Keep Me Alive • Camren

Nine

Warning: Mention of drugs

Lauren had, up until last night, gone a month without using, and even then it was only occasional. So, why did she feel the need to practically stab a syringe into her arm the second she and Camila left their new job? "That was....really easy. Is it usually that easy?" Camila was genuinely confused. She was a lot more innocent than anyone would think. Lauren found it endearing. Over the course of three weeks, she had come to find out many surprising facts about the girl who was so bitter and angry when they first met. Other than enjoying to read, Camila loved nature: flowers, animals. Her eyes lit up every time she talked about an art piece. She would spend hours watching the most random YouTube videos. To the point where she didn't meet up with Lauren on the roof sometimes. She didn't mind though. She was just glad to know that if Camila didn't show up somewhere, it wasn't for a bad reason. She was at home. "It's not, unless they're really desperate." Camila stops dead in her tracks, with a bewildered look on her face. "Are you ok?" Lauren furrows her eyebrows. She's a bit worried, but Camila remains the same. "Who the fuck is gonna buy ice cream in October?" Lauren is speechless. In Miami people ate ice cream year round, but the weather here was about 40 degrees cooler. "We're stupid. We're so stupid." They look at each other and burst into laughter. Holding onto their stomach, or grabbing their knees. Pedestrians that passed by only stared. Who wouldn't? One was covered from head to to toe in winter clothing, while a the other wore a simple sweater, and they were both dying of laughter in the middle of the side walk. The fit continued off and on for five minutes. It would die down, but then Lauren and Camila would find each other and the spontaneous sounds and movements would continue. They could've stayed that way forever, and if it weren't for tires screeching on the street, they would have. They make eye contact once again, but instead of cracking up, they race toward the bus. Lauren being just a little faster. "What're we gonna do? That place can't get much business this time around." Camila says as they find empty seats, which is not hard considering there are only four other people on the bus. One being a familiar face to Lauren, "Zendaya?"
The classmate is surprised, "Lauren!"

"Hey!" Lauren moves over to sit next to Zendaya. "Where are you going?"

"I live on this side of town, what about you?"

"Oh, I just came for a job."

"Really? Where?"

"Graham's." Lauren replies and Zendaya laughs, "In October?"

"Yeah. We didn't really think about that."

"We?" Zendaya asks, and Lauren points at Camila who has her nose stuck in another book. Lauren didn't even realize she had brought one. "Who's that?"

"My friend, Camila."

Zendaya nods, as if approving their friendship, and shifts back toward Lauren.

"You know, there's one good thing about you working at Graham's." She smirks.

"What?"

"They'll be seeing a lot more of me there."

This went on until the bus reached Zendaya's stop. She bid goodbye to Lauren, who returned to Camila once her friend left. "You guys are cute."

"What?"

"You like her, don't you?"

"No! We're just friends. Plus, I don't think she's into me like that. Or girls for that matter."

Camila raises an eyebrow. "You're oblivious. She was totally flirting with you! It was pretty gross."

Lauren has never dated anyone. Yeah, she's had crushes but was always too shy to talk to anyone. "You think?" Camila nods, but what did she know? She was as inexperienced as Lauren.

"So, I was thinking. We spend too much time on the roof. Maybe we should do something else. You know? To celebrate our new jobs."

"Like what?"

"Anything other than sitting on top of buildings."

"Well, I don't know anything about this town. So, you'll have to pick."

"I know it's not winter yet," Camila smiles, "but why don't we go ice skating?"

"I've never been ice skating."

"Me neither, but I've always wanted to try it."

Lauren is skeptical, but the look of excitement on Camila's face is almost childlike. She rarely saw the girl like this, and there was no way she'd pass up an opportunity to see her fall flat on her ass.

Ice skating and public transportation for students was free, so without it Lauren and Camila would have died of boredom by now. Neither had a car. They didn't even know how to drive.

The two novices step off the bus. "Should we take some lessons first?" Lauren ask once they retrieve their skates. Camila ponders, then smiles, grabbing Lauren's hand and dragging her to the rink. "Ready?" She asks. Lauren shakes her head and protest, but Camila pushes her onto the ice. "Holy shit, Camila! I'm gonna fall!" Lauren stumbles, trying to regain her balance. "Oh god! I'm falling. Camilaaaaa!" She frantically turns around to search for her friend who is still at the entrance, but before she can react her face meets the frozen water. Camila's eyes widen, she runs onto the arena. Her arms fly about as she attempts to keep her balance. She was so desperate to help Lauren that she didn't think, and ended up on the ice as well. Lauren's scraped face lands on Camila, who is sitting with a frown.

She got her wish.

Their eyes meet and they burst into laughter for the the second time that day. For a while, they stay in those positions, too scared of repeating the past. No one even offers them help. They just skate around them, giving them annoyed looks. "Is your face ok?" Camila asks from across the skating rink. "Not really. How's your ass?" Lauren shouts, as she watches Camila stagger to her feet. She extends her arms as she slowly moves toward the wall, trying not to fall again. The 15 feet to Lauren, might as well have been 100 because it took Camila about ten minutes to reach her. "I'm here to save you from death!" She jokes as she holds a hand out for Lauren to grasp. Lauren chokes on her laughter, grabbing Camila's hand and pulling herself up. Their eyes meet once again. Lauren's heart begins to pound, as the intensity continues. "Th-thanks." She stutters, accompanied by an awkward chuckle. Camila's attention shifts to Lauren's forehead as she caresses the wounds, and the pounding in her chest returns. They've never been this close. "That's pretty bad." Camila says, her voice full of concern and regret. Lauren brushes it off, "it's fine."

"Are you sure? Does it-"

"Ouch!" Lauren winces as Camila pokes at the scratches, "hurt?" She finishes with laughter. "Well yeah, you're digging into it!"

"Should we just go home? This was a stupid idea." Camila's face falls, and Lauren's heart wants to explode at the disappointment that sweeps the girl's face. "No, no!" She objects, "we just need to get the hang of it. Don't be so negative." She takes Camila's hand, pulling her away from the safety of the wall. It takes them a few more falls, but they eventually learn to stay on their feet. Once they got a handle on skating Lauren and Camila take turns playing tag. Bumping into others once in a while.

At some point, Lauren finds herself leaning against the wall, watching Camila twist and twirl as if she has any idea what to do. The rink is now empty, and she's pretty sure they'll be ask to leave soon. "Lauren! What're you doing? Come on!" Camila beckons her over, and Lauren smiles as she joins her.

But for now, they couldn't have a single care in the world.