Breaking Down (Camren Short Story)

Chapter 8: Okay Okay Okay

(Also this chapter randomly switches perspectives and it's third person in the following chapters. Idk how that reflects my writing skills but I'm way too lazy to fix it so...)

Once I was released, things seemed to be looking up. The girls still went to interviews without me, but they never said anything too personal.

Ally wouldn't leave my side, and practically became my maid against my will. She would periodically bring me water and ask if I needed anything. I'd been sentenced to bedrest by everyone else, and they were adamant about me not moving.

I had already proven to them that I could walk, but apparently they were worried about my injuries. The physical ones were essentially solved, but my hand was still a problem.

The only time I was allowed out of bed was to go to my physical therapy sessions, which was accompanied by everyone. PT usually left me exhausted, and most times in pain. I still had the wrap around it. I was able to move my fingers to some degree, but gripping things was still out of the question.

So, I spent my time reading books Camz lent me, most of them being teenage romance or classics, so I had quite the plethora of options.

I was nearing the end of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein when my door opened.

"Oh Lauren!" Dinah sang, collapsing next to me on my bed. "Whatcha reading?"

After I told her the title, she made a face.

"Isn't that the dumb giant monster thing with, like, nails in his head?"

"Frankenstein's monster speaks nineteenth century English," I said, flipping the page. "So far, nothing about nails in his head."

"That's even scarier now that I think about it."

"Don't hurt yourself, there. We all know how you trying to think goes."

"All right," she chuckled. "Fuck you."

I smiled a little. "What did you really come up here for?"

"You don't believe that I wanted to see you read?"

"Not at all," I said monotonously. "So what's up?"

Dinah's countenance fell. She started to wring her hands. "Well, the girls and I kind of have something to tell you."

"Does this mean Ally'll let me get out of bed?"

Dinah nodded, getting to her feet. I closed the book, throwing the blankets away and standing shakily.

My bravado fell when my knee gave out almost immediately due to underuse. Dinah was there, her arm wrapping around my waist and holding me steady. Together we made our way down the hall where the girls sat.

"Hey, Lo," Mani said, getting up from her seat to allow me to sit there. I felt selfish.

"What's going on?" I asked, my confusion growing. They all looked super guilty.

The girls exchanged glances, making my confusion grow. I waited, but when no one made any attempt at an explanation, I started to speak again.

"Anyone gonna tell me?" I asked impatiently, my voice rising in frustration.

"Calm down, Lo," Ally said, making a move to rest her hands on my shoulders. "The doctor told you to take it easy, remember?"

I moved away. "No! Not until someone fucking-"

"He wants to see you," Camila blurted, avoiding any and all eye contact.

"What?" My voice cracked.