I Don't Do Butterflies

Irregular Heartbeats

Camila hurried up the stairs cursing the school for allowing the elevator to be out of service on such a hot day. She decided she had to start going to the gym because walking up three flights of stairs really shouldn't leave her as winded as she felt. Her heart was beating abnormally fast and she attributed most of that to the physical exertion she had just undergone.

Some of it might have had a little something to do with who she was about to see. Her class with Lauren and Lucy was just about to start and she wanted to get there early so she could get a seat with them.

As she walked in to the classroom she looked around and saw that the two of them were sitting half way up the theatre to the left, and there was an empty seat next to Lauren. She started to climb the stairs towards them, not super thrilled about the additional exercise.

"Hey guys!" she greeted cheerfully as she approached.

"Hey Cammi" Lucy greeted back while Lauren smiled widely.

"Mind if I sit here?" she gestured towards the unoccupied seat next to Lauren.

"Of course, I was saving it for you" Lauren replied, waving her over.

Camila scooted into the seat next to Lauren and started to take things out of her bag for class. Lauren, meanwhile, was trying to remember how she usually charmed people. It was always kind of a natural ability and she had never really had to put much thought into it before. She knew everyone loved her eyes so she thought she'd start with some smoldering eye contact.

"Ummm, what the fuck is that?" Lucy said staring in amazement at Camila's assortment of high-liters, post its, erases, pencils, and many colors of pens.

"Everything I need to stay organized and on my a-game to ace this class" Camila replied confidently, arranging her things on the desk.

"You are such a nerd," Lucy deadpanned "but like a really hot nerd that I'd really like to b-"

"-Uhm, Luce, shut the fuck up," Lauren cut in, shoving Lucy a little to make her point. "Your school stuff is really cute, Camila, can I borrow a pen?"

Lauren tried in desperation to make some eye contact when she asked for a pen, but when she looked into Camila's melty chocolate eyes she felt herself heat up and prayed to the universe her face wasn't turning red. There could be no smoldering eye contact while she was in that kind of state so she started to panic.

"Of course!" Camila handed Lauren her pencil case with a big smile.

"T-thanks" Lauren stuttered out, trying to compose herself.

Lucy watched the interaction between the two with great amusement. She had never seen Lauren so smitten with anyone before. She knew Lauren was struggling a little with her feelings so she decided to take initiative.

"Hey, Camila! What are you doing this weekend?" She asked, Lauren snapped her head towards Lucy wondering if she was going to invite Camila to the party before she had the opportunity to.

"Oh um, I don't think much. I'll probably just try to get ahead with some of my readings and hang out with Matthew" She replied shrugging her shoulders.

"Well, I have a much better option for you!" Lucy started before Lauren cut her off.

"WE have a much better option for you, actually, our friend Vero is throwing a party and her parties are usually pretty crazy!"

"A party? A crazy party..." Camila sounded a little nervous she wasn't really a big fan of college parties. She wanted to hang out with Lauren more though, so she figured she'd suck it up and go. Lauren and Lucy were both looking at her expectantly.

"I mean I'm not usually a big party person but I guess I can go for a little while" She finally said.

Lauren broke out into a huge smile and Camila's heart fluttered at the sight.

"Great!" both Lauren and Lucy replied in unison.

"We can go together!" Lauren said. Then realizing how that sounded started to panic. "I mean not togethertogether, but like, since we live in the same building we can walk over together" she rushed out, praying that she didn't sound like a lunatic.

Camila kind of liked the way the first 'together' sounded and smiled. She knew that was probably not a great reaction seeing as she was actually already 'together' with another person, but she couldn't help her feelings.

"That sounds great, Lo, I can't wait"

Just then the professor entered the room and commanded the attention of the class. As it was the first class most of the period was spent going over the syllabus and talking about class expectations. They were introduced to the TA's and told about office hours and extra tutoring sessions. Lauren and Lucy zoned out for most of the unimportant details but Camila kept rapt attention.

"Lauren, will you be mine?" Camila whispered to Lauren about forty minuets into the class. Lauren, having not been paying attention whatsoever, was shocked by Camila's words and whipped her head towards her for clarification.

"Wh-what do you mean?" her heart beating a million beats per second.

"My partner...for the project?" The professor had just been going over the assignments that they would have to complete for the term, mentioning that one would require a partner.

"Oh, ya sure, sounds good" Lauren responded trying to sound nonchalant but internally screaming at the fact she would get to spend more time with the tiny brunette.

Camila smiled at her before returning her attention to the professor for the rest of the lesson. After class the three girls parted to go their separate ways for the rest of the day. Lauren couldn't stop grinning thinking about how she would get to see Camila at least twice a week for the rest of the term, and feeling extremely excited yet nervous about what would happen at the party on Friday.