Camila was wide awake all through the class I had with her just now.'
Lauren moved backwards a little on her bed so she was leaning against the wall. She couldn't help but glance over at her phone again. She had been anxious all afternoon after giving Camila her phone number when she had dropped her off after school. Lauren gave the younger girl her number so they could talk about how she went and just in case they needed anything.
---
Lauren smiled at Camila as they sat in her car, parked outside the latter's house. She reciprocated the gesture as the black haired girl pulled a small piece of paper with pen scribbled onto it and held it out her.
'Camz, this is my number. Take this and be sure to text me about how you go. Or at least say hi or something, okay?' Lauren laughed, watching the brunette take the paper from her hand and put it into her own pocket. Camila nodded and waved to her, before pulling her bag onto her back. She stepped out of the car, only turning to look back into green eyes once more.
'Thank you Lauren.' Camila whispered.
---
She forced her eyes from her phone, trying to forget about it, but ultimately failed. Instead, Lauren tried focusing on her thoughts and letting her mind wander. Although Camila didn't leave her head, she stopped worrying about whether she was going to message her or not and instead thought back to what Ally and Dinah had discussed with her at lunch earlier today.
That was a crazy idea. There wasn't any way that Lauren was helping Camila sleep.
Was there?
---
'No, that's silly. Are you sure? She didn't even look tired?' Lauren responded with a question, albeit whispering. Ally shook her head.
'Now look, it hasn't even been five minutes since you sat there and look at the little dork. Sawing logs on your shoulder. C'mon.' Dinah added softly. The shorter girl looked to Camila and then back to Lauren again.
'You haven't noticed anything that might reinforce our idea?' Ally inquired, tilting her head slightly. Lauren thought hard for a moment about today and the day before. A small blush spread across her cheeks as she remembered carrying Camila to her car yesterday afternoon.
'Uhm... Yesterday in the nurse's office, after Camz woke up, I carried her to my car...' Lauren started before shooting a glare in Dinah's direction when she 'ooh'ed. 'She was pretty disorientated and a little bit dizzy, so I offered to help her out.' She continued. 'But almost instantly after I picked her up, Camz was asleep again. I'm sure it's just because she was so tired though...' Lauren added the last bit quickly.
'My god Lauren you are SO whipped already.' Dinah chuckled.
'Leave me alone.' The black haired girl sighed loudly.
'Ah HAH! You didn't deny it.' Lauren rolled her eyes when Dinah winked at her. Ally giggled at the bickering and teasing before beaming over at Lauren again.
'We're not saying that's how it is, but we just wanted to let you know that you're helping and it's a good start. I want you to help her however you can and you being around is doing a lot more than you think right now, Lauren.' She felt warm at Ally's words as Dinah added to the thought.
'Honestly I'm just glad to see my chancho sleeping for once...' Lauren watched Camila as she slept peacefully on her shoulder.
'Me too.'
---
Lauren was pulled from her thoughts and jumped so high she could have sworn she hit the ceiling when her phone rang out with a loud ding. Reaching out to grab it from her bedside table, she saw there was a new text from an unknown number. She took no time in unlocking her phone, and smiled when she saw the message.
6:57PM Unknown number; Hey Lauren. It's Camila. How's it doing?
Lauren saved her number into her contacts and typed out a response, before deleting it and typing another and kept doing this until she had a reply she was happy with.
6:59PM Hey dork. Glad you're stupid ass finally decided to message me. How are you feeling?
...
6:59PM Camz; your*
Lauren rolled her eyes.
6:59PM Really?
7:00PM Camz; Yes
Lauren sat trying to think of a reply, but obviously took too long when she got a message first.
7:06PM Camz; Not my fault you're illiterate. :P Besides, you didnt answer my question...
7:06PM didn't*
7:07PM Camz; Fuck off
Jesus, did Camila just cuss? Lauren didn't think she had it in her, and it was kind of hot.
7:08PM Not my fault you're illiterate. And you just corrected me so, wyd. And no, you fuck off, you messaged me.
7:10PM Camz; SSssshh, I'm tired okay. And yeah, sure I messaged you first but
Lauren waited for another text, but didn't get one.
7:14PM But..?
7:17PM Camz; I didn't have 2
7:17PM But u did.
7:20PM Camz; I did
She couldn't help but smile, Lauren was conversing with the biggest dork you could get.
7:25PM So what time are you gonna go to bed?
7:27PM Camz; Like now, lol. I'm going to take my tablet now so that if I sleep, I'll wake up earlier and have more time to get my shiz together.
7:28PM We got a clever one over here. Well take it but you know what the paper said, no screens and lie your cuban ass down. We don't want you hurting yourself.
7:30PM Camz; Sure, mom. I'll see you tomorrow, then? Goodnight Lolo
7:32PM 'Til then. Night Camz x
Lauren sighed as she locked her phone and placed it back on her table. She picked up her book instead, pulling it into her lap and flipping it open to start reading.
-
Lauren shuffled her limbs around aimlessly in her sheets trying to get comfortable. Although not visible in the dark, she pouted, unsuccessful. It had been a couple of hours since Camila had told her goodnight and she hadn't stopped worrying since then. Lauren had tried, but couldn't seem to stop the supposedly never ending question in her mind.
Was Camila okay? Was she sleeping? Did her medication work? Did she do anything stupid? Was she tripping? Who the hell is Jacob? Were they friends? Is Jacob her boyfriend?
Lauren shook her head for the fiftieth time that night, even though she knew it wouldn't have any effect on her thoughts. Giving up, she sat up to look out of her window and up at the stars.
They always calmed her.
Lauren drew in a deep breath and held it for a half a minute, before letting it go again. Instead of creating more questions in her head, she tried to answer the ones that were already there.
Camila would be okay. It was normal to worry about her, they were friends. So Lauren shouldn't worry too much because she'll find out anyway.
The medication worked last night, so there was no reason for it not to do so tonight.
Camila was pretty clumsy, so there was no guarantee that she hadn't done anything stupid.
It didn't matter if she was tripping balls tonight. Her parents are home, so it would be okay.
Did it matter who Jacob is? So what if they're friends. So what it that was Camila's boyfriend? It didn't matter. Why did Lauren feel jealous at just the thought o-
She was interrupted by a buzzing coming from her phone. Who the hell would be texting her at this hour? Lauren didn't waste any time in finding out, grabbing the phone to open it.
11:47PM Camz; Lauren, are you awake?
11:48PM What the in the hell are you doing messaging me at this time? Are you okay? What's going on? I thought you took your tablet before?
Minutes felt like hours as Lauren waited for a response.
11:50PM Camz; I don't know, I just took it and I haven't slept since. I haven't moved or anything so I don't know what's going on...
11:50PM So your medication isn't working?
11:52PM Camz; No Lauren, it's working great right now, you have no idea.
She huffed loudly, not bothering to respond. Lauren didn't appreciate Camila's sarcasm in this serious situation. She was worried, but wasn't sure why it made her so annoyed right now. It was a little while before her phone buzzed again.
12:14PM Camz; Lolo, I'm sorry. I'm just scared. I took it and nothing's happening... Do you.. do you think I can call you? y'know. If you're not tired and/or sleeping yet... Or if you want. You don't have too.
Lauren instantly felt guilty for not replying earlier. The poor girl was just scared and worried. She didn't bother texting Camila back this time either, but instead put her number into her phone and held it up to her ear. Lauren knew she wasn't going to be able to sleep until they talked about this.
The black haired girl closed her eyes while she waited, wanting to focus on her voice. The phone only rang out twice before she was met by a small voice on the other side.
'Hi...' Camila whispered.
'Hey.' Lauren whispered back, yawning slightly but doing her best to cover the fact that she just did so. 'Are you feeling tired? Are you all good?' The silence on the other line after her words lasted for a few beats, but Camila's voice was soon to be heard again.
'I feel okay, just not tired. It's kind of sad actually, but I'm good now.' Being able to hear Camila's voice made Lauren unexplainably happy for some reason.
'And why would that be?' The black haired girl inquired, unsure as to why Camila might be feeling that way.
'Well I can't really explain why, but your voice is really calming for me.' Again, Lauren just couldn't seem to wipe the grin from her face.
'That's good. At least there's something that makes you feel calm.' She let out another involuntary yawn, but still tried to hide the fact that tiredness was overwhelming her body. She knew that the other girl wouldn't have been feeling the same at all. 'Is that why you wanted to call?' Lauren asked quietly after another short silence.
'Yeah, well, that and also it makes me feel like I'm not alone.' Camila mumbled, her tone making her sound slightly vulnerable, even over the phone.
'You and me both Camz.' Lauren admitted, closing her eyes and laying on her back, opting to leave her phone on her pillow beside her.
The silence lasted for a few minutes before Lauren could hear light humming coming from the other line on the phone. It was strangely calming, almost like a lullaby. It was as if Camila didn't think anyone was listening, and there was something about that that cause an unfamiliar feeling to settle in the pit of Lauren's stomach.
She allowed herself to relax, listening intently as their quiet song echoed throughout the night.
As Lauren drifted off to sleep, she only wished Camila could do the same.
'Sweet dreams, Lolo.'