Trials and Tribulations

Chapter 15

For a while, they remained at the beach, their bodies entwined together on the cool sand, Lauren's arms wrapped comfortingly

around Camila's shoulders tightly as she continued to sob gently into her chest. Eventually, Camila's tears subsided and they sat in comfortable silence, both of them enjoying the soothing sound of the waves crashing against the shore softly, the sea making its presence known to the sand beneath it, the moonlight bouncing off the water brightly to reflect the stars shining in the sky above. Lauren lost track of how long they'd stayed there, the two of them unmoving, both engrossed in thoughts that neither of them vocalised aloud. Lauren had studied Camila's face closely as she'd stared out into the horizon; seemingly deep in thought and she wished that she could read Camila's silent meditations, to know what worries and fears troubled her already fragile and beautiful mind. However, as much as Lauren wanted to be able to understand the broken girl beside her further, she couldn't, not without Camila divulging the information to her willingly as she had done earlier tonight. So, unable to decipher the contemplative look on Camila's face, Lauren just held her, content in the knowledge that, slowly but surely, she was managing to chip away at the impermeable armour that Camila wore to protect herself, that with every new day that they spent together, Camila was gradually beginning to open up to her a little bit more. Lauren enjoyed the rare insights that she gained in exceptional moments like tonight, she did, but, she also loathed them at the same time, the knowledge that Camila blamed herself, no,hated herself for the accident exasperating her in a way that she could

not explain. The crosswalk light had been green when Camila had stepped onto the road. It had been her right of way and the driver of the car had run straight through a red light, hit her and driven off, leaving her for dead. Never in a million years would Lauren ever understand how Camila could blame herself for that, never. After the breeze had started to pick up, the wind developing a chilly and unkind edge which had made them both shiver in an attempt to keep warm, Lauren drove Camila home, walking her to the door chivalrously once they'd arrived. They stood in awkward silence for a moment, Lauren uncertain whether she should kiss Camila goodnight or not after the conversation they'd had regarding her parents earlier. Camila glanced down at her shoes, her hands held nervously in front of her as she waited for Lauren to break the silence; her inexperience in this situation ringing loudly in her ears and preventing her from saying anything no matter how much she wanted to. "So," Lauren started, shifting her feet beneath her and stuttering slightly. "I had a really nice time with you tonight." Camila looked up to meet Lauren's gaze and a small smile graced her features. "Me too," Camila said, fidgeting with her fingers in front of her. "I mean, I had a really nice time with you as well." She paused for a moment, dropping her gaze momentarily as she blushed before lifting her eyes once again. "It was definitely the best date I've ever been on." She told her playfully and Lauren chuckled softly in response, nodding her head as she ran a hair through her long dark locks. "I'm really glad

that I told you about the accident," Camila added after a moment, her tone becoming more solemn. "It actually felt nice to talk to someone about it."
"Well, I'm really happy that you told me about it." Lauren replied seriously. "I'm always here if you want to talk," she'd offered. "Itruly mean that." "Thank you," Camila said gratefully. Lauren shifted awkwardly on her feet once more, taking a step back away from Camila as though she was starting to leave. "I'll call you tomorrow," Lauren told Camila, taking another step backwards. "Ok," Camila said simply, lifting her right hand in a small wave goodbye. Lauren smiled, lifting her own had in goodbye before turning on her heels to make her way back down Camila's path towards her car. Lauren had only managed a few steps before she felt a small hand tug on her own, spinning her around a hundred and eighty degrees to face the house once more. Lauren was accosted by Camila's lips on her own almost instantly and she felt herself smile into the kiss happily. She felt Camila trace her bottom lip probingly with her tongue and this time Lauren had granted her access willingly. Camila had darted her tongue in to Lauren's mouth greedily, just as hungrily as she'd been earlier at the beach and Lauren had reciprocated eagerly, tangling their tongues together furiously in a battle for dominance in the confined space. Lauren caught Camila's tongue between her lips, sucking on it gently, enjoying