Ethereal

Fifteen

Camila sat at the table farthest from everyone during catering. She was skating the less then generous amount of salad around on her plate. She was organizing the food. The carrots in one corner, the lettuce in the other and so on.

"Are you going to eat that?" Normani asked while cocking an eyebrow.

"No, you c-can't eat it... just, arrange it." Camila chose her words carefully.

"Camila you really should eat something." Normani pleaded with a sad look. Camila stopped and looked towards the older girl. She hated letting people down. But she hated when people cared about her more. If they didn't care, she wouldn't have to worry about letting them down.

She shook her head and stood up, throwing the paper plate in the trash can. Camila tried her best to slip out the door quietly without drawing Lauren's attention. She didn't get very far out the door however, because someone grabbed her shoulder. She flinched away and turned around.

"That's the third time in a row you've thrown your plate away without taking a bite. All 3 days at catering and you can't just take a small bite?" Lauren frowned. The girl with the green eyes crossed her arms and blocked Camila from leaving.

"I do what I want." Camila sassed while shrugging her shoulders.

"Well do you want to die Camila? Because that's what's going to happen if you don't eat! I don't understand what your problem is!" Lauren yelled.

Camila flinched at the harshness of the tone Lauren was using. She hated being yelled at. She felt tears spring to her eyes.

"I uh I'm s-sorry." The small girl let out in a small voice. "I do not like being yelled at Lo."
Camila took a few steps back from Lauren.

"I'm sorry camz. I didn't mean to yell." Lauren apologized. The older girl sighed and bit her lip. She took a step towards her girlfriend and rested her hands on Camila's waist. Camila flinched away at the contact of Lauren's hands on her skin.

"Don't touch me."
Camila snapped while trying to get out the door.

Lauren stepped in front of the door to block the small girl from leaving.

"Okay seriously what the fuck is your problem?" Lauren sassed back.
Camila squeezed her eyes shut in attempt to stop her tears. She heard footsteps and prayed that it was Lauren walking away.

"Lauren, go take a breather." A voice she recognized as Dinah's demanded.

Camila opened her eyes. Lauren scoffed and walked out the door behind her.

"Are you okay?" Dinah asked, worried.

"Yeah. She just yelled at me and I hate being yelled at. I do not know what her problem is." Camila sniffled.
Dinah took a step forward and wiped the shorter girl's tears and pulled her in for a hug.
Dinah shivered when she came into contact with Camila's skin.

"You're freezing walz." Dinah stated while taking her light pink sweater off and handing it to the smaller girl. Camila smiled and accepted the sweatshirt.

"She's just worried about you Mila. She's confused. But however I am not confused and I know you have an eating disorder," Dinah paused and observed the smaller girl's face. "I want to help you."
Camila flashed a small smile in response.

"I appreciate it D. But I don't have an ED." Camila tried to justify.
The small girl was in denial about her eating disorder. It was obvious she had one. Anyone could spot it. At this point, everyone in the group besides Lauren knew Camila had anorexia. The small girl could lie all she wanted, but she wasn't fooling Dinah, Ally, and Normani.