Tongue Tied (GxG) (Camren)

Chapter 9

"Lauren? It's time to wake up, mija," Clara's voice broke through Lauren's sleepy haze.

Lauren blinked rapidly, the late afternoon sun too bright for her tired eyes. She attempted to stretch her arms out, but her range of motion was stopped by a body lying nearly on top of her. Remembering that she had fallen asleep with Camila in her arms the night before, she smiled, but when she looked down and saw Jade snoring lightly, the events of this morning came back.

Remembering how Doctor Watson had mentioned that Clara was on board with the counseling idea, Lauren became immediately infuriated again. She shot her mom a hard glare.

Clara caught on to her daughter's obvious anger while eyeing her position with Jade suspiciously, "I know that it might not be what you want, but we need to try something, Lauren. What we're doing isn't working and it kills me to see you like this."

Lauren sighed, this conversation was entirely too routine for her liking.

"We'll talk about it some more when we get home, okay?" Clara moved across the room to sit in a chair by the window. Once she was settled, she looked between her daughter and the sleeping girl in the bed beside her, fully aware of their complicated history.

Before Lauren's mom could ask, the raven haired girl reached slowly across the sleeping blonde for her white board. She began writing intensely.

I saw her at a diner yesterday morning and then she just showed up here today. Seeing her in the wheelchair snapped something in me, I'm sorry.

Lauren showed her words to her mother who read them with a soft expression, knowing how much it took for Lauren to admit that she was hurting.

"I don't think being in contact with Jade is healthy for you," Clara's mom started, "but maybe she can offer you the closure you need. You have to forgive yourself for what happened, mija."

Lauren looked away from her mother and focused at picking at a string on the sheets of her bed. The accident was her fault. She had made the alcohol induced decision to drive the car. She was the one who had the stroke. Jade was innocent, she didn't ask for the horrible life that Lauren had sentenced her to. The green eyed girl believed that the permanent guilt in her stomach was a small price to pay for ruining the life of someone that she loved.

"I'm going to get the rest of your release paperwork sorted out with the doctors, I shouldn't be gone long," Clara stood up and walked towards the door, turning around just before exiting the room, "Be careful, Lauren."

Lauren nodded in response and was left alone with the still sleeping blonde.

She got up after a few moments, and walked towards the bathroom connected to her room. Before she reached the door, she saw a smile white card on the ground. Curious as to what it was, she picked it up and squinted her eyes to read the small print.

Beautiful flowers for a beautiful girl. I hope that you're feeling better today and that you can come home soon!
- Camz

Lauren's heart fluttered and she smiled as she looked around the room. There were no flowers in sight. When had Camila come?  Even just thinking about seeing the small brunette again made her stomach do flips.

The green eyed girl continued on her path to the bathroom, closing the door behind her. She walked up to the sink and looked at herself in the mirror. Her dark hair was disheveled from all of the sleep she had been getting, but her eyes had dark rings around them indicating that she hadn't gotten any at all. The trace of her smile from Camila's thoughtful message was still evident on her face, but as her green eyed reflection looked back at her, she began to feel insecure.