Paper Scars || camren

Chapter Twenty Nine

"Eight more days." Ally sighed. "Four more shows."

Dinah huffed. "It's been real, guys."

"It's been something, alright." Lauren rested back into the couch, relaxing when Camila leaned back with her.

"I'm sorry we had to cancel our performance because of me." Camila spoke aloud.

The group showed sympathy, Normani the most as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"It's not your fault." Lauren grimaced, shooting a look over to Normani. She backed off when she felt Camila's hand find her own, squeezing it. "Just don't feel bad for something that's out of your control, alright?"

Camila nodded. "Okay."

-

Lauren had been making sly remarks about Normani all day, obviously still upset at her outburst that made her girlfriend end up in the hospital. The other girls had tried to prevent this, but she was relentless. Normani never replied—she'd been quiet the whole way to Toronto.

When they arrived to their hotel, Normani was quick to be the first out of the bus, having had enough of over seven hours of guilt. Camila huffed at that, turning to Lauren, just like Dinah and Ally did.

"What?" Lauren gritted through her teeth.

"Camila, can you give us some time with your lovely girlfriend?" Ally asked.

Camila nodded, giving Lauren a quick kiss, before she followed Normani into the hotel, sprinting to the elevator as she yelled for Normani to hold the door. She almost thought Normani was going to let it shut, but at the last minute her hand shot through, making the doors reopen. Camila felt relief as she joined Normani in the elevator, taking it as her chance. She debated on whether or not to speak, but figured it would be best to at least try. "I'm really... I'm so sorry." She began, looking down when Normani tried to meet their eyes.

"You're sorry?" She replied. "Are you being serious?" Camila frowned. "For what? I was the one that took it too far. You haven't done anything to me."

Camila nodded. "I'm sorry I hurt her. I'm sorry that it hurt you."

Normani stayed silent for a while, thinking. When the elevator door opened, Normani and Camila stepped out. She hesitated before asking, "Do you want to talk?"

Camila beamed, nodding immediately.

Normani began walking down the hallway to her room, but Camila called out. "Hey, wait." Normani turned around only to be brought into a tight hug. "I love you, Mani." She felt Normani reciprocate, exhaling as if she wasn't breathing the whole time in the elevator.

She pulled away, tears brimming at her eyes. "I love you, too, Mila."

Camila smiled sadly at her as they walked arm and arm to her door, Normani fumbling to get the hotel key card out. Once they entered, Camila sat down on the small couch, watching as Normani set her stuff down to sit on the bed. "Get over here." She patted the spot next to her and Camila practically jumped up. She would do anything to get one of her best friends back.

"I really... I don't even know where to start." She breathed shakily. Camila nodded, waiting patiently. "I mean, I should apologize." She wiped at her eyes before continuing. "I'm so sorry I put you through that—I didn't—I didn't know—" She stuttered, trying to find the right words. "I wasn't myself." She let out a frustrated breath. "I haven't been myself for a while. I kept denying it, but what I did to you—I mean, I just put all that pain out there. I blamed you for it. What I did to you made me realize."