Like I Do - Camren

Chapter 8

Camila's POV
I stayed sitting on the park bench after Lauren left. She was right, it was selfish of me. It was selfish of me to stay in the group when I was the only one who wanted me to stay. It was selfish of me to keep pulling Dinah through the rocks. It was selfish of me to continue being here in general.

I sat, just thinking, watching as people jogged by, or walked there dogs. I waited until I was about ready to just leave. Not to the bus, though. I was about to get up when I spotted two familiar faces. "Camila! I'm so glad you're ok!" Dinah ran and sat beside me, wrapping her arms around me. "Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?" I asked, with a hint of sarcasm. "Lauren told us what happened." Ally sat on my other side and hugged me as well. "It's fine. She's right." I shrugged. "About what?" Ally asked. "About me being selfish." I looked down. "She left that part out. I'm seriously gonna beat her ass....." Dinah started. "D, Lauren has no idea what's going on. She didn't know the affect her words would have on Mila." Ally reassured her. "You're right. I know. Listen, Mila, let's get you back to the bus." Dinah helped me up and we started the journey back without me struggling.

The walk was silent, and when we got back Mani and Lauren were sat at the table. Mani hugged me and Lauren tried to hug me and apologize but I wouldn't let her. I told her she was right and apologized before quickly climbing into my bunk. I didn't feel like talking or anything, plus it was already getting dark.

After a few minutes, Dinah opened my curtain. "Hey, Mila. You have an appointment in a week to get the stitches out in Miami." She said, rubbing my arm. "M'kay." I nodded. "Are you excited for our show in your hometown?" She asked, trying to keep the conversation going. "I guess. I love it there. Just don't have the best memories." I shrug, thinking back to what happened with my family. "Yeah. That's understandable. You should get some sleep, you look exhausted." She said, closing the curtain. "Goodnight Chancho, love you." She sad. "Night, Cheechee. Love you too." I replied.

I finally dozed off and then woke up at 2 am. I felt sick to my stomach, and rushed to the bathroom. Out of nowhere, I started throwing up, barely making it to the toilet. I hadn't had time to put on a sweater or anything and I wasn't able to close the door before I got in. "Mila! Are you ok?" I heard Dinah whisper-yell. I nodded. "You didn't... Y'know... did you?" She asked, rubbing my back. I shook my head. She let out a sigh of relief. "What's wrong?" She asked. I shrugged in response. "Ok." She kept rubbing circles onto my back.

When I finished and refused to go back into my bunk, Dinah led me to the lounge to sit down. I snuggled into her and cried silently while she just held onto me. We stayed like that until I heard her lightly snoring. The sun came up a few hours later and the girls started getting up. I pulled away from Dinah and stretched my arms up. Just then, Mani walked in. I could see her looking at my bandages, and I let arms fall back down. "Morning Mila." She greeted with a sad smile. "Morning." I said back, standing up. "Is Lauren up?" I asked, to which she nodded. "Ok. Can you grab my sweatshirt off my bed please?" I asked. "Yeah. Be right back." She said, walking out. I looked over to see Dinah still sleeping peacefully. I decided to leave her be because she was up pretty early.

A minute later Normani returned and gave me my sweatshirt, which I slipped on and left so Dinah could sleep in peace. Ally and Lauren were sitting at the table already and when I walked in, Ally stood up an pulled me into a hug. "Morning, Mila." She said. "Morning." I greeted. I saw Lauren looking at me from the corner of my eye. "Hey, Camz, could I talk to you real quick?" She asked. I turned to face her. "Sure." I shrugged. I couldn't hold what she said against her. She was just stating a fact. She stood and led me to the bunk area, where the girls could listen in if they had chosen to do so. "Listen, I just wanted to say that I'm really sorry for yesterday. I didn't mean it, at all. I know that it is no excuse, but I was upset." She said, looking into my eyes. I quickly looked down. "Don't apologize. I mean, you weren't wrong." I chuckled lightly. "Yes, Camila, I was. You aren't being selfish. You can tell me whenever you're ready, and I shouldn't have tried to pry." Lauren said, pulling my head up by my chin. I shrugged. "It's fine." Was all I could say. "Are we good?" She asked quickly. "Yeah." I replied.

****

We finally got to the hotel. Lauren and I were sharing a room, she recommended it and no one objected. I set my suitcase down on my bed and fell next to it. "I'm so tired!" I exclaimed into the fluffy white sheets. "Me too. Are you ready for the show tonight?" Lauren asked. I nodded my head. "Yeah." I replied. I felt pressure on my back, and realized that Lauren had fallen over on top of me. I grunted and she just giggled. I rolled over, throwing her off me. We laid there giggling for a few minutes before we calmed down a bit. "Camz, why do you wear that jacket, even when it's as hot as it is in here?" She asks. I feel nervous all of a sudden. "I'm just cold." I say. She nods, in apparent thought. "Well, you can always just cuddle me when you get cold." She says, turning her head to face me. "Thanks." I smile.