"I hate hotel televisions." I grumble, pressing the same button over and over again on the remote. Camila glances over at the remote in my hand, laughing softly at me. I flash her playful glare and she grabs my thumb.
"Baby," Camila says softly, moving my thumb to a different button. "This is the on button. You were pressing the volume button."
"It's not my fault they both have plus signs on them." I press the correct button and the t.v flickers on.
"BUY THE FULL VERSION FOR ONLY TWENTY DOLLARS!" The t.v screeches at us at top volume, and Camila immediately covers her ears and buries her face into my shoulder. "THAT'S RIGHT! TWENTY DOLLARS O—!"
I quickly switch off the t.v, tossing the remote down on the bed. I can feel Camila trembling, I wrap my arms around her waist and kiss her forehead many times. I rest my chin on her head, breathing in her scent of oranges.
"You okay, Camz?" I ask her quietly, not waiting to raise my voice in case I scare her again.
"Yeah," Camila replies, her voice shaky. "It just startled me." She lifts her head from my shoulder and gives me a weak smile. I plant one last kiss on her forehead, sighing as I pull away.
Camila shifts her body slightly, melting into my side. I wrap my arm around the small of her back, allowing myself to relax. Camila pulls the blanket over us, laying her head on my shoulder. We lean against the backboard of the hotel bed.
I gently rub my hand against Camila's stomach, all the way up to her ribcage then down to her waist. As I'm moving my hand up to her ribcage again, she yelps and pulls back from me. I freeze, turning to look at the brunette.
"What's wrong?" I ask, nuzzling her cheek with my nose when she doesn't answer. "Come on, Camz, what's up?"
"Nothing," Camila sighs, her body shuddering slightly. "I'm just tired."
"You yelped like an injured dog. What hurts?" I question, becoming panicked at the thought of Camila in any sort of pain.
"It's nothing." Camila assures me, trying to relax against my body again.
"Let me see your stomach." I say, nudging Camila gently.
"It's fine, Lo." Camila protests, scooting away from me. "I'm fine."
"I said let me see your stomach, Camila." I repeat my words, much more harshly this time.
"No, Lo, it's okay, I don—"
"Camila." I snap, making the smaller girl flinch then sigh in defeat. "Let me see."
"Fine." Camila sighs and crinkles her nose at me, rolling onto her back on the bed.
I crawl over to her, propping myself up on my knees above her body. I lean down and pull up her shirt just to below her breasts. I scan her skin in its utter beauty with my eyes. I see a faint blueish purple spot on her ribcage— a bruise. I rub my thumb over it, causing Camila to shift uncomfortably under my touch. I can feel her ribs as I run my thumb over her and my heart jumps in horror at a memory.
"You got this from me, didn't you?" I ask softly, my breath shaking at the thought and possible reality.
"Stop it, Lo, of course not." Camila says quickly, her words pouring out like water.
"Don't lie." I stare at the bruise a while longer before lifting my gaze to meet Camila's. "This is from when I elbowed you at the park, isn't it?"
Camila shakes her head rapidly, trying to soothe me. "No, Lo, I—"
"I hurt you." I whisper, my words barely audible from how much I'm shaking. I can feel my hands shaking as I gently continue to stroke her skin. I immediately rip my fingers from her, not wanting to cause her more pain.
"Lauren.." Camila sits up, wrapping her arms around me and pulling me into her torso. "It's okay.."
"No, it isn't." I wiggle, trying to free myself from her grasp. "It's not okay. I hurt you. I left an unnecessary mark on your skin. It is my fault that you feel pain."
"Marks heal. Wounds heal." Camila lifts my head with her thumb, gazing into my puffy eyes. "Why are you so torn up over one accident?"
"I hate hurting people. Especially people I care deeply for." I notice Camila's eyes drop brief when I say 'care deeply' instead of 'love'. "The fact that I created the mark on your skin hurts me inside. You've been gone for so long and I just want you to feel comfortable and happy with me. But I—"
"I am comfortable and happy with you, Lo." Camila interrupts, brushing some of my hair behind my ear. "I've never been more comfortable and happy with anyone in my whole life. Mistakes happen, it's okay."
"But you've been through so much and—"
"And so have you." Camila cuts me off, grabbing my hand and bring it to her cheek. "Lo, it's okay." When I shake my head in protest, she adds, "look at me, baby, look at me." Camila grabs the sides of my face, pulling my head down to meet her chocolate eyes. Her eyes shine with love and the sight makes my heart jump.
"It's okay." Camila repeats her words, her thumb stroking my skin gently in a circular motion. "Everyone makes mistakes, and you were just protecting yourself. I'm glad you reacted the way you did because I don't want anyone to take you away from me."
"No one can separate us." I say, a smile slowly spreading across my face. Her words of love make my heart flutter and fly, and bend and break at the same time. "We are together."
"Forever." Camila replies, grinning while pressing her forehead against mine.
It must be the heat of the moment because I slowly lean against her forehead, my breath hitches as I press her back towards the bed. She lays back, her knees pointed up towards the ceiling and I plant my arms beside her torso, hovering over her. I straddle her gently, not really thinking, bending my elbows so I'm closer to her face. My hair drapes down onto the sheets, and we connect eyes for a brief second, as mine quickly dart down to her lips. So plump, so perfect. I could just...
A loud ringing sound interrupts my thoughts and startling me at the same time, sending me flying off Camila. Camila sits up, her eyes unfocused and her movements slow. She rubs her neck, glancing shyly at me before standing up and walking towards her jacket hanging on the wall.
"It's my phone." Camila explains, avoiding eye contact with me.
The moment the phone rang, I could feel the atmosphere change from affection to awkwardness. I nervously knit my fingers together, sitting up and dangling my feet off the bedside. My heart pounds in my chest, making my head spin like a top. I feel electricity running through my veins, and next to nothing had happened.
She makes me feel so alive.
The sound of Camila's voice yelling snaps me from my thoughts, forcing me to look up in concern. Camila has her phone pressed to her ear. Her nose is crinkled and her eyebrows furrowed, so she must be angry.
"You're so— ugh!" Camila shouts, punching the wall beside her. I grimace when her fist connects with the wall, as I can hear the cracking of material. "You're an awful person. I hope you know that."
With that, Camila throws her phone down on the chair. She grumbles with her arms crossed, her eyes burning holes into my soul when she glances my way. She rips the bathroom door open, slamming it shut after she walks in.
I hear the sound of a lock clicking into place.
I immediately feel sick. I hurry over to the bathroom door, I run my fingers over the wall she punched. The paint is cracked and so is some of the actual wall, but I can barely see it. Hesitating before sitting down on the carpet, I take a deep breath. I lean against the door, slowly exhaling so Camila can't hear me. I press my ear to the door, holding my breath to hear better.
"So freakin' stupid." I hear Camila growl from inside the room, the sound of a fist connecting with a counter following the words. "Why? I can't do that, that's evil."
"Camila," I say tentatively, causing all sound from the bathroom to stop. "Are you okay?"
I hear Camila sigh. "I'm fine, it's just Shawn, although he's more fair, gets on my nerves more than Austin does."
"And that was Shawn on the phone?" I guess, pressing my face closer to the door.
"Yeah." Camila replies shortly, her words coming out more and more gentle.
"What did he say?" I urge her to continue, melting completely onto the door.
"He said I have to sabotage our opponents' car." Camila grumbles from the other side of the door.
"Your opponents?"
"Apparently two guys have been trying to find the same jewels as I am. Austin and Shawn want them out.. Some guys named Harry and Louis." Camila says, her voice getting louder and louder. "It's so terrible to break their car. But it's not like a have a choice."
I hear the lock snap out of place, and before I can move, the door swings open. I fall onto the ground, landing at Camila's feet. Camila laughs slightly and I sheepishly smile up at her.
"Smooth, Lo." Camila teases me, walking to our bed and sitting down.
I get to my feet, brushing off my thighs. I walk towards the bed, sitting beside Camila. Camila gazes at me, her eyes dull and lifeless. I rest my hand on her knee, trying to comfort her, laying my head on her shoulder.
"Are you going to do it?" I ask, listening to the steady breathing of the brunette.
"Like I said; it's not like I have a choice."
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A/N: Hello, Hello. I'm so sorry this chapter took so long to get to you. The holiday season has me busy and so does homework and everything else in life. But, if you liked this chapter, please star it. Thank you so much and have a fantastic day!
~StrangeBlob