Pretty Girl Tears

Chapter 25

Camila's POV

Lauren had decided she wanted to stay over which honestly I didn't mind as frankly all I ever wanted to do lately was be with her.. I didn't care where or why just.. I wanted her in my life.. and even if she wasn't ready yet at least I knew that it was something she'd wanted.. I mean she wouldn't have even suggested it if it wasn't?

She lay across from me bundled up in the blankets like a cozy little burrito just staring back with an innocent look of guilt splashed over her face.. probably the same one I was holding as after finding out Lauren's road block in processing her emotions I kind of felt like a jerk.. it did however clarify a lot of things that had crossed my mind before.. like how she'd shot at me in Paris.. any normal person would have just punched me square in the jaw but it was obvious she didn't know exactly what she was feeling.. she pushed me.. cried.. yelled... never once settling on a verdict.. it made sense

"Can I ask you something?"

Her sweet voice call out breaking me from my thoughts as I flutter my eyelids to smile looking back at those glistening green eyes that oozed curiosity, I nod my head back at her, her brows furrowing for a moment before asking me something I'd never expected to come from her mouth.. not right now anyway..

"Do you love me? Like.. actually love me not just care about me?"

I paused shuffling up onto my elbows to look down on her intrigued face, I didn't really know what to say but her tone almost begged me to say yes... like if I'd have said no she'd have died or something? It was a genuine ask too I could tell as her eyes glittered staring back at me as if nothing else in the world seemed to matter

"Uhm.. yeah actually.. I do, wasn't expecting you to just ask that so now I look kinda dumb huh.."

I giggle looking down into the sheets feeling majorly awkward before her hand reach up to the back of my neck casting my eyes into her own with a calming gaze that set my stomach instantly at ease as she wet her lips to speak

"no... not really? I love you too.."

She spoke back directly pausing my heart for a moment as I stare back down into her eyes more than shocked by the 4 word sentence I'd more than prepared myself never to hear.. after her nervousness in asking me out basically I'd only assumed she'd never say it.. I just had that gut feeling but turns out I was more than wrong

"D-Do you really mean that? Like your not just saying it to make me feel better? Because Lo I don't need you to validate me.."

"I have for a while now but.. I didn't know if you'd felt the same.. Mani just told me to look for signs... and when you went home earlier? Just so you wouldn't go off on me... seemed like a pretty good sign... especially because I was the one who pissed you off in the first place.."

She smiled, spoke to me with her eyes and even though I didn't want to be I found myself hyper focusing on her hands.. looking for that little tell but.. they were still, just waiting for my response as the silence flood the room... she loved me back.. she loved me..

"Love you or not? I'd never want to hurt you Lauren? And besides you don't need to keep apologising for today.. it was my own insecurities just fighting back at me because let's face it.. he was right, you are beautiful and I guess I'm just selfish wanting you all to myself.."

"You know you have me right? Like.. I don't wanna be with anyone else but you?"

She spoke honestly lifting her spare hand up to tuck the locks of hair over my shoulder clearing my cheeks of the thick curls before settling to cup the other side of my neck, I smiled back.. took in the look on her face that only displayed that of content..