The Art of Loving You

Chapter 27 Part 2

Camila's POV

We'd been driving around for almost two hours with no sign of Lauren, until my phone starts going off. Hitting a button on the steering wheel, Dinah's voice enters the car. "We got her, I'm driving her home now, she's dry and warm." She said before hanging up.

Releasing a deep breath, I pull into a private area and park the car, dropping my head to the steering wheel.

"Mila, are you okay?" Normani asked softly.

Leaning back in the seat, I turn to look at Normani, "This isn't how I planned us celebrating you saying yes." I said softly.

"I know it's not, but life is just being mean at the moment." She said. "We should get home, make sure Lauren is okay."

Sitting up, I lean over the centre console and pull her into a slow and passionate yet needy kiss, sliding one hand to rest at the back of her neck while the other rests on hip. She kissed me back softly. The kiss was soft and slow, nothing sexual in it. It was an amazing kiss. Deepening the kiss, I slid my hand from behind her neck and caressed her cheek. She smiled into the kiss and a rumble of thunder caused us to jump away from each other in surprise.

"We should really head home now." I said softly, but I couldn't bring myself to look away from her.

She smiled shyly. "Yeah." She agreed.

Another rumble of thunder caused us both to jump.

Clearing my throat, I shift in my seat and put the car in reverse, making sure it's safe before backing out of the private are. Putting the car in drive, I grab Mani's hand and interlock our fingers while driving us back home.

The ride home was quiet. When we got there we immediately got out of the car and into the house.

Stepping into the living room, I froze upon seeing every single one of our friends were there, and the one's who had kids had them there.

Lauren was sitting on the couch, her knees brought up to her chest as she rocked herself back and forth. I could see the fear and panic in her eyes as she looked at her feet. She gripped her right arm, I could see blood on her hand. Everyone was watching her which was probably making her feel more scared than she already was.

"Mani, get the first aid kit and a wet washcloth." I whispered softly before releasing her hand.

Making my way over to Lauren, I knelt down in front of her, "Laur?" I said softly.

She jumped slightly, looking up at me, searching my face for any signs of danger. It took her a few minutes to realise who I was.

"What happened baby?" I asked softly, reaching up and gently caressing her cheek.

She shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes.

"We tried to get her to talk, but she's gone mute." Dinah said softly, I could hear the worry in her voice.

Normani  walks over with a wet washcloth and the first aid kit. "Can I see your arm?" I asked.

Lauren reluctantly let me take her arm. I gently pulled her hand away to reveal a large cut that would probably leave a scar after it healed.

Taking the washcloth from Normani, I began to slowly clean the cut. "Where did you find her?" I asked Dinah.

Lauren winced and scrunched up her face in pain.

"In an alley, some drunk guy was threatening her with a gun. He had the biggest bulge in his pants, I suspect he was probably trying to rape her or something." Dinah said.