weak ➸ camren

chapter 10 ➸ all or nothing

“We’re all going out for lunch, c’mon,” Lauren nodded. Camila just bit her lip and scanned Lauren up and down.

“You guys go without me, I’m not hungry,” Camila shrugged as casually as she could.

“You’re always hungry.”

If only she knew.

Camila sighed and shook her head. “I don’t feel good.”

“You said that yesterday,” Lauren rebutted. She knew something was up, she just couldn’t tell what. Camila had been acting extremely distant lately.

“Well maybe I still don’t feel good.”

“You need to start coming up for better excuses for not wanting to spend time with us, Camila,” Lauren had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. Camila was a horrible liar.

“Lauren, I said I don’t feel good,” Camila grit her teeth. She hated when people prodded her to make her do something. She could do what she wanted. Lauren wasn’t her mom. Or her doctor.

“Camila, you practically have been in your bunk since you got back from… wherever the hell you were,” Lauren shook her head. “Please?”

“Go away,” Camila’s voice grew low in the back of her throat.

“Well the only food we’ve got on the bus are those disgusting popsicles, so have fun starving to death,” Lauren rolled her eyes and pulled the curtain shut. She didn’t realize just how accurate her words were.

Seconds later, Camila was scrambling out of her bunk and grabbing Lauren’s arm, yanking her back towards her with her teeth gritted.

“Stay out of my business, Lauren,” she practically spat. Camila wasn’t talking, this wasn’t like Camila. Her defenses had been put up. Her disorder was talking.

Lauren was surprised by the sudden movement and pushed Camila away out of reflex. Camila practically flew backwards, nearly stumbling to the ground. Lauren hadn’t realized how strong she really was… or how weak Camila had grown.

“I’m sorry for trying to be a good friend?” Lauren raised an eyebrow. She wasn’t sure what Camila wanted her to say, but the secrecy was already bothering her and she was becoming hurt by the way her best friend had been shutting her out lately.

“Well you’re not one, so go away,” Camila groaned.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“GO AWAY!” Camila yelled. She lunged forward, shoving Lauren backwards towards the door. Lauren didn’t budge and Camila pushed her again. This time, Lauren took a step backwards on her own.

“I hate you, Lauren, I don’t want to talk to you,” Camila spat. She shoved Lauren again. “Leave. Me. Alone.”

Confused and concerned, Lauren took a small step backwards with each word that left Camila’s mouth. Something was up.

“I’m just trying to—“

“I don’t need you, I don’t need anyone. Leave me alone. I’m so tired of people trying to fix me,” Camila started rambling. Her voice was low in the back of her throat and suddenly she wasn’t talking to Lauren anymore. “I don’t need your help, I’m fine. I’m fine.”

Lauren saw the distant look in Camila’s eyes and a wave of confusion washed over her. The normal Camila would need a hug, so that’s what she did. She pulled the small girl towards her and wrapped her arms around her.