The Payphone (Camren)

Chapter 7: Using Fifty Shades of Grey Against Lauren

Bless this picture... actually the last actual Camren selfie we've gotten... Not gonna lie, this makes me emotional.

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"Um... Banana?" I cursed myself for being so awkward but I held out my banana to Lauren who just stood there and blinked at the banana in my outstretched hand. She blinked a little more and then raised her head to look into my eyes and blinked some more. She seemed slightly dazed. "No banana? Yes banana?"

She looked down at the banana in my hand again and after a minute of awkward silence (on my end) she raised her head. My breath hitched slightly as her green eyes stared into my own boring brown eyes. Her eyes had something akin to desolation in them. I could practically feel the anger, frustration and sadness radiating off her.

"I think you need this banana more than I do. I eat bananas when I'm sad." I struggled to explain why I wanted her to take my banana.

"If you're holding a banana and you eat bananas when you're sad, are you sad right now?" Lauren's lips tugged up slightly, trying to lift the mood.

"Well no, I generally eat bananas." I shrugged and smiled sheepishly.

"It's okay, I don't really need a banana right now, but thanks Camila." Lauren sighed and ran a hand through her hair which made my breathing momentarily stop. Can she please stop doing that? Does she understand the effect that has on mere mortals such as myself? "You're here early."

"I am?" I asked confused. "Dinah told me to- Oh."

"Dinah told you to- Oh?" Lauren repeated, clearly amused but definitely understood me.

"So what do you want to do?" I asked, hoping she got the message that I wouldn't push for information on what happened.

"There's a park nearby, we can go there. It has crazy chill vibes." Lauren looked visibly relieved and grateful.

On the walk to the park I made sure to actually see the world around me. I saw the birds that flew so freely, I saw the ants swarming over a dropped meat pie, I saw the way the wind rustled the leaves in the trees, I saw the way Lauren's intimidating eyes were fixated on our destination which I could see in the distance. I saw everything for once. Something about the moments in time grounded me and made my chest flurry with an unexplainable emotion. It was just there.

I began associating many things with both Lauren and Michelle.

While staring at Lauren I hadn't noticed that I was somewhat lagging behind.

"Hey Camila, is your head up in the clouds?" She said teasingly. I blushed and cleared my throat which seemed to have suddenly gotten very dry.

"Um, I like your shirt." I blushed, embarrassed.

"Thanks," she said very enthusiastically, "I like your jacket."

"Thanks." I laughed.

"Now come on, I wanna show you something." She walked back towards me and grabbed my hand gently and tugged me towards the park. The connection between Lauren's hand and mine burned pleasantly. My heart seemed to have exploded with emotion.

When we arrived at the park, Lauren and I were leisurely strolling along a rough dirt path. We walked under the tall trees and felt the wind rustling our hair which I would have found annoying if Lauren hadn't been holding my hand while walking close to me.