It's A Long Ride Home, I'm Afraid. {Camren} ✔️

~{6}~

"She's totally gonna find out about it sooner or later."

I scoffed at her. "I'm totally amazing at hiding stuff. I bet you she won't."

Yes, this is exactly what it looks like.

Dinah was there in my living room, feet propped up on the coffee table, watching the Lion King with her hands digging into a bowl of popcorn.

Lately she'd been coming over to hang out with me more often, and I'd never thought I'd be saying this but... she was kinda growing on me.

I realized over time she wasn't all that bad.

"Yo Mila, you got some napkins? I just stomped on a spider. You're welcome."

Well, for the most part.

I sighed and handed her a napkin. I then returned to filling out hospital papers and bills.

There was a lot to pay off that month considering I was going to be put on new medication.

The medication I was getting, Hydroxyurea, would significantly reduce the frequency of painful crises and the need for blood transfusions or hospitalization.

However, my doctor told me not to have a substantial amount of long-term use since it could actually increase my chances of getting infections.

Every potentially beneficial thing always has a downside, I'm afraid.

But I decided it was well worth the risk, since it was exactly what I needed if I planned to even last long enough to go to LA with Lauren.

I also had an inhaler to take in case my sickle cell induced another asthma attack. That was also another common symptom.

People with sickle cell anemia aren't able to work their heart and pump as much blood as efficiently as other people. Because of this it's hard to quickly get oxygen to each part of the body, and so playing sports or exercising is hard for me.

I've been able to master my breathing techniques when it comes to singing, and I've trained myself well, so in that case it's easy for me to hide my breathing problems.

"Anyways," Dinah spoke up again. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you and Lauren are hitting it off pretty well. She's like, such a catch, I mean, have you heard that woman sing? Like damn, she's sexy. I still can't believe you met her, and now you're actually getting to know her."

I cocked an eyebrow.

"You trying to imply something?"

Dinah pursed her lips and took a sip of whatever the hell she was drinking.

"I ain't sayin' nothing."

"Right." I narrowed my eyes at the Polynesian girl. "You seem awfully infatuated with Lauren and I's friendship."

"Ain't gon' be friendship soon enough."

"What?"

"Nothing."

I sighed and decided to just change the subject. "It's gonna suck to have to say goodbye to you when I have to go to LA."

"Really?" Dinah said shockingly. "We've come a long way. I know you used to think I was a nuisance."

My cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

"How did you—?"

"You talk to yourself a lot when you're frustrated. I could hear you all the way from my room sometimes."

I couldn't help but laugh at this.

"I'm sorry for all of that." I began to apologize. "I really am. It's just—it's easier for me to push people away and I hate having relationships of any kind because I'd be forced to let them go anyway and—"