Linger (Camren)

Chapter 21: See More In The Dark

{Lauren's POV}

"Are you asking me to join you guys?" The petite sized girl asked excitedly.

"Yes, Ally!" I couldn't help the giggle that escaped my lips at the sound of her adorableness.

"I'm asking you to join us tonight. I know you've been dying to finally get to meet Camila in person, and I've been dying for her to meet my bestie." I beam to myself at the thought of the two interacting with one another in person.

"Awe, Laur! Of course I'll join you crazy kids, but..." She trails off for a moment.

"No Troy?" I asked hesitantly, hoping that wasn't the case, since it was supposed to be a triple date evening. Phoenix and Normani, Ally and Troy and Camila and I.

"No Troy." She confirms sadly. "He's with his parents in Miami. His granny isn't doing so well."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Send him my well wishes, will ya?" I say sympathetically.

"Will do, pumpkin."

"But hey, you can still come along. I promise everyone is amazing and I wouldn't let you be the odd man out, I promise." I asked hopefully.

"Hmm...Ok, sure. I'll still come!" As if she would pass up this opportunity to meet Camila.

"Perfect." I say happily.

-

"Thanks for shopping at Rasps. Have a nice day." I smile at the customer I had just served. The lanky dude gives me a smirk in return before leaning in to reply.

"It would be an even better day if you and I could get out of here." He says with a wiggle of his eyebrows.

I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.

"No, thank you. Bye." I counter back, my tone flat and cold.

"Come on, baby girl. I know you don't smile like that for just anyone." He attempts to lean in closer to me.

As if my scrunched up face of disgust wasn't a sign for him to take a hint, Camila wedged her way in front of the guy, putting a hand on his chest and backing him away from the counter.

"She's not interested, buddy. Keep it moving." She says coolly, though I'm pretty sure she wants to chew his face off.

He digs his feet into the ground, halting both their movements, and keeping him in place.

"Woah, woah! Don't be such a cockblock. Let your girl decide what she-"

"You said it already, bro. My girl." She brunette points back at me and then to herself. "Get the picture, now?"

"... Huh?" He asks, genuinely confused at what she was implying.

The smaller girl looks back at me with a look of exasperation, leaving me no choice but to nod my head.

Phoenix walks up behind the dude and maneuvers him in a headlock from behind, looping his arms under his pits and locking his hands at the back of the stranger's neck.

The creepy guy releases a string of convoluted words as he tries to wiggle his way out of the much stronger guy's hold, but it's pointless.

Camila happily skips to the door, holding it open. Before Phoenix tosses him out, he gives the guy a bit of clarification.

"They're lesbians for one another. Now get the fuck out."

My two bodyguards wipe their hands off of the creeper's filth and walk back to me as I laugh at the scene.