Bus Stop (Camren)

Chapter Sixteen

"I don't want to waste anymore of your time Ms. Jauregui. Here's my card. I am aware that such a decision shouldn't be rushed, but in the current circumstance, you have three days to give us your verdict," informed the police officer.

"Okay but wait, before you go. Why is this my decision? Do judges not exist?" Lauren demanded. The police officer gave her a sad smile and closed the door behind him.

"What the fuck just happened?" Camila said. Lauren fell to the ground and sobbed uncontrollably.

2 wet shirts and one hour after

"Come on Lauren. Please. Look at me. I want to show you another part of the city," Camila tried to lift both of their spirits. "Camila, I can't go out in public, look at me. I'm the embodiment of pity," Lauren sobbed. "No Lauren. You're the embodiment of humanity. Also, you don't have to worry, no one will see us."

When Lauren finished wiping her eyes, she saw Camila with a blindfold. "Not again..," Lauren cried. "Sorry babe.., It'll be worth it," Camila boasted.

----

"Oh be careful! Left, a little more Lauren, yeah just like that! Now a little strait, a little more, c'mon Laur trust me, alright perfect. Sit down now," Camila instructed. When the smaller girl untied her soaked blindfold, she realized that they were on the roof of their building.

"It felt like we walked to China or something..," Lauren shrilled. "Nope. We're just up here. I can go get blankets and pillows if it would make you more comfortable," she proposed.

Lauren shook her head. "It's okay. You're better than any blanket or pillow Camz. Thank you."

Both girls looked in the distance. Camila was pointing to distant lights protruding from the night and explaining what they were. "That, over there, was my elementary school. Lots of memories there... Oh, and there! That's where I learned to fall in love with literature. The librarian, Ms. Brien, showed me all these books and spoke about them with so much passion. That's when I started reading," Camila uttered.

The older woman sniffed and held Camila tightly. "Camz could you please go get my phone and the card the man left?"
"Okay. Hang on here okay? No funny stuff. I'll be quick." Camila said before running off.

Lauren took this moment to think. Or what ever time she had because Camila really was quick. She was already back.

"I took them with me. I left them near the door in case this came up. Here," Camila said as she handed Lauren what she asked for.

Lauren dialled the number and spoke. "Hi. It's Lauren Jauregui. I don't want to talk for long. I also don't want to know the name of the woman who hit me. I took my decision. Don't send her to prison. Use rehabilitative justice. Make sure she learns how wrong her action was in a positive place, not a violent establishment. Thank you. Don't call me back," Lauren hung up the phone when she was done.

"Why?" Camila asked.

"I've forgiven it all. I really have Camz. I've forgiven her. If I wouldn't of been stuck by that car Camila, you wouldn't of saved my life and visited me for all those days. We wouldn't of connected in the way we have. I know you said I looked at you before it happened but the future is uncertain. I was meant to be in that accident. It lead you to me, and me to you. To be honest with you Camz, I don't regret anything. Now, I'm not thanking the woman who hit me, but without her, things would've been very different, and maybe not in a positive way," Lauren explained.

Camila was surprised. She didn't Lauren was so compassionate and connected. A question still puzzled her mind. "Lauren, but, she hit you and left. She left you for dead."

The older Latina nodded. "She did yes, but that means you wouldn't of saved me like you did that night. Also, we all tend to run away from our problems. Look at me Camila, I flew to Switzerland over the stupidest shit. I guess her reaction to flee was justified, but it also isn't you know... I would've died without you. That's why I want her to learn how problematic her actions were. I never want to meet her, but I'd like her to know what I had to go through," Lauren confessed.

Camila took Lauren's hand in her's. "Look, the sun is rising."

Lauren embraced Camila and they both watched the sky become alive.

"I love you Lauren Michelle Jauregui," Camila proudly whispered. "I love you too Camz."

What a wise woman this Lauren is. I hope you are all having a phenomenal day. Thank you for reading!