Catalyst

XVIII

Lauren Jauregui.

Camila hasn't thought of anything else for what feels like months. She feels as though her entire prison existence has revolved around this one girl. Though she knows that isn't true, she can't help but think she was meant to be put in this cell block with these women surrounding her.

Lauren had been a vital piece to Camila coming to terms with her new life here. Although her placement in these walls was unjust and untrue, Lauren and her girls had helped Camila to feel welcome, and have given her a... strange, but pleasant home. Camila doesn't mind the work, and the free meals are a nice bonus. The guards and some of the other women can be a bit much sometimes, but all it takes to clear Camila's mind is for her to spend an hour playing cards with her new family.

She finds herself having to remind herself that she shouldn't idolize prison. Once she gets out, she'll be right back where she started. And although Lauren had not revealed anything about her reason for being here, Camila knew there would be no Lauren once she gets out. Lauren would be here for a very, very long time.

But today is not the time to think of such heavy things. Right now, there is one problem that weighs out all the rest of her problems; Lauren. Is she okay? Will they be letting her out soon? Will this be a setback to the progress Lauren has made over the past few months?

Camila just wants to hold her hand again.

Right now, she's holding the first book Lauren ever gave her; To Kill a Mockingbird. Flipping the cover back, she runs her hands over Lauren's name scrawled at the top of the inside. This book is one of the only things that has decorated Camila's desk. After all the thoughts she'd had about how much of a home this place has become for her, she hasn't truly settled in.

The rest of Camila's life had been spent living in a constant state of preparedness. If she was pulled from her place here tomorrow, or the next day, or even right now, she would be ready.

She's halfway through the first chapter of the book when she spots Ally approaching out of the corner of her eye. Camila looks up, startled by the frantic look in Ally's eyes. She closes the book and sets it aside, meeting Ally halfway at the entrance to the cell block.

Frangipane perks up when she sees her, but Camila ignores the strange way she's looking at Ally. Ally doesn't seem to notice either, to Frangipane's dismay. Camila isn't stupid, she knows something has been going on between the two. She also knows that Frangipane has 'things' going on with a few other girls. But, that's not exactly important information right now.

"Ally?" Camila is the first to speak, "Is everything alright?"

"Come with me," Ally grabs Camila's arm and pulls her along, walking away at as fast a pace as her shorter legs can let her.

Camila tries to break against Ally's iron grip, but fails, "Ally, slow down! What's wrong?" Ally continues to ignore her, "Is this about Laur—"

They reach Ally and Lauren's cell block in record time, and Camila's question is answered before she's even gotten all of it out, "—ren?..."

Ally releases Camila, taking a few hurried steps into the block and looking down at Lauren. Camila's eyes follow along the outline of her body, which lays in a lump over her bed. She's curled up under the blankets, and from here Camila can see that her eyes are open, staring vacantly at the wall.

Lauren shifts at the sound of Camila's voice, but she doesn't sit up or turn to look at her. Ally gestures to Lauren, her brows sewn together with worry, "They brought her back some time ago, I think. I wasn't here, I was playing cards with a few of the other girls. But I came back about ten minutes ago and found her."