Talk Me Down (Camren)

Chapter Eleven

Camila isn't sure if things are supposed to change now that they've been on a date, but she really hopes they do. She really hopes that she can kiss Lauren and it's not weird. She hasn't spoken to Lauren in person since before their date, and she's praying that the development in their relationship doesn't make it weird at school on Monday.

Naturally, when Monday morning comes around, Camila starts worrying about how she's going to approach Lauren. Does she greet her with a kiss? Does she act like they're still just friends? Were they still just friends? Camila has no idea what to do.

She avoids the art room all together when she gets to school, knowing that her friends have probably all met up to talk before class. Usually she'd join them, but she decides to head to her locker and get all of the books she needs, and then she'll probably go to homeroom early.

As she's sorting through her locker, she feels a tap on her shoulder and turns around in confusion, her heart stopping when she sees Lauren. "Oh- um, hey, Lo."

"Hey. You were late to art so I started to worry." Lauren smiles at her. "Did you oversleep or something? Forget to set your alarm?"

"No, I just- um..." Camila pauses to try and think up a lie, "spent too much time on my makeup and got distracted. I was worried I'd be late for homeroom and didn't think there'd be much point in going to art when I got here because by the time I'd sat down, I'd have to get back up again."

"True." Lauren accepts Camila's explanation as the truth, and she can't help but feel a little guilty. "But still, I wanted to see you before class. I don't usually see you until lunch on a Monday."

Camila smiles. "Well, you've seen me. Want to walk to homeroom with me? I know you're not in my class, but-"

Lauren cuts her off with a laugh. "Sure, I'll walk with you. Gives me more time to hang out with you and stuff."

"Yeah." Camila closes her locker and walks down the hallway with Lauren, unsure of what to say. She doesn't know if she's supposed to bring up their date, because right now they're acting like it never happened, but she doesn't want to make things awkward. "So, how was your weekend?"

"It was great. I hung out with Mani on Saturday and she slept over at my place. We had a girl's night." Lauren smiles at the memory. "Sunday was kind of boring though. Friday, however, I went on this really fun date with this really cool girl. You probably don't know her; your circle of cool friends is pretty limited. It literally just includes me."

Camila laughs, partly because she's relieved, and gives Lauren a playful shove. "Shut up. Fourth date will happen soon, yeah?"

"Definitely." Lauren's hand bumps against hers, and Camila is about ninety percent certain that it was accidental until Lauren's fingers thread through her own and she gives her hand a gentle squeeze. "Like I said though, date four is on me, and I have a plan already. It's kind of a daytime thing though."

"You're not keeping this a secret from me, Lo." Camila pokes her with her free hand. "If I'm going on another date with you, I need to know the plan."

"Alright, I was thinking something along the lines of a beach date?" Lauren proposes. "Kind of like that time we went to the beach with the girls, except without them and with a lot more ice cream and kisses. You in?"

Camila frowns. "Do I have to wear a bathing suit on this date?"

"Not if you don't want to." Lauren tells her as she comes to a stop in front of Camila's homeroom. "I will be, though. Besides, it's not like I haven't seen you in a bikini before."