halting in front of her. From this close, Lauren could see the way the girl is expressionless. Camila's usual grin is gone. Gone too is the aura of confidence that generally surrounded her. She gives Lauren a tight-lipped smile, and Lauren would consider it cute if not for the steely eyes Camila is drilling her with.

And Lauren kind of panics and doesn't know what to say, because what can she even say?

"Hey," Camila greets her. There's a palpable tension in the air that Lauren wants to deflate. It's a little suffocating, and she kind of wants the ground to swallow her and disappear.

"Hey." Lauren hopes she doesn't sound too tense. There's an awkward silence that grates Lauren's ears, but she can't form any coherent sentences right now to fill in the void. Thankfully, she's saved from doing so.

"My bad about kicking the ball too far," Camila says, eyes on it before looking back up at Lauren. "Can we get our ball back?"

Lauren swallows. "Of course."

Lauren tosses it to her, and Camila catches it swiftly. The girl turns around in one quick motion, before slowly jogging back to the soccer field at half speed. Lauren kind of feels like she's been splashed with cold water or slapped in the face, though she supposes she shouldn't blame Camila. She did tell Camila to stop coming over to their practices as it causes a disturbance (it doesn't), and that Camila heading over is Lauren's least favorite part of the day (it isn't), and that it's all very bothersome to have to go through all of it (it most definitely is not).

And oh god, what has she done? Lauren almost calls out to Camila, but the other girl is already halfway across the field, and there's no use in doing so since their situation is not even that urgent.

With a sigh, Lauren turns around and catches Dinah staring at her.

***

Lauren would be the first to say that she's pretty smart. She's intelligent, in fact. But that doesn't stop her from doing something so dumb. It's stupid is what it is, but she has to do it. She's already started anyway, so technically she can't go back, right?

"Okay let me get this straight," Dinah says, in the locker room with Lauren. "You want me to ask Normani to ask Camila which building, floor, and dorm number she lives in?"

Lauren nods.

"And you're going to go there and... what? Confess to her?"

"No," Lauren scoffs. "I'm going to apologize for what I said."