Beyond Home

Camila

I tossed and turned all night. I kept seeing Lauren and those big emerald green eyes as she pleaded with me to give her a shot. Turning her down was hard, but it's what I needed to do. She's too charismatic, to gorgeous. I could get caught up in her too easily. I'm not ready for that. I have a plan and I need to stay focused.

The house is quiet, normal for six in the morning. May alarms' set for six thirty, so I reach over and turn it off. No use in trying to go back to sleep , not after the restless night I had. I can't stop thinking about her. The way her eyes roam over me, both sexual and in a way no one has ever looked at me. The way my skin heats and prickles with awareness anytime she's near. Lauren Jauregui is a hard woman to resist. Throwing off the covers, I head to the shower. I might as well get moving. Maybe I can get some studying in before I have to leave for class.

On the way to school, I call Mom and check in on things. "Good morning," I greet her.

"You sound tired mija," she answers. I never could get anything past her.

"I didn't sleep the greatest last night."

"What's going on?" Concern laces her voice.

"Nothing, just couldn't sleep. How are things?"

"Good. Getting ready to fix us some breakfast. Did you eat?" She's always worrying about me.

"I grabbed a granola bar on my way out the door. I only have morning class today and then I'll swing by your place. I have to be at work at four."

"I still think you should move in here, let us help you while you focus on your degree." This isn't a new conversation. It's one we've had many times over the last few years.

"Mom, I appreciate that more than you know. You already do so much for me and I like having my own space. It's good to know that if I need to , I can always come home."

"If you change your mind..."

"I know, thank you. I'm at school. I need to get to class. I'll see you later."

"Have a good day, mija."

I make it to class just as the professor starts his lecture. Business ethics is not a hard class, but it's not one that is particularly engaging either. It's a means to an end, which is earning my bachelors degree in accounting.

I'm taking notes and trying like hell not to fall asleep when my phone vibrates in my purse at my feet. Slipping it out of my purse, I see a text message from Vanessa. I don't bother reading it, needing to focus extra hard on the class, instead, I toss my phone back in my purse. I only have twenty minutes of this class left, and if I reply. I'm sure to miss that last part of this lecture. Just my luck that's what we'll be tested over.

I'm packing up my bag when my phone vibrates with a call. I don't even bother looking I know it's Vanessa. "Hey, you're persistent this morning."

"So, I met up with Max last night."

"I was there, remember?" I can already tell where this call is going. She wants me to take Lauren up on her offer.

"I asked him what Lauren's deal was."

"You called me as soon as my class was over, the exact minute to tell me you decided to be nosey and inquire about your booty calls friend?" I'm being a sassy bitch, but she knows why I can't do this.

She laughs. "You're damn right I did. Anyway, Max says she's into you."

"How can she be 'into me'? She doesn't even know me."

"You know what I mean. She really wants to get to know you. Max says she's a good woman."

"Right, said the serial killers best friend."