The Dragonflies

Chapter 9

Lauren's POV

Normani has been studying me like a flea under a microscope all throughout breakfast. She is presumably trying to be subtle, but there is no mistaking the burn of her constant watchful eyes on me. Knowing exactly what has provoked her analysis of me just further make me squirm in discomfort under her gaze. As if I wasn't pissed off enough at Dinah for what she did at dinner last night, now I can add to my anger the fact that she was able to get into Mani's head.

Once Normani, Dinah, Camila, and I finish breakfast, we start heading towards the training facility. I decide to use this as my chance at addressing Normani on this whole situation. Dinah, Normani, and Camila have conveniently ventured a bit ahead of me, so I quicken my pace to tug on Normani's arm to pull her back from them.

"What's up?" Normani asks me with a confused expression.

"Would you quit?" I ask, getting right to the point.

"Quit what?" she asks, even further confused.

"Watching my every fucking move, Mani!" I whisper yell.

"Look, after last night, I'm just trying to figure this all out," she explains like it was completely justified. But no, its really not!

"What are you trying to figure out, Mani? There's nothing to figure out! That was just Dinah and her ridiculous delusional verdict based off of absolutely nothing but her imagination!" I rant. "And what exactly are you watching for, huh? Some magical confession ritual where I pledge my love?" I sarcastically ask her.

"Some 'ridiculous delusional verdict based off of nothing but imagination', huh? Lauren, when the hell has Dinah ever just fabricated some romance between two people? You're acting like this is some hobby of hers, but I can't recall her ever doing this in the past," Normani pushes back. I can't believe this is actually happening to me. I want to scream over how frustrated I am with my so-called friends.

"Are you seriously going to believe her over me, Mani? I'm your best friend! We've been best friends since we were in fucking diapers! I wouldn't lie to you, you know that," I try to reason.

"Ok, fine Lauren. I'm going to ask you, straight up, right now, and you are going to answer me in complete honesty. Do you have any sort of feelings, a crush or whatever, on Camila?" she asks.

"Absolutely not Mani. Scouts honor, swear on our friendship," I easily answer. And again, she is fucking studying me to try and detect any hint of a lie. Some best friend, Mani. Where's the faith?!

"So do you believe me or..." I press her in annoyance. I just want to end this messed up situation. Dinah might be a whole other story, but I know I can always count on Mani to have my best interest. Once we get this conversation over with, everything will go back to normal between the two of us.

"Yo Mani! Lauser! You coming or what?" Dinah yells from ahead of us. I hadn't even realized that we had completely stopped walking at some point during our conversation. We've fallen fairly far behind the pair.

"Yeah, we'll be right there!" Normani yells back. "You're right, Lauren. You're my best friend, and if you say there is really nothing going on, then I believe you. Besides, I know you. You aren't stupid enough to put yourself in such a position that will inevitably end horribly," She says as she walks off to join the two. Why did that seem more like a warning for me than her actually accepting my answer...

***

Camila's POV

Training had ended, and I find myself once again at my trusty punching bag while I wait for Lauren to finish picking up from today's class. It's only the first week, but this has already become my routine after training. Its not like I have anything better to do while I wait for Lauren anyways. Besides, I've come to realize that there's something very therapeutic and satisfying in punching something. It's a much needed stress reliever, especially today, since I am meeting with Lauren's father tonight. He scares the crap out of me.