Trials & Tribulations

Chapter 26. "I love you."

Camila continued to sob into Lauren's arms, her whole body shaking violently, her breaths tortured as her lungs fought for air, her chest going into paroxysmal spasms. "Please don't cry," Lauren told Camila sadly, kissing her gently on the top of the head. She brushed Camila's hair out of her eyes, tucking it carefully behind her ear securely. Lauren's eyes were wet with her own tears which were falling freely as she listened to the agonizing sound of Camila crying into her, muttering quiet pleas for Lauren to 'make it stop.' "Please Camz," Lauren implored. "Please don't cry..." Lauren felt a hand on her shoulder and turned, just in time to see Miss Lovato crouch down beside her.

"Camila," Miss Lovato said her voice calm and composed. She was studying Camila closely a sad expression on her face. "Camila," Miss Lovato repeated, placing a hand on Camila's back and rubbing it soothingly. "Hey," Miss Lovato said as Camila turned her head slightly to look at whoever was addressing her. "It's Miss Lovato," the teacher informed her evenly, pausing to allow Camila to register the truth to her words. "I need you to come with me," Miss Lovato said, her tone relaxed. "Do you think you can do that?" she asked. Lauren watched Camila carefully for a response, observing her swollen eyes, her tear-streaked cheeks, her flushed complexion. Camila's skin felt warm to touch and Lauren noted that her nosebleed had now slowed; blood visible in an obvious trail from her nostril to her chin. Camila looked at Miss Lovato, her eyelids low, and her pupils sluggish, as though she wasn't quite aware of what was happening around her. "Camila?" Miss Lovato repeated kindly, brushing Camila's cheek with her fingertips gently. "I really need you to come with me now." She reiterated. "Is that ok?" Camila's chest was still heaving, her sobs finally dying down when Lauren felt her nod her head in response to Miss Lovato's question. "Ok," Miss Lovato said, placing her hand on Camila's shoulder. "Ok, good." She said gently, turning her head towards Lauren and silently instructing her to release her hold on Camila.

Lauren relaxed her grip on her girlfriend's small form reluctantly, separating them a little bit so that Miss Lovato could take both of Camila's shoulders in her hands. Slowly, Miss Lovato guided Camila up onto her feet and Lauren followed suit, standing up opposite them. She watched as Miss Lovato put one arm around Camila's shoulders comfortingly and out of some kind of primitive reflex, Camila turned her face to bury it against Miss Lovato's chest, her knees almost giving out as her body threatened to buckle beneath her again. Miss Lovato wrapped her other arm around Camila's torso to support her and turned her attention back to Lauren who felt like she was watching the scene before her rather than being an active participant.

"Can you collect her things?" Miss Lovato asked Lauren quietly. Lauren nodded in the affirmative, stepping over to the table to pick up both hers and Camila's belongings as Miss Lovato lead the fragile brunette through the cafeteria and out into the hallway. Lauren made a move to follow her and came face to face with Dinah who had an uneasy expression on her face. 

"Can you call me later?" Dinah asked Lauren desperately, her tone etched with worry.

"You're not coming too?" Lauren questioned back. Dinah turned to look at Camila who was still wrapped up in Miss Lovato's arms as they disappeared out into the hallway.

"No," Dinah said sadly, her attention once again on Lauren. "I don't think that'd be a good idea." Lauren saw Ally come up alongside Dinah and link their arms together whilst Normani approached from Dinah's other side and started rubbing her free arm supportively.

"Are you sure?" Lauren asked her, throwing a quick glance towards the door, eager to catch up with Miss Lovato and Camila.

"Yeah," Dinah said sadly, her eyes glistening with the threat of tears. "You should go."

"Ok," Lauren replied. "I'll call you I promise," she told her sincerely. Dinah nodded in acknowledgment before Lauren made a beeline for the door to chase after Camila and Miss Lovato.