robbers

R O B B E R S

 chapter 5/6
part 1/2

iv. robbers on a thread, been walking lonely

She feels as though she's a thief.

Camila stares at the blank paper in front of her. She made herself sit down to write--nothing in particular, she was just feeling inspired--but the only thing running in her mind is how she feels as if she's robbing Lauren...Herself more but Lauren too.

It's like,--time is an illusion, okay, she gets it but--time is short and life is temporary.

(Even though it feels like forever.)

Lauren could have spent her time doing anything or seeing anyone rather than wasting it with Camila. But she chose it, she wanted to and what did Camila do?

Nothing.

She robbed Lauren's (and her's) hours, minutes, seconds...to do nothing.

Nothing being the one thing she's wanted to do since Lauren opened her sweet mouth to speak.

Yeah. There's the possibility of rejection but Camila's so optimistic sometimes (right now) that she sees a possibility of Lauren wanting the same.

So, anyways. Camila is a thief.

She robbed Lauren's time in this planet. So, she decides she'll finally do something about it. She decides that--

What the fuck is she going to do?

Fuck. It was there. She tasted it, the hopeful feeling--it was on the roof of her mouth, spreading itself throughout her body like flowers blossoming. It got lost, though.

Dinah calls her an hour later. They're going to The Puzzles again cause Dinah's gig went really well and Camila really hopes Taylor's doing okay.

"Taylor dumped her boyfriend," Camila sees Lauren is conflicted between being happy for Taylor's health but sad because of her feelings.

Camila giggles a little, "It's okay to be happy, Lo. Clearly that boy gets off on putting himself and others around him in danger,"

Lauren smiles and takes Camila's hand, "I know but I also know she liked the guy, so...I kinda feel guilty,"

Camila runs her thumb on Lauren's hand, "Eh. I'm sure your sister is amazing and she'll find someone equally amazing, so, let's take a shot for her being single."

Lauren laughs and scoots closer to her, puts her head on Camila's shoulder, "You always know how to make me okay, Camz."

Camila's heart flutter in her chest, her cheeks are starting to hurt from smiling so big and so much.

"Ugh, stop it, you two. We came here to celebrate my singing and not camren cuteness,"

When they leave, Camila sees Lauren spacing out and lingering behind. She'd understand if Lauren wouldn't have said that Taylor is somewhat okay.

So, when Normani, Dinah and Ally enter the Uber they ordered and they all look expectantly at them, Camila says they'll order a new one.

Lauren waves them goodbye with a weak smile and Camila promises to find out what happened.

"Can I stay at yours tonight?" Lauren asks, almost shyly.

Camila grins, "Yeah, Lo. I just need to cancel with my fuck buddy, just a sec,"

Lauren looks at her wide eyed and displays an amused smile, "Oh?"

Camila laughs and shrugs, "Just wanted to see that pretty smile of yours," The Uber driver arrives at this and Camila shakes her head towards it, "Let's get going then, crazy."

Lauren shakes her head, fond look in her eyes and a flutter to her heart.

"So, um...What are you doing tomorrow?" Lauren asks, yet again like she's a turtle who's afraid to come out of its shell and Camila finds it out of character for her...

But cute, nonetheless.

Camila narrows her eyes at the window, "Nothing much, why?" Her gaze settles on Lauren and she's left thinking how someone could be this good looking without even putting much effort, "Got something in mind?"

Lauren blushes and Camila is just so, so...confused.

What the fuck is happening?

"Wha-Why are you blushing?"

Lauren swallows thickly, "See, the thing is..." Lauren looks up at the ceiling of the car and Camila could not be more confused. "Taylor, she, um, we...The deal was, I'd...ask, she'd break up...And look after herself,"

Camila looks at Lauren with a stoic face and when Lauren looks at her she can't help but laugh.

"I have...No idea what you just said," Camila finishes with an amused smile.

Lauren laughs more now, because crying isn't an option for what she's about to say.

"ThedealwasI'daskyououtonadate and Taylor would finally ask someone she actually wants to go out with,"

Camila gives her that unreadable look again and Lauren hides behind her hands (because she knows she's gonna have to say it again) one going into her eyes and the other between her smiling teeth.

"What was that again?"

"Oh my-Tomorrow, okay? You and I, on a date, are you in or are you not?" Lauren is a tomato now, like literally. And Camila is just...dumbfounded?

Yep. Accurate.

"I'm sorry, what? Yo-you want to go out with me?"

"I never said anything because I was afraid you didn't feel the same way but Taylor said she was certain you did and that little bastard manipulated me to get the courage of asking you out by saying she'd ask this nice really good guy she likes out too but never had the courage either and I'm...rambling." Lauren looks at Camila's smiling mess and begs for saving with a pleading look.

Camila shakes her head still smiling and murmurs, "That wasn't expected..."

Lauren hits her arm, "I'm like really worried for our friendship here and all you have to say is this wasn't expected?"

Camila feigns hurt, "First of all, ouch. Second, well, yeah, I was waiting for the perfect moment to sweep you off your feet with my spontaneity but you beat me to it and third," Camila looks so happy that Lauren might think she's gonna combust with affection for this girl, "I'd love to, Lo."

Lauren's eyes are gone, there's a 9000 watt smile in her face and Camila's (thank the fucking gods) matching it.

 Lauren might just thank her sister, too.