you keep robbing my heart like a bank ~camren~

14.

people mentioned not really knowing the full extent of camila's 'reputation' so that is explained here with some backstory that i most definitely did not make up as i was writing and also filler because half of my chapters are fillers

~~

It's been a couple of days since the Keaton incident and apparently Camila's threats are taken seriously because no one has dared to even bother Lauren. Brad and Austin have been keeping a low profile (finally they do something smart), most likely trying to avoid Camila's eventual wrath.

Lauren knows they have to confront the boys eventually, but she prays that there won't be any violence needed when they do so. She wants to get this source of stress out of the way so that she can tackle the other issues she has. Like dealing with Zayn's feelings.

While Lauren was fairly oblivious before, now that she's aware of everyone's feelings, she understands the situation. She knows that her and Camila have way more chemistry and after much thought, she can see herself feeling more for Camila than for Zayn. Plus, it's clear that the girl absolutely adores her and looks at her like she hung the stars in the sky.

She figures that her first order of business should be to let Zayn down (although she has an inkling of a feeling that the boy already knows she's not going to pursue anything further with him).

Of course, Lauren is not saying that she's ready to jump into a relationship with Camila. She's not even 100% sure what exactly she feels for the girl. What Lauren does know is that they have mutual appreciation for each other and whether that translates into something more than friends or stays where it is, she's not sure.

She IS sure that she can't keep leading someone on that she doesn't think she'll have anything more than a physical attraction towards. So Lauren decides that after school today, she's going to sit Zayn down and clear things up with him. He deserves that much, because at the end of the day he's still a really great friend to Lauren.

Walking into the bustling cafeteria, Lauren makes her way towards their usual table, noticing that all of the girls are seated already, the two boys in line for their lunch.

"Hey guys," Lauren says, taking her customary seat next to Camila. She pulls her lunch out while they all greet her before resuming their previous conversations.

Camila turns away from the girls talking about a TV show to speak privately with Lauren. "Has everything been okay since... you know," she asks gently.

"Yeah," Lauren smiles softly at her. "Whatever you said worked because people seem terrified to even breathe on me. Which... I don't know how I feel about that. I'm about as intimidating as a puppy," she remarks distractedly as she sets her food out in front of her.

Camila laughs fondly, her grin too big for her face. "Oh my, god, you're seriously too cute."

"What?" Lauren questions a little indignantly with slightly red cheeks. "I'm not a scary person."

"Not to most people, perhaps. But I was so anxious to talk to you. So yeah, you intimidated me."

"Aw," Lauren coos. "Was the big bad Camzi afraid of little ol' Lolo?" She reaches out and pinches Camila's cheeks who half-heartedly swats them away.

"Shut up," Camila grumbles but Lauren can see the faint blush painting her cheeks.

Giggling at the girl's reaction, Lauren turns to her sandwich and begins unwrapping it,

"Don't worry about the whole 'people being scared of you' thing. It'll pass."

Lauren glances up, her eyebrows raised as if to ask 'are you sure' since her mouth is full and she can't verbally reply.