Not Quite the Opposites (camren)

17 - Snatched

"Laurie, come home for dinner. Ivy and I are cooking." read a text message that I had received from my snoopy roommate who goes by the name, Janette Zack.

It was on that Saturday, the day after we had a little pool party at Camila's. We were watching a cartoon TV show in their dim-lit home theater that afternoon. The girls and I were genuinely enjoying ourselves with the lighthearted children's show. It was mainly for Sofi but we were laughing anyway. It felt good to pretend we were children and had nothing else to worry about.

The Cabello sisters and I were in the front row with the rest of the girls behind us. It was a good blissful feeling sitting next to Camila with her sister on her lap, cuddling with her. Her entire demeanor would just shift to the gentlest little creature incapable of hurting others. However, I never really saw her as capable of doing such things. Camila had always just been harmless to say the least.

I felt a distasteful feeling in my gut with the fact that I had to shatter her blissful state with my news considering her disdain for the blonde girl I live with.

"I have to go back to the apartment for dinner." I reluctantly whispered to her ear, keeping a fake smile on my face for her sister. "My roommates are cooking. I feel like it's too impolite to decline. Is that okay?"

Why I had to ask for Camila's permission baffled me but I figured it was for the best. After all, I do value her opinions.

My best friend merely nodded and it was clearly out of character. The Camila I knew would have thought of something funny, something that unearthed that goofy laugh or a philosophical quote that could only come from Confucius. Her nodding and lack of words bothered me so much that I had averted her gaze, her body or her outline all together.

Was she jealous? Somehow I felt like she was just genuinely worried about me with her arch nemesis. I have not necessarily seen Jette do much damage other than the bullying that never became physical.

The rest of the kiddie TV show was uncomfortable. It may have been a terrible idea to sit next to Camila when it was the best one before Jette sent me a text message. It was like sitting next to a volatile animal, ready to pounce with the slightest move.

I feared that one day the blonde would completely drive a wedge over Camila and my friendship and we would never speak again. I cringed at the thought and closed my eyes to find refuge behind my eyelids, which were not much considering a thin layer of skin cannot even black out the blaring sun.

I had contemplated on just reaching for Camila's hand a couple of times but never had the guts to. While Sofi was completely oblivious to everything, Camila was staring hard at the screen in front of us but was not necessarily watching the show.

"Kaki, can we go swim again?" Sofia asked loud enough for everybody else to hear.

Camila looked down to the innocent doe eyes her sister possessed and smiled at her affectionately while brushing her face free of hair. "Of course, princess."

They had collectively decided to go swimming again after the TV show given the Miami weather doesn't necessarily drop to a cold paradise; it just gives us a glimpse of it...sometimes. It's less humid though and that's a plus.

Everybody else was on their feet but the Cabello's and I. I was reluctant to even stand up given the weakened sensation on my knees with my heart painfully beating amid the gaping hole in my chest. They were merrily talking to each other, giggling at whatever riveting conversation they were having and I was about to interrupt their excitement.

"So, ladies..." I guardedly proclaimed, rubbing my palms against my clothed upper thighs. I slowly stood up and looked around my friends who all looked confused except Camila who stayed seated. "I have to...get going." I pursed my lips as I aimlessly nodded. Sensing the need for an explanation, I said, "Roommates wanted to have dinner together."

It was as if all three of my remaining friends were Camila's clones by the way their eyes bulged out with the gaped mouths. It was unsettling, to say the least. They somehow knew something that I didn't yet their discomfort wasn't nearly as bad as Camila's.

It's funny how one measly text could suck the life out of me and everybody else around.

I could see the hesitancy and disinclination in their eyes despite the agreeable nods they were doing, even Sofi was nodding. I don't think I have been more thankful with her age. We could still make up ridiculously implausible stories and make it as believable as we could.

"Can I talk to you for a sec?" Normani sternly spoke. She raised her folded hand with her thumb poking out to the direction of the pool deck.

"Okay."

I followed Normani's lead while the rest changed into their swim wear. The walk towards the supposedly relaxing open area felt like it was my execution day and I was about to be burnt at the stake. I was that nervous to be speaking to my usually lively, jolly friend.

Normali let out a sigh while she folded her arms across her chest. She stopped by the highly advanced telescope, looking out to the horizon. The beach had been particularly calm despite the blanket of dark clouds that hovered above it.

I nervously ran my hand through my hair as I looked at Normani's tensed expressions. Her jaw was hard with her furrowed brows while I was practically feeling breathless like my lungs had forgotten how to function, or I could have forgotten how to breathe.

I shoved my hands in my back pockets as I waited for my friend to speak.

"I don't know if Mila told you anything but Jette is the literal meaning of bad news." Normani warned with that incredibly intimidating look in her dark eyes. I was relieved to not be the receiver of her gaze. "You were lucky Ally and I were there that night at the beach. Otherwise, Jette would have practically fed you to Simpson. What makes you think she won't do that again?"

Normani finally swiveled to meet my eyes and I would have been lying if I said I was not scared of her at that moment. Her aura was like a ferocious dragon. My burning in the stake might just be happening after all.

Being reminded of my rather unfortunate night with alcohol, Jette and her buddies caused a turmoil in my churning stomach. I was quite offended to be have that little recap. There was a reason why I never wanted to remember that night. I had lost control and that never sits well with me.

I understand that they were only concerned about me. However, it was like my ability to fend for myself had been put to question. I had always been able to function properly and comfortably by myself and Normani looked at me as if I was a child who can't even walk.

"It's just dinner. I can take care of myself, Mani." I defended which came of as whining with a stomp of a foot. "Nobody said anything about alcohol.

I had instantly felt awful after I let the words escape my mouth or even my thoughts. It was childish and I had overlooked the core reason as to why Normani and I were talking in the first place. Despite the condescending look in her eyes, I could see her genuinely worried about me.

"Lauren, seeing you with a little alcohol once is enough for me and that was before we were even this close." Normani looked increasingly frustrated, reaching for my shoulders. "Besides, have you met Jette? You know she's never sober right? Why do you think she lives close to school? She got her driver's license revoked two years ago. The girl always comes withalcohol."

"I know, Mani. Thank you for being there. I don't remember thanking you for that." I let out a long and deep sigh for my sanity. I was practically trying to convince myself everything will be alright as well. "I'll be careful this time. I will avoid drinking at all cost. She might just want dinner after all. Isn't she worth the chance?"

Normani simply curled her lips and scrunched up her face like she smelled something foul. She shook her head firmly. "Girl, no."

I was unable to stifle a laugh and ended up giggling at the look on her face which made her laugh along with me. Her contagious chortling had only intensified mine, making me throw my head back as she slightly doubled over.

"I love you, Mani." I breathily muttered, coping with my panting.

"I love you, too, lady." Normani retorted with an open-mouth smile, opening her arms to invite me in for a hug.

We fastened onto each other for a good while, blithely swaying side by side. It was one of the best feelings in the world, hugging people so dear to me. Hugging Camila might be a notch better.

Hearing our friends' voices getting closer to the deck was our signal to pull apart. Normani had offered me a tight lip smile, looking at me tenderly. "I'll just go change. Promise me you'll be okay."

I nodded. "I promise."

Camila came into the room with Sofi in her arms while Normani exited. The little girl was ready in her pink swimsuit with a little piglet printed by her belly. Camila was in a loose white shirt with "Miami" written in bold red across the chest and jean shorts. I guessed she had other plans than swimming.

"Can anyone help me find a cab?" I anxiously looked around to each of their unsure faces until I ended up with the girl's brown eyes that was staring right at me.

Dinah and Ally were setting their things down on the white pool lounger, giggling at something they were talking about. The disparity in their heights is palpable despite Dinah's slight slouching.

"I don't want to bother any of you." I reasoned quite weakly, unsure of what to say further.

"I'll take you." Camila flatly said, setting Sofi on her feet who ran towards Dinah with an exceptionally excited grin, flailing her arms in the air.

Our friends happily welcomed miniature Camila in their arms. With Sofi pointing to the pool and some indistinct words they exchanged, the three of them were slowly making their way into the water. It was probably for the best that they handle Sofi as the tension between Camila and I grew.

"Camz, I will rob you of an hour with our friends and your sister." I said, slumping my tight, apprehended shoulders down. We were a good three feet away from each other; the little distance being alien to us given that we were almost always right next to each other.

Camila took a deep breath and closed her eyes. That might have been something calming to prevent herself from exploding. "I insist."

She only gave me about a split second of a glance before shifting to find Dinah lifting Sofi up over her head with Ally gently splashing water at them.

I nervously nodded, trying to think about how I'm going to survive at least 30 minutes alone with my tensed friend. I thought accepting her offer would help soothe any emotional or mental scraped skins. However, I felt like it was more of a deep cut than a scrape at that point.

"Cheechee, please keep a close eye on Sofi." Camila requested pleadingly. Despite the use of their well-known playful nicknames for each other, Camila was nowhere near playful.

"Of course, Mila." Dinah retorted with conviction which eased the tensed older sister up enough to leave Sofi with our friends.

As much as I wanted to spend time with Camila and the girls, I felt obligated to go back to the apartment for camaraderie or some sort. I do have a platonic, strictly roommate relationship with the girls I live with. Under the spirit of the whole housemates business, I accepted Jette's and Ivy's invitation.

Despite Jette being a huge ball of crap, I was actually thinking about giving the girl a chance, figure out her side of the story. I had found her rummaging through my things too many times and it hadn't even bothered her. Somehow she could just be a gawky, socially impaired individual. There could be more to her than her usually drunken state.

It was indeed a quiet trip. I did the honors of turning the radio on, not caring which station it was. I just needed to hear something other than white noise. But I could not suppress the unnerving feeling at the pit of my stomach. It wasn't just how Camila reacted, it was something else that was probably not in my control. It may have been an irrational fear but it was a source of concern.

Dusk had taken over the afternoon skies and the once vibrant streets had a sense of stillness in them. I would usually feel a sense of serenity during those times of the day. In that moment, however, I could only feel despondency and it was sucking the life out of me.

"Do you really have to go?" Camila spoke up while we were parked right in front of my apartment. It had been a good couple of minutes and I had not moved from my seat.

Her voice had been a ray of light that I had been seeking while being in the depths of a dark, endless well. However, her usual light tone was laced with her reservations of my decision to spend time with Jette.

"Do you want me to stay with you?" I asked without looking to her direction. I was not ready to see her disappointed again. I've had enough of that for the day. It just seemed as though despite knowing that, I was willing to make that disappointment progress even further.

"I'm asking you." As much as it sounded like her pressing the whole situation, her words came of gentle and soothing.

Camila had always been like that to me. She would give me choices and let me decide. She respects my autonomy. However, I wanted her to stop me, or assert her preference and tell me what she wants. But she never does. I was setting myself up for discontent but I felt it was okay given that I had disappointed her more times than I could count and that is not inclusive of that closing day.

"I'll go." I pursed my lips, nodding.

It had felt like a mistake the moment the two words slipped out of my mouth. I had to suppress whatever indignant feelings in me and suck it up. I cautiously faced her, internally cringing at what I was about to see.

"I'll see you tomorrow?"

Camila reluctantly nodded, forcing a smile, enough to overwork my tired heart. I guess I would have preferred to see her frown than smile like that.

"Okay. Please be careful." Camila implored. Her brown eyes were pleading for me to be safe or whatever she meant by being careful. She obviously knew something that she wanted me to know but might not be ready to tell me.

Without thinking any more about it, I grabbed her shoulder and wrapped my arms around her slender body, taking a deep, calming breath as soon as our bodies touched. There was no doubt that Camila provided me peace of mind and a tranquil heart, almost as if everything was in place despite all the commotion in the world.

She held me tighter than she usually did and I could not help but think that something absolutely wrong was about to happen.

"Call me if you need anything." Camila whispered.

"Drive safe, okay?" I reminded her before I kissed her cheek goodbye.

Camila never leaves until I actually get in the house just to make sure I was safe in the threshold from the evils that roam outside. The bigger issue at the moment was knowing that evil lived in the house with me, personified by a blonde who has a relationship with alcohol.

I could smell the aroma of freshly cooked meat as soon as I pushed the door open. They might have actually cooked for once. However, I was not pleased at the sight that greeted me right before Jette ran up to me, smelling like stale alcohol.

Our little dinner was actually shared with three guys who were sprawled on the floor, sitting on bean bags. One of them, a guy with straight black hair and glasses by the bridge of his nose was sharing a seat with Ivy and I'm guessing that was her boyfriend. I had not seen one of the boys with them and he had a haunting looking pair of dark brown eyes while the last one was James in all his spiky dirty blonde hair glory, and that stupid looking grin of his.

Simpson was not there though and I deserved to celebrate that fact.

"Laurie! You came home!" Jette excitedly muttered close to my ear, sending a wave of discomfort to travel down my spine.

For a moment, I could not move. All I could do was attempt to make sense of the entire situation. Unfortunately, nothing was making sense. For starters, I did not come home, I left the person I had remotely considered my home. Two, Jette never hugs and I mean never. She doesn't even do the typical cheek to cheek kisses. Three, the freshly cooked meat I smelled was from the meat lover's pizza they had ordered. Four, why were the three guys even there? Finally, why were there bottles of alcohol?

That last part was probably a given though.

"I thought Camila had held you captive or had forbid you from coming here." Jette stated as she pulled away but held onto my arms.

I scoffed, fighting the urge to roll my eyes. I didn't even bother to play nice. "Actually, Janette. That's what I wanted her to do."

I cannot believe how little Jette had to do to rile me up. It may have just been a transitive property given that I am most likely annoyed by her because my best friend is. However, I did see her attempting to bully Camila and I cannot forget about her intrusive tendencies. If there were anything I value more, it's my privacy and Camila. And who could forget about what happened at the beach? My group of friends seem to remember it vividly.

"You know James." Jette proceeded to speak like nothing had happened and it had infuriated me even more. I wanted her to cringe or at least feel slightly bothered by what I had just said. "That's Lyle," she pointed to the awkward looking boy sitting with Ivy who nodded to acknowledge me. "Ivy's boyfriend and that's Andrew, Ivy's friend." She shifted her arm to the stranger sitting next to Lyle who had been eying me relentlessly.

Andrew had a shaved head, a muscular physique and a chiseled face with a prominent jawline. He was undeniably attractive, hot even. I would say he was my type but it seems as though Camila left an imprint in my unavailable head and heart. Besides, his aura was just dark.

I offered them a tight-lip smile, if that even was a smile, along with a particularly awkward wave in greeting. Andrew smirked at me, examining every inch of my body which was quite unnerving.

Dinner was not necessarily the most pleasant little moment. I could not remember a time where I just smiled and nodded to whatever they were talking about. I just ate enough and only thought of bolting out there after. I was thankfully wedged between Jette and Ivy. It was unfortunate that I was in front of James and Andrew though.

Regrettably, dinner transformed into drinking the bottles of alcohol that were in the middle of our little circle. It was the usual vodka and tequila combination with lemon wedges and salt. That was where my pleaser skills got me in trouble. I could not say no and I had broken a promise I had given Normani.

There were quite a lot of peculiarities that night. Despite having her boyfriend around, Ivy would steal glances at Andrew who was staring at Jette and I indecisively. James was practically undressing the blonde next to me which didn't seem to bother her.

The more Jette drank, the more I had felt her hand on my thigh. She ran the tips of her fingers across the length of my limb. I felt slightly violated. My jeans were my saving grace.

I found myself seeking comfort in Camila's presence and all I could do was pull my phone out and send her a text message. "Are you home? I'm sorry again, Camz. I miss you."

I did not even bother to put my phone back in my pocket. I was waiting for Camila to reply. I needed to just hear her voice in my head as I read her message. That was somehow enough for me given the circumstances. Fortunately, I did not have to wait that long until my phone jolted to life.

"I'm at a stop light a few minutes away from home. Is this separation anxiety I'm sensing. We'll see each other tomorrow. Don't miss me too much. I love you, Lo."

The last four words grew in my vision as seconds pass by and I was there, staring at it; afraid that if I pry my eyes away, it would disappear. Fluttering wouldn't be enough to describe how my heart excitedly went berserk. The feeling of ecstasy that Camila inflicted on me had always felt so alien until it happens again and again, and again.

I was grinning as I typed my way into a reply to her recent message. "I may miss you less if you send me a picture. You know I love you, too! So much."

I didn't even care if eyes were on me. I was happy and their scrutinizing, judgmental gazes never fazed me. I've always been the kind of person who shrugs those things off anyway.

Camila granted my wish. She sent a picture of herself, winking at the camera with the usual goofy grin, slightly biting on the tip of her tongue. It was rather dark given she was in her car but the lighting was enough to show that blissful glint in her eye.

The picture had a message attached to it and it read, "Is that good enough to last a couple of hours? I want you to have fun but not too much fun, as cliché as that sounds. Again, just be careful and I'm only a call away which is 30 minutes max."

I decided on a playful answer as I was undeniably relieved that we were past the stress and tension we had to endure hours ago. "Maybe. I know, Camz. I can wait that long. Thank you again!"

I was in awe by her grace, or lack thereof. Despite knowing her for a couple of months and spending most of my time with her, Camila still excites me and that has got to mean something. That, other than the fact that she actually makes me feel safe even with the seemingly frail body of hers.

I tried to avoid drinking but my personal struggles with whatever Jette was doing to me and what Andrew was thinking of was why I downed my first tequila. I was probably lucky that my boyfriend and I had talked that morning. Otherwise, I would hear no end to his ramblings about me being around other guys and alcohol. Somehow, that was not a bad thing that night.

"I don't know about you lot, but I think Camila's gay." James suddenly spoke in his cockney accent out of the blue before biting a lemon wedge.

His eyes were unwaveringly focused on the blonde that was sitting next to me before he threw his head back and swallowed the contents of the shot glass. Instead of scrunching up his features after alcohol practically burnt his throat just like it did mine, he had a devious grin plastered across his lips, something that reminded me of the Cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland. He was a show off. I did notice a slight twitch by his cheek bones.

James forcefully set the empty glass down in front of Ivy who was our little bartender for the night. "Nobody can resist me. I don't know what's wrong with that girl but I don't like her." James continued. Cockney had dropped two letters to form cocky.

"Me, too!" Jette agreed instantaneously, sounding too enthusiastic for my liking.

"You guys gossip like you're saints. And trust me, James, she's not the only one who can resist you." I scoffed. I raised my brows condescendingly, not caring about what they could think of me. "There is nothing wrong with her and you can be sure she doesn't like you, too. If she is gay, the girl she will fall in love with would be the luckiest. Heck, I'd be gay for her."

My boldness caught me off guard. I had never even hinted about my sexuality and there I was, proudly proclaiming about it.

"Of course." Jette snickered, insinuating something.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I challenged her. I shifted in my seat, looking directly at her.

I could feel a commotion starting to build up in my system that I needed to take a deep breath. Somehow, I was relieved to have heard them speak so badly of my best friend because I could defend her in front of them. But I was not necessarily happy they even thought of saying those things against her.

"Please." The blonde rolled her eyes, ignoring my blatant glaring. She picked up a lemon wedge and took the half-filled glass Ivy was holding. "Little miss rich and perfect hasn't told you yet?"

"She's rich?" Ivy was genuinely shocked, holding the bottle of tequila in midair. "I didn't know that."

Camila's simplicity had always astounded me. Even if it didn't matter, I never knew of her financial status until she brought me to her house and to the hospital her family owned. Even then, she doesn't even talk about expensive things they own or the trips they take.

Jette's statement did not bother me, it just made me even more curious. I knew Camila was hiding something from me. Something that's between them, something too personal and haunting to freely share.

Everybody else but Jette and I gasped. It was as if the biggest, most shocking thing they have ever heard of. For some reason, it may have just been them regretting they did not give Camila a chance just to relish in her money.

"What?" It was my turn to snicker and nobody could protest. "Are you guys thinking about hanging out with her because she's rich? Thinking about milking her? Money does that to the wicked."

I raised a brow at James whose eyes could not stare back at me. I smirked at his discomfort. There was a satisfying feeling in my guts when that smile of his disappeared. "Do you like her now, James? Being a foreign student is expensive." I sarcastically muttered.

Nobody dared to say anything. Otherwise, I would have gone ballistic and stormed out of that place. I had caused tension big enough for people to stop dissing Camila and I was enormously proud of myself.

"Where's your husband?" Andrew asked Jette who was swallowing her dose of tequila.

The blonde stuck her index finger out, asking for a minute as she coped with the strong smell of the alcohol travelling through her nostrils. She had choked on herself, grinning despite her discomfort.

"You're married?" James' eyes widened as his mouth gaped in shock.

Amid his astonishment, his face had contorted into that of disappointment. By the way he looked at her, one could tell he has feelings for Jette. Those feelings might just be unrequited though.

I was surprised but was not too bothered to ask any questions. No amount of alcohol had helped me calm down after what I had to go through. A person as reckless and as drunk as Jette is bound to do something irrational and not well thought of.

"Yup." Jette calmly retorted as if it was nothing and sent the glass back to the girl on the other side of me. She went ahead and pulled a gold necklace that had a ring dangling from it. It was hiding in her very tight tank top.

"I didn't know." James unhappily mumbled, snatching the unopened bottle of vodka and chugged half its contents. His face had finally scrunched up with the amount of strong alcohol he ingested. He wiped his mouth with the back of his free hand as he put the bottle back down. "Where is he?"

"Boston or something." The blonde I live with indifferently shrugged. She had practically downplayed her own marriage. "Last time I checked, he was there."

Andrew was not even being subtle anymore. He eyed Jette lustfully which was reciprocated by my never sober roommate. I could sense James' anger building up. He was not even wearing the stupid grin I hate anymore. He was fuming and with the liquid courage he just gulped, I should have expected what was about to happen.

The next thing I knew, James stood up and pulled Jette by the wrist, and led her to Jette's room. I had a feeling I knew what they were going to do. I should feel bad that I didn't care enough to stop it but I didn't. Instead, I had more drinks than I could handle and that was probably the worse choice.

Ivy nudged my arm with the shot glass, prompting me to drink. It was my turn after all. I only had three shots and my head was practically begging me to stop. But it seemed as though I had no control of my actions anymore. I took my own lemon wedge, dipped it in salt and bit on it before I drank the alcohol.

It was only the four of us left in the circle and I was getting more intoxicated by the frequency of shots coming my way. In my dazed state, I saw Ivy shoving her tongue in her boyfriend's throat. It could have been just lust or her compensating with whatever she had given her little crush on Andrew was as one sided as James' ogling Jette.

The couple was practically undressing each other in front of my eyes. Lyle's hand was travelling from Ivy's breast to another while his other hand was inside her shirt from the back. Ivy was ready to lift his shirt off, already riding it up to his rib which exposed his loose belly.

I was mindlessly drinking what was left of the vodka James opened. Everything was so hazy and I had had several episodes of vertigo. My eyes were partially open and I could not even keep myself upright. I then realized that I had not had alcohol since September and that caused what little of my tolerance to even plummet down.

Ivy soon stood up and pulled Lyle to her bedroom. Nobody needed to guess what they were about to do. As for me, I had no idea why I still sat there, still drinking the clear content of that bottle. Andrew did encourage me to drink more and I hated myself for not having enough strength to stand up and lock myself in my bedroom.

I had lost my inhibitions and my control of the situation was practically thrown out the window. And when Andrew began to kiss me, my feeble attempts at pushing him was only destined to fail. He was far stronger than I was and I was significantly weakened by the amount of alcohol in my system. He traced my jaw with sloppy kisses which quickly went down to my neck.

My perception of what was real was significantly bent and no matter how much I tried to squirm, there was no way out of the situation. I was the vulnerable gazelle being devoured by the hungry lion. I was rendered incapable of feeling resentment or guilt by the toxic venom that I freely drank. What happened next is something I was to be ashamed of when I get my sobriety back.

Andrew had no trouble carrying me to my room and the swift movement had made me too dizzy to keep my eyes peeled. I then felt my back collide roughly against the soft surface of my bed and I was given a false sense of home with my natural scent that enveloped that room in general. I twisted my head to the right bedside table and found a picture of Camila that I asked to borrow one Friday I was in their house.

I thought I was experiencing nirvana at the sight of her but was snatched out of my drunken thoughts when Andrew pulled my jeans off.