Linger (Camren)

Chapter 15: Not Just For Kids

{Lauren's POV}

It had been about a month since Camila and I had cleared the air between the two of us.

I felt horrible for making her think that she had done something wrong, when in reality, she was just too perfect for her own good. I couldn't get it wrapped around my head that someone like her would actually have any interest in me.

I still can't.

Though she's made her feeling for me quite clear, I have yet to return the favor. Not with words at least.

I don't think I have any control over the way my body reacts to her touches, our constant back and forth between pet names is second nature, and I don't completely object to her random acts of affection. In fact, I find myself growing fonder of them as time goes on.

We speak every day, whether it's only for 15 minutes or 5 hours straight. We've fallen asleep on the phone numerous times, so if you want to be technical, the longest we've gone was 14 hours.

She ruining my cell phone's battery life, but it's worth it.

I visit her in between her shifts once or twice a week when I can. I don't take the brief moments I share with her for granted though. I know that she could easily come to her senses one day and realize that I'm nothing special.

I had just gotten out of the hospital from visiting my mom on this beautiful Thursday morning. Speaking of her, she was doing well. Getting to be there with her on her good days is something that I will cherish in my heart forever.

It's moments like these that you have to squeeze on to for dear life and never let slip out of your grasp.

I was never very good at doing that, but Camila has been showing me how. You just have to let yourself enjoy the moments when they come, and when they go, only think of the good that remains.

Lucky for me, the good moments haven't stopped since I've met the wide eyed, enchanting little brunette.

In fact, it feels like things are only getting better. I hope with everything in me that they stay that way. For the first time in my life, I feel like I'm finally becoming the person I've always wanted to be. Someone who wasn't so scared to let people in. Someone who knows that not everyone is the same, and not everyone is out to hurt you. I'm learning to let my walls down a bit, and it honestly feels like a burden being lifted off of my shoulders.

It's a relief to know that maybe, just maybe, I could be everything Camila wants after all.

---

{Camila's POV}

"How?" I asked Phoenix, holding his phone in my hand as I pretend to stare in shock at the picture in front of me.

"How what?" he questions, tilting his head to the side in confusion.

"How did you manage to get with her?" I laugh. He snatches his phone out my hand, rolling his eyes at me.

After weeks of badgering the Latino boy, I finally got him to show me a picture of Normani. He's done a better job at hiding his excitement whenever the two talk on the phone, or when he comes home from a date with the ebony skinned beauty.

But every so often, I'll catch him dancing around the house, humming happily to himself and I could have sworn I heard him full out belting Pocket Full of Sunshine in the shower last week.

Either way, I knew he was head over heels for this girl, and since I'm practically his sister, it's my duty to annoy the hell out of him about it.

After my laugh subsides, I look at the boy and find him admiring the picture in his hand, as if it was the first time he had seen it. I love seeing him this way. There something about this girl that brings out a spark in his eyes. Out of the girls he's been with, this one has proven herself to be unlike all of the rest, and I hope it all works out for him.