Strangers We Meet || Camren || (Drabble)

Strangers We Meet (Part III)

Camila’s POV

It’s been 3 weeks since we had played that game of Truth or Dare and things have changed since then. Keaton, who turned out to be Lauren’s boyfriend, hangs around the bar more often. He doesn’t seem to leave Lauren’s side and although she isn’t brushing him off, she does seem pretty annoyed by his presence. She hasn’t been flirting as much nor dancing around with strangers except with Keaton or Alexa and Vero. We haven’t had the chance to hang out just the two of us and it had gotten to me and I’ve been meaning to get to the bottom of it but no matter how hard I try I can’t get Lauren alone. When Lauren makes her way over to me, it would usually last a couple of minutes before we’re interrupted by none other than Keaton. I can see the irritation in her eyes but she doesn’t say anything to him; instead she says she’s tired and wants to go home giving me an apologetic smile. All throughout the weeks I couldn’t get that dance out of my mind. The chemistry between us was clear as day. We were both so into it and lust was evident in both our eyes. Our bodies moved against each other with a need to fill the hunger that was growing inside of us. I knew Lauren wouldn’t be able to deny that something was happening that night and that she was indeed affected by it as I was, but I haven’t gotten the chance to confront her about it yet. I knew things wouldn’t be the same between us, but I didn’t think it would turn out this way. I wonder why Keaton started shadowing her all of a sudden. He was always aware of the fact that she flirted with random guys and danced fooling around with strangers. So what was it about that night that changed things for him?

I couldn’t help but feel bothered by this. Sure I only met Lauren not so long ago, but I felt that the weekends were kind of our time alone together. I didn’t ask her for her number yet and I don’t know why but I had a feeling Lauren wouldn’t want me to have it. For some reason, I think she enjoys that we just hang out at the Pub. It had me feeling a little insecure about myself; why wouldn’t she want to talk to me outside? Why wouldn’t she want to meet up somewhere else? Was she only coming up to me because she felt obliged to since I would be there and waiting on her? When we would talk, it would feel like she was interested in what I had to say, sure she wouldn’t talk as much as I would, but she would answer me and nod her head silently as a gesture that she was indeed listening to me. She was straightforward person, or so I thought; which means if she wasn’t enjoying my company she would’ve left me alone a long time ago.

I ended up contemplating whether or not I should go to the Pub tonight; it just didn’t feel the same anymore. I have to admit I do enjoy watching Lauren interacting around the pub and I have gotten closer to Alexa, Vero, and Lucy. Unlike Lauren, me and the girls have traded numbers and have seen each other a couple of times throughout the weeks and while Lauren hangs around with Keaton and their group of friends at the Pub, I’m usually chilling with the girls. It was getting late and I finally decided that I would go and have a drink or two.

I got dressed casually and was on my way out when I got a text from my best friend Ally asking if I would like to hang out. I thought about the offer and decided to agree since things weren’t going that great over at the Pub. I ended up hanging out with Ally and a couple of her friends and I actually had a good time doing something other than the usual. I got a text from Alexa a while later.

Alexa: Hey girl, where are you?

Me: Oh hey Alexa, I’m out with some friends, won’t be able to make it tonight. Will make it up to you girls tho later this week?

Alexa: oh… sure :) can’t wait! Have fun, love!

Later on that week, I had been sick and couldn’t meet up with the girls. When the weekend came around I ended up spending some more time with Ally, Dinah, and Normani. They were the people I met last weekend and we seemed to hit it off really well, and enjoyed our time. I kept thinking about Lauren and the Pub a couple of times but the thoughts would soon fade away as I focused with the girls and enjoyed my time. After I left to go home, I decided to pass by the Pub since I had promised Alexa I would see them. I checked the time and knew it was late and Lauren would’ve already left with Keaton by now, but Alexa and Vero usually stayed behind to help their dad close; after all he was the owner of the place and they loved to stick around him.

I made my way inside and was directly greeted by Alexa

“Where have you been! It’s been a while, how come you haven’t been coming over here?”

“I’ve been busy, and to be honest, things just haven’t been the same around here” I said blushing slightly. “Don’t get me wrong, I love this place, and I enjoy your company but being here kind of … I don’t know … like…urgh” I struggled to find the right words that would describe what I was feeling but I couldn’t bring myself to think of any.

“Yeah, it’s okay. I get what you mean and don’t worry about it, I don’t blame you. But we should totally hang out someplace else.”

“Definitely.” I smiled at her genuinely. I then decided I should probably ask about Lauren, since the question of her was haunting me. “So.. um …How’s Lauren? and um Keaton too..”

“Well to be honest, Lauren seems out of it lately. Ever since Keaton’s been sticking around the whole time, the life has been sucked out of her. Lauren usually would stir things up around here with her crazy attitude. I like Keaton, but he’s just over reacting.”

“Over reacting?” I frowned in confusion

“Oh um… yeah.. you know… “ she said shuffling around as if she wasn’t supposed to say that but was trying to get out of the conversation.

“Um…I don’t but, it’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it” I told her trying to assure her.

“It’s not that, I just think it’s better if Lauren’s the one to talk to you about it. I just don’t want her scolding me for telling you…”

I looked at her waiting for an explanation but I knew she wouldn’t talk so I decided to brush it off. I had to leave then and promised we would hang out during the week and then left. I couldn’t help but think, what was Keaton over reacting about? Why wouldn’t Alexa tell me? What is Lauren supposed to tell me? I wouldn’t be able to find out unless I ended up going to the Pub next weekend, but suddenly I couldn’t help but feel nervous about it.

 Was I ready to find out whatever it is Lauren was hiding from me?