By My Side // Dinah x You

Terms

Your nose was still bruised on Saturday. It was swollen and blue and it hurt so bad to even breathe that you pondered on numerous occasions to stop inhaling and exhaling altogether. But, of course, you were just being dramatic, and the marks on your face were nothing compared to Dinah's. Her left eye was nearly swollen shut, and her lips were busted in at least three places. That didnt stop you from kissing them, though.

And Dinah needed the extra kisses, as her mood had plummeted greatly since the fight. She'd been suspended from the opening game of the season, while Katrina and Leah only got warnings. Also, Dinah had finally started coming to the realization that her childhood best friend was moving away in a matter of days.

"Chop chop, Dinah! These stuff ain't gonna pack itself!" Ally ordered, entering Camila's bedroom with empty cardboard boxes that were almost taller than her.

Sitting down on the floor with a thud, Dinah crossed her arms and frowned at the boxes. "If we don't pack her stuff up, she can't leave."

Ally frowned back and flopped down next to the girl. "DJ..."

As Ally started her pep talk, Lauren, Normani, and Camila came into the room, all sweaty and worn out.

Lauren panted, leaning against the doorway? "Why do you have so much stuff, Mila?"

The shorter girl shrugged. "I'm sentimental."

"More like a hoarder," Normani chuckled, sitting down on the bare mattress in Camila's almost empty room.

Noticing her best friend on the floor, Camila smiled and kicked Dinah lightly. "It's kind of you to finally show up after like, three hours."

Frown growing bigger, Dinah stood and pulled Camila into a hug. "I almost didn't have the heart to come."

The Latina kissed her friend's bruised cheek and pulled out of the hug. "I'm glad you're here. You're probably stronger than me and Ally combined."

"Hey!" Ally protested, although everyone knew it was true.

Camila checked the time on her phone and screamed in alarm. "The moving truck leaves in eight hours! Let's work, people!"

The group chuckled somewhat nervously and began to pack up boxes and move then outside. Smaller things went first like old trophies, guitars, and the contents of Camila's closet, while bigger things like the mattress and dresser were kept for the end.

At some point Lauren put on music, and the house was filled with The 1975 and Ty Dolla $ign and various other artists. Packing went a bit slower, as all of you were dancing and singing to the tunes, but you were much happier.

After a while Camila stopped working to make sandwiches for all of you, and soon you were sitting down to a meal of PB&J, pop tarts, and Gatorade.

"This feels like a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving," Normani commented while taking a bite of her sandwich. "Thanks, Mila."

Camila smiled. "It's the least I could do for my roadies."

"How much do we have left?" Dinah panted, tired from just hauling out Camila and Sofia's bed frames.

Camila sipped her Gatorade and thought for a moment. "Guess that's about it, besides my mattress."

Dinah groaned, knowing she'd be the one to carry most of the load. You kissed her cheek to soothe her while Camila cleaned up your plastic plates. As you all headed up to Camila's bed room, Normani stopped on the stairs.

"Mila, your TV and everything is still set up, right?"

"Uh, yeah, until my dad packs it up. Why?"

Normani smiled a bit sadly. "Why don't we have one last movie night?"

Ally linked arms with the darker girl. "That sounds like a great idea. Mila?"

Camila's eyes lit up for a moment, then faded. "I would love to, but we already packed up all the DVDs."

Lauren piped up. "That doesn't matter. We'll go pick one up from redbox. We. Could even get snacks."

"I'd really, really like that," Camila agreed.

Lauren, Normani, and Ally rushed to Lauren's car to retrieve a movie and snacks from the nearest grocery store. That left you, Camila, and Dinah alone in Camila's room. No one talked, as there was a heavy aura hanging above the room, and you weren't brave enough to break it. Eventually, you made up an excuse to get out of the room and give the other two some privacy.

When you came quietly back from the bathroom, you stopped short from entering the room due to the voices coming from inside.

"Dinah, I won't be far..."

"You're kidding, right? I've never lived more than ten minutes from you in my life. I haven't gone a week without seeing you since we met."

You heard sniffling, and realized Dinah was crying.

"Whoa, hey, DJ..." Camila whispered gently, barely audible to you in the hallway. "You'll be okay..."

"How am I supposed to," she paused to hiccup, "get through the rest of high school without my best friend."

Camila's voice stayed soft and low. "You have other friends that love you. You've got a girlfriend who really, really loves you. You're gonna make it just fine, I promise."

Dinah sniffled and took in a shaky breath. "It won't be the same."

"Change can be good, Dinah."

"It can also be scary."

"Or exciting."

"Or sad."

Camila chuckled. "You're unaware of your own strength."

"What?"

"You've gotten through way worse. You made it through getting expelled, going to a new school, that whole thing with the basketball team... hell, this week alone you took on two people in a fight. You're so strong, DJ. You'll be just fine."

You heard Dinah laughing sadly. "Yeah, I am pretty badass, aren't I?"

"Absolutely."

"I am still gonna miss you though."

You peeped into the room and saw Camila pulling Dinah into a hug.

"Good," the Latina started, closing her eyes and savoring the contact. "I'd be offended if you didn't."