The Art of Loving You

Chapter 13

Lauren's POV

"Mani, has she called?" I asked nervously, I really wanted to talk to Camila, I haven't spoken to her in so long now.

Normani shook her head. "No." She said softly. She wrapped her arms around me as tears sprung to my eyes. Was Camila ignoring me deliberately?

"Hey, you're okay." Normani said softly, resting her chin on my shoulder.

Suddenly the tablet starts letting out a beeping sound.
Normani let go of me, picking up the tablet.

"Hello?" She said before a smile grew on her lips. "Hey Laur, I think somebody wants to talk to you."

I looked up at her, frowning. Who would want to talk to me?

Normani held out the tablet for me to see who was on the screen.

"Hi there baby girl." Camila said with a wide smile, wearing her uniform.

My heart stopped in my chest. All I could do was stare at her.

"I heard that a certain someone is graduating today, and I managed to get a moment away to call." She said softly, I could hear the sounds of people talking in the background.

A small smile appeared on my face but I couldn't find the words to say anything.

Camila's smile grew as she tilted her head to the side. "Cat got your tongue?"

I released a quiet laugh before shrugging.

Camila's expression changed, as she she bit her lip and looked down. "Laur."

My smile fell. I frowned looking at her.

"Laur, I'm not going to be at your graduation." She said softly.

Tears welled up in my eyes. I took a deep breath to stop myself from crying. I closed my eyes as a tear slipped out.

"I'm sorry baby, I couldn't get away." She said softly.

I opened my eyes and blinked away my tears. I nodded. I watched as her eyes traveled over the tablet before she nods and focuses back on the tablet. "Laur, baby I have to go."

I nodded, handing the tablet to Normani. I sat down on the bed and brought my knees to my chest. I buried my face in my knees and let the tears fall.

"Hey, don't cry baby." Normani said softly, wrapping her arms around me.

I leaned against her. I couldn't stop crying.

She held me close, kissing my cheek softly. "We have to get to the school baby."

I shook my head. I didn't want to go to school and graduate without Camila.

"Come on, I promised Camila I would record you." Normani said softly, pulling me closer.

I shook my head, closing my eyes. A sob racked through my chest.

"Lauren, you need to graduate, now we need to fix your makeup." She said, standing up and grabbing my makeup bag.

I scrunched up my face, wiping away my tears. I took a deep breath to compose myself. I don't want to graduate.

*****

Less than twenty minutes later we were standing in the hallway. "Mani, why couldn't she come?" I asked quietly.

"I don't know." Normani said softly. She ran her fingers through my hair softly.

Taking a deep breath, I looked into her eyes. "Is she mad at me?"

"No, she could never be mad a you. Don't ever say that again." She said, caressing my cheek softly.