Girl Crush

Chapter 22

Lauren returned back to school on Monday. Camila offered to drive Lauren to school until she could drive again, and Lauren accepted happily. It was quite a challenge getting into the building, since Lauren was on crutches, but she somehow managed to make it in one piece.

The two met their friends at their usual spot. The three other girls said hello to Lauren and Camila. Not long after, Dinah pointed something out.

"Lauren, you've got some more hickeys on your neck," Dinah said. She always pointed them out. Lauren playfully glared at Camila who grinned like an idiot. Before school, Lauren tried to cover up the marks the best she could, but there were a ton along her neck, chest, and inside her thighs. No amount of concealer would work.

"Y'all are gross," Ally said with a disgusted look, making Camila laugh. The five friends talked for a while before heading to their homeroom. Lauren and Camila took their usual spots, like they did every morning.

"Lo, I have to tell the girls that I'm moving. I haven't told them yet," Camila said when they sat down. Lauren had forgot that they didn't know yet. Lauren nodded.

"When do you leave again?" Lauren asked.

"Wednesday," Camila said sadly. Lauren hadn't realized that she was leaving so soon.

"Damnit," Lauren said under her breath. Camila grabbed her hand and smiled sadly. They both didn't know how to survive six months without each other.

Their morning classes passed fairly quickly and soon it was lunch time. The five girls sat at their usual table, with Camila next to Lauren.

"Guys, I've got some bad news," Camila announced. Lauren found Camila's hand and squeezed it reassuringly. The other three looked at her eagerly.

"My dad has been called out to another state for a different job position for six months, and my family and I have to move there. I'll be gone until June," she said. Ally dropped her fork. They all looked sadly at Camila. Lauren noticed a tear roll down Dinah's cheek. She knew that Camila was closer to Dinah than Normani and Ally.

"When are you leaving?" Normani asked, her voice sounding forced. She was holding back tears.

"Wednesday," Camila said. A sob shook Dinah's body. Ally buried her face into her hands. Normani stares off into space with tears in her eyes.

Dinah got up and stood behind Camila. Camila followed and hugged Dinah tightly, letting go of Lauren's hand. Camila rubbed Dinah's back soothingly as she cried. Ally, Normani, and Lauren followed as they surrounded Camila in a group hug.

The bell rang and they all went their separate ways, feeling sad, and knowing that in two days that there would be only four of them.

Lauren didn't pay attention in her English class and drifted into her own world the whole class. She was allowed to leave class early so she wouldn't get caught in the madness of kids trying to leave, and Camila was too, as she was Lauren's ride.

Lauren greeted Camila with a kiss and they left the school. Camila's parents weren't home, which means Lauren could be there and Camila didn't have to worry about avoiding them.

"We have to watch Sofi, are you sure you want to stay?" Camila asked for the seventh time as they walked to Sofi's bust stop at the beginning of the street. Lauren was on crutches so it was slightly harder to walk.

"Babe, I love Sofi. Of course I'll stay," she reassured. They eventually made it to the bus stop, just as the bus was pulling up. Sofi bounded off the bus, and smiled brightly when she saw Lauren.

"Lolo!" Sofia yelled as she ran to Lauren. Lauren wrapped her arm around the child as she tried to balance on one leg.

"Sof, remember that Lauren is hurt and we have to try and not break her anymore," Camila pointed out. Sofi let go of Lauren and apologized, then began to skip down the street to their house.