just weird,” Lauren commented. “I m

just weird,” Lauren commented. “I mean we used to talk all the time and now…like, take yesterday for example, I went to her house and we spent the whole day pretty much curled up on her bed, kissing and cuddling…”

“Why are you complaining about that?” Normani asked her. “Most people in your situation would just enjoy it.”

“Our relationship is deeper than that,” Lauren shared with her. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, the physical side of things, the kissing and the touches, they’re amazing but, I miss being able to talk to her. I’m sorry if that makes me sound ungrateful.”

“It doesn’t,” Normani reassured her. “It’s actually kind of sweet.” She admitted. “Lo, did you ever think that perhaps Camila misses that too?”

“What do you mean?” Lauren asked her.

“Well, perhaps she misses that side of your relationship too, you know, the philosophical and emotional connection you share,” Normani explained perceptively. “She knows she can’t speak and perhaps she’s feeling distanced from you because of that as well. Maybe she’s trying to compensate for it by being more physical.”

“Huh,” Lauren said wistfully. “I’d never thought of that.”

“I know it must be hard for you both what with her having been in the hospital and now with her speech being so impaired but, she’s probably just making sure that you know how she feels about you. She can’t speak at the moment so the only way for her to express herself is through actions instead. You already said that Camila is really insightful and smart Lo. Just because she can’t speak, it doesn’t mean that she doesn’t understand what’s going on. You’ve already alluded to as much.”

“I’m such a bitch,” Lauren groaned in realisation at the truth in Normani’s words.

“No, you’re not a bitch,” Normani laughed as she pulled Lauren in to a hug. “You’re just dealing with a lot at the moment that’s all, both of you are. Communication is the most important foundation for any relationship, or so my dad always says, so, it’s bound to be hard when you’re not able to do that because of Camila’s disabilities.”

“I just hate that we have to keep going through all this stuff,” Lauren acknowledged. “It’s like we’ll finally get to a point in our relationship where we can both be happy and then something will come out of nowhere and disrupt everything. First there was Rachel, than there were the nosebleeds and now the seizure…”

“You should talk to her,” Normani said seriously, lifting her hand up to stop Lauren responding when she opened her mouth to do so. “No hear me out, ok? You guys have always talked about things before…”

“No Camila talks about things,” Lauren realised. “She’s so put together that way, like, when I confessed my feelings for her and walked out. She called me numerous times to try and talk before finally turning up at school to confront me. The same thing happened after the initial Rachel debacle. Camila came to my house to speak to me. It’s like she’s incapable of letting the sun set on an argument…”

“Well, perhaps nearly dying will do that to a person,” Normani mused. “Although there was the whole Dinah thing,” Normani added. “She let a few suns set on that one.”

“Fair point,” Lauren conceded. “I mean, she can be the most introspective person at times and she infuriates me when she keeps things to herself and lets them eat away at her, but, other times, she’s so open and eloquently spoken about her feelings that she’s like two completely different people.”

“She’s had to be though,” Normani replied. “She can’t be expressive and articulate all the time because of her impairments so she’s learnt to be reflective and closed off, but, she’s learning to open up because of you Lo. Now you have to do her the courtesy of being honest with her. Tell her how you feel.”

“What if I hurt her feelings by telling her that I miss the way we used to talk though?” Lauren asked. “What is she’s upset that the physical stuff doesn’t compensate for what we’ve lost because of her speech problems?”

“She won’t be,” Normani reassured her. “Camila loves you Lauren. She’d want to know how you were feeling. She understands that the whole thing is difficult for you too.”

“What did they feed you in Texas to make you so smart?” Lauren questioned her friend amused by her shrewdness.

“Anything and everything,” Normani commented laughing. “There was a lot of food. I remember that much.”

“You think she’ll be ok if I tell her that I miss talking to her?” Lauren asked interestedly.

“I think she’ll appreciate your honesty,” Normani shared. “Plus, she’s probably more astute than you think Lo, trust me, you’ll be fine.”

“Thanks Normani,” Lauren said gratefully, rubbing her friends arm in appreciation.

“You’re welcome,” she returned.

“So, how was your Christmas?” Lauren asked her interestedly, taking a sip of her soda.

“It was nice,” Normani shared with her. “It was really good to see everyone again but I missed you guys.”

“Did Arin get you something nice?” Lauren asked, remembering the heartfelt gifts Ca