My Tea Mate (CAMREN)

Getting to Know Her

Damn it, I forgot to ask for her number! I am so bored and right now I only want to chat with Camila, her smile is so cute, I can't get over it.

I ask Dinah, maybe she has it since they are kind of friends. But surprisingly she and I have a little talk, she says,

"No, sorry. But why do you want it anyway? Call her?"

"No, text, I don't do calls remember?"

"Yeah ok, but why? Do you like her or something?"

"Yeah she's nice, what?"

"Hey, Lo, honestly I think she is a little autistic."

"Ok? And why do you think that?"

"Remember before, when I introduced her to you? And told you we had dinner together the night before?"

"Yeah, of course. Go on"

"It wasn't just me, Mani and Ally and other popular girls came too. And when we went over to sit with her to make her feel welcoming, she almost didn't say a word until we said hi."

"So? That's just you, today we had a drink together and she offered!"

"Okay, whatever, I'm just telling you, she's a bit autistic. Like when we asked her questions, she only replied with one or two words. It was extremely awkward."

"Okay I got it, thanks...Bye"

I don't really care about what she said, but now I understand why she spoke so softly this afternoon. She doesn't like talking to strangers. I wonder why she talked to me.

Then after a few more asks for Camila's number, I finally got it. I text her using iMessage.

Me: Hi Camila! Do you know who I am? 😏

Camila: Uhhh, are you Lauren?

Me: Yeah, wow good guess, how?

Camila: Hahaha, you're right, just a guess.

Me: Okay cool, let's get to know each other then! Who's your celebrity crush?

Camila: Okay! Umm cc~ [celebrity crush] Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, etc.... You?

Me: Oh cool! Then you must love La La Land. Hahaha. Anyways, mine are Amber Heard and Zoe Kravitz...

Camila: Ohh I love them too! Favorite TV series?

Then we text each other back and forth. I am not shy in texts because it would never get as awkward as in person. In person, I get shy like in the movies, plus my grinny red cheeks.

When she comes to my locker the next day, it really makes me nervous. I almost don't know what to say until I randomly ask her if she has instagram. She says yes and secretly takes out her phone that is not allowed in school, and types in my username to follow it. I say to her,

"Oh thanks! I'll follow you back later."

"Okay cool."

It is a 20 minute long break so I figure we can play frisbee. Frisbee is currently our class sport, aka the only sport other girls play along. So I ask her,

"Hey, do you know how to play frisbee? "

"Yeah, a little. Why?" She narrows her brows.

"I have one right here, wonna go play?" I grin.

"Okay! But I'm not very good." She worries.

"Who cares?! Plus, I can teach you." I wink.

We run out the building to the caged soccer field beside this teaching building. Yes it is very close, and a perk of learning on the first floor is that you get to go out every break, and make it back to class in time.

We giggle along each other as we fumble the disc. I teach her how to hold, catch, and throw the disc. She is a really quick learner. I compliment her and she says thanks, but shyly.

And I also ask her if she wants to go to Grandpa Tea again after school. She gladly says yes, and I can't wait. I get so excited.

And then right before school ends, we have a class meeting, Camila's teacher is always faster than mine so I see her already outside waiting for me.