Our Deepest Scars

Chapter 30

Camila stared out of the window, gazing down upon an endless ocean of fluffy white clouds and bright sunlight. The airplane was about to start the descent down to the ground below, and as they dipped through the blanket of pearly vapour, she began to notice the buildings, trees and cars dotting the area beneath.

The girls were performing in Tampa, Florida later that day, and had been flying there from Austin for the past two and a half hours. Taking off her headphones when she saw the seatbelt sign flicker on, Camila leant down to open her bag and return the headphones to their case. Sitting back upright, she turned to see her girlfriend fast asleep in the next seat.

Giggling quietly, the small brunette grabbed her phone and took a picture of the sleeping girl. She was about to post the photo when she stopped, thinking back to all the hate she had received over the past few days. With a wave of nostalgia for the sense of freedom she used to feel, Camila put her phone back into her pocket.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are now approaching our destination. We ask you all to make sure you are seated with your seatbelts securely fastened as we prepare for landing. Thank you." The overhead announcement rang throughout the plane, and Lauren jolted awake at once as the sound disturbed her slumber.

"Wh-what? Camz...?" she murmured, rubbing her eyes.

Camila stroked her girlfriend's hair, smiling adoringly at the raspy tone in which Lauren was speaking. "I'm here, babe. We're going to land in a minute," she said softly, aware that the older girl wasn't fully conscious but telling her anyway.

"Land?" Lauren croaked. "What...time is it? When's the show?"

Rubbing her fingers across the taller Latina's cheekbone, Camila replied, "It's one o'clock now and the show starts at seven, remember? Same as every other night?" She laughed jokingly as Lauren finally seemed to understand, having awoken properly now. The other girl went slightly red as she realized where they were and what they were doing.

"Sorry," she muttered shyly, turning her face away.

Camila moved Lauren's head back to face her and leaned in to plant a delicate kiss on her lips. "Don't be sorry. You're so beautiful when you wake up," she whispered as they moved apart again.

Lauren blushed further, giving her girlfriend a timid grin. She loved being in love, especially with she small Latina.

As they neared the ground, Camila clutched at her ears and winced sharply; they were popping due to the change in pressure as the plane approached the runway. Her girlfriend, who wasn't in any discomfort, stroked Camila's arm softly and passed her a piece of gum to chew on. The smaller girl hesitated before taking it and putting it in her mouth. Luckily, it helped to relieve some of the pain, and she was able to focus more on the sunny surroundings of the city.

The airplane landed with a bump and sped along the runway, getting gradually slower every second. Gathering their things together, both girls waited to be told they could leave the aircraft. When they were finally permitted to exit, they met with everyone else to collect their luggage before making their way into a cool, dark car.

Camila moved in first, close to the window. Lauren was next to her with Dinah beside the older Latina; Ally and Normani were together in the back.

"That was such a bumpy flight," Dinah complained, to nods of agreement.

"Yeah, it was so bad." Lauren looked at Camila as she spoke and both girls burst into laughter, knowing full well that the older brunette had been asleep for the entirety of the journey and hadn't felt any turbulence. The looks of confusion from the other three girls only amused them more.