Not Weak, Just Stronger

Chapter 55: Go To Bed, Lauren

"Like I said, Mila, it was very good to see you again and I'm so sorry I couldn't make it to the wedding! But, again, I hope we can catch up and I hope you do get the chance to work here. It'd be really cool," Ally chirped, pulling away from Camila after embracing each other in a warm-hearted hug.

Camila smiled brightly at the small woman who didn't look any different than she looked five years ago. Mrs. Hernandez was still a bubbly person with a positive and nurturing energy around her. She had finished out the last parent teacher meeting with Ally and they were just on their way out of the classroom. Cruz gave up on waiting for Camila and just left her to talk to his friends in the hallway; once Ally got Camila going, she couldn't shut up. Turns out Ally had a two-year old named Josiah and had the most to say about her marriage with coach Momoa just like Camila did about Lauren. They bonded and exchanged numbers, agreed to have coffee sometime, and agreed that it wasn't weird considering Lauren was always close to Jason anyway. Camila felt like they were going to be the best of friends already even though they just reconnected and barely knew much about each other.

Just another symptom of classic HPD.

"Don't worry about it, you have your responsibilities and priorities, I get it! And I hope so too. Whatever happens, happens, right? I'll call you, Allyson. You take care now," Camila waved farewell and began walking in a normal pace now. She tapped Cruz and tried holding his hand but he was too embarrassed to let her do that. "Let's go, hijo. We're going out to eat first and then I'll drop you off home if you still want that nap."

"I do want that nap," he confirmed and settled for wrapping an arm around Camila's back. He leaned into his mom and was thankful she wasn't too hard on him for his lack of progress in school lately or what Mrs. Blanchett told her. "Thanks for not yelling or being so mad today."

"You didn't piss me off too much. Your little girlfriend, however..." Camila clicked her tongue and squeezed Cruz's shoulder. "I don't like her. I don't like your friends either. But you know what? You're not going to listen to me and you're gonna do what you want. But if I see you're still failing on your next report card or hear that you got suspended or a girl pregnant, I'm coming after your ass for real. And you better not be drinking or doing any drugs!"

"First off, Stephanie isn't my girlfriend...yet. Second, I don't drink or do drugs. And third, I'm only fifteen. Why would I want to get a girl pregnant? I'm still a virgin," said Cruz. He wouldn't tell Camila which were lies and which were true. She eyed him skeptically but let it go.

"I'm keeping a close eye on you, Cruz. And that sucia is only fifteen but I'm definitely sure she isn't a virgin. She let you touch her fun bags, didn't she?" Camila reminded him with a smirk. He didn't know that she overheard that phone call and his face turned a bright red shade. Cruz wanted to curl up and hide away forever.

"Maaaa!!!" he whined, grabbing the roots of his hair. "Please stop. I get it. Stop embarrassing me. You know it all. Whatever!"

"Hope that makes you think twice the next time you pretend to be innocent," Camila laughed and leaned over to kiss the top of his head. He was still thirteen to her, she didn't want him to get any older and keep changing.

When they exited the school building to meet Lauren at the parking lot she told them to come to, it didn't take long to see Kacie and the green eyed girl standing together by a white BMW. Camila and Cruz stopped in their tracks, the both of them feeling mixed emotions. Cruz stopped breathing and Camila's breathing intensified. Kacie started to move ahead slowly, wanting Cruz to do the same. She anxiously fidgeted and smoothed out her jeans, taking reluctant steps then stopping halfway in hopes Cruz would meet her. Lauren motioned for Camila to come to her before she'd get angry and blow up at what can be presumed as betrayal. At the end of the day, Lauren wasn't going to put Camila's beef in front of Cruz's needs and happiness; Lauren hoped Camila would see it that way too.