Death of Me • Camren

Two

Warning: mention of sexual and alcohol abuse

Party after party after party. That's all Camila has been doing recently. Not even good ones, just any party she knew about and could get to. Mostly college ones, although she was a student herself, she still went. Anywhere she could get fucked up without being judged was somewhere to celebrate.

Tonight, she just drove up to the local college, and as expected, there were several parties going on. No one she knew, but there were the usual dancing on table to drinking apple juice and pretending to be drunk type of people.

Fortunately for her, none of which have ever been Camila.

She walks through the sea of people, attempting to find the kitchen. Locating it a few minutes later, she grins. It was an alcoholic's dream. Not that she was one, but it was a beautiful sight. Where to start? She wonders, running her fingers over the open tops. Eventually settling on the comfortable choice of vodka. Safe in the sense that it's recognizable and she knows how much she could handle.

Chugging the first cup, Camila groans at the stinging in her throat. One would think she would have learned to mix it with something non alcoholic by now, but all she cared about was getting drunk. She didn't care how. She just wanted it to be quick.

It wasn't a good idea to get drunk at a place where she didn't know anyone, or what they were cable of, but most of the time she kept to herself, enjoying the music, and people usually left her alone, but on rare occasions like tonight, Camila kept getting hit on. Fuckboy after fuckboy. All only wanting sex. The brunette only rolled her eyes.

Usually, they didn't pester her after that, but tonight, one guy in particular just wouldn't take no for an answer. "Come on baby," he stares Camila up and down and she can't help but shiver in disgust. "What do you say we take this party upstairs?" He attempts to flirt, raising his eyebrows. "Fuck off." Camila says after downing the last of her drink. He could at least use something more original. She waits for him to leave but he only stares at her. He had the exact same look in his eyes as the guy that attempted to rape her. Hungry and determined. She swallows a lump in her throat. That same disgusting look.

Except this time, Lauren wasn't there to help her. No one was. She was in a house full of drunk strangers. She could run, but the guy would most likely follow her.

It's not until a tan skinned girl with wavy hair walks up to them, "Alexa!" she chimes, "it's been so long," the girl smiles, but Camila only furrows her eye brows at the unfamiliar face. "How have you been?" The girl asks, placing an arm around Camila's shoulder and taking her away.

When they're finally far enough, the girl lets go. "I saw the way he was looking at you. You'd better stick with me for the rest of the night."

It took a few seconds, but Camila eventually understood what had just happened. They didn't know each other but the girl was trying to keep her safe.

A soft smile forms on her face, "I'm Elizabeth, by the way."

"Camila."

...

It's been a year since Camila thought she saw Lauren. There's still a possibility that it wasn't her, and that chance both relaxed and distressed her.