Lauren walked up the now familiar path towards Camila’s front door, pausing momentarily before it to ring the bell. She could hear the sound of loud footsteps descending the stairs noisily, followed by a large thud and then a muttered curse. Lauren made a face as she heard it and then the front door opened quickly, rattling her slightly as a rather flustered looking Camila appeared on the other side. “Problem?” Lauren asked amused as Camila beckoned her into the house with a wave. She was bent in two and slightly out of breath. Camila pushed herself up into standing, resting both her hands on her knees to assist and closed the door behind Lauren who now stood in the hall. “I just almost fell down the stairs,” Camila told her seriously. “My whole life flashed before my eyes….” She lifted her gaze to look at Lauren who was watching her in fascination. “Again,” Camila added after a moment a small smile creeping on to her lips at the awful attempt at a joke. “Ahh,” Lauren said a wide grin spreading across her face. “There’s my girlfriend.” She reached out to take Camila’s hand in her own as she said, “I guess you and Dinah found a way to switch back huh?” “Yeah,” Camila replied a playful glint in her eyes. “You do not want to know what I had to go through to get rid of her….presence” She said, pausing for a moment to consider the right word to use. “Presence.” Camila lifted her hand out of Lauren’s to wave it in front of her dismissively. “Let’s just say that it consisted of drinking an extremely odd tasting concoction she created.” Camila informed her. “Ifeel like you kind of liked it though,” Lauren responded knowingly. “I never said it was awful,” Camila acknowledged. “It was just weird…I can drink weird.” “Would you drink it again?” Lauren asked her laughing. “Of course,” Camila replied deadly serious. “So where is Dinah?” Lauren asked. “Ithought she was getting ready here?” “She’s upstairs,” Camila said as she turned to make her way back over to the bottom of the stairs. She held on to the bannister as she called up to her friend. “Dinah!” Camila shouted. “Lauren’s here! Let’s go!” Lauren raised her eyebrow at Camila as she made her way back over to her. “You seem different,” she said trying to put her finger on what had changed. “Have you taken something?” Lauren asked her. Camila pulled on the waistband of Lauren’s jeans, tugging her closer to her and kissing her on the lips in greeting. “No more than usual,” she said as they parted and she winked mischievously at Lauren as she made her way over the coat rack to collect her brown leather jacket. “Did they change your anti-depressants?” Lauren asked as Camila shrugged it on over her shoulders. “No,” Camila said laughing as she pulled her hair out of the back of it and swept the long locks over to one side, “I’m just excited, that’s all.” She said honestly as Dinah appeared. Lauren waved at Dinah in greeting from where she stood. “Hey,” Dinah said returning the gesture as she started to descend the stairs in what was a much more elegant fashion then Camila probably had. “Has she been like this since I dropped you both off after school?” Lauren asked Dinah pointing at Camila with her right hand. “Pretty much,” Dinah confirmed. “I think it might have something to do with all the sugar that I put in her drink.” “Oh come on guys,” Camila protested. “This is going to be fun! I’m allowed to be excited, aren’t I?” “There’s excited,” Dinah noted stepping down the last step and into the hall, “and then there’s you Mila,” she laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you quite this….perky,” Lauren said studying her girlfriend closely. Camila was practically radiating happiness and Lauren could not argue that it was a very good look for her. “Ooh wait here a minute,” Camila said ignoring them both and running up the stairs, her hand holding onto the bannister tightly as she went in order to prevent herself from falling over. “No seriously,” Lauren said pointing up the stairs after Camila into the space her girlfriend had just vacated. “What’s going on?” “Don’t question it,” Dinah said, pulling on her own coat and fastening it up securely, a wide smile on her lips. “I haven’t seen Camila this animated in over six months.” Dinah admitted. “Trust me. You don’t question the good days Lauren. You embrace them.” She paused to cast a quick glance up the stairs. “You embrace them and you hope that they’re here to stay.” Lauren smiled at Dinah’s words. “You’re happy,” she stated in understanding. “I’m happy,” Dinah agreed. “It’s nice to have the old Camila back,” Dinah shared with Lauren. “Even if it is only for today.” “I agree,” Lauren decided as Camila appeared at the top of the stairs, her hands hidden behind her back secretively. Lauren smiled up at her and she returned the gesture, Camila’s lips turning up into a broad grin which reached her eyes and made them sparkle. “I got you something,” Camila said as she slowly made her way down the stairs being careful not to slip. “What?” Lauren said stepping over to the stairs just as Camila stepped onto the bottom step. “Why?” she asked. “Just because I wanted to,” Camila told her, twisting from side to side, her hands still hidden behind her back. Camila stood slightly higher than Lauren in her current position on the step and Lauren found it disconcerting to be looking up at her girlfriend, the change unfamiliar. “Close your eyes,” Camila told her simply and Lauren did as she was instructed. “Ok,” Camila said after a seconds pause. “Now open them.” Lauren obeyed; opening her eyes which fell almost instantly on Camila’s outstretched hands. In one she held a small handful of wildflowers which she’d seemingly picked out of her garden and in the other she held a jar of Nutella, both had a red bow tied delicately around them. “Aww…” Lauren said taking the two gifts from Camila and smelling the flowers quickly. “Thanks babe.” She said gratefully. “You’re welcome,” Camila replied stepping down onto the hall floor so that she was once again a few inches shorter than Lauren. Lauren held her arms out and Camila stepped forward so that she could embrace her in an appreciative hug. Camila put her arms around Lauren, reciprocating the gesture as Lauren dropped her face and they kissed contentedly for a moment. “No one has ever given me flowers before,” Lauren noted as she admired the small bouquet in her hand happily once they’d parted. “What about Nutella?” Camila asked taking the jar out of Lauren’s hand so she could open her bag to put it safely in. Lauren took the jar back and placed it inside her bag carefully before closing her bag again. “No, I can honestly say that no one has ever bought me a jar of Nutella,” Lauren replied, her smile still firmly in place and her cheeks already starting to ache from it. “It’s your favourite right?” Camila asked uncertainly. “Yeah,” Lauren confirmed. “Great,” Camila said as she took hold of Lauren’s hand and directed her towards the door. Lauren cast a look at Dinah who’d been watching the interaction with a satisfied look on her face. She smiled at Lauren as Camila opened the front door and the smaller girl disappeared over the threshold, pulling Lauren outside with her. Dinah followed, closing the door in their stead. “Where are we going?” Lauren asked as Camila started to lead her up the road and away from where her car was parked. “Ally’s house,” Camila told her cheerfully. “She’s driving us all together.” “Oh is that right?” Lauren asked amused. “Well, I would have liked to have driven,” Camila stated simply, “but unfortunately I can’t because of my seizures…” “Don’t forget your lack of a license,” Lauren said playfully. “Or your inability to drive,” Dinah chuckled. “All valid points,” Camila responded as they made their way up the path to Ally’s front door, Camila’s right hand intertwined with Lauren’s left, the small bouquet of flowers in her girlfriends’ right. “So do I at least get an idea where we’re going?” Lauren asked her as she rang Ally’s bell. “Not yet,” Camila answered as the door opened. Normani and Ally exited quickly as Camila stepped off the front step and out of the way. Ally firmly closed the front door behind her and pulled her car keys out of her purse. “Hi,” they greeted in unison and Camila smiled at them in response, Lauren raising their entwined hands up in a small wave. “Hey,” Dinah said from her position slightly behind Lauren and Camila. “So is everyone ready?” Ally asked and they all nodded in the affirmative. “Then let’s go,” Ally said leading the small group along the drive to her car. She unlocked it with her key fob and hastily climbed in to the drivers’ seat, Normani taking the empty one on the passenger side. The remaining three girls descended into the back of the car, Camila taking the middle seat, Lauren and Dinah on either side of her. Lauren placed her bouquet of flowers on the parcel shelf covering the boot of the car so that they were safely out of the way and took Camila’s hand in hers as Ally pulled the car out of her drive and turned onto the street. Lauren frowned in confusion as she listened to the music coming out of Ally’s stereo system. “This isn’t Justin Timberlake,” Lauren stated after a moment. “It’s Lana Del Rey.” “Yeah,” Ally said turning her head to glance over her shoulder at Lauren, a smirk on her face. “You only ever play NSYNC or Justin Timberlake in your car Ally,” Lauren said. “You’re like, strangely obsessed. In fact, it’s mostly just ‘Mirrors’ on repeat half the time.” “Well, Ithought I’d change it for once,” Ally said casually. “Why do Ifeel like this has something to do with you?” Lauren asked turning to Camila. “Maybe because it does,” Normani said from the passenger seat, smiling at Lauren as she looked over her shoulder at her in the back of the car. “You convinced Ally to give up her stereo rights to play something someone else likes to listen to?” Lauren asked Camila surprised. “How did you do that? She’s so possessive of her car stereo, like, she’s hit me multiple times for trying to mess with it.” Lauren paused for a moment before adding pointedly. “Hard.” “I made a deal with her,” Camila said. “Oh God,” Lauren said. “You didn’t sell her your soul did you?” “You’re assuming Camila has one to begin with,” Dinah chuckled and Camila laughed a little in response. “No,” Camila answered Lauren’s previously asked question, lightly chuckling. “Then what deal did you make?” Lauren asked interestedly. “I’m not telling you,” Camila said firmly. “Why not?” Lauren moaned intrigued. “It’s between me and Ally,” Camila replied simply. “They’re trading sexual favours,” Normani said bluntly and Dinah burst out into hysterical laughter in response. “It’s true,” Camila teased. “It’s the only thing she’d accept in return for playing some Lana for you. It’s a good thing I like you.” She mocked. “I don’t just trade sexual favours for anyone you know.” “Well,” Lauren said smiling at how adorably silly and giddy Camila was this afternoon. “I appreciate it.” She leant over and kissed her on the lips and Camila reached her hand up to brush the side of Lauren’s cheek. Lauren felt the edge of Camila’s splint as her hand moved, the Velcro strap scratching her slightly, another small reminder that as much as her girlfriend appeared to be back to some semblance of herself preaccident, she still wasn’t one hundred percent recovered. “For anyone that’s keeping count that’s twice I’ve had to witness this,” Dinah said from her position in the back. “Oh shush,” Ally scolded her laughing. “You’re the biggest Camren shipper out of everyone. Just admit that you find it adorable.” “I will not,” Dinah said as Camila and Lauren finally separated. “Can I get you guys anything?” she offered the two of them helpfully. “You know, maybe an oxygen tank? Or perhaps a mint or something?” “I could use a mint,” Lauren accepted, holding out her hand ready and laughing. Dinah rolled her eyes playfully. “Get your own mint,” Dinah told her not actually having any on her. “You know,” Camila said reaching into her coat pocket. “I think I’ve got a mint.” “Are you kidding me?” Dinah asked incredulously as Camila handed one to Lauren. She took it gratefully and popped it into her mouth, flashing Dinah a smug smile before kissing Camila again. Ally laughed out loud as she took in Dinah’s expression from a quick glance in the rear view mirror. “You know this is all our fault right guys?” Ally said, still laughing lightheartedly. “ “What?” Normani asked. “How is this our fault?” “We’ve spent so long making them feel uncomfortable and awkward with our suggestive comments and wellplaced innuendos that now they’re just making us feel uncomfortable by flaunting their PDA in front of us.” Ally said. “Actually that isn’t it,” Lauren said her voice breathy as she finally relinquished her hold on Camila’s mouth. She turned around in her seat to face forward, her hand still firmly grasping Camila’s hand. “It’s not?” Normani asked laughing as she turned around to face Lauren who was sat behind her. “No,” Lauren said. “Although now I’m kind of considering it for the future,” she mused. “So then what is it?” Dinah asked Lauren interestedly. “You know that feeling that you probably get when you kiss Siope?” Lauren asked her. “Or Arin for that matter…or Troy…” she added for the other’s benefit. “The one where your stomach churns with butterflies and you feel your cheeks hurt because you’re smiling into it so much. The kind of kiss that elates you and confuses you all at once because it’s stupid, how one simple gesture can make you feel so happy that you think your chest is going to burst.” Dinah didn’t say anything; instead she just swallowed hard and waited for Lauren to continue. “That’s why I’m doing it,” Lauren informed them all, “because I have the opportunity to make myself happy in the simplest way possible and I’m going to take it.” “It also makes me happy,” Camila added for their information. “I mean, its’ people helping other people so, it’s basically a public service really.” Dinah’s face broke into an expression which betrayed how adorable she found the pair of them and she shared a few quick looks with Normani and Ally, who were wearing similar countenances to herself, before saying kindly, “Oh my God, will you two just kiss again already. Jesus, I admit it. I ship you two so hard it physically hurts me sometimes.” Lauren looked at Camila, a question in her eyes before dipping her head to kiss her again for a third time as the car came to a gentle stop. Lauren lifted her gaze, separating from Camila to look at their destination, a small smile creeping on to her lips as she took it in. “You bought me to the batting cages?” Lauren asked happily. “I’ll finally be able to see you play,” Camila said clapping her hands together in excitement. “Well, sort of.” She added. “I haven’t picked up a bat since the summer,” Lauren said wistfully. “It’s all conditioning work at training until the new year.” “So it’s ok?” Camila asked. “Yeah it’s ok,” Lauren replied merrily. “I love this place. My dad used to bring me down here all the time when I was growing up and he’d teach me how to hold the bat and swing it properly to get a good hit on the ball. It was one of my favourite places growing up.” Lauren looked at the others who were watching her keenly. “I guess that sounds kind of lame doesn’t it?” She asked. “No,” Ally said. “I don’t think it does,” Dinah agreed with Ally. “I’ve actually never been to one of these places before. It’ll be fun.” “Me neither,” Camila said as the girls’ excited Ally’s car and began to make their way to the main building. “You’ve never played before?” Lauren asked her, their hands still entangled as the entered the reception area, Ally, Dinah and Normani trailing behind them a little. “Nope,” Camila admitted. “I’ve never really been good at sports.” “Surprising,” Lauren noted sarcastically, causing Camila to smile.The man behind the desk finished serving his last customer and turned to Lauren, who he was seemingly familiar with. He broke out into a broad smile on seeing Lauren standing before him and asked her how her dad was doing, noting that he’d not seem him around much recently. Lauren informed him that her dad had just gotten a new promotion at work and so had been busy, but she promised that she’d tell him that he’d asked after him. The man, who, as the rest of the group soon learnt was called Jake, kindly set the girls up in a couple of adjacent batting cages, leaving Lauren to explain how everything worked, herself having been a regular here over the years. She taught the others how to use the machines and where to stand before they commenced their somewhat haphazard attempts at trying to make some hits. Dinah, Normani and Ally shared one cage whilst Lauren and Camila shared the other. Camila stood outside the cage, watching Lauren enthusiastically from behind as she hit ball after ball, her bat connecting with the small white projectile cleanly and efficiently, sending it soaring through the air and back in the direction that it had come from with a satisfying crack. Camila admired the way that Lauren’s body automatically assumed what was probably a wellrehearsed and perfected stance, her arms preparing themselves reflexively for each new ball that was launched in her direction. Camila relished the look of concentration on Lauren’s face and how she savoured the feel of the bat in her hands as though it were an extension of her own arms. “Oh yeah!” Dinah shouted cockily having hit a particularly good return. She crouched low again and brought the bat back up behind her, moving it in small circles as she awaited the next ball. Dinah swung it round as soon as the next ball was released from the machine and her bat collided with the newest object once again, propelling it forwards and away from her. Lauren used the end of the bat to stop her own machine for a moment, twisting to face Camila who had turned to watch Dinah next door, her attention drawn there at the loud cheers and excitement that had come from her friend. “Do you want a go?” Lauren asked as she observed Camila, who had a satisfied smile on her face at the sight of their friends enjoying themselves. Camila turned back to face Lauren and shook her head slightly, declining her offer. “Really?” Lauren asked stepping back towards the wire fence which separated them. “Then why did we come here?” Lauren asked her, the bat still in one hand as she closed the fingers of the other around the small gaps in the fence,leaning into it a little in order to close the distance between her and Camila. “For you,” Camila commented happily stepping forward a little as well and reaching for Lauren’s fingers through the fence. “This date wasn’t about me…it’s my ‘thank you’ remember? You look like you’re having fun. I don’t want to get in the way of that,” she finished. “I’m fine honestly.” Lauren shook her head, a large grin spreading across her features. “Oh no,” Lauren said, stepping towards the gate and opening it quickly. She grabbed Camila’s wrist gently and pulled her towards her, into the cage. “You are definitely going to have a go Camz,” Lauren finished as the gate closed behind her. “I don’t know,” Camila began to protest, but Lauren had already removed the helmet from her head and placed it on top of hers, fiddling with it for a moment to make sure it was secure. “I really don’t think I’ll be any good.” Camila said as Lauren handed her the bat and stepped to the side. “It’s easy,” Lauren told her. “You just, face the front there and hold up the bat ready,” Lauren continued to explain. “When the ball is released, swing the bat back and hit it.” Camila gave Lauren a dubious look. “Just like that,” Camila returned, doubtful that it would be so easy, especially with her co-ordination. “In theory,” Lauren said laughing a little at Camila’s reluctance. “You’ll be fine,” she said after a moment when Camila continued to look at her unsure. “Trust me babe.” She finished. Camila made a face before turning to face the front of the cage. Ally, Dinah and Normani had all stopped next door for a moment to watch Camila’s first attempt with interest, no doubt piling the pressure on the smaller girl by adding a larger audience.Camila held the bat up awkwardly, mimicking the stance that she’d seen Lauren assume earlier. Camila’s left her left wrist struggled to grip the bat firmly, her fingers stiff with the splint in its normal place supporting it. “Are you ready?” Lauren asked and Camila gave her a small nod, an uneasy look on her face. “Come on Mila,” Dinah encouraged from next door and Normani added, “You can do it.” “Yeah come on Camila,” Ally cheered. Lauren hit the button to restart the machine and Camila waited patiently until the ‘whoosh’ of air and subsequent thump which indicated the ball had been released could be heard. Camila swung the bat as hard as she could, missing the ball as it soared into the fencing behind her, the bat slipping from her hands slightly and flying onto the floor a few feet in front of her. Lauren stopped the machine by pressing the button once more, Camila momentarily disorientated by the helmet which had slipped forward on her head to cover her eyes. Lauren stepped over to her girlfriend and pushed the helmet out of her eyes carefully so that it was no longer obscuring her vision.Camila reached up with her own hand to make sure that it was back in place properly, giving Lauren a sheepish smile. “Itold you I wouldn’t be any good,” Camila said sadly and Lauren made a face in return. “You should have me the first time I tried to hit a ball,” Lauren told her seriously, bending down to retrieve the bat from the floor. “I accidentally smacked my dad in the face with it.” She laughed at the memory. “He had a black eye for a week.” “Yeah Mila,” Dinah buoyed from next door. “If Ally can hit a ball then anyone can. Have you seen the size of her? All logic says she should suck at this.” “Hey,” Ally protested and Camila laughed at her friends attempts at reassurance. “You just need a bit more practice,” Lauren told her handing her the bat again. “You can’t give up after one try.” “Ok,” Camila replied and Lauren gave her a quick peck on the lips in support before moving off to the side again. She pressed the button and the machine stirred back to life sending first one, then two, then three balls in Camila’s direction, none of which she managed to hit. Camila frowned indisappointment as she continued to try and hit the balls, her face betraying her emotion. Lauren stopped the machine again to approach Camila. “You’re doing great,” she reassured her girlfriend. “You haven’t dropped the bat again.” She told her positively. “That’s a start right?” “I haven’t hit the ball though either,” Camila returned. “Am I holding this right?” she asked. “It feels awkward.” “Take your splint off,” Lauren told her seriously. “It’s stopping you from positioning your wrist properly.” Camila did as she was instructed and handed the splint to Lauren who put it in her back pocket. “Ok, now face the front.” Lauren instructed and Camila obeyed, taking up a ready stance. Lauren reached her arms around Camila’s torso and took hold of her hands, helping her to position the bat properly. She felt her face flush when Camila turned to look at her with a broad smile on her face. “Here try that,” Lauren said returning the smile and taking her hands off Camila’s before moving back and starting the machine again. “Come on,” Dinah encouraged still watching from next door. “Just imagine the ball is someone you’re pissed at,” Dinah told her. “That’s what I’ve been doing.” Lauren raised her eyebrow questioningly. “I’m imagining its Rachel,” Dinah told her winking and Lauren laughed just as a ball sailed through the air towards Camila.Camila pulled the bat back and shifted it back quickly to try and hit it, missing it only by a few centimetres. “That was better,” Lauren praised. “You almost had that one.” Camila smiled but returned to her starting position again quickly, her brow furrowing in concentration, her tongue poking out the side of her mouth slightly. She missed the next few balls but on the fourth, her bat made contact with the small white missile with a substantial thud and sent it hurtling back out into the space before her. “I did it!” Camila shouted ecstatically, jumping up and down on the spot animatedly. Lauren stopped the machine quickly as her girlfriend threw her hands up into the air in celebration, spinning around on the spot to look at Lauren and the rest of their friends who were cheering loudly from next door. “Did you see that!?” Camila asked Lauren turning back to her a massive grin on her face. “I actually hit it! I did it!” “I know!” Lauren replied joyfully. “I know babe I saw it!” Camila bounced forwards towards Lauren. “I can’t believe I did it!” Camila said exuberantly and she laughed; that light, elated laugh which made Lauren’s stomach flutter whenever she heard it. “See I told you that you just needed a bit more practice.” Lauren said and Camila jumped up and kissed her, dropping the bat on the floor as she threw her arms around Lauren’s neck. The helmet on Camila’s head knocked against Lauren’s temple as their lips crashed together and Lauren couldn’t help but smile in to the kiss, enjoying every second of Camila’s happiness. “Can I have another go?” Camila asked excitedly once they’d parted and Lauren nodded in response. “Of course,” she replied and Camila bent down hurriedly to retrieve the bat, bounding back in to position as Lauren started the machine once again. As the minutes passed, Dinah, Ally and Normani returned to their own machine, taking it in turns to hit the ball and becoming increasingly competitive with each change. Camila continued her own battle against the mechanical pitcher until her arms ached, hitting the ball sporadically but her coordination improving with every swing. Lauren watched Camila contentedly from her position, enjoying Camila’s mood and absorbing the intoxicating effects it had on her own. She observed Camila until she finally stopped, relinquishing the bat to Lauren, her arms tired and aching but her face energetic and lively. The girls’ stayed at the batting cages for just over an hour and a half, Jake disregarding the normal thirty minute limit because it was quiet and he knew Lauren and her family personally. After they’d finished they all crowded back in to Ally’s car and made their way to the next stop. “That was so much fun,” Dinah said delightedly from her seat. “It was kind of therapeutic as well.” Ally added, her attention fixed firmly on the road in front of her. “I know right?” Normani agreed. “Can we do it again sometime?” Dinah asked the group. “Definitely,” Ally said enthusiastically as Normani answered, “Yes.” “Guys?” Dinah asked turning to Camila and Lauren who were once again kissing. She rolled her eyes but laughed at the sight. “Guys….” She said drawing out the word and increasing in volume towards the end of it. Lauren separated from Camila to face Dinah. “Sorry,” she said having not really heard what Dinah had said. “Don’t be sorry,” Dinah grinned in response. “Just tell me we can go back and do that again.” She finished. “Oh I want to!” Camila replied excitedly, clapping her hands together and frowning slightly. “It’s here,” Lauren said reaching into her back pocket to pull out Camila’s splint, reading her girlfriend’s mind. She handed the splint to Camila and helped her put it on, securing the Velcro in place tightly. “Thanks,” Camila said gratefully before reiterating, “can we go again? That was so much fun…well, once I could actually hit it.” “Sure we can babe,” Lauren told her smiling brightly and tucking a strand of hair out of Camila’s eyes. “If you tell me where we’re going next?” she added playfully. Camila smiled and glanced at the rest of the girl’s in the car. “For food of course,” Camila said simply. “Where else?” she added rhetorically. “Of course, I should have known” Lauren chuckled before asking. “Where exactly are we going for food?” “Jimmy’s diner,” Camila told her as Ally turned onto another street. “I love that place,” Lauren said enthusiastically, “but you already knew that didn’t you?” she asked on seeing the excitement on Camila’s face at her reaction. “You might have mentioned it a few times,” Camila replied linking her arm with Lauren’s. “They do amazing burgers there,” Dinah commented. “Oooh and hot wings,” she added thoughtfully. “You can’t have the hot wings,” Camila told her laughing. “Not without starting the hot wing challenge…” “Maybe I’ll start it,” Dinah interceded. “Perhaps it’s time it was revived. It’s been a while.” “The hot wing challenge?” Normani asked from her position in the passenger seat as Ally turned another corner. “It’s exactly what it sounds like,” Dinah told her. “See who can eat the most wings without needing to drink any water.” “How come we’ve never done that?” Normani asked Ally and Lauren who both shrugged in response. “Ok, well I think it’s definitely game on then guys.” She said turning back to Dinah. “You’re going to lose. I’m extremely competitive.” “You won’t have trouble beating Dinah,” Camila told her. “She’s rubbish.” “Excuse me,” Dinah said defensively. “The nerve…I beat you that one time.” “I was choking,” Camila protested. “I needed to drink some water to clear my throat or I would have died. You won by default because of that. You’ve never actually eaten more than me.” “You have the appetite of a person five times your size,” Dinah laughed. “No one has ever actually eaten more than you. Period.” Camila dropped her jaw feigning surprise but laughed despite her best efforts not to as Lauren pulled into Jimmy’s parking lot. The girls’ all got out of the car and made their way inside the diner, Lauren and Camila hand in hand, Dinah with her arm linked with Camila’s free one. They were seated in one of the booths and handed a menu to look at, each ordering a cola to drink whilst they decided what food to get. “Really?” Normani said making a disgusted face and looking at the door where Rachel, David, his girlfriend and a couple of other people were entering. “What are the odds?” “Pretty high,” Camila commented, taking a sip of her soda. “Everyone loves this place.” “I’d love it a lot more if they weren’t here,” Normani commented dryly. “Me too,” Lauren and Dinah agreed together. “Just ignore them,” Camila said positively. “Don’t let them spoil our afternoon.” “Uh oh,” Ally said under her breath and Rachel spotted them and made her way over to the table, the rest of her group watching with interest from where they’d been seated. “She’s coming over.” “Bit hard to ignore her now,” Normani said in frustration. “Hi guys,” Rachel greeted overenthusiastically and Lauren responded by glaring in return whilst the others smiled halfheartedly. The only person who vocalised a response was Camila who said, “Hi,” and lifted her hand. “Fancy running in to you here,” Rachel observed. “Small world huh?” “Too small sometimes,” Lauren replied. “Don’t be a bitch Lauren, it doesn’t suit you.” Rachel commented before turning to Camila. “I don’t know it works for you,” Lauren responded. “Lauren,” Camila scolded slightly, placing a hand on her arm. “Sorry,” Lauren apologised. “Thanks Camila,” Rachel said appreciatively. “It’s nice to know that someone here has some manners.” “Ithink you should go back to your friends Rachel,”Camila told her seriously. “Aww, but I came over to talk to you,” Rachel said fluttering her eyelashes at Camila and causing Lauren to tense up protectively. “Your friends are over there,” Camila said pointing towards David and the others. “Acquaintances,” Rachel clarified, referring back to the conversation that they’d had in French class. “Acquaintances.” Camila noted in response. “Look Rachel, I’m really trying not to just come out and say it,” Camila said abstractedly and Rachel looked confused for a moment. “Say what?” she asked. “I want you to go away,” Camila told her simply. Rachel looked slightly surprised by Camila’s bluntness but quickly recovered herself keeping up her front. “Why?” she asked teasingly. “Are you finding it hard to keep your hands off me?” Rachel asked. “Kind of,” Camila replied and Lauren looked at her with an amused expression on her face in understanding. “I have an anger management problem…” Camila clarified, “but, you know that. I mean, you’ve seen it, you were in the cafeteria on Monday…” Camila trailed off throwing a meaningful glance towards David who was sat watching the interaction with interest. “Look you don’t have to pretend just because your girlfriend is here,” Rachel said trying to save face. “You were definitely flirting with me in French,” she continued in an attempt to stir trouble. Camila tilted her head slightly and frowned as Dinah burst out laughing at Rachel’s suggestion. “What’s so funny?” Rachel asked turning her attention to her. “Camila cannot flirt,” Dinah said still chuckling, Ally and Normani joining in. “Well, she could yesterday.” Rachel told them. “No really,” Dinah said still laughing, irritating Rachel. “She couldn’t flirt if her life depended on it, besides, she couldn’t even speak properly yesterday morning.” “It’s kind of hard to flirt without the power of speech,” Normani noted, making a face. “Don’t you think?” “Actually,” Camila said standing up, “I need to use the restroom.” She continued and Rachel tried again to cause trouble between her and Lauren. “I’ll meet you there in five minutes,” Rachel said, raising an eyebrow at Lauren who was still glaring at her angrily. Camila sighed heavily and Lauren could sense the irritation in her body language, her attempts to be polite failing to rid them of Rachel’s presence without being nasty. Camila looked at Rachel, tilting her head again for an instant before shuffling in front of Lauren to pass her and vacate the booth, her back facing the other girls and the table, her eyes locking on Lauren’s. “You’re eager,” Rachel commented, feeling the power shift back to her. “No need to rush Camila, I’ll come with you if you’re that desperate.” Camila sighed again, rolling her eyes in annoyance before perching on the table behind her and bending forward. She put both hands behind Lauren’s head and pulled her close to crash their lips together. Lauren was surprised to begin with, her eyes widening in shock but, as Camila slid off the table slightly and knelt on to the booth seat either side of her legs, straddling her, Lauren deepened the kiss even further, relaxing into it. Lauren closed her eyes as she reached her arms around Camila’s back, one hand falling down to her buttocks, the other between her shoulder blades as she pulled Camila into her further, their tongues lashing at each other heatedly in their mouths. Camila moved her hand to cup the side of Lauren’s face, brushing at the skin there tenderly with her thumb as she sucked gently on Lauren’s tongue. With her other hand, Camila reached under Lauren’s shirt, pushing it up and exposing her abdomen a little as she rubbed the side of her chest just beneath her bra strap. Camila pushed her chest in to Lauren’s, shifting her pelvis forward slightly and forcing her girlfriend against the back of the booth. Camila separated their mouths, moving her own down to Lauren’s ear and whispering, “You can kill me for that later,” before sucking lightly on the spot between the bottom of Lauren’s ear and her jaw. Lauren looked at Camila as she stood up again. She felt slightly disorientated, her chest heaving rapidly as she tried to catch her breath, her pupils dilated and her lips swollen as her eyes followed Camila out of the booth. Camila came to a stop before Rachel who had a stunned expression on her face, her mouth opened wide, seemingly rendered speechless by what she’d just seen. “That’s ok,” Camila told Rachel who was still looking at her astonished. “You should probably just go back to your acquaintances,” Camila said emphasizing the word before stepping past her to make her way to the restroom. Lauren watched Camila disappear, her eyes wide in disbelief at what had just happened, still slightly dazed. She glanced over to Ally, Normani and Dinah who all shared similarly perplexed and bewildered expressions, Normani’s mouth mirroring Rachel’s as it stood agape. “Well,” Dinah finally managed to say, breaking the stunned silence that had fallen over all of them. “I guess she really does know how to flirt.” Lauren swallowed hard still dumbfounded by Camila’s actions a few moments ago. She cleared her throat as she replied; “Uh…yeah…right…” she said trying to formulate a coherent sentence. Dinah turned to Rachel who was looking at Lauren. “So,” Dinah said getting her wits back. “Did she do that with you in French class?” she asked and Rachel turned to look at her in annoyance, defeated. “Enjoy your dinner,” she practically spat as she turned on her heels to go back to her friends. “Lauren already did,” Normani called after her and both Dinah and Ally chuckled in response as Rachel glared at them. Dinah nudged Normani as they turned back to face Lauren. “Lo,” Normani chuckled watching her friend who was glancing over her shoulder in the direction of the restrooms. “Earth to Lo,” Normani continued when she didn’t answer. “Yo…Lauren,” Dinah said her tone loud. “Yeah,” Lauren said breathily turning back to face the others. She shook her head slightly as though trying to clear her vision. “Tell me more about being a lesbian,” Dinah said feigning seriousness as she leant her elbows on to the table. Ally and Normani laughed at Dinah’s words and the look of confusion on Lauren’s face. “That was…strangely hot,” Dinah laughed. “You’re telling me,” Lauren managed to express between breaths as she glanced back over her shoulder towards the restroom. “Jesus.” She breathed. In the restroom, Camila had just finished washing her hands when she felt something irritate the bottom of her nose, a warm liquid leaking from the right nostril. She wiped at it with the back of her hand assuming it was just a runny nose, but, she raised her eyebrows in alarm, a panic welling up within her at the sight of the dark crimson smear against her skin. She raised her eyes to the mirror, watching as another drop of blood ran down onto her top lip and she reached for a piece of tissue hurriedly, tilting her head forward and holding it firmly against her nose as she pinched the bridge of it tightly. “Shit,” she muttered her vision going blurry for just an instant so that she had to lean back against the sink behind her for support. She stayed like that for a few minutes, before lowering the tissue and looking back in the mirror once more. “Shit,” she said again as blood continued to escape from her nostril and she reached for another tissue, the previous one already drenched with blood. “Come on,” she willed, tilting her head forward again and covering her nose once more as she pinched the bridge between her fingers. “Don’t do this to me now,” Camila said raising her head and removing the tissue again. She studied herself in the mirror once more, waiting. When no further bleeding occurred, Camila sighed in relief and quickly cleaned beneath her nose to remove any sign that something untoward had happened. She checked her appearance in the mirror briefly, concerned about the cause of the nosebleed but more worried about the prospect of having to see yet another doctor. She threw the soiled tissue into the trash can and hurriedly left the restroom, joining Lauren and the others, her girlfriend scooting over to make room for her on the seat. “You were gone for a while,” Lauren noted, after kissing Camila on the lips in greeting. “Is everything alright?” “Yeah fine,” Camila said forcing a smile on to her lips and taking up Lauren’s hand in her own to squeeze it reassuringly. “Have you ordered yet?” she asked picking up the menu with her other hand and perusing it mindlessly, already knowing what she was having. “Not yet,” Lauren said raising her other hand to beckon the waitress. “We were waiting for you.” “You guys ready to order?” The waitress asked and they all nodded in response, taking it in turns to order their food. Once the waitress had left Dinah leaned over the table furtively. “So,” Dinah started seriously addressing Camila. “Can we please talk about where you learnt how to do that?” Camila smiled at Dinah’s question. “Oh,” she said putting all thoughts of her nosebleed behind her and moving on. “I just watched your mom making out with the postman.” She joked straightfaced. Dinah dropped her jaw at Camila’s comeback before bursting out laughing along with the other girls, Camila watching amusedly as she took a sip of her drink
