Wait For Me To Come Home

Chapter 67

"Good morning," Lauren mumbled as soon as she felt Camila stir. She didn't get a reply, so Lauren just lay there, cradling Camila against her chest while her fingers trailed lazy circles on her back. Lauren could stay like this forever if she had to, as long as she had Camila in her arms. It was almost ten minutes before Camila stirred again, trying to push herself upright, but struggling with her broken bones. Lauren shifted beneath Camila, wriggling out so that she could sit upright, carefully moving Camila along with her.

"I'll go and see if your mom is awake so she can help me get you downstairs," Lauren told her, ducking her head to try and meet Camila's gaze with no success. Closing her eyes and softly sighing, Lauren cupped Camila's cheek and ran a thumb over her cheekbone before getting out of bed. Camila didn't even look at her the entire time.

Lauren quickly walked downstairs, walking into the kitchen to find Sinu, Sofi and Maggie making breakfast and drinking coffee. Sinu gave her a sympathetic smile from over near the stove as Lauren walked in, and Maggie's eyebrows shot up as she smirked slightly. "What the hell happened to your face? Did you fall out of bed again?"

"Shut the fuck up, Maggie," Lauren snapped, not in the mood for the other girl's usual teasing. Maggie's eyes widened and her smirk vanished at Lauren's harsh tone, and she gave Sofi a confused look. Lauren had never taken her jokes seriously before.

"Hey!" Sinu warned Lauren, furrowing her brow slightly. "None of that, thank you."

Lauren let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing a hand over her weary face. "Sorry Sinu, and sorry to you too, Maggie," Lauren mumbled. "I, uh, I need some help getting her downstairs."

Sofi stood up without a word and followed Lauren upstairs. Camila was still sat in the exact same position that Lauren had left her in, just staring down at her lap. She didn't look up as the two girls walked into the room, and she didn't speak until Sofi started talking to her.

"Morning, how did you sleep?" Sofi asked, trying to be upbeat – she'd heard the screaming of course. Lauren winced at the question, and so did Camila, who didn't reply. Sofi didn't notice, and kept babbling as she looped one of Camila's arms around her shoulders as Lauren propped her up on the other side. "Okay, well mine was good. It's always nice coming stay with mom, isn't it? I was thinking you might like to sit on the back porch and watch the sea today. I know how much you like that. It's been a while since you've seen the sea."

They helped her downstairs and set her down in the wheelchair waiting for her. Sofi gave Lauren a reassuring smile, before walking back into the kitchen and leaving Lauren to wheel Camila in. "Hey, are you warm enough?" Lauren quietly asked her, crouching down in front of Camila as she took her fingers in her hands, mindful of the cast. They were cold, and Lauren gently rubbed some warmth into them as she waited for Camila to reply.

"Camila," Lauren murmured, frowning slightly.

"You should go home," Camila hoarsely whispered, staring down at her hands caught between Lauren's.

"Don't you want to stay here anymore? I thought we'd stay at least a few weeks," Lauren said, her frown deepening.

"I do," Camila agreed, "but you should leave."

Lauren let out a quiet sigh, feeling a lump rise in her throat. "Camila, I'm not going to leave you."

"You sh-should go where I can't h-hurt you," Camila said, her voice cracking as she spoke.

"Look at me," Lauren ordered her, bringing one hand up to lift Camila's chin. She had her eyes closed, and Lauren brushed her fingers along the side of Camila's face. "Look at me, Camila."