It's Only Money

Part 25

Nerves were starting to replace the shear panic Lauren was experiencing. She was outside room 420 and even the outside of the door smelled strongly of weed. She was terrified for Camila and what might be going on inside the house, so she gulped down her fears, and knocked.

A very tall blonde man opened the door. He was in nothing but his boxers and he was obviously intoxicated.

"Can I help you?" He slurred.

She was about to explain the reason for her visit when a small figure appeared next to him.

"Lauren?!" Camila was obviously intoxicated as well. "How did you find me?" She seemed nervous.

"It's a long story, but we're leaving now." She made an effort to grab her arm but the man swatted her hand away.

"And who are you?" he spat.

Lauren had expected some trouble, but she didn't know how to answer the question. Were her and Camila dating? Were they just roommates? Where did they stand?

"She's my girlfriend," Camila piped up. Even though they weren't in the ideal situation, Lauren's heart still fluttered.

The man glared down at them, the corners of his mouth forming a slight smile.
"Oh. Well in that case, why don't both get your sexy asses in here and we can...learn some things about each other. Your girlfriend and I already started, so it's only fair if you join too."

This sparked anger in Lauren. She pushed the man out of the way and grabbed Camila's shoulder, pulling her into the hallway and shutting the door.

~~~~~~
Camila was thankful that Lauren had been able to find her, but she was also extremely nervous. She had snuck out, gotten drunk, blew Lauren's money, and went home and had sex with another drunk man. She completely reverted back to her original habits, and was ashamed. As soon as she had gotten home she fell asleep, as was now laying in Lauren's bed with her eyes closed, dealing with another hangover. She hadn't had one in quite a while, and had forgotten how terrible they were.

She heard Lauren's soft voice in the doorway.
"Baby, are you awake?"

Camila nodded slightly. She tried to open her mouth to speak but it was so quiet that Lauren couldn't hear her.

"I'll get you some water," she had seamlessly understood what Camila was trying to say.

~~~~~~
After Camila had sobered up, Lauren was prepared to ask questions. She wasn't mad at the girl at first, but after thinking about it for a few hours, she became highly annoyed and shook.

Camila had deliberately woken up in the middle of the night, taken her money, gotten drunk once again, and hooked up with a random man. She needed answers.

Lauren heard shuffling and looked up to see Camila walking into the living room. She was a mess. Her hair was greasy and knotty, her face was shiny with sweat, and her eyes were half closed.

Camila was shocked once again that Lauren hadn't thrown her out. She invited her over to sit next to her on the couch. She smelled like alcohol but Lauren didn't seem to care.

"Camila are you up to answering some of my questions now?" Lauren didn't want to overwhelm the girl, but she did need to know what happened. She wasn't sure how to deal with the problem, but she would deal with that later.

Camila nodded her head, giving Lauren the "okay" to start asking.

"Camila, why did you leave in the first place."

She paused for a few moments, which caused Lauren's heart to pound even harder.
"I woke up and I just...I just wanted...needed to win. You've given me so much and I really wanted to pay you back." Her talking sped up as she tried to make amends. "You've spent so much time and money on me but whenever I get money of my own I never give it to you because I always try to..." Lauren put a finger to her lips.

"Camila, I don't want you to blame this on me. I'm not your reason for doing this. You did this before you even met me, and now you just can't stop."

Tears started brewing in Camila's eyes. She knew Lauren wasn't trying to be mean, but her voice was strict and that scared Camila. If she messed things up with Lauren, she had no where to go.
"Before...before I gambled because I wanted something. I would have small amounts of money and I would desperately want larger amounts, and whenever I would win the slightest bit, even just a few dollars, I would feel the greatest victory, and celebrate with a drink. When I would win I would feel like I succeeded in something, and that I was worth the money that I would win. Now when I go, it's because I'm so thankful for what you've done, and I just want you to see that I'm worth something. That I'm more than a stupid, homeless, poor, disgusting drunk." Tears were flowing freely now and a sob escaped her on her last words. "I never meant to cause you this trouble. I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry."

Lauren's instincts kicked in and she pulled the crying girl into an embrace, rubbing her back soothingly.

She still wasn't happy with the situation, but tried to understand. Lauren knew there were obviously some underlying issues that Camila hadn't spoken about yet, and Lauren was ready to be there for her when she was ready.

Camila stayed in Lauren's arms for so long that she thought the smaller girl had fallen asleep because her breathing had returned to normal, but her theory was extinguished when Camila looked up at her. Her usually warm eyes were swollen and red.

Lauren planted a kiss on the bridge of her nose before asking her last question.
"Camila how much did you spend."

She felt the smaller girl tense in her arms at the question, and Lauren immediately felt guilty.

"I only had fifty dollars. I spent twenty-six and then I won." She was speaking calmly and clearly now. "After I won, I spent the rest of my money on drinks, but I didn't spend the money that I won. I wanted to give that to you. I want to pay you back in any way I can."

Lauren was slightly relieved to hear that Camila had enough self control to keep the money she won. Maybe they would be able to do this.

"Camila, please don't think you have to repay me. Your company is enough. I have a great job, and make enough money for the both of us. Please don't think you being here is throwing me into a financially difficult time, but if you start gambling away all my money frivolously, there will be a problem. When I buy you food, and clothes, and things, it's only money, but the company and memories you give me is worth so much more."

Camila felt tears surfacing once again. She loved Lauren. Lauren saved her, and continued to save her every day.

She tilted her head upward to gently kiss Lauren, attempting to thank her for everything.

She could do this. She would do this for Lauren. She would do this for them.

HEELO
It's been a while guys haha.
I don't have much to say, but summer is finally here.
My authors notes are usually really long but right now it's lunch time and I'm super hungry so Ima go.

How are you guys today?