I'm Not Your Toy

Put Yourselves Out of Your Misery

Lauren's POV

The sound of my phone jolts me awake. I quickly rub my eyes and grab it to see that Camila is calling. I clear my throat and answer as fast as I can, she still hasn't come home from her date and something may have gone wrong. 

"Hello? Camila, is everything okay?" I ask in a panicked state and sit up on my bed. I hear giggling on the other end of the phone and hear Camila join in. "Lauren! I feel so bad for not coming home last night." She stops as another person speaks over her. "Don't worry, I kept her safe." I can practically hear my roommate's eyes roll at the statement, but she lets it pass. "Anyways, how about we make it up to you and we go out for brunch in thirty minutes? We can go to Ally's bakery and get some coffee to wake us up."

My head is relieved, knowing that Camila is safe and happy. However, my heart feels like it just shattered even more. Their invitation means that last night went very well and this will be the introduction of a new possible girlfriend to friends. I guess if I have to live with Camila dating somebody else, it can help ease my mind knowing more about them and if they have good intentions.

"I guess that sounds like a good idea. I have to go get ready now though, you just woke me up and you know how bad I look without makeup on." I reply with a laugh. Maybe this will just be another step towards letting her go.

"Oh please, you look absolutely flawless with and without makeup. Oh, and please drag the little one with you. I've been trying to get her up and doing stuff before noon on the weekends. She would sleep in until 3 in the afternoon if I let her." I feel a little bit of red crawling up my cheeks when she commented on me without makeup, but wrap up the call and start scrambling to get myself ready and mini Cabello out of bed. 

We decide to walk to the bakery since it is close and would probably take longer to find parking. Ally recently added a few tables out front so people can enjoy the ocean sounds and breeze while enjoying their breakfast. That's where we found the two girls laughing and waving us over.

"Hey girls, how was your night?" Sofia asked while we were sitting down. Her sister perked up at the question and got a little twinkle in her eye. "Oh, it was amazing Sofi. She took me to a big art exhibit for newly emerging artists. There was all kinds of cool pieces there and it just so happens that Ari knew one of the most talented guys showcased there. He got us into a little underground thing after and next thing we knew, it was 3 in the morning." She looks at her new... Friend? Girlfriend? Whatever they were.

Ariana laughed, "And by knows the guy, she means that I went to high school and we barely talked to each other. His work is pretty amazing though."

Sofi places her elbow on the table and props her chin on her hand while looking between her sister and the new girl. "What else did you two do? I couldn't help but notice that you never came home last night." She questions with a smirk. "Sofi." Camila scorns. "If you're implying that we hooked up last night, you're incorrect." Ariana starts to laugh at the girl's accusation. "I'm sorry Sofia, but we realized pretty quick last night that we weren't each other's type. I'm pretty sure your sister is more into green eyes and dark brown hair." She adds with a wink. Camila slaps her on the arm and excuses herself to use the bathroom.

"See Lauren, nothing to worry about." Sofi says a little too loud and the other girl overhears. "Little Cabello, can you please do us all the favor and shut your mouth. You have the tendency to make things very awkward very fast." The girl shrugged and took a sip of her coffee.

"I'm pretty sure I'm not supposed to mention this, Lauren, but a majority of last night was spent discussing you. Not in a weird way, but I think she's kind of used to hiding her feelings for you and she just needed somebody to talk to about it. And based on the way I noticed you acting last night, I'm pretty sure you're not over her either." It takes me a second to realize exactly what she was saying, was I that obvious about my feelings towards them being together last night?

I don't know how to respond, so she continues. "Look, I don't want to be the bad guy here. Camila is a great friend and that's all I want from her. Please just put yourselves out of your misery and do something about your feelings for her. She is too scared that she messed it all up for good, so she needs some kind of a sign that you are still into the idea of being with her." 

My mind starts reeling at the fact that I've kind of given Camila the cold shoulder. Sure, we have great moments and are friendly to each other, but my emotional walls have been up. I haven't let her in because I'm scared of getting hurt again and I don't know if I am willing to go through it again. I don't even know if I could let my walls down if I wanted to.

My thoughts are cut short at the sight of the brunette coming back to the table. Ariana gives me a look to solidify what she said as Camila sat back down. "So, what did I miss?"

"Don't worry sis, we were just talking about how much we all hate you." Sofi quickly responds.

It feels like it has been years since I've posted anything here. I'm sorry, and I've said that so many times at the ends of my chapters, but I mean it every time. Life hasn't stopped throwing curve balls at me. I've lost my grandfather and another close family friend that felt like family, that has been rough on me. I was partially named after my grandpa, so I feel like I've been carrying a piece of him with me since he passed away. My puppy also broke his leg at 6 months old (2.5 months ago), right on a growth plate and he is a lab, so that was super concerning. Thankfully we think he has fully healed and are finally done with surgeries. He was stuck in a pen for two months, only allowed to leave to go pee and assisted with a sling. Once all my puppy problems were a lot better, I got a summer job... At a kennel/ puppy daycare. It's pretty fun, but also exhausting at the same time.

There's a little update on my life. I'm either working with tons of dogs at a kennel, babysitting, or pet watching around the neighborhood 24/7. Doesn't sound like a lot, but I'm barely home anymore. Hopefully I can continue updating this book at a more reasonable rate, but I guess I can never keep my promises. All I can say is that you guys will hopefully see some more updates soon. Thanks for being so patient with me and hopefully you haven't forgotten about this book already.