thin walls (are calling me home)

Chapter 11

trigger warning for real quick psychological abuse. wasn't sure about this one, but better safe than sorry.  

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Lauren heard the restroom door close behind her with a thud. The sound wasn't by any means loud or shrill, but it may as well have been, from the way she flinched. Her head hurt and now her chest hurt as well, all because of a stupid fight. Lauren should've just gone home with Camila, there was nothing she wanted to do more anyway.

But Lauren couldn't. And even if she could, what was done was done anyway.

Lauren groaned in frustration and tilted her head back, blinking rapidly to control the tears that were threatening to spill. After a while Lauren thought she was good to go back, no longer feeling the lump in her throat or the stinging in her eyes. Even so, she stayed there for a few more minutes, just in case.

(Or, she was just postponing the inevitable, which was going back to the party.)

Lauren was just turning around to exit the restroom when a woman came in, smiling politely as she walked past the young cop. She hadn't noticed anything weird about Lauren or at least not weird enough to have a strong reaction, which was good. The Latina finally stepped out of her hiding place, feeling somewhat comforted by the thought.

Lauren went back to her table and sat down, sighing. She checked her phone and her eyebrows raised inadvertently when she realized she and Camila had first gone to the restroom approximately half an hour ago. That meant Camila was almost at home by now, if there wasn't any traffic. Lauren wanted to send her a quick text, apologize for... something, she guessed.

But then again, apologize for what? Lauren had the right to keep to herself things she wasn't prepared to share. Irritation at her girlfriend for pushing started to arise in Lauren, but it deflated not a minute later, since Camila hadn't pushed. The girl had asked Lauren to explain why she couldn't leave and then dropped the subject, just asking her to actually come home. Lauren couldn't be mad at her for leaving either, since she had basically sent Camila away, but still...

It all came down to what Camila didn't know, she guessed. If she did know, she'd understand Lauren's motives, why she was such a mess all night. Lauren chuckled at the thought. At least she managed to do that right, since Camila hadn't noticed how distraught she had gotten from time to time.

The fight had also helped Lauren sober up, which made things a little clearer in her mind. Lauren came to the conclusion that Camila was right in not wanting her to drink more than she'd already done. Neither of them should have gotten carried away with the champagne, partially responsible for worsening Camila's temper and Lauren's emotional instability.

Wow, emotionally instability. For someone who wouldn't allow herself to feel for fear of being a burden, just thinking those two words was an important step. Admitting a problem is the first step to solving it after all, and Lauren couldn't help but feel a little better at the realization of her progress. Camila would be proud of her.

But Camila wasn't there.

Groaning, Lauren ran a hand through her hair and decided that she should really text or even call Camila. Actually, Lauren should go home, but the mere thought made her chest constrict in anxiety. That step was a little further up than the one she had just gotten to and... No, she couldn't, not for now.

(She shouldn't try to jump over any steps or she might fall and go down the stairs, right?)

Anyway, a text was enough for now. At least Lauren hoped so. She unlocked her phone and opened the texting app, thinking about what to write. Maybe she could just-