Chapter 4
Camila ends up sitting with Lauren and her friends at lunch for the next few days because some cheerleaders (typical) had been talking shit about Lauren so Camila wanted to make sure nothing more happened.
And Camila wouldn't usually mind that, because it means she gets to spend time with her crush of three years. But Zayn has been annoyingly tagging along every single time, and she can't exactly tell him to fuck off because he doesn't know about her crush.
So instead she angrily eats her lunch in silence having no one to converse with because Dinah and Normani have completely hit it off with Ally and Tori, and Lauren and Zayn are constantly squished together on a bench laughing at their stupid inside jokes and finding way too many things in common with each other.
It's pissing Camila off.
She knows that it's all platonic right now since it's only been a few days, but they could easily develop feelings for each other because of how easily they get along.
(Well, she's not completely sure about Lauren because she doesn't know how easy it is for the girl to like someone, but Camila does know Zayn. He's charming, witty, handsome, and is a master at flirting.
And he also has a thing for good girls.)
Camila knows that Zayn would never play Lauren. While he may not be aware of her crush, he is mindful of how Camila feels a sense of protectiveness over her, and he would never deliberately hurt her.
It's just... she really likes Lauren, okay?
The fourth straight day (not counting the weekend) comes of Camila watching (read: shooting daggers at) Lauren and Zayn get along too well when she decides that she needs to do something about the situation.
"Hey guys," Camila interrupts loudly, capturing the attention of all six people sitting at the table. "We should all hang out this Saturday. Get to know everyone better."
If she puts a little extra emphasis on the word everyone, Zayn doesn't notice.
Ally glances over at Dinah and Normani, then switches her gaze back to Camila. "Good idea. What did you have in mind?"
Pausing for a moment, Camila runs through some ideas in her head. "We could do something fun and exciting like laser tag or a trampoline park maybe."
Tori and Dinah look at each other excitedly, but surprisingly it's Lauren who speaks up.
"Um, I... I don't think I'm going to go to that, then. I uh, I'm not good at activities like that and... well... yeah, I don't want to get hurt."
Zayn smiles comfortingly at the girl, placing a gentle hand on her arm. "Don't worry about it. We don't have to do something you're not comfortable with. I'm sure Mila can find something else for us to do." Lauren returns the smile shyly, peering up at him through her glasses.
Camila clenches her fists and turns away. "Okay," she nearly snaps. "That's fine. How about we... hit up that carnival that's in town. It's only here for a few more days so it's now or never." Nearly everyone at the table nods in agreement, so Camila takes that as a confirmed 'yes'. "Awesome. The carnival on Saturday it is, then. Zayn, can you drive us since you have your seven seater SUV?"
"Sure, that won't be a problem."
"Fantastic," Camila says through gritted teeth, feeling anything but as she hears Lauren's giggle, Zayn flashing his charming grin at her laughter.
~~
It's Camila's first gym class of the year, and as she gets changed in the locker room, she knows that some girls are staring at her arms (and not out of lust; more like curiosity), but she's used to the attention by now (she's a teenager with numerous tattoos, who wouldn't gawk).
Most of the girls just get dressed near the benches by the lockers, so Camila doesn't think anything of it when she hears a changing room door open.
Then soon, Camila's not thinking anything at all because there Lauren is, making her way out of the changing room wearing the school issued gym uniform. It's not even anything special, just a black t-shirt and red shorts, but something about seeing Lauren in different clothes has Camila reeling.
Camila can see the curves of Lauren's waist and chest outlined through the top, but what's really getting her is how good the girl looks in shorts. It's possible that the person who approved the uniforms got a little too excited at the prospect of seeing teenage girls in gym class because the shorts are just a tad too short to be appropriate by other school standards. Camila can appreciate how a lot of her classmates look pretty good in the gym uniforms, but she has no doubt that none of them look as attractive as Lauren does.
Because the shorts are a little... short, Lauren's generous ass is proudly and prominently on display. The fabric clearly has to stretch to cover her appropriately which just means that her curves are neatly defined.
Camila watches as Lauren nervously tugs the hem of her shorts down when they ride a little too high up her thighs, but then pulls the waistband back up when the shorts drop too low. She can't seem to find the perfect placement, and she finally gives up when the students start filing out of the locker room. Lauren quickly gathers her hair up into a high ponytail which she starts to fiddle with, but doesn't have time to redo as she rushes after the crowd.
Apparently Camila stared a little longer than she realized because soon she's the last one in the locker room, so she swiftly puts her hair up as she heads through the door.
The students are all lined up in a row on one side of the gym, and when Camila notices Lauren standing on the end by herself, she promptly makes her way over to the girl.
"Hey, Lauren," Camila greets with a grin. "I didn't know we had the same gym class."
Lauren jumps slightly when Camila addresses her, turning to her and offering a shy wave and smile. "Hi... um, me either. I guess, uh, I mean, it'll be nice to share it with someone I know."
"Definitely. And I remember you saying you're not too fond of strenuous activities so I can help you out with that if you want."
"Really?" Lauren asks, nudging her glasses up her nose.
Camila just nods, trying to hold her smile in by pressing her lips together tightly.
"That would be really awesome, thank you so much."
They turn their focus to their teacher when he calls for their attention and begins his introductions.
"Lauren. Lauren," Camila whispers, nudging the girl gently. She's already bored of their teacher's droning and would much rather be talking to Lauren.
"Yes?" she replies, whipping her head to face Camila, her ponytail swinging aggressively behind her.
Camila grins, leaning in closer. "Has anyone ever told you how fucking hot you look in those shorts?"
Lauren's eyes go wide as saucers at Camila's bluntness, her cheeks quickly flushing a bright red. She looks away from Camila's gaze, tugging on her ponytail nervously.
"I– uh, well– I can't say th– um, uh," Lauren trails off, unable to express herself. "I really don't know what to say," she reveals honestly, wide green eyes glancing back up at Camila.
Letting out a quiet laugh, Camila teasingly nudges the girl with her shoulder. "It's the truth though. I mean... you've got some serious curves, and those shorts are doing you total justice right now."
Lauren goes to run a hand through her hair before remembering that it's tied up. Instead, she opts to fidget with the hem of her shorts. "I... I mean, I'm a little worried because they're, uh, they're kind of short– um, and I feel like everyone can see my... my uh..." Lauren gazes around briefly before leaning closer to Camila. "My cheeks, you know?" she whispers into Camila's ear before pulling back, biting her lip timidly as she waits for the girl's reply.
There's so much that Camila wants to do right now because she gets this overwhelming rush of emotions, but instead she just lets out a snort because, seriously, Lauren is too damn cute.
"Oh my god," Camila nearly snorts again, trying to keep her volume down so that the teacher doesn't notice. "Lauren, you're... holy shit."
The girl just looks confusedly at Camila, glancing at the other students as if she's trying to determine if she missed something amusing.
"Uh..."
"I'm... I'm sorry, you're just... oh my god, you're so cute," Camila barely gets out, caught between wanting to laugh out loud or squeezing the girl's cheeks.
They heat up again, and Camila can't help herself when she pulls the girl in for a hug because she needs something right now or she's going to explode. From sexual frustration, adoration, or something else, she's not sure.
Camila lets go soon after, smiling softly at Lauren's adorably confused expression.
"Um... okay."
"I'm sorry," Camila apologizes with a smile. "I was serious though. Don't be concerned about how you look in those shorts, because I can say with complete truthfulness that you look fantastic in them, and you have nothing to worry about."
"Thanks," Lauren replies bashfully. "And um, I mean... you uh, look good in, um... yours too."
It's said so quietly that Camila almost misses it, but she doesn't, so she offers a smirk to the girl in return. "Must be our Cuban genes, right?"
Lauren giggles. "Right."
"Alright, everyone," the teacher calls, clapping his hands together to get everyone's attention. "Since it's our first day together I'm not going to start you on something too hard. Partner up and grab a basketball."
Camila glances over at Lauren who's pressing her lips together and nervously fiddling with her ponytail.
"You okay, Lauren?"
"Uh, yeah I'm fine," Lauren replies, looking over at Camila with wide eyes then turning away.
"I don't– are you sure?"
Camila can see Lauren's throat bob as she swallows before answering. "Um... uh huh. Yup, I'm sure. It's nothing to worry about. I just don't get picked as a partner unless Ally or Tori are in the same period as I am, which they're not, so that means I usually have to pair up with the teacher, and, um, this teacher kind of intimidates me a little."
"Well, I think I have a solution to that."
Lauren focuses her wide gaze on Camila. "Oh?"
"Mhmm. You have me."
Green eyes widen even further in shock. "Wait. You'd partner up with me?"
Furrowing her eyebrows, Camila grasps Lauren's wrist and tugs her over to the basketball rack. "If I had ever been in the same gym period as you before this year, I would have without a doubt chosen you first. Anyone would be stupid not to."
When Camila peers back at Lauren after grabbing a ball, she catches the girl biting her lip, her cheeks flushed slightly and a small smile on her face. She pretends not to notice and leads Lauren over to an empty corner of the gym.
"Okay, everybody," the teacher calls out over the chatter of the students. You and your partner are going to take turns shielding the basketball while the other person attempts to steal it away. You switch roles when the ball is successfully stolen. It's a nice way to get warmed up. Don't forget to keep dribbling the ball throughout. Begin when you're ready."
"Alright, who's going first?"
"Um," Lauren shrugs. "Whoever. You have the ball; you want to start?"
"Sure," Camila says as she gets into position, turning her back towards Lauren.
"Okay, uh, ready when you are."
Camila begins bouncing the ball, making sure she stays facing away from Lauren. She hunches over slightly to better protect the ball and readies herself for Lauren's attempt.
Except she really didn't need to, because Lauren is keeping a good two feet of space between them, half-heartedly swiping at the ball, but never getting too close.
After about twenty seconds of this, Camila finally stops dribbling, tucking the ball against her hip as she turns to talk to Lauren.
"So, do you know how to steal a basketball away?"
"Uh, I mean, yeah, I know enough about it."
"You weren't really trying all that much though."
Scratching at her nose, Lauren shrugs slightly, not making eye contact with Camila. "I thought I was..."
Camila holds the ball out. "Do you want me to show you how? That might help."
"Um..." Lauren says. "Sure. Okay."
"Great," Camila smiles, handing the ball over to Lauren. They assume their positions, Lauren facing away from Camila and bouncing the ball in front of herself.
"Okay," Camila begins, stepping closer to Lauren. "First of all, you can't operate with that much space between you and your opponent. You'll never be able to reach the ball that way. You've got to get up close and personal."
She moves forward until her front is barely grazing Lauren's back.
"Next, you have to stretch your arms out further, almost circling your opponent."
Extending her arms out, Camila wraps them around Lauren without actually touching her.
"And then, you've got to make sure that you're making tries for the ball while they're dribbling it." Camila leans closer to Lauren's ear so that the girl can hear because the gym is getting louder with all the commotion from the other students. She notices Lauren tense up, the bouncing becoming rigid and her movements jerkier, and she doesn't miss Lauren's sharp intake of air.
Camila smirks, because this might just work for her.
"Kind of like this," Camila continues, her pitch a little lower and her tone huskier. Every time she reaches for the ball, she 'accidentally' touches Lauren, either grazing her arm or pressing up against her back. She catches a glimpse of Lauren's face, the girl's cheeks bright red.
Eventually Camila is able to steal the ball, but that's mostly due to the fact that Lauren can't even focus on bouncing it correctly.
"L– looks like you won," Lauren comments breathlessly.
Zayn who?
"Looks like I did." Brushing her hand against Lauren's lower back, Camila turns around before the girl can see the smirk on her face. "You're up."
"Right."
The ball is handed over to Lauren and the two girls take their positions, resuming the activity.
Except Lauren is still shy about getting too close to Camila, so every time she reaches for the ball Camila easily moves it away.
"Lauren," Camila says as she continues dribbling. "Just do what I showed you."
"I know, I know. I'm... uh, I'm trying."
"Don't be afraid to get closer."
Lauren's arms disappear for a moment, and then suddenly Camila can almost feel the girl's warmth on her back. Her arms come back into view and she starts swatting at the ball more aggressively than before.
"Nice job, Lauren. Great defense," their teacher comments as he makes his rounds past them.
"What did I tell you? I knew you could do it."
"I... yeah, I guess so. Thanks, Camila," Lauren murmurs, finally successfully snatching the ball away.
Camila turns around and notices how flushed Lauren's cheeks are, but she knows it's not from the activity because they didn't exert themselves that much.
"Listen up everybody. Gather around." The students make their way towards the teacher, depositing the basketballs back on the rack.
Camila wants to ask Lauren about her reaction, but the girl walks away before she gets the chance to.
~~
After some more warmups and 'team building exercises', everyone is finally dismissed. Since it's their last period of the day, most students prefer to just head home and shower instead of using the locker room showers.
Lauren helps put the equipment away, so Camila hangs back until the girl is finished.
"Today wasn't so bad, right?" she asks lightly, trying to make conversation.
"Um, no, I suppose not," Lauren replies as she tugs at the hem of her shorts.
Camila steps ahead of Lauren, holding the locker room door open so the other girl can pass through. "At least we have each other for this class."
Lauren offers her a shy smile and mumbles a soft thanks.
"Do you usually shower here after class?"
A brief startled look passes over Lauren's face, but she turns away before Camila can decipher it.
"No, I shower at home. Uh, it's probably not a good idea for me to, um, spend longer with the other students than I have to."
It doesn't take a genius to understand what Lauren is not saying. Camila feels a rush of burning anger at what she's implying.
"Lauren, if anyone said something to you or hurt you, I swear t—"
"N– no no don't worry," Lauren frantically reassures, taking a quick look at Camila's clenched fists. "I just, uh, don't want to put myself in those situations... you know?"
Lauren shrugs her shoulders as if in defeat, and it honestly doesn't make Camila feel any better.
"If someone is bothering you, you need to tell me. I said I would look after you, remember?"
"I know, I know, I remember," Lauren rushes out. "Nobody has done anything since, um, you know."
Camila narrows her eyes at the girl. "Are you sure?"
"Positive." She nods her head swiftly, her ponytail bouncing with the moment and her glasses sliding down her nose. Camila feels herself relax as she watches Lauren push them back up.
"Okay. But you'll tell me immediately if someone does, right?"
"Um, yes, I will. I promise."
Nodding her head in acknowledgement, Camila turns to grab her things to change into, since she prefers showering at home. She notices Lauren heading towards the changing stalls and calls her name.
"It's only you and I here. You don't have to change in there. You know I won't make fun of you."
Lauren pauses for a moment, glancing between the stalls and the lockers where Camila is standing. She fiddles with the clothes in her hands before ducking her head wordlessly and heading back over to Camila.
It's no surprise that Lauren is extremely shy so Camila is hoping that by (genuinely) complimenting the girl and encouraging her, she can help Lauren break out of her shell.
(The compliments are also because Camila finds Lauren extremely attractive, but one and the same really.)
Camila offers a comforting smile before spinning around to strip out of her uniform, slipping back into her street clothes swiftly. She turns to grab something from the locker and notices movement out of the corner of her eye. When she glances at Lauren, the girl is standing in the same position as before, her eyes trained on the bench and a slight flush on her cheeks.
"You going to get changed, or..." Camila asks, gesturing towards Lauren's clothes.
"Uh... uh huh."
Continuing on with her locker search, Camila is mostly focused on that, but because she's standing perpendicular to Lauren, she can't help but observe the girl.
Lauren starts by tugging her hair out of its ponytail, long, brown waves falling down her back. It's not pinned up and parted the way it usually is, so Camila can't really help but notice. As Lauren starts lifting the hem of her shirt higher, brown eyes follow as more and more skin is revealed. Once the shirt is tugged over Lauren's head and her hair falls back into place after being tousled around, the girl reaches down to begin removing her shorts.
Camila feels a little too much like the person who approved their uniforms as she pervs on Lauren so she glances away. That doesn't last very long though because Lauren is leaning over to pick her shorts up off of the floor and then her ass is just right there so Camila just kind of has to look at it because it's so perfect and round an—
She whips her head away so fast she's sure she's gotten whiplash when Lauren lifts her head up to peek at Camila curiously.
Once Camila is sure Lauren isn't looking anymore, she takes one more quick glimpse and feels her face heat up. Lauren is all curves and smooth skin, those dresses seriously not doing her justice because holy shit this is a woman standing before her.
Camila suddenly feels inadequate compared to the goddess next to her.
She knows she's done more than enough inappropriate leering so Camila forces herself to look away until Lauren is done changing. Finishing up with whatever the fuck she was doing with her locker, she turns to the girl who's collecting her belongings together.
"Did you need a ride home or anything?"
Lauren looks a little surprised that Camila asked. "Oh, um, no thank you. I drove myself today."
They head out of the locker room together, Camila holding the door open once more. It's quiet between the two as they walk towards the parking lot but the silence doesn't feel awkward.
"This is me," Lauren says softly, a dorky grin on her face as she stops next to a blue car.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" Camila asks, feeling giddy when Lauren nods and smiles wider, sliding into the driver's seat.
Camila watches the girl drive off, feeling like she's in a little deeper than she originally figured.
~~
"Sorry Zayn, I'm sitting next to Lauren today."
Camila feels a little more confident about breaking up the two after their eventful gym class yesterday. She drops onto Lauren's bench, hiding a smirk at Zayn's annoyed expression as he falls onto the bench next to them.
"Not braving the mystery meat today?" Camila asks as she sets her tray down.
"Nope. Good luck with that," Lauren giggles out.
"That sandwich looks much more appetizing." She eyes Lauren's lunch enviously, because cold cuts are ten times better than cafeteria 'meat'.
Lauren reaches for the other part of her sandwich, holding it out to Camila. "Um, here, have my other half."
"What?" Camila asks with wide eyes. "No way. I'm not going to take your lunch from you."
The food is still being held in front of her face, Lauren's happy expression hidden behind it. "Really, I insist. I have some other snacks too so, uh, I won't be hungry or anything."
"Are you sure?"
Lauren nods enthusiastically, pushing the sandwich even closer. "Eat it."
"Um... okay." Camila grabs it from Lauren but looks up at the girl before she takes a bite. "Thanks," she says with a grin.
"No problem," Lauren cheerfully replies, going back to feasting on her lunch.
It seems like Tori and Ally are getting along even better with Dinah and Normani as they keep their conversation going between the four of them. Zayn eventually joins in when he's done sulking at being separated from Lauren, so her and Camila have some time of quiet to just eat and enjoy each other's company, which of course doesn't last long.
"Mila!" she suddenly hears a deep voice from behind her, a hand slapping on her back a moment later and nearly causing her to choke on her mouthful. "You're always ditching us at lunchtime now so we thought we'd come and join you instead."
Shawn and Ariana claim the empty bench, setting their lunches down and greeting the others at the table, introducing themselves to Tori and Ally.
"Um, yeah," Camila says through a cough. "I've been hanging with Lauren lately."
At the mention of the girl, Shawn and Ariana both turn towards her. She nervously runs a hand through her hair, widening her eyes slightly.
"Nice to finally meet you, Lauren. Although I feel like I already know you because this one—" Ariana gestures towards Camila, "—told us all about you."
"Shut up, Ari," Camila hisses.
Lauren gazes up at Ariana with a curious expression. "She has?"
"Definitely," Shawn pitches in. He catches a peek of Camila's panicked expression and decides to go easy on the girl. "Nice to finally meet you. Love your glasses."
"Oh, uh, thanks." Lauren nudges them up her nose, smiling shyly at the two.
"Anyways, this is Shawn, and that's Ariana. They're also close friends of mine."
Lauren offers a sheepish wave, looking briefly at both of them before glancing back down at her food.
"Oh my god," Ariana gasps. "You have the prettiest eyes I have ever seen. Have you ever worn eyeliner or eyeshadow before? That green would look amazing with a smokey eye."
"Um, I've uh, I've worn eyeliner a few times before. B– but never eyeshadow."
Ariana gasps again which makes Camila want to roll her eyes. "One of these days, you have to let me do your makeup. You would look amazing."
"Quit harassing Lauren," Camila interrupts. "You look amazing no matter what."
Lauren's cheeks go pink as she bites her lip shyly. "Thanks Camila. But, um... I think I would like for Ariana to do my makeup one day. It, uh, it could be fun."
"Yeah? Okay, we can make that happen. Then we can do hers and make her look like a clown."
Camila could probably listen to Lauren's laugh all day. She makes a mental note to figure out what things Lauren finds funny.
"Ugh," Ariana says with an eye roll. "If it means I can do your makeup, then I guess that's a fair deal. Just no dicks on my face, please."
Shawn lets out a snort and Ariana turns her head sharply towards him. "You didn't find it so funny when I did that to you."
"That's because you drew on me with markers that didn't wash off!" Shawn exclaims.
If Camila could sketch, she would create a million pictures of Lauren's side profile as the girl laughs. It's a view she hopes she never forgets.
"Oh please, you're exaggerating, Mendes."
"As if, Grande."
The two banter back and forth, causing Lauren to laugh at them in amusement. Instead of participating too much in the conversation though, Camila finds herself watching Lauren for the majority of their lunchtime.
She has a feeling that this girl is going to be the death of her.
~~