Paper Scars || camren

Chapter Seventeen

The two girls were awakened from loud banging noises at Lauren's door. Camila's eyes shot open, realizing she was still in Lauren's bed. She'd planned to leave after Lauren fell asleep, but just couldn't bring herself to do it. The warmth of Lauren was like something Camila had never felt before in her life and no one had been able to replace that. She looked down to see their legs intertwined and Lauren's face buried deep into her chest. The banging continued. "I'm here to fix the mirror." A booming voice from outside filled their room. Camila felt Lauren shift uncomfortably and took that as her chance to get up, hearing a small whimper from lost contact when she moved. Camila walked over to her door and let the man inside who was followed by a frail woman—probably a maid. They seemed unamused and by the look Camila stole out the window, she assumed it had to be no later than eight in the morning. The man worked rapidly, wanting to leave as fast as possible, while the small woman took her time, sweeping around the hardworking man who was attempting to carry a large mirror without dropping it. It had been about five minutes and Camila had yet to look over at Lauren. She didn't know whether or not Lauren was awake yet, but she wasn't ready to know. She wasn't ready to face either of the options. If Lauren was awake, Camila would have to say something, she couldn't just leave again. But if Lauren was asleep, what was Camila supposed to do? Was she supposed to stay and wait for Lauren to wake up or would that only infuriate the girl? Should she leave or would that hurt Lauren? She decided to wait until the two staff members left them alone—but she hoped they wouldn't ever leave. Neither of the two people dared to say a word, but from the disapproving glances they were directing towards her and the bed where Lauren was, Camila assumed they thought she had something to do with it. Camila wanted to make a joke of it—say she didn't know what she was getting herself into when she came over—but she knew that would end in flames. Plus, she knew whatever Lauren had in her that made her break the mirror like that, it shouldn't be joked about. This was serious and it scared Camila. Just like everything else. Camila thought to herself. I'm always so fucking scared. And she was. She really was frightened. For Lauren and for herself and for their relationship together, if you could even call it a relationship. She had always been scared, always been afraid to fuck things up between them—look where that got her.

The man walked straight up to Camila. "Pleased to be of service to you." He rolled his eyes. "This doesn't happen very often."

"I would imagine it doesn't. I apologize for the inconvenience." Camila replied. The man scowled, shooting her a look that would scare even the toughest of men away.

"Are you done, Holly?" The man turned to the maid who was sweeping the last of the glass into her large trashcan that she wheeled around on the cart. She didn't speak, only nodded, and was quick to his side. She forced a smile to Camila and followed the man out of the room, pushing her cart along. Camila jolted when she heard the door click shut, leaving the two girls alone. This was it. She had to look now. It would be weird if she didn't, right? It would be weird.

"Do I look that bad?" Camila heard Lauren ask quietly. She couldn't quite touch on whether or not Lauren was being serious, but when she met their eyes, she was certain there was no ounce of humor left. Her eyes were still dark underneath, and her neck bruised—new ones from last night lining along her jaw. Camila grimaced. That was her place to kiss. All of Lauren's neck was her place to kiss. All of Lauren was her place to kiss. She didn't appreciate having to share it with men, even though the ones she'd met—the only one she hadn't being the one from last night—were nice and understanding, that was until they completely skipped out. "I'll take that as a yes." Lauren frowned when Camila didn't reply.

"OH—no." Camila fumbled for words. "Sorry, I just—I kind of..." She trailed off.

"Spaced out." Lauren finished her sentence. "Again."