Moon Child (A Camren KidFic)

ten

Lauren carried Camila's now washed sweatshirt into the classroom keeping her head down. She was earlier than the other students but she did not want Camila to see her cheek. She knew she would ask questions.  She sat the sweatshirt on her desk as Camila marked through papers. Camila looked up to see Lauren quickly taking her seat. Camila furrowed her eyebrows taking the sweatshirt, "Thank you, Lauren. You are here early." Lauren only nodded her head and pretended to draw biting her lip.  "Is everything okay?" Camila gave her full attention to the younger girl. Lauren stayed quiet unsure of what to say. Camila let out a sigh, "It is okay to tell me if something is happening Lauren. I can tell people who can help you." Lauren shook her head not wanting to disappoint her father or mother. She had to be brave for her Mami. 

 Camila made a note to talk to the principal before she left school to see what she should do. "Okay, hun. Let me know if you want to talk, okay?" Lauren bit her lip and mumbled, "Okay." Camila stood to greet her other students walking in with big smiles. Lauren was still at the back of her mind. She had only known the girl for barely a couple of weeks, but she noticed major changes in her attitude and behavior. 

"Good morning class." A chorus of 'good morning, Miss Cabello' erupted the room. "Today we are going over our science section of the week, sound fun?" The students nodded their heads. "Good to know. We are going to be learning about space." A couple of students beamed with excitement. Camila smiled, "The moon to be exact." This caused Lauren's interest to peak forgetting her bruised cheek she picked her head up. Camila glanced over and let out a small gasp. "Uh, excuse me."  Camila shook her head, "Does anyone know anything about the moon already?" Camila tried not to stare at Lauren, but her worry grew and knots turned in her stomach. She feared the worst for the younger girl. 

Lucy raised her hand. "Yes, Lucy?" 

"The moon follows your car!" Camila grinned, "It does not exactly follow your car, but it does move around the earth. Is that cool?" Lucy nodded her head; in her mind, she was basically right. "Anything else?" Camila asked. Peter raised his hand next. "Peter?" 

"It changes sometimes like sometimes it is smaller." Camila nodded, "You are on the right track. You guys are super smart, huh?" Camila went to give both her students a fist bump. "Okay, go get your science books then we will begin our lesson." 

As Lauren was getting her book, Lucy saw her injury. "Lo, what happened to your face?" Lauren cringed, "Um. I fell?" Lucy scratched her head thinking over her reason, "You aren't that clumsy..." Lauren shook her head, "I can be." Lucy shrugged her shoulders, "I guess." Lauren moved past Lucy to take her seat. Lucy sighed seating down as well. 

Camila noticed Lucy's change in mood as well throughout the lesson. Camila finished her teaching right before their lunch break. "Lucy, could you stay for a couple of minutes before going?" 'Oohs' echoed against the walls and a few whispers. "You aren't in trouble, Lucy. The rest of you can go to lunch." 

Lucy walked over to Camila biting her lip anxiously. "Did Lauren talk to you today?" Lucy nodded letting out a breath of relief, "Only a little. She seemed upset." Camila nodded rubbing the girl's back, "Does that make you sad?" 

"A little. She is my best friend. I want her to be happy." 

Camila's heart warmed at the girl's response, "Did she tell you what happened to her cheek?" Lucy shrugged her shoulders, "She said she fell, but Lauren is not clumsy." Camila nodded, "Alright, Lucy. Thank you for being honest, okay?" 

"Is Lauren going to be okay, Miss Cabello?" 

Camila bit her lip unsure of how to answer the question, "I am going to ask to see if I can make sure she is. Can you just keep being a good best friend for Lauren, right now?" 

"Yes, I can." 

Camila gave her a high five, "Thank you. Go have some lunch now." Camila watched Lucy take off to the cafeteria. 

She decided to take her free time to the principal's office.  "Miss Lovato?" Camila knocked on her office door. "Come in." Camila walked in to take a seat, "Do you have a moment?" Demi nodded, "What can I do for you?" 

"I wanted to consult you on an issue in my classroom. I have a student who I suspect is being neglected and abused at home. I am just unsure of how to take care of the student." Camila explained briefly. Demi nodded taking in the information, "I believe the best we can do for the student is file a report. I know it seems scary, but it is for the best." Camila sighed, "I do not want to make her situation worse by any means." 

"I understand, but we have the chance to take care of it before it gets worse, Miss Cabello." 

Camila nodded, "I understand. Where do I file the report?" Demi shook her head, "I can take care of it for you. What is the student's name?" 

"Lauren Jauregui." 

Demi gasped, "She is so sweet." Camila smiled slightly, "I know. It breaks my heart." Demi began typing on her computer, "Okay. What lead you to the conclusion that she was being abused though?" Camila took in a deep breath before explaining what she had noticed with her mother during her conference and this morning about her bruised cheek. "Lauren has also acted more reserved and quiet during class discussions. I know she is shy, but she worked through that for the most part. She had also had an anxiety attack on the playground one evening." 

Demi nodded, "I hope this is a huge misunderstanding, but once it is reported. A member of child services may come down and talk to Lauren. I will be sure to be here and I will call you if they have any more questions." Camila nodded leaving Demi's office somewhat relieved. This was the best for her student and she hoped Lauren would understand.