Soluna (Camren)

Chapter Six

"Camila?"

Camila didn't want to turn around. She didn't want to turn around and meet those eyes. And that face. And its familiarity.

She didn't even want to think about her name or let it slip out of her lips. Because by only hearing that name, she would remember everything that name gave her. She would remember the passion, the mystery, the romance...that sweet love that made Camila believe in magic.

"Lauren." Camila whispered to herself.

And, just like that, it all came crashing into her fragile heart. The moon, the sun, the stars...it all became much more than something you saw from far away. Because now Camila was seeing it from up close.

All she had to do was turn around.

"Camila?" Lauren spoke up again, hearing Lauren walk closer to her due to the crunching sound of rocks.

Camila gulped before turning to face Lauren and she felt the color drain from her face. It was like seeing a ghost. Lauren was already very pale, but the way Lauren looked was like seeing a dead person.

Her hair was shorter, but still dark. It was messy, and there was obvious loss in personal care since it was tousled and knotty. She remembered how she'd run her fingers through Lauren's hair and it was like running her fingers over a blanket. Blankets do lose their softness eventually.

Lauren had prominent bags under her eyes. It was most likely due to sleepless nights. Camila had those sometimes, but probably not for the same reasons as Lauren did.

Her lips were chapped, but they had always been that way. Lauren's form of chapstick was licking her lips and calling it a day. Only her lips were different. There were obvious signs that she'd bite her lip too hard and cause bleeding. Anxiety, probably.

She was playing with her fingers and picking at her skin. Obvious nerves, Camila noted.

But what really struck Camila were Lauren's eyes. No longer was she looking at bright emeralds with so much magic and wonder and love in them. They were gray, and they were empty. There was no more magic in her.

Camila really was looking at a dead person.

Lauren blinked once before opening her mouth to say something. "It's you." She whispered, lifting her hand up but then quickly retracting it and shaking her head. "It really is you..."

Camila stayed still and nodded while squeezing Gabe's hand. She hoped she wouldn't break it, that's how tight she was squeezing it.

Lauren cracked a small smile. "You look so beautiful." she said, scanning her eyes over Camila. There were no lustful intentions in her actions, however. Lauren was simply looking over every detail to see what changed, what stayed, and what she lost.

Camila blushed at the words. "Thank you." She whispered. Camila wasn't sure to return the words. Not because Lauren wasn't beautiful, but because she wasn't sure she wanted to show Lauren any emotions.

Gabriel looked between the two with a grin. "Now kiss!" he exclaimed.

Both girls broke their intense stare and looked down at Gabe who was only smiling.

Camila cleared her throat. "That's not a good idea, Gabriel." She said softly.

"Is this your son?" Lauren whispered, staring at Gabe intently.

Camila nodded. "Yes."

"He has your nose. And your jawline." Lauren noticed.

Camila smiled softly and ruffled Gabe's hair. "Yeah."