It's the little things. People don't realize that many things, if not everything around them, is fragile. Moments are fragile. People don't know how one stare can say so much. How silence itself can say everything you need to say. You'd think that after being so convinced that you are invincible to all temptation around you because you are exactly where you need and want to be, that it'd be impossible to fall but anything can happen. Temptation is the fire that brings up the scum of the heart. Temptation never sleeps, especially not when given a perfect and open opportunity.
Lauren looked at Camila and could see her shining in every way possible. She had never seen and felt anything more capable of drawing another in, until tonight and she could stay in this moment of contentment forever, because it was safe. Safe and away from what was to come. Both girls were realistic enough to know that not everything went as one could only hope for, but neither expected to fail each other as much as they would. To let their darker sides win, and blind all the light that had come from their blossoming love. Neither expected fear and temptation to mesh together and betray them in every sense of being deceived.
Camila looked up from staring lovingly at the corsage on her wrist and met Lauren's gaze that was already so concentrated on her. Camila's lips spread in a closed-lip smile, which was interrupted by the nibbling of her lower lip that began with her teeth- an old habit of hers that never did grow old to Lauren.
Lauren's eyes dropped to the corsage and a light blush spread to her cheeks when she remembered just how hard she had worked on it, perfection was crucial to her on this night because Camila deserved that.
They both sat in the limo that Troy, Ally, Siope, Dinah, (who had tagged along since her boyfriend was good friends with the boys) Normani, and Arin were sharing with them. Everyone sported dazzling smiles, none of them anticipating any fault in tonight's events. They all looked at each other and didn't even feel the inevitable in the air. Camila felt it though. She didn't want to say anything, but there was something tugging at her inside of her stomach that made her feel a sense of suffocation in this overwhelmingly joyous vehicle.
She couldn't ruin it by speaking up though, she just told herself to relax and not over think, she told herself it was simply her nerves acting up, it was her first and only prom of course. She decided to find comfort in the girl sitting beside her, holding her hand with every bit of fragility, like a promise, a promise of keeping her safe.
But that's what promises exist for, don't they?
They exist to be broken.
Camila let herself relish in the little moments and instructed herself to step out of her mind and live in what was happening before her. She listened to the jokes that were exchanged between Dinah and her boyfriend, and let herself laugh along with everyone, and found herself smiling at the adorableness that was Ally as she fixed Troy's tie while he stared at her like she was the only other person in this world with him. Her eyes traveled around to Normani who looked like a giddy girl in middle school sitting next to her crush while Arin looked just as nervous, but happy nonetheless. Her eyes finally landed on Lauren who was deep in thought, but was still holding her hand firmly, if not, tighter.
They arrived soon after the driver took them all for a joy ride to enjoy one of their most memorable senior nights, inside one of the most desired limos in town. Ally was first to exit with Troy, they both took a deep breath, and Camila noticed the twinkle in both of their eyes, it was Ally's dream just as it was Troy's to have a magical night beside their prince/princess. Next, went Dinah and Siope who waved at everyone as if they were royalty and held their chins up high which caused the remaining four to laugh.
Then, went Normani with Arin, who both looked down at the ground with a shy smile before interlocking arms, and stepping toward the entrance with every ounce of grace, and looked perfect together. Lauren stepped out next with a wide smile on her face, Camila was almost convinced it would fall off, she noticed as people stopped to stare at her in all her glory, but their gapes were nothing compared to how far their eyebrows shot up and mouths opened when Lauren turned back inside the limo and held out her hand for Camila to take, which she did, and emerged out of the limo, looking like the angel she truly was, which shook everybody around them breathless.
Lauren looked at Camila with a proud smile and leaned in to plant a lingering kiss on her cheek, being extra careful not to mess up her make-up. She backed away a bit at the sound of a camera click which resulted to belonging to none other than Harry himself. He smiled and wrapped an arm around Camila's waist bringing her into a tight but friendly hug. He looked almost as proud as Lauren did, and Camila couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with happiness as she wrapped her own arms around Harry's shoulders.
She sighed against him, and missed him just a bit more than she already did. He was her best friend after all. She looked behind him and noticed the shy boy who had apparently accompanied him. Camila and Lauren's eyebrows shot up in surprise and question to which Harry blushed, "Lauren, Camila, this is Louis, my boyfriend."
Lauren and Camila both looked at each other with knowing smiles, they had- had some suspicions. They all shook hands and walked in together, both couples decided to face the rain together. And so, they did. As the doors opened, revealing both couples who looked extravagant, but beyond all that, happy, the people around them chose to smile and encourage them on. Not wishing to ruin one of the only nights they all had left to spend together. Camila and Lauren exhaled a breath; neither knew the other was holding which caused them both to smile apologetically at one another.
They understood. It was something both had worried about as the night drew closer. Tonight was supposed to be theirs, without anyone getting in the way.
Camila and Lauren found a table to leave their belongings at, as the rest of their friends followed in trail, before they all rushed to the dance floor. Camila was more than ready to prove herself before everyone, especially those who had seen her attempt to dance.
Camila followed Lauren to every fast beat song, she watched her every move to make sure she didn't miss a particular sway or dance step, and kept a close proximity to the girl which made the other far more flustered than she expected. Camila was dancing in ways she never imagined herself to be able to, even Lauren was stunned but appreciated regardless.
It was in the middle of a slow song that it seemed like everything around them was slowing down as well, the world, their world was slowing down- holding still, and losing its grip on gravity, all in a time so fast even the clock couldn't keep up.
Lauren was as close to Camila as would be considered appropriate with her arms protectively and possessively wrapped around the younger girl's waist. Camila had her own arms caressing the baby hairs that lined where Lauren's hair line and neck met, she tugged and combed them softly, being careful not to pull on the parts of her hair that were neatly groomed in position. Both girls had their foreheads resting against the other's with their eyes shut tightly- breathing as one, mouthing the lyrics to the song playing behind them into each other's mouths. It was an intimate moment, one they didn't want interrupted, but it happened either way.
You'd think anyone with a brain and decency wouldn't even dare do anything to disturb the moment occurring between them, but this disturbance wasn't just anyone, it was someone coming to claim their prey, as they had forewarned to do so.
Lauren's eyes opened slowly when the incessant tapping of her shoulder continued on even after she attempted to shrug them off. She exhaled in annoyance before turning around to meet whoever it was that needed her so urgently. Camila furrowed her eyebrows before opening her own eyes to see why Lauren had pulled away. Her view of the disruption was blocked by Lauren's head.
Lauren's breath caught at the person before them. It was the same guy, Luke, from the flower shop, dressed elegantly and groomed to perfection and looked far more attractive than Lauren had given him credit for. He played a confident smirk on his face- with a devilish look in his eyes. His eyes radiated a green that was far too malicious for either girl's liking, but drew Lauren in nonetheless.
It was like his stare held her in a trance that condemned her to obey his every command and Camila knew in that moment as she felt Lauren's hand fall loosely from the grasp she had with hers that this moment mattered, it mattered to their relationship, to the events that would occur next, but most importantly, it mattered to her.
It was simple, how in that moment, with just one stare, one gesture, everything was spoken in silence. An answer to a question never asked, was before them, and Camila couldn't understand the familiarity that was held in the person who stood staring so hungrily at Lauren.
She moved aside to get a better look at him, and was slightly insulted at how her presence was completely ignored by not just him, but Lauren now too, but there was something about this person that didn't allow her to dwell on the fact that Lauren was practically drooling over him. She narrowed her eyes to scrutinize his every feature to try to understand why he seemed sofamiliar.
It was until he broke his compelling gaze from Lauren, and his attention flickered to Camila that something, she wasn't sure what, clicked in her mind. Her breath drew in sharply as her brown met with his penetrating green, and a flashback coursed her mind, it was blurry, but those green eyes stood out without fail, but there was still too many missing pieces yet something made her afraid. Afraid of the person in front of her and now afraid of the interest he took in Lauren which she had just now noticed.
Her eyes followed down his body to where his arms were firmly placed on Lauren's, and she looked up at Lauren's face that expressed no decipherable emotion, she almost looked life-less but yet so enticed, it broke her heart because she saw a look on Lauren's face, a look she had never received from the other girl, and it was given without cost to this person in front of them.
Camila's thoughts rolled back to how hard she had tried to even get a second glance from Lauren before everything happened between them, and it took every bit of strength in her to not run and cry, suddenly she didn't feel as beautiful as she had only moments ago. Suddenly, every silenced insecurity broke out inside of her like a volcano eruptio
Somehow, Camila managed to bring an arm up to Lauren's and tugged her softly but with as much force as she could muster in her newfound weakness.
She didn't know what it was about this boy/young man in front of them but he made her feel weak, almost intoxicated and the smell of alcohol clouded her, the kind that could put you to sleep and her stomach began to feel nauseated. She watched as his head cocked to the side, in result to him studying Camila now curiously. Camila could swear that nothing had ever seemed scarier to her, and she hated horror movies scenes such as this one occurring before her with a passion. She looked around them to see if anyone was as frightened by this person's presence as she was and was greatly disappointed.
She felt like a child as she pulled Lauren towards her, and was finally able to break her from the trance he held her in, the young man furrowed his eyebrows, showing clear annoyance at Camila's actions, but recomposed himself and smiled grimly at her, ''I'm Luke.'' Another nerve was struck within Camila at the sound of his voice, and suddenly, his voice echoed in her head, and even though they were a good few feet away from each other, she felt as if though his voice was in her ear, resonating schizophrenic whispers, and Camila felt her head spinning. Her eyes showed clear panic, and it scared Camila even more how her reaction towards him could give him so much pleasure, and she felt as if though the world was closing in around her, especially when Lauren wasn't even fazed by the response.
''Lauren, dinner is being served, let's go back to our table.'' Camila was able to croak out.
Lauren's head shot towards Camila, and her features expressed guilt, and it saddened Camila, how her expression basically told her she'd been caught. Lauren looked back at Luke before hesitating to take Camila's hand that was waiting for its partner. It was only a matter of seconds, and Camila found herself being a crossroad.
Camila's shoulders sulked, even after Lauren's hand wrapped around her own, and began to walk tentatively back to the table where she found all of their friends staring at the interaction. They all had looks of confusion, especially Normani. The two girls awkwardly walked back to their table and didn't look at each other once, and neither of them knew the severity of the situation as their fingers slowly let go of each other's embrace. It was as if a vase made of glass was falling towards the floor- that could be the only metaphor to best describe what was happening as their hands let go.
As they sat, and avoided all questioning looks from their friends, Camila looked down at her lap, trying to find it in her mind as to who this person was, and why he mattered as much as he did. She looked up to try to find some reassurance in Lauren's eyes- that what had just occurred between the three was nothing, a slip up, but felt her breath catch once again when she found Lauren looking around the room, searching, and it wasn't for her eyes this time, it was for his.
Camila's eyes followed the direction of Lauren's, and saw his gaze reciprocating Lauren's, and she began to shake her head furiously, begging him not to, but most importantly begging herself to remember. She looked back at Lauren who was now looking back at Camila, biting her lip nervously.
''One dance.''
Camila's mouth opened in shock at the declaration that was more of a statement rather than a question. Why? What did Lauren owe to this person, and why was she not fighting the temptation that was one attractive man?
She had never been one to put her pride aside, but something told her to, something told her that this wasn't a matter of jealousy, this was something beyond that, and it was why she couldn't stop herself from the shuddering whisper that she begged,
''Please, don't.''
She prayed that Lauren knew just how much was being put into the request, and how hard it was in this moment for her to catch her breath, for a reason that was still so annoyingly unclear. Lauren smiled softly at Camila, and rested a reassuring hand on her knee that this was nothing. Camila looked at Normani, for help, but Normani was shocked herself at what was happening, was Lauren really leaving Camila to go dance with someone else? When Camila found no help, she returned her gaze to Lauren and once again, gave her a pleading look, ''Lauren, I don't have a good feeling about him... I'm scared.'' She admitted, all through the embarrassment.
Lauren kissed Camila's forehead, ''you're not going to lose me.'' She said, as she stood up.
Camila shook her head furiously, ''It's not that, there's just something about him, something isn't right.''
''Trust me.'' Lauren demanded.
''Lauren.'' Normani interjected, finding her voice.
Lauren ignored the callings of her name, as she turned and began to walk towards the man who was walking just as determined towards her with that same smirk on his face.
Lauren could feel her breath being taken away, and she felt goose bumps rising on her arms, and tingles on her fingers as she stood before him.
He held out his hand, and bowed before her before wrapping his arm around her waist, as she placed one arm on his broad shoulder. He gripped on her so hungrily, it made Camila cringe.
Camila felt her hand clench into a fist, and her features were hardening. Why wasn't she doing anything? She watched on as they swayed in perfect synchrony and how they looked at each other as if they could take each other in that moment. It was when he twirled her and brought her closer towards him, before dipping her, that Camila had- had enough of the show. She stood up abruptly from her seat and walked towards the restroom.
She threw the door open angrily, and looked in the mirror. As if looking at herself would give her answers for what was happening. Her stare was strong, and she could swear she was beginning to hallucinate. Her breathing became labored, and sweat was starting to form on her forehead and neck.
Her hands began to shake, and she shut her eyes tightly, and felt herself crashing down to the floor. It was all coming back to her. The nightmares were coming back, the ones she had thought were over. Her thoughts began to mesh together with the eyes of Luke, and she began to beg her mind to remember where she had seen his eyes before. Then, it all became dark. Her back was against the restroom wall, and her mind took her to a particular place.
She didn't even realize when the tears began to pour out of her eyes. As her eyes remained closed, those green eyes came into sight, and she could see the same hunger she saw tonight, with that same smirk, but it was on her now. But it wasn't on the Camila that sat on the restroom floor; those green eyes were stripping fifteen year old Camila. She suddenly remembered his strong arms that she had seen tonight on Lauren, roaming her body two years ago.
Although she was fully clothed now, she still felt as bare as she had those two years ago, she felt as dirty, as touched, aschanged.
Camila brought her hands up to her head, as her body began to rake in sobs, and she began to pull her hair to get herself out of this reverie. She opened her eyes but still saw nothing but him. Her rapist had a face now and a name. She knew who he was now. She no longer had to watch her every move in fear of him reappearing because he was here now. He was back. She was trapped once again, and all she could do was sit on this bathroom floor and hold her knees tightly towards her chest.
She realized then why it had taken her so long to realize who he was-she didn't want to remember. But things like these don't stay clouded forever, her body was already responding to him way before she realized who he was, and he knew, he knew exactly who he was in Camila's life, and there was no sense of guilt or regret in him. Camila's heart began to pound, and she could feel herself on the brink of throwing up, and fainting all together. She was so overwhelmed and didn't feel safe in this building anymore, and then she remembered who was in his arms.
All at once, her heart stopped and fell to her stomach. She gulped audibly, and began to shake even more, but managed to pick herself off the ground. She rushed to the door and back to the dance floor where she no longer found Lauren. Her eyes searched the room in panic, and she felt all blood rush out of her face when she couldn't spot either one. She looked towards her table to find everyone with worried expressions on their faces, and she met Normani's gaze. Normani rushed over to her, clearly seeing her incapable of doing anything really. Normani searched Camila's face for anything, and put her hands on her shoulders and shook her to try to bring her back to reality.
Camila's eyes welled with another dose of tears as she opened her mouth to speak but couldn't muster the energy to before her eyes began to roll back- on the verge of fainting in Normani's arms. Normani caught her just before she could fall and she began to softly hit Camila on her face to keep her from passing out and told her to breathe in and breathe out. Normani didn't know what was happening but could only result on the girl having a panic attack.
Just before Camila could black out, her vision was clouded with the image of Lauren, and it somehow was enough to get her to calm down a bit, enough to get the glass of water that Normani had picked up from the random table next to them. Camila took a mere sip before she looked at Normani with a look so broken; it sliced right through the other girl. Normani pulled her in for a hug, and was now close enough to hear Camila's barely audible whisper ''He took her.''
Normani pulled back from the girl, confused as to why it would cause such an impact on Camila, she'd understand for the girl to be hurt, but not as horrified as she was.
When Camila saw Normani's confused eyes that searched her for a more elaborate answer, she closed her eyes to collect herself, ''He's the one who raped me.''
Normani's eyes widened in surprise and covered her mouth as tears welled in her own eyes. Harry by now had noticed the two girls and was running over to see what the commotion was about.
''It's the rapist, Harry, He took Lauren!'' Normani was able to shriek out.
Harry's reaction was just as Normani's had been, before he looked at Camila who looked like she had a million thoughts racing through her mind before she spoke up,
''I think, I know where he is...'' she muttered.
As angry and betrayed as Camila felt, her fear of the past repeating itself was far more powerful, and even if Lauren was wrong for stepping into the lion's den, Camila never had someone who could've saved her, Lauren would.
Not another word was said as the three ran outside to the limo they had arrived in, and Camila told the driver the address of where they had to be at urgently. All it took was one look at the three teenagers for the driver to know just how big of an emergency this was.
The driver tried his hardest to speed even if he knew it could get him into some serious trouble but couldn't stop the inevitable when he got stuck in traffic due to a car accident. The roads were blocked, and traffic was jam packed and to make matters worse, it was a stop light. Camila fidgeted with her fingers before looking up at everyone in the vehicle. She couldn't sit here. She had to save Lauren.
She turned towards Normani and instructed her to call the cops and to rush over there as fast as they could. All three of the other passengers looked at her in bewilderment as she took a deep breath to relieve herself of the nerves bombarding her before stepping out into the night and running towards the destination she could only wish she wasn't so familiar with. It was a particular place she always made sure to avoid anytime she went out.
Harry had never seen Camila run as fast as she did, and could only cringe when at a distance saw her balance falter when one of her heels broke. The action itself hurt her ankle but she continued on. She threw off her heels and ran just as determined as she had before. She didn't know what she'd do once she got there, but it was two against one, they couldn't lose, she wouldn't let herself lose, not again.
It took her about fifteen minutes to make it to the old house, that looked just as beat down and abandoned as it had two years ago. Everything about the place screamed eerie. She stood before the front door, trying to muster up the courage that seemed to get less and less as she ran faster and faster, to open up the door. Her breath was shaky, and all the symptoms from earlier had returned, because now she was walking back into the place she woke up inside of one morning, naked.
She pushed the door open slowly, and brought a foot inside of the house. Her feet were throbbing in pain, now registering how tough the grounds she had ran over were and how hurt her feet now were, but she was able to get both feet inside, and felt her toes crinkle, and suddenly, she was cold, freezing almost.
She licked her lips that had become uncomfortably dry and her eyes wandered around the living room that had no sign of Lauren. The place was dark and dusty, and Camila felt so claustrophobic. She felt the pain, the embarrassment, the darkness, the betrayal, the lust, the harassment, and the disgust all hanging in the air. She noticed different women's attire, some sizes as small as a child's clothing, some of various older age groups, and then she spotted pieces of a white dress thrown on the stair case. Her breath caught in her throat, as she realized who it belonged to, they were here, he was here- she was here.
She looked around and couldn't tell if there was still anyone in the household, had he taken her somewhere else? She blinked twice before stepping forward, the wooden floor, creaking under her. She drew in another shuddered breath, frightened that she could be making too much noise and not just putting her own life in danger, but Lauren's as well.
Then a cellphone went off. It alarmed Camila and made her eyes widen in fear, but she recognized the ringtone, it was Lauren's. She looked back at the front door that was still open, as if telling her to run now, before he saw her too, but without her mind's consent, her legs pulled her towards the chunks of Lauren's dress, and when her toes came in contact with the soft material, she began to run upstairs, no longer caring that her feet were stomping on the ground, making the wood creak loudly, and she followed where the ringtone was coming from, and sure enough, it was THAT bedroom.
The ringing had now stopped but only for a second, before it started over again and Camila once again considered running out, she was fast, tonight had proven her so, but the incessant ringing, served as a trigger to compel her to put her hand on the knob that held her every fear trapped in a room. She felt like a little girl checking under her bed for monsters, as she began to slowly turn the knob, not sure if she wanted to see what was behind the door, but she couldn't leave Lauren in there, not alone, not with him. When she managed to turn the knob fully, all she had to do was push, and she shut her eyes tight, as her hand began to do its job.
When she heard the door slam against the wall, she slowly fluttered her eyelids open and saw the room empty, all that lay on the bed was Lauren's body, still fully clothed. Camila gasped and her eyes began to tear up again, she made it on time. She sprinted towards Lauren's body and inspected it, and noticed where the tears had occurred, and it was in the bottom of the dress, she must have stepped on it on her way up the stairs. Her underwear was still on, and her body was still clean, apart from the smell of alcohol that was around her face and neck area.
The smell itself made Camila gag, because it brought back flashbacks of when this smell lingered on her own body. She noticed the phone that was thrown across the room, cracks all over the screen, he must have thrown it. Camila brought Lauren in her arms and hugged her tightly before crying into her chest. She had never felt more gratitude towards God in her entire existence. She kissed Lauren's forehead, then her cheeks, then her nose, then her chin, then her hands, and finally her lips. The girl began to stir, but was still unconscious. Camila tried to lift Lauren up, but her deadweight was anchoring them down, and all strength had left her at what happened next.
As Camila finally managed to pull Lauren up, and Lauren's eyes began to flutter open, confused as to where she was, both girls stopped all their movement when they heard a door slam downstairs. Lauren looked around the room, and her eyebrows furrowed when she saw Camila stiffen at the sound of the door. Then, Lauren began to remember what happened. Her own heart began to quicken, and she gripped onto Camila's arm. Camila looked down at Lauren and saw all the regret and remorse in her eyes, and all Camila could do was smile sadly at the girl, silently forgiving her, because she really didn't know what was about to happen.
Both girls jumped when Lauren's phone began to ring again, and out of impulse Lauren's first instinct was to run over and silence it, but that was a bad move.
When the ringing diminished, earlier than it was supposed to, they heard a cackling come from downstairs before they heard loud footsteps begin to slowly ascend the stairs. Both girls whimpered and ran towards each other. They held their breaths and Lauren began to wonder why Camila was as scared as she was, had she known who Luke was? Lauren looked at Camila, trying to read her but couldn't and was surprised when Camila turned towards her and grabbed her urgently before pulling her into her and gripping her shoulders as if her life depended on it.
She gasped when Camila's lips pushed against her own with desperate fever and determination, and in that moment, air became a second priority to them. She felt Camila's hot tears on her cheeks, and began to pull away but Camila protested into her mouth, ''Just keep kissing me, please, just keep kissing me.'' Lauren was now more confused than ever, but the urgency in Camila's kiss made her wrap her arms around her waist and pull her closer into her in a hug. It was until their bodies molded together, that Camila pulled away and hid her face in Lauren's neck.
Her body was trembling and the heat of the moment clouded her but the question still lingered in the air as to what on earth was happening. All Lauren knew was that they were in danger, but she couldn't understand why Camila knew that too. Things hadn't clicked in Lauren's mind yet as to why this moment impacted Camila as much as it did, she couldn't put all the clues together as to who this was to Camila, until the knob began to turn again, and they saw a shadow under the door, everything began to fall into place before Lauren's eyes, as Camila threw her behind her back, protectively covering her with her own shaky body.
The door opened painfully slow, and when his eyes met Camila's, something clicked in Lauren. Something she hadn't noticed earlier at prom and it was the absolute worst feeling ever. She was no longer clouded by his features and could now see just how fixed he was on Camila, and his eyes told her everything she had to know. He was staring hungrily at her, but the smirk on his face told Lauren that he knew Camila would be here.
His stare said things that didn't have to be verbalized, and it caused Lauren to begin to move backwards, stumbling over the furniture, but she couldn't break her gaze away from him, yet she still managed to tug Camila with her. Her breathing was short and desperate, and as much as she wanted to be strong in this moment, she couldn't be. She wanted to get them out of there but she couldn't, because one he was blocking the only exit, and secondly, because both her and Camila were frozen in spot. In that moment, neither girl could decide who was the one scared the most.
Luke began to laugh menacingly, and it echoed in the room, along with the panting coming from both girls. ''Two years, Camila, and you still haven't learned your lesson?''
Lauren felt Camila tighten her grip on her hand, and could feel just how sweaty her hand was. She was terrified; she could only imagine how expressive her eyes were in that moment. It was all her fault, if she had just ignored Luke at prom, not given into him, listened to Camila, stayed with Camila, they wouldn't be here.
''Don't touch her.'' Camila growled. Lauren felt her baby hairs rise up at the venom in Camila's tone, and she looked towards her phone, could she run over there and dial 911? What if he pounced on Camila if she even tried?
Luke's smile grew, and he looked Camila up and down, ''we both know, she was just the bait. You're who I want. Who I've always wanted.''
Lauren felt her entire body stiffen, and she was glad Camila was facing away from her, because she was so embarrassed and ashamed. She rested her forehead on Camila's back, and began to whisper over and over, ''Please forgive me. Please please, please forgive me...''
Camila ignored Lauren now, finding the anger she had formerly thrown away when she felt their lives stand still.
''Let her go then. Do what you want with me, but let her go.''
The words shocked both Luke and Lauren. Luke hadn't expected her to go down without a fight, and Lauren didn't expect her to go through this, again, and on purpose, but most of all, for her.
Lauren began to shake her head, objecting the plan and ran around to be in front of Camila. She grabbed her shoulders, searching her face, hoping her request was a joke. She began to shake her head again and tears were pouring out of her eyes and she hugged Camila tightly, begging her not to. ''No! No no no no, don't do this Camila!''
Camila didn't respond to the girl, but kept her gaze on Luke, waiting for him to move.
As he watched them, and began to loosen his belt, Camila's heart began to quicken, she brought her eyes to Lauren, ''Go, Lauren. Run.'' She brought her hands up to Lauren's cheeks and wiped her tears away before kissing her lips tenderly, a tear escaping her own eyes. Lauren grew angry then, but her tears didn't stop, she kissed Camila again angrily and began to pound her fists on her chest, in protest. ''Please, don't do this, Camila. I can stay with you here. Please don't.'' she said into her lips, kissing her again, desperately, as their tears mixed together.
They both rested their foreheads against each other's when they heard the belt fall to the floor; Camila kissed her forehead one last time before pushing her away from her gently. ''Go. I'll be fine. Just please find help soon.'' She whispered the last part for only Lauren to hear and slipped her phone into Lauren's hand discreetly. Lauren looked at Camila and it took everything in her to look away but she had to find help, it was the only thing that motivated her to leave the room.
Lauren ran downstairs, almost tripping, and began to dial 911, she was panicking and it didn't help to hear the things Luke was saying to Camila, he was angry, and Lauren didn't know why, and it scared her, how unaware she was now of what was occurring only a few feet away. She was fidgeting with the phone and because her hands were sweating, she dropped it, and her crying and clouded vision was helping the cause either and it only got worse when she heard Camila scream. It was as if Lauren was living inside of Camila's mind, the one Camila had described to her, the screams she could never silence, the nightmares. The screaming wouldn't stop, and she could make out some of Camila's words, ''Stop it!'' ''You're going to kill me!" He was hitting her.
As Lauren was about to run back upstairs, failing to dial 911, she heard a siren outside of the house, and moments later, Normani and Harry barged in through the door. Lauren had dropped on one of the steps, trembling with sobs as Camila's screams echoed in the house, and it triggered Harry to run full speed up the stairs, and Normani to rush towards Lauren and bring her into an embrace. The cops followed right after Harry and told him it'd be best if he stayed downstairs, but he ignored them, not willing to disappoint his best friend again.
Normani held Lauren close, and they both shut their eyes when they heard a gunshot. Lauren scrambled in Normani's arms, but Normani kept a firm grip on the girl, trying to calm her down. She didn't know what was happening up there but, she knew Lauren wasn't stable enough to see it herself.
After what felt like an eternity, Harry began to descend the stairs with Camila in his arms. She was shaking and hiding her face in his neck. But, she was alive.
Lauren stood up at the sight of her and rushed towards them, but Harry shook his head disapprovingly, he mouthed an apology, and continued to go down the stairs, taking her towards the ambulance that had shown up minutes after the police had.
After Harry, came the police, talking indistinctively, but Normani and Lauren were able to catch that the other man that had been in the room, was now dead. That served as a relief to both Normani and Lauren before they both walked out of the house, and stood at a distance from where Harry was sitting with Camila as the paramedics checked her body that had bruises and belt burns all over her back and stomach. Her legs themselves had scratches, as if she had fallen and he had dragged her, but she still had her clothes on, so he didn't touch her in that way. He hadn't had enough time to anyway.
Going against Harry's request, Lauren stormed over to the two, and if it weren't for the circumstances, she would've pushed Camila, ''Why would you do that for me? How could you be so stupid?'' Lauren growled, although she was angry, she was also relieved that nothing severe had happened.
Camila looked up at Lauren and it dawned on her then, now that she was away from the danger they had been in a while ago, the reality of the situation, how she had just put her life on the line, but for what? Lauren didn't deserve that, not after what actually did happen tonight. Lauren chose him over her, now, Camila had to choose herself.
''I had to conquer my fears, I needed closure, it had nothing to do with you.'' She spit out.
A/N: We were aware that everyone reading the story wanted to hear the story about what happened between Camila and her rapist, or wanted an encounter, and i wanted to say that we only took this long because we wanted to develop her more, make her stronger, to face him, y'know? Trust me, this chapter has been long anticipated! I hope i wrote it in the fashion that you all imagined it, and that i didn't disappoint. <3 i love you all for reading, and i'm sorry we keep making Lauren the bad guy. :( but i know, when the story ends, you all might be angry at Camila instead. xxx wonder if you all can guesss what's gonna happen? Hm.