Algebra Blessings

Six

BEWARE: 19,000+ WORDS AHEAD

Camila laid on her couch, her hair up in a bun and her favorite pair of pajamas hugging her body. It was Christmas Break and she planned on spending the entire time in front of her TV. Her parents didn't get a break from work, so she had the entire house to herself. Not much different than it was every day.

Ever since she's started dating Lauren, Camila has taken a huge liking to documentaries and nature shows. She was currently flipping through channels, trying to find Animal Planet so she could enjoy whatever was on at the moment.

Her phone buzzing beside her interrupted the show. Camila looked down at the device and fixed her glasses so she could read the name on the screen. Her heart dropped to her stomach when she saw 'Mrs. Jauregui'. She was sure there was an emergency. Why else would they be trying to call her?

Camila scrambled to tap 'Answer' and brought the phone to her ear. "H-hello?" She greeted.

"Hello, Camila. This is Lauren's mother." The woman on the other line spoke calmly. Camila couldn't tell if everything was okay or if she just didn't want to alarm her.

"Hi, Mrs. Jauregui. Is everything okay? Is Lauren okay?" She asked, wanting to know her girlfriend and her girlfriends' family was safe. A million different things could have happened. Lauren could have gotten in a car accident. They ALL could have gotten in a car accident. Lauren could have fallen down the stairs. There could have been a break in at their house.

But the woman was quick to assure her that everything was fine. "Nothing's the matter, dear. I was just calling to inform you that Lauren's father and I have to take a business trip for a few days. We just wanted to let you know because Lauren has been rather ill and were hoping there was some way you could come over and check up on her a few times in the next week. We understand if you're unable to considering the holidays are just around the corner and you're most likely going to want to spend time with your family." She spoke.

"You were just our first choice. We wouldn't mind paying you for any trouble it might cause, too. And if you're unable, we can just hire a babysitter. Though it might be hard to find one this quickly. Anyway, dear." She says before she can ramble on anymore. "Are you busy?"

Camila sat up. "No, I'm not busy at all. I could totally head over to check up on her." She said, turning off the TV and looking for her shoes. "And you don't need to pay me; I wouldn't mind doing this for free." She assured her.

"Thank you so much, Camila. Lauren will be very excited to see you. She was dreading the thought of spending Christmas alone this year." Mrs. Jauregui shared sadly.

"You guys won't be back before Christmas?" Camila asked.

"Sadly, no. This is the first year that we won't be together. Lauren's father and I have a very demanding job. We didn't know it would go to this extent, though." The woman spoke.

Camila frowned at the thought of her girlfriend sick and in bed, completely alone and bored on Christmas. "I'll be right over, Mrs. Jauregui." She promised and grabbed her keys.

The girl walked out the back door, locked it behind her, and made her way over to the side wall where she kept her bike. Camila quickly brushed away the spider webs from its parts and walked it over to the front yard, across the grass, and to the sidewalk.

Camila rode as fast as she could down the street, turned a few blocks down, and then up the hill to Lauren's house. The breeze chilled her skin as she peddled. She should have grabbed a jacket on the way out but she was so determined to get to her girlfriend that she forgot and would just fight the cold.