Chapter 25

                                    

                                          
"So, this is our first party," Camila commented over the noisiness of college students in her girlfriend's ear. 
She was leaning back against the counter in the kitchen with her hand resting behind Lauren's back in an almost possessive way. There were only a few people in the small kitchen, as all the action was happening in the living room, but that didn't lessen the sound from the large speakers.
"Technically, yes." Lauren stared down at her brown drink that she swirled inside her plastic cup with soft flicks of her wrist. It wasn't her usual, preferred drink but Camila mixed it for her and figured she would give her the benefit of the doubt.
"Come on, don't count that two-second eye contact at that one party as our first."
"It was pretty intense."
"Yeah, I could tell. Your legs were practically shaking."
"Shut up." Lauren smiled and playfully shoved her away with her forearm.
Camila swung right back and stood in front of her girlfriend, staring her down. Grinning, she caressed her defined jawline with her free hand that wasn't holding her own plastic cup, and then she trapped Lauren with both hands gripping the counter around her body. She watched the change in those green eyes go from surprised to flirty. 
"And what do you think you're doing?" the younger girl asked.
"Admiring your beauty."
"Have you had too much to drink already?" Lauren teased although she was blushing.
"No, Lauren." Camila chuckled. "I always compliment you."
"I know, I just don't know what to do about it."
"I know what to do about it."
Lauren raised her eyebrows in question before soft lips captured hers. Her breath was sucked out of her lungs unexpectantly as her eyes dreamily closed shut. She kept the kiss short due to there being multiple people around them and resisted the urge to fan herself with her hand.
"You okay?" Camila smiled and rubbed her forearms gently with the palms of her hands. She knew exactly what had happened and resisted the urge for her smile to turn cocky.
"Just perfect."
Dinah approached the pair sneakily and smoothly pulled Lauren away from Camila's roaming hands. "No making out in secluded places the whole time. Let's dance, Laur."
"Uh, I'm not feeling dancing right now."
"I know you're feeling your girlfriend's lips but you have to hang out with us too. Normani is waiting for us."
"Dinah, I'm really not into dancing."
"I think she needs shots."
"She doesn't want to drink that much, Dinah," Camila scolded, rubbing Lauren's upper back.
"You're going to ride this party sober?" Dinah asked Lauren.
"Yeah," the shy girl answered.
"Honestly, you won't have much fun that way."
Camila rolled her eyes and pulled her girlfriend back to her side to get her away from her alcoholic best friend.
"I don't mean it like that. Put those claws away, Cabello." Dinah redirected her attention back to her green-eyed friend who was silently tucked against Camila's side. "I mean this obviously isn't your scene and to let loose and relax, you'll need some liquid encouragement. I know you let loose once you drink enough alcohol, and I know you don't like doing it that often. You can skip out on the next two parties if you just show me you're having fun at this one. I won't even annoy you about it either whenever you want to skip the others."