Professor C (camren)

2 - Strangers

The feeling was like seeing a supernatural creature that wasn't supposed to be existing in a world of the ordinary. It was of utter disbelief and astonishment that pushed a gasp out of Lauren's mouth while her heart raced; raced with the surge of nerves and an inexplicable bliss that consumed her entire being.

Lauren had finally found Camila; more so, Camila found her but that detail didn't matter.

Camila Cabello was never a typical, everyday person in Lauren's eyes. The girl had always stood out; the complete opposite of a needle in a haystack. Those expressive doe eyes spoke of her effervescence; a youthful outlook of the world, and the kind and compassionate girl behind the waterfall of intimidating eloquent words that emit from those luscious lips. Her mind could easily conjure up a manipulation that could drive a person to their knees; not that she would.

Office attire had never looked quite as attractive as they were on Camila. A long-sleeved white dress shirt tucked in a black and white patterned, high-waist pencil skirt and black stilettos; a typical outfit that Lauren had seen everywhere but had never piqued her interest until she saw it on her ex-girlfriend. Brunette locks flowed gracefully like water with gentle waves rippling from the middle down to the tip.

And there had never been a body quite like Camila's in all her 27-year-old glory. If puberty did her wonders; adulthood simply exaggerated her beauty and made a goddess out of the girl. And, god, did she look stunning. In all the years that Lauren had known the girl, Camila still managed to render her breathless.

Lauren sat there, stunned and gawking at the woman, the woman she was still head-over-heels in love with. The sight of her only intensified those feelings and the fear that Camila might not feel the same way anymore. Her senses were heightened, alarmed and ready to react at the slightest of movements amid the deafening white noise ringing in her ears that canceled the world around her.

The years that separated them and the different people it contorted them to be seemed to have been irrelevant when Lauren found the bow resting in the middle of the collar. The girl Lauren used to know was still there...somewhere.

Lauren learned something as her green eyes continued to marvel at the sight of her ex-girlfriend; Camila would have been easily found if only she knew she was married. Married. Clausnitzer. Camila was married and the more Lauren repeated that in her head, the more it killed her.

"Ca-Clausnitzer?" Lauren stammered, thankful that she was able to stop herself before blurting out the nickname that only she ever called the woman.

She had never felt more insecure in her life with those seemingly judgmental brown eyes intently watching her with a malicious intensity that immediately followed her familiar raspy voice. That was the only difference from the 19-year-old girl Lauren left, the hostility rippling in her chocolate pools.

"Tremaine?" Camila mumbled, reluctant to pronounce the alien name while testing it around her tongue, and was immediately disgusted.

For a moment, Camila's shock was as clear as day and the startled, choked up tone of her voice matched her ex-girlfriend's. The sight of the green eyed brunette drowned her in a deluge of dolor, propelling her to a painful nostalgic trip down to their shared past and the taunting thought of the future that they could have had. Consequently, her steadfast, hardened demeanor instantly molded into that of vulnerability as moisture crawled up to her eyes with the gut-wrenching and heart crumpling feeling of heartbreak slamming in full force.

It was as fresh as it is to Lauren and they individually, separately knew why the effects were still formidable. The fire of their love never died down. There was a reason they were each other's great love.

However, all Camila needed was closure, she figured. Upon the fulfillment of the requisite, she could go back to her now normal life, like the nightmare that is Lauren Tremaine never brushed her reality. If there was an advantage to seeing her ex-girlfriend again, to Camila, it was the opportunity to say goodbye for good, like the adults they are.

When those brown pools found the little girl on Lauren's lap, Camila was bracing for the strength of the eye of the storm. The thought of Lauren's last name and the child that was more than likely the older brunette's were too much for Camila, and was well aware that she could betray herself if a droplet decided to ski down her cheek. Pebble's hair and glimmering hazel eyes could very well be half of Lauren's genes and it was both a relief and a great pain to know that Lauren is both a wife and a mother and she wasn't in the picture.

Those perfectly sculpted brows furrowed, the gorges creasing her forehead illustrated the tension plaguing the professor and dwindling her strength. Desert dry mouth and a colossal lump on her throat, Camila fought to remain calm and mustered her best condescending look as she lifted her chin up; assuming superiority.

And just like that, Camila was back to the ice-cold person she morphed into the day she found Lauren's note; the person Lauren wasn't familiar with.

It showed Lauren the 27-year-old stranger she had not met just yet; Camila showed her ex-girlfriend the dreaded and the canny "Professor C".

"May we step out for a moment, Miss Tremaine?" Sounding more like a command than a request, Camila turned on her heels and trudged towards the door ever-so-gracefully without waiting for Lauren's response.

The psychologist watched in awe as she carefully inspected the professor's physique from behind. Not much had changed and yet everything seemed so different. The moment Camila's figure disappeared, Lauren snapped back to her senses with a frantic shake of the head.

Lauren slipped her phone in her back pocket, forgetting the person on the other line. She then set her index finger underneath Pebble's chin and gently lifted it, coaxing the toddler to be at eye-level with her. Up until that point, the little girl was in her own world, too engrossed by the plastic contraption to notice the dense air. However, Pebble looked to be slightly irritated by the disruption.

"Stay here. Miss Lauren will comeback to get you and we will go to my office after. You like it there, don't you?" Lauren instructed, tenderly smiling at the toddler who beamed her brightest smile, silently giving the green eyed woman her nod of approval. She lifted her hand and brushed her knuckles against Pebble's squishy cheek. "Good. I'll be back real quick. I promise. Behave for me, okay?"

Another approving nod prompted Lauren to set both hands on either side of Pebble's face, gave it a loving squeeze and an affectionate peck on the forehead. She hoisted the toddler to the desk right in front of her before ascending from the steel-framed black-colored seat. Lifting Pebble, she set her high up feigning shock as Lauren's face gaped with an endearing open-mouth grin over her lips. Pebble was giggling as she secured the toy against her chest and closed her eyes as if relishing the moment.

The whole room watched in awe of the adorable sight, awing; some pressing their palms against their chests while others pouted. It was a beautiful display that would compel strangers into assuming it was that of a mother and a child; strangers like Camila Clausnitzer, whose bitterness quickly cloaked the vicarious feeling of love.

"Please be quiet." Lauren addressed the class before her with a grin upon securing the little girl back on the chair. The class was quick the adhere to her request which prompted the woman's smile to widen. "Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. We'll be quick."

With a wink, Lauren was on her way. It didn't take long before anxiety struck her, and she was unconsciously brushing creases from her clothes and then combing her hair with her fingers. There was a desperate need to appear close to perfect for the person who repeatedly told her she was without a flaw in the past. That didn't mean Lauren believed her though; especially after she walked out on Camila. That, alone, was a big enough flaw, a mistake to taint the perfection Camila spoke of.

Somehow, the daunting truth always found its way to the green eyed brunette and a lot of times, the thought alone was unbearable. And Lauren always found reason as to why it was justifiable to suffer relentlessly. It's not like she had a choice, though. She tried to move on, to find love but every single time, she was back to where she came from; crying over a torn relationship she ripped by herself.

Lauren was perplexed to find that her legs were still working as she could barely feel anything apart from the irritating prickling that gnawed at her knees. It was quite conflicting to feel the suffocating, humid air as opposed to the gelid state of her body, especially her clammy hands.

"Is it customary to bring your children to work?" Camila immediately fired as soon as Lauren took a sharp turn out the door, joining her.

The brown eyed brunette's raspy voice hauntingly echoed through the barren hallway, ricocheting against every crevice and smooth surface. Her tone bled of an irritation that she had no intention of concealing and her stern, professional voice had somehow disappeared as her exasperation took over. Her arms were crossed and her chin was slightly tilted downwards, impatiently waiting for an answer while tapping her foot.

Taken aback, Lauren came to an abrupt stop as her eyes forced its way out of their sockets. She felt attacked, situated before a viscous feral creature ready to devour its prey; ready to tear her bit by bit. She was baffled when she caught a whiff of the essence of smoke and cigarettes. Camila's lips were darker, now that Lauren had a closer look.

Lauren stuttered a reply amid her constricting throat. "N-No she-"

"Are you following me?" Camila interrupted hastily; deciding on going straight to the point as the barrage of thoughts lurking in her brain could never offer her a concrete, accurate answer.

"No, I've been living here for years." Half lying, Lauren's answer came in lightning speed and she darted glances everywhere but towards Camila's exasperated gaze.

"Good."

Camila didn't seem curious nor intrigued by the manner at which Lauren spoke as she was too busy feeling embarrassed and disappointed. It was a toxic combination that resulted in rage, unwilling to show the slightest vulnerability; especially not to an ex-girlfriend whom she had offered every bit of her being to, only to be abandoned and broken up with through a note.

Lauren didn't even have the courage to speak to her about it and properly end things, and Camila thought that was unfair. It angered her with the thought that she didn't deserve one last conversation.

At some point, she wanted to know that Lauren had endured just as much pain as she did considering the ruthless torture that continuously ravaged her broken heart. The kindhearted, compassionate girl had been in hiding, never to return again; at least, she didn't want to in the hopes of protecting herself.

Lauren was bothered by the indifference in Camila's rigid tone. She was saddened by it and was genuinely surprised as to how she kept her tears at bay. The world knew she could have filled dams with her tears in over eight years of suffering and she still was, but she had reserved her vulnerability to the limited four walls of her apartment. Lauren couldn't afford to cry before Camila.

The green eyed brunette never thought about it but she found a comfort in merely speaking to the wind, knowing that no matter how pathetic and ridiculous she sounded, she would never hear rejection or a receive a harsh slap from reality. She didn't have to wake up from a dream that was hopeful that Camila was still the girl she used to know.

It was a safe bubble. And maybe she wasn't ready for another person to make her monologue a dialogue. Talking to an inanimate object didn't seem as bad anymore.

Lauren was starting to believe that what she saw inside the classroom, the little c***k and glimpse of who Camila was was simply an illusion, a hallucination of the brokenhearted.

Clearing her throat, Lauren straightened herself up, and decided to conclude the conversation before her resolve dwindled into oblivion.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"That would be all...for now." Camila retorted with the same cold and detached professional comportment that Lauren could have never seen the younger brunette's desire to speak with her another time.

Lauren wouldn't have liked knowing their next encounters would be leading up to Camila's need for closure; to the ending of their era together.

With a nod, Lauren returned to the classroom in a brisk pace but not without poise and the welcoming aura Indiana was used to seeing. Pebble was still obediently perched on the same chair, animatedly conversing with the female student next to her in a hushed tone, as Lauren had told her multiple times. Robert was watching from afar, softly smiling at his niece.

The toddler would narrow or widen her eyes as her little mouth consistently featured her bright, innocent grin. But no amount of fascinating stories could compare to how Pebble's face lit up when she found "Mauwen" approaching. She immediately opened her arms, a request for the woman to pick her up and hold her close.

The sight momentarily eradicated Lauren's worries and the heaviness in her chest. A beautiful serum of bliss gushed through her veins which forced a contented sigh out. Lauren rushed to the little girl and picked her up, particularly surprised at Pebble's eagerness to wrap her arms around Lauren's neck.

Once again, Camila was faced with a conflicting feeling that still jabbed at her gut. It was the future she had envisioned for her and Lauren. After seeing the 18-year-old version of the green-eyed brunette with her younger sister, Sofia, Camila was almost certain Lauren would make the greatest mother and it is such a shame that she had to experience it merely as a bystander.

Camila followed the older brunette soon after, stopping by the table. She then decided to pick up a sheet of the syllabus she had prepared and went through it to keep busy while stealthily watching Lauren until she disappeared out the door with Pebble waving to the entire class. All the while, she had been battling against herself, attempting to overpower her emotions. Camila wanted to hate Lauren as much as she hated Janette Zack for so long but every fiber of her being prevented her from doing so.

"Bye, Uncle Roby!" Pebble softly mumbled, waving at the boy who eagerly reciprocated.

A small smile ghosted Camila's stubborn lips as the child's hazel hues found her brown eyes. There was no reason to be angry at the innocent little gift of life.

Releasing a frustrated huff, Camila set her copy down and picked up the stack of about 20 and handed it to a student saying, "Take one and pass."

Camila was impatient but she managed to wait until every single one of her students obtained a copy. Grabbing a white board marker and uncapping it, the brunette swiveled and proceeded to focus her attention on the shiny surface before her. Her actions prompted her anxious students to hurriedly retrieve their notebooks and pens to take down notes. Camila raised her hand and wrote the word "scarcity" in bold letters, shamelessly enjoying the sharp smell of the ink that burned her chest.

"Scarcity." Camila began, seemingly marveling at the how imperfect lines connect and finding meaning in it, something poetic. Those lines formed letters, something that would convey a thought when arranged accordingly to make words.

Words that she would like to yell at her ex-girlfriend to express her great disdain; words that would finally allow her to sleep at night; words that could have saved their relationship and words that never came.

In reality, the professor was attempting to concentrate; to rid her thoughts of Lauren. She had done it before, teach and there was no such difficulty in it. An expert in her craft, Camila earned a Master of Economics after graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Finance with a minor in Economics, and was in the last year of completing a Ph.D. Teaching the course would have been as easy as pie.

But it was different seeing the object of her nightmare that always left her empty when she awoke; when she regains consciousness and return to the real world where Lauren didn't exist. Lauren did exist, though. The green-eyed brunette lived in Camila's thoughts, in her heart and in the memories they have made. And that was why Camila constantly dreamt of her; why she could not completely erase the girl.

"This has been discussed on your first Economics course, but I would like to reiterate this lesson. Scarce." She continued upon facing her cautious students who listened with bated breath, raising a brow as a devious smirk tugged one corner of her lips. She was successful in terrorizing students into respect once again. Apparently, Lafayette Community College had caught wind of her intimidating approach to teaching. "From the root word, 'scarce' which means insufficient." Camila emphasized the last word, as if yearning to leave a lasting imprint on the class.

After Lauren left, she felt insufficient, scarce and that was always how she began her lessons; to tell people supply won't be enough to fulfill the world's and a lover's insatiable needs. Camila had realized she had been bitter but she forgot to look at what she had left; her family, her friends, the profession she loves, and because of that, she failed to become appreciative and craved more considering she thought she wanted what she couldn't have and it was Lauren Jauregui, the girl who left her.

"Scarcity in Economics is not far off from a Webster dictionary's definition. In essence, scarcity means not having enough supply, or resources to meet the endless desires of humans; their wants and needs. It is what limits society's capacity to meet the desired outcome." Camila wagged the marker as she stood in place, attempting to make eye contact with the class who have averted her intense brown hues. "And finding the best ways to allocate your resources or figuring out alternatives is of central importance to Economics. In simpler terms, you have to be efficient and not just effective."

"Before we proceed, I trust that all of you have taken ECON one three zero one, Introduction to Economics, which is a prerequisite of this course." Scanning the room, every single person in Camila's class, albeit their uncharacteristically quiet demeanor, were settled. "Okay. Your syllabus contains a list of references to guide you all throughout the semester, grading protocols, pointers on my teaching strategies and what I expect from every single one of you. Now, if anyone has questions, please raise your hand."

Meanwhile, Lauren raced against time and was gradually increasing her speed without endangering the small child in her arms or raising suspicions. The green-eyed brunette could not have been more thankful for the empty corridors and hallways, and the fact that Pebble was facing the other way, clinging onto her comfortably. Lauren needed to talk to her friend and the brisk pace was timed against her heartbeat as she took deep breaths to prevent from panting.

All the while, her thoughts ran rampant, like feral creatures; untamed and uncontrollable. An undulation of draining emotions coursed through her veins, each strike stripped her of her resolve and the need to lay down was irrevocable and yet she continued her aimless journey. What was it with Camila that made her so weak? The warm and welcoming version of the girl was bad enough, the new glacial and dejected aura was far worse.

With much caution, she situated Pebble inside the colorful play pen along with the toddler's backpack and frantically pulled her phone out from her pocket. Setting the device against her ear, Lauren's free hand was on her forehead as she paced. The successive rings seemed to have become louder, taunting her.

Upon the click that signaled the call had been received, Lauren never waited for pleasantries and immediately fired to release the built up tension that was suffocating her and making her head spin.

"f**k, Dinah! f**k! I f*****g saw her! It was f*****g awkward and scary and god!" The counselor then slapped a hand against her mouth, a realization striking her. "f**k!" She continued, her voice muffled yet bled with remorse.

Lauren had never dropped quite as much profanities since starting her career and it sure as hell felt exhilarating; like the feisty little person within her was released, freed of its b*****e. When her eyes found the innocent child, she was reminded why she had refused to utter the most modest form of swearing. Luckily, Pebble was busy setting up a tea party with the stuffed animals Lauren filled the pen with and was having a rather loud conversation, as well.

Dinah sighed audibly, expressing her perceivable frustration. "I need you to calm down, Laur. Breathe. Come on. Do it for me please." She coaxed despite the tension in her usually bright and happy tone which wasn't much of a help. Instead, it dripped of an utmost concern for a friend she once knew. "How is she, though? Is she okay? She seemed different when we talked this morning. I hardly recognized her."

"She's okay." Lauren breathed, defeated and her eyes began to prickle as the pressure running around her throat tightened. "She's more than okay; successful, smart and more beautiful than I could ever imagine. She's just...different. She's very different from the girl I fell in love with."

It hurt to just admit to herself that Camila was doing well without her but the pain toying with her heart was excruciating.

There was silence on the other end, making Dinah's hesitation quite conspicuous and Lauren was just barely hanging on before the moisture hounding her eyes spill. Although farfetched, the green-eyed brunette was holding onto the speckle of hope she possessed; the one that was hoping for a smile, for the considerate side of the professor. But who was she kidding? She not only broke the girl's heart, she broke the girl herself and created a stranger.

"What now, Laur? Are you going to..." Dinah reluctantly queried, stumbling upon her words. "You told everyone you only wanted to make sure she was okay. That was a lie, wasn't it?" Already knowing the answer, the Polynesian was gracious enough to allow her friend to defend herself. "You still love her, don't you?"

Lauren never felt judgment and instead, could feel Dinah's sisterly affection. There were only a couple of people Lauren allowed to know of her merciless predicament she was dying to escape from and Dinah was one of them. She was constantly comforted of her decision every single time the younger woman, a nurse, answered her phone just to listen to Lauren's pained grouses and whines.

Regardless, Lauren felt trapped and the only way out was a confession she was almost ashamed to speak of. She chose to ignore the barrage of questions and decided on firing some desperate questions that had been nagging at her. "What should I do? Should I move on now?"

It was as if her breath had been stolen from her and subsequently robbed her of her spirit; like the skies immediately crawled with dark and heavy clouds with no end in sight. She was gloomy and desolate, and words of consolation wouldn't do much but become a representation of pity, and would never amount to the first prize. It only exacerbate the demanding feeling of self-deprecation and Lauren was falling down an abyss with no harness that could pull her back to safety.

"I'm sorry to have to tell you this, Laur but you somehow have to decide within the day. I remember you telling me new employees have to drop by your office at the end of their first day."

Upon hearing those words, Lauren stumbled down to the chair awaiting to cradle her in its inanimate arms. She had crashed down onto it numb to the pain against her back upon collision. The green-eyed brunette was too distracted to function, aimlessly staring at the wall before her while her free hand gripped tightly on the arm rest. She needed to find something to steady herself and even while seated, she felt as if the world was spinning.

Lauren felt claustrophobic and would have tugged at the collar of her shirt if her hand would have only listened. Shutting her eyes, she desperately attempted to level her laborious breaths but had failed to do so.

"s**t!" She breathed, dropping her jaw as her mouth dried up in nothing but gut-wrenching nerves.

"Shit." A little voice happily mumbled, giggling as she did so. For a girl who refused to say Lauren's name correctly, her pronunciation of the word was spot on. Lauren wasn't as lucky the second time. Well, more like the sixth time.

Suddenly, her problems weren't her feelings towards Camila anymore. It was the slip up that she carelessly allowed. Lauren's heart abruptly sank, snapping her head towards the painfully adorable juvenile sound. Disappointed in herself, her shoulders dropped as she sent her head back and her eyes connected with the quaint ceiling in nothing but white and a bright fluorescent lamp that illuminated her office.

"Dinah, I may have to call you back. Pebble is here and I may have taught her her first curse word." Lauren confessed, incredibly embarrassed. She knew she was better than that. Alas, something had changed and with it, her control wavered. Her past was back and her plan to include her in her present and future had been most likely futile and it was taking a toll on her.

"Aw! Is she?" Dinah adoringly asked, most likely pressing her palm against her chest. Children had always been one of her weaknesses and even though she had not met Pebble, she had spoken to the toddler and was instantly enamored by her. "In that case, I'm very proud of you." She sardonically muttered, deadpanning.

"Ass...signment." Lauren grumbled, cringing as she realized her mistake but thankful for her quick reaction but was not missed by her friend which earned an obnoxious laugh that reverberated in her ear canal.

"I wonder how you became a counselor."

"Uh...I have a Master's in counseling?" The older brunette sassed, tilting her head up with pride even with Dinah's inability to see her. An arrogant smirk played on lips as her gaze chastised the ceiling. She could always count on Dinah to make her smile even the slightest.

Lauren completed her Bachelor's degree in Psychology back in Philadelphia and took her Master's in Counseling while working at the hospital where she met Sean Tremaine. She worked side by side with the current counselor in the community college at the time for almost two years before the spot had been vacated and the school subsequently offered her the job.

"That's not what I meant." Dinah could barely speak in her fits of laughter and Lauren was glad the Polynesian could not have seen her resolve crumbling down. There was no way she could keep a straight face while hearing the happy sound.

"I know! I know!" Lauren playfully groused, ascending from her seat. She tugged down at the hem of her shirt; the fabric having ridden up and revealed a little of her porcelain skin. "Later, DJ. I'll call you when I get home. Thank you! I love you!"

"I work at three. I'll see what I can do. I love you, too. Have fun being a mother again!"

Huffing in amusement, Lauren's lips contorted into a grin as she shook her head and stared at the display of her phone which was mostly red, signaling that the call had ended. Relief always came after unloading some of her emotional baggage to the Polynesian and she could not be more thankful for the girl she once was jealous of. Without her friends, Lauren would have probably lost it a long time ago considering her parents weren't much help with them constantly worrying about her. It was a logical fear though and Lauren failed to see it albeit her extensive knowledge on the inner workings of the human emotion.

"Hey, princess." Lauren cooed after planting her phone down to her desk. She dawdled towards the toddler who had looked up inquisitively, brows stitched together and hands clutching onto two pink plastic cups. Crouching down, Lauren was at eye level with Pebble whose grin was broadening substantially. "You know you're not supposed to say that, right?"

Shaking her head, the hazel eyes exuded of her confusion, unaware of the mistake she had just committed and Lauren could not help but pout in adoration. The child was too innocent and too guiltless for the world and the future that will have effectively stolen most of that bright aura glistening within her. It was such a shame to know that the world will try and test the child as she comes of age.

Lauren extended her index finger and poked Pebble's nose who scrunched it up but was quick to beam at the counselor with her captivating charm.

"The one you just heard Miss Lauren say. That was bad, Pebble." The green-eyed brunette clarified affectionately with a frown. "I'm sorry I said that. You weren't supposed to hear it. I wasn't supposed to say it."

Pebble crassly let go of the toys in her hands, letting them drop at her feet as she clambered to stand up. The little girl was alarmed by Lauren's expressions and was quick to react. In her young and inexperienced mind, sad was unacceptable. She threw her arms up, having difficulty climbing over the play pen which was almost her height.

Chuckling, Lauren stood up and heeded to the child's request. She was genuinely taken aback when Pebble wrapped her small arms around her and held onto her tightly, conveying her love for "Mauwen." Pebble nuzzled her head against the woman's shoulder, squirming slightly to a more comfortable spot.

"It's okay. I forgive you." Pebble mumbled with unadulterated sincerity that only a child's innocence had the ability to utter. It was pure and sweet; just like her.

Lauren's heart swelled and if it were on a physiological level, she would have had been sent to the hospital for Cardiomegaly, or the abnormal enlargement of the heart. The chilling emptiness she felt in her chest was replaced by a comfortable warmth and an inexplicable happiness that always cloaked her with Pebble around. However, Lauren will never feel whole again; not without Camila.

"Thank you." She spoke through her soft smile after a content sigh slipped past her lips. The gratitude transcended past the simple pardon and even if Pebble never understood it, Lauren just needed to say it. She had always believed in giving gratitude when it is due.

Lauren spent the rest of the day, going over the list of students she had been keeping an eye one. She checked if they had enrolled during the semester. She always had a soft spot for those who frequented her office, whose grades were suddenly dropping, who were skipping classes and such. Lauren cared. She always went above and beyond when it came to her job. She was just naturally caring and sometimes, too caring for her own good.

She had fulfilled her job as a babysitter to Pebble and was thankful that no one else brought their children to school that day. The little girl was becoming harder to watch as she aged. Her stride wasn't as wobbly and her reach had improved, which meant Lauren had to keep a close watch on the toddler.

The lightness within the conjoined rooms was immediately replaced by unmistakable anxiety as nerves bubbled in her stomach, seething. Her gaze found the folder that contained files of employees which included professors, and one of the professors is Camila Cabello, and Camila is her ex-girlfriend. Within the folder contained the eight years that she had not seen the girl; at least, the professional aspect.

Lauren's hand gingerly traced the smooth surface; her head reeling at the thought of unraveling puzzle pieces that she could place in the one she was building. An urgent need to fill the gap of information was powerful and carefully, she lifted the first page with only one purpose. No matter their history, somewhere along the line - a long one at that, Lauren and Camila became strangers; nothing but a part of a memory and the former needed to eradicate that little detail.

Before she could lift the first page, the metallic knob of her door loudly clanked and the timber structure was pushed open and the suspense that plagued Lauren was heightened. Lodged between the c***k was the person who had prevented her from executing her plans. Irritated, Lauren was ready to yell, assuming that the culprit had been none other than Ida Greene, the chairman's secretary.

"Goodness, Ida! Is knocking th-" Lauren was halted when her green hues found a different pair of brown eyes and hair so straight that could not have been the curly hair atop Ida's head. No, it wasn't Ida but it was another familiar face, one that stole her breath and agitated her heart into abusing her chest.

Lauren's eyes bulged out, dangerously close to popping out of her head as her gaped mouth released a quiet gasp.

"I heard I was supposed to come here?" The mature yet sweet rasp of Camila's voice filled Lauren's being, inundating the green-eyed brunette with a plethora emotions that caused a ringing to blare up in her ears. If Camila was startled, she did a heck of a good job pretending to be unfazed.

There was something playing on Camila's face that she had not seen that morning. There was no scowl and instead, a very creepy looking happy grin tugged at her lips. It was uncharacteristic, it seemed; judging by the way the younger brunette acted early that day.

Lauren had come to realize that while some learn from the pain, others develop a bitterness against the world and the person responsible for splitting their heart into two with the sharpest jagged edges.

Camila had become the person she once spoke of ten years prior and as luck would have it, Lauren became the enemy.

But as Camila explained in her class, Lauren had an insatiable need to get to know Professor C, to figure her out and Lauren had every demand to exhaust Camila's supply of mysteries. Who is Camila Clausnitzer anyway? Lauren had never met her and although she was reluctant to get to know the woman, she felt compelled to. She absolutely needed to.

"Yes, Professor. Please come in!"