A Light in the Dark

Chapter 29

Camila stared at the television, but she wasn't really watching the movie. It didn't matter anyway, she had seen it multiple times. No, her thoughts were elsewhere.

It had only been two hours since they arrived at their apartment building and, thankfully, Lauren wanted her to stay at hers, so Camila didn't have to come up with an excuse on why she couldn't go into her own apartment. She knew it wasn't safe yet.

She glanced at Lauren who seemed to be absorbed in a scene in which Spiderman swung himself from building to building with his webs, but she knew that the green-eyed girl wasn't paying attention either.

"Lauren?"

The girl in question hummed quietly and tightened her grip around her shoulders slightly. They had been cuddled up since Lauren started the movie and Camila didn't mind one bit.

"We're still on for tomorrow, right?"

Lauren furrowed her brows in deep thought. "We don't have to do anything, if you don't want to, Camz."

"No," she quickly said. "I want to... I have that entire day planned out..."

On Lauren's lips appeared a little smile that faded as quickly as it came. She knew what the girl was thinking about and swallowed thickly. They had yet to talk about ... the events that had taken place.

"You know, we could just stay in. I wouldn't mind," Lauren mumbled and kissed the top of her head. "It's going to be a great day as long as I'm with you."

Camila frowned. Lauren was acting differently. Sure, she was a really affectionate person, but something was off. She didn't like the feeling that this day had taken a toll on Lauren as well.

Lauren hadn't even glanced once in her direction, instead her entire focus seemed to be on the television in front of them. She seemed tense and held her in a way that made her think Lauren was afraid to let go. There was also a small wrinkle between her eyes and Camila noticed that she gnawed on her bottom lip, something that she had never seen her doing before.

"Lauren?" she asked quietly and, again, the girl only hummed in acknowledgement. "Are you ... are you okay?"

"Yeah, sure," the green-eyed girl answered in a weird, high voice.

Camila raised her eyebrows. Jaureguis weren't really cut out to be liars. As far as she could tell, of course.

Gathering up all her courage, she took a deep breath and untangled herself from her. She noticed that Lauren clenched her jaw and that the wrinkle between her eyebrows deepened at her actions.

"I think ... I think we need to talk..." she trailed off when Lauren tensed up even more.

"We're watching a movie, Camz."

Camila bit her lip, unsure whether to proceed or not. She didn't really want to talk about it either, but she knew that they had to. They couldn't pretend that today hadn't happened.

"Lauren, we should –"

Suddenly, Lauren stood up.

"You know what? I'm kind of tired. Do you want to sleep in my bed tonight or do you still prefer the couch?" Lauren asked her with an obviously forced smile.

"My dad stopped by this morning," Camila blurted out and Lauren stopped in her tracks.

"... what?"

"My dad," she repeated and watched how Lauren clenched her fists. "He, uh, made a short visit."

"What did he do?" Lauren growled out. "What the fuck did he say?! I'm going to kill him! I am going to rip his fucking head off!"

Camila stared wide-eyed at her as Lauren slowly lost control of her temper.