The Tutor

Part 7

It was the first day of Christmas break and the day after Alexa's birthday party. Camila came home smiling and giddy. Not even her family could ruin her mood.

Camila didn't want to admit it, but she didn't actually think she'd get this far in her relationship with Lauren. She genuinely thought she'd spend her senior year of high school pining over a straight girl.

Lauren had texted her in the morning asking her if she wanted to get breakfast. Of course, Camila agreed, and Lauren said she'd be at her house in twenty minutes. It's been almost twenty minutes.

"Where are you going?" Camila's mom was dressed for work and making herself a batch of coffee.

"Out with a friend," Camila did a double-take, "You don't need me to stay home right?" She hoped not. She didn't want to have to cancel on Lauren today of all days.

"No, it's fine. I'll just go wake up Sofia," Her mom looked her up and down, "You look nice. Who's this friend again?"

Camila rolled her eyes, "It's no one, ma. Sometimes I just like to look nice."

"Uh-huh . . . "

I'm outside

"And I've gotta go. Bye, ma!" Camila raced out the door and into Lauren's car. For the first time since they've been friends, she was actually kind of nervous. She wasn't sure what to do or say.

"You look nice," Lauren smiled at her. Camila smiled back.

"You too," Camila turned up the music, "Where are we going to eat?"

"I really like eating at the diner - if that's cool with you."

"I love the diner."

Even though Camila was nervous to see Lauren, not much seemed to change. They still sang together in the car and blew spitballs at each other at the table while they were waiting for their food. However, a few things did change. Now, they were playing footsie under the table and playing with each other's fingers while they talked. Their relationship was more intimate. Camila had to ask, "Is this a date?"

Lauren blushed, "I hope so."

Camila smiled. This was really happening, "I can't wait to see Dinah's reaction when I tell her we went on a date."

Lauren's smile dropped, "Wait . . . you want to tell Dinah?"

"I mean, yeah?" Did Lauren not want her to tell her friends? That's bad, "I already told them that we kissed . . . was I not supposed to share that?" Camila really hoped she didn't mess this up before it even started.

"What?" Lauren was breathing hard, "I didn't want anybody to know."

"I promise they're not the type to tell anybody," Camila thought about it, "They really don't know anybody else, to be honest."

"Camila, you don't understand. My friends and family cannot find out we kissed," Lauren whispered the last part and slowly retreated to her side of the booth.

Camila couldn't stand seeing Lauren like this. She just wanted to go to the other side of the booth and hug her until all of her problems faded away, but she knew now was not the time, "You know them, Lauren. They're your friends, they don't want to hurt you. They're not gonna tell anyone. I promise."

Lauren closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "What's done is done," She closed her eyes, "I trust them." She smiled softly. Camila smiled back.

After that, the conversation never really picked up. Instead, they spent the rest of breakfast playing each other on 8ball on their phones, but Camila wasn't phased. She knew Lauren needed time to process everything.

When they were back in the car, Lauren turned to her, "I'm sorry about how I reacted at breakfast."

"You have nothing to be sorry about. I'm actually sorry that I didn't ask before I went around telling my friends about us."

"I guess I should've been more clear," Lauren sighed, "Do you wanna go back to my house? We can watch a movie or something."

Lauren's house? Camila's never been, not even outside of it, "Sure, that sounds like fun."

~

As she pulled into the driveway, Lauren was trying to mentally make sure her house was clean. To her knowledge, everything should be decent. She really should have thought of this before she invited Camila over.

Camila followed her as they walked up the steps to her house. She let Camila in first before locking the door behind them

"So, this is my house," Lauren laughed, "Nothing special." She quickly showed her around to the den, living room, and kitchen before she led her upstairs to her room.

"Your room's so much nicer in person," Camila commented, looking around.

Lauren laughed, "Thanks."

Lauren sat down on her bed and turned on her television. She opened up Netflix and the two of them began to look through the movie selection. They mutually decided to watch 'To All The Boys I Loved Before', even though they've both already seen it. They were about halfway through the movie when Camila turned to her.

"You wanna know the perks of watching a movie you've already seen?" Camila raised a suggestive eyebrow.

"What?" Lauren genuinely didn't know what she was hinting at. However, Camila didn't respond. Instead, she gripped Lauren's chin and locked their lips. Lauren smiled and scooted closer to her. This was only their third kiss, but Lauren was already so familiar with the feeling. The way Camila held her made her feel at home - it made her feel safe.

They spent the rest of the movie with their lips locked. Lauren was lying on top of Camila, cupping her face and Camila had her hands tucked in the pockets of Lauren's jeans, just like Peter does in the movie. Everything felt warm and tingly.