Moon Child (A Camren KidFic)

seven

Lauren felt anxious about walking into school. She tried brushing her hair on her own because Clara was busy but failed miserably. She tied her shoes herself, but could not figure out how to double knot them like Papi. Lauren felt unprepared. However, she had gotten to school early because Clara was in a rush to leave the home. She sheepishly walked into the classroom. Camila was at her desk going over her lesson plan. "Miss Cabello..?" Lauren's voice cracked and was small.

"Oh, sweetheart." Camila felt so heartbroken. "Are you okay?" Lauren shook her head. Camila noticed she was wearing dirty clothes and sighed. "Okay. One moment." Camila went to her bag of things and took out a shirt she carries. It was from her favorite band 1975. "This is going to be big on you but it is better than your dirty clothes. Go change then I can fix your hair, alright?" Lauren said thank you before leaving.

Camila rubbed her forehead unsure about what to do. Lauren returned shortly carrying her dirty jumper and sheepishly hid her dirty shirt in her bag. She loved Miss Cabello's shirt; it smelled like vanilla. "Come mere' babe." Lauren sat on Camila's chair as she brushed through her hair. "Do you want me to braid it or anything?" Lauren shook her head making a grimacing face, "my hair looks better down, Miss Cabello." Camila smiled, "Whatever you say."  Camila glanced around her neck to see if she had similar bruises; no sign.

"Feel better?"

Lauren nodded, "my Mami was just busy this morning." Camila nodded as she took out paper for class, "has this been happening often?" Lauren sadly nodded letting her head fall, "my Papi is hardly home too and when he is..." Lauren trailed off. Camila raised her eyebrow, "Lauren?" Lauren shook her head moving towards her seat, "Nothing, Miss Cabello."

Lauren could not tell her what her Papi was like. Clara promised she would fix it herself and asked Lauren to be brave. She promised to be brave. She wanted to make her mama proud too. Lauren pushed the negative thoughts out of her mind as her peers gathered in the classroom.

Lucy had a frown on her face walking to her seat beside Lauren. Lauren puzzled, "Luce, what is wrong?" Lucy sighed, "Peter has a crush on you." Lauren for the second time made a grimacing face. "I know, right?!" Lauren asked, "Why are you sad though?"

"Because we are already best friends..." Lucy trailed off unable to explain. Lauren just went along with it. "Well, is he tries anything I will just tell him no." Lucy perked up, "Good."

Peter walked in followed by James. "Peter, you can't like Lauren."  Peter rolled his eyes, "I can so." James shook his head, "I called dibs!"

"You think girls have cooties anyways!" Peter professed. James gasped, "That was before I liked her. I liked her first anyways." Peter stuck out his tongue. James huffed taking his seat. Peter sat down as well making sure to make eye contact with Lauren giving her a smile. James noticed.

Camila began teaching and soon enough it was time for recess. Lauren was proud of herself too. She had gotten three stickers for good behavior. Papi would have to be proud now! She couldn't wait to show him. She even made a hundred on her spelling test!

Lucy and Lauren took their spot in the shade waiting for their other friends. James and Peter raced over. "Hi, Lauren!" The boys said in sync. "And Lucy..", James added. Lucy shook her head taking Lauren's hand, "Let's go."
"No, wait! Do you want to play with us? You too, Lucy!" Peter asked quickly.
"I will let you be the captain!" James added. 

Lauren turned to Lucy, "I don't care what we do." Lucy shrugged, "if your captain then I'm obviously first-mate!" Peter and James groaned. "What? She wouldn't have picked you guys anyways. Right, Lo?" Lauren sheepishly nodded not wanting to cause any issues. "She could have!" Peter interjected. "No way! I am Lauren's best friend!"  James frustrated pushed Lucy scaring Lauren, "let Lauren pick. Booger brain!"

Lucy scoffed pushing him back, "you're a loser!" Lauren's breathing became uneven, "guys, can you please stop?" Peter stops in front of James, "Don't push him around!" Lucy threw her hands up, "he started it!"

Lauren scanned the playground trying to find Camila, but no luck. When suddenly a rock hit her in the mouth causing her to whimper. James immediately started to apologize. Lucy was enraged, "will you guys get out of here!"

Between all the yelling and the rock hitting her mouth, Lauren lost herself. She couldn't breathe. "Someone find Miss Cabello!" Peter and James took off. 

"Lo! Hey, they're gone..." Lucy said trying to comfort Lauren. Lauren's eyes started to water. "Don't cry, Lo. It's okay!" Lucy ensured wrapping her arms around her. She looked to see Camila coming over concerned.

"Okay, you three please go to time out on the wall while I make sure Lauren is okay." Camila quickly spoke. Lucy shoved James as soon as they were out of Camila's sight.

"Hey Lauren, it's Miss Cabello. You're okay now. Can I take your hand?" Lauren nodded still overwhelmed. She placed Lauren's hand on her heart, "Can you feel the beat? Can you match that? Good girl." Lauren calmed down with Camila's help soon enough.

"Alright. It looks like your lip is busted. Can you tell me what happened?"

Lauren explained the whole story play by play. Camila noted to punish the two boys. "Thank you, Lauren. It's a brave thing, to tell the truth, you know that?" Lauren nodded giving Camila a small smile.

She was brave.