The Art of Us

Chapter Sixteen

XXXXXXXXX

Chapter Sixteen

XXXXXXXXX

Camila's POV

I sat on the couch, Mani's head in my lap as I ran my fingers through her hair. She was still asleep, she's been asleep since her panic attack on the boat about three hours ago.

"I'm still trying to figure out what caused her to panic." Dinah said, sitting down and running a hand through her hair.

Lauren shrugged, her head resting on Dinah's shoulder.

"I have no idea." I said.

Normani shifts slightly on my lap and let out a quiet whine.

I ran my fingers through her hair, hoping she'd stay calm.

Her body tensed before she slowly began to wake up, her eyes opening as she blinked at me slowly.

"Hi." I said softly, smiling at her. "Did you enjoy your nap?" I ran my fingers through her hair.

Nodding her head, she curled closer to me and rubbed her face against my stomach.

I giggled. "That tickles." I said.

Lifting her head, she smiles and sits up. "Mhmm." She hummed, straddling my hips and burying her face in my neck.

I rubbed her back softly, kissing her shoulder.

Taking a deep breath, she shifts on my lap before relaxing and gripping onto my shirt.

"You okay?" I whispered in her ear.

Normani doesn't respond, her breathing and body completely relaxed.

I smiled softly. "She's asleep again." I said.

Lauren giggles softly and curls closer to Dinah. "She must be exhausted."

Dinah froze and looked at Lauren, her eyes wide in shock. "You spoke?" She smiled.

Nodding her head, Lauren giggles and kisses Dinah softly.

Dinah smiled into the kiss.

Lauren pulled away after a few minutes. She smiled and rested her head on Dinah's shoulder.

Two hours later

"Mila," Normani's voice called from the bathroom.

"Yeah?" I called back from my spot in the kitchen. "What's up?"

It's quiet for a few minutes before she speaks again. "Can you come here?"

"What's wrong?" I asked, beginning to worry. I put the plates down beside Dinah and began making my way to the bathroom.

Normani is frowning as she stands in the shower.

"What's wrong?" I asked, walking over to her.

"The water's cold." She whines, looking at me, she was in one of her moods.

"Turn the water heat up." I said, pointing to the water heat dial.

Crossing her arms, she stares at me. "Why don't you come in here and do it for me."

"I can't. I'm helping Dinah with dinner." I said softly.

Closing her eyes she takes a deep breath and turns away from me. "Then leave." She whispered.

I sighed. "Mani, don't do this." I said. "Don't push me away."

"I'm trying to take a shower." She responds coldly, turning the water to hot.

Shaking my head, I leave the bathroom, sighing heavily. I run my hand through my hair and make my way back into the kitchen.

"What did she want?" Dinah asked, turning to look at me.