Now that Camie knew that people were really staring at her and why, she completely moved on. She ignored them completely and even felt somewhat proud under their stares. If this was what she got for standing up against Lula then she would savor it. She started ignoring her classmates and focused on her project. She did really get into it and convinced herself that she would get a Nobel Prize for what she was writing. She could already see herself on the TV but she stopped daydreaming before writing her thank you speech.
Seeing her so invested, her friends didn't mention the rumors, thinking that Camie didn't notice at all. After not more than a day, it all stopped suddenly. Once again, Camie needed a long time to realize that people went back to their unbothered selves and she did feel disappointed for a second.
Camie's classmates stopped being weird and started coming back towards her. She did find it weird that they would switch up so fast and she decided to investigate. It wasn't hard really. All she had to do was grab a stranger in front of a coffee machine:
"Have you heard about what happened?
-I did! Oh my God what are we? Middle schoolers?
-Right?
-Exactly! That girl, Lila or something, how dare she pretend to be the victim when she's the one who started the fight in the first place?
-Lula.
-Right, that was her name. Anyway, I am so relieved that she got expelled."
Camie blinked a few times:
"Expelled?
-Yes. She was called into the director's office yesterday evening. People saw her storm out of the building. It was rather tragic apparently. She ran out, pushed five people and fell off the stairs.
-Oh!
-Exactly! Apparently only the rain was missing. Knowing what she did, she deserves it. We don't condone bullies.
-We don't.
-Exactly! I hope that she never sets foot back here. She is not welcome.
-And... Do you perhaps know how the director heard about the story?
-I mean, who didn't? It shows how big the story got.
-Fair enough. Have a nice day."
Camie had no idea how that happened. Of course this didn't happen in the visions but with everything that was changing, Camie couldn't really act surprised anymore. The how and why wasn't that important. Was Lula gone forever? She was the person that annoyed Camie the most in her visions. She just couldn't take Théa caring about someone who betrayed her countless times and never apologized. Did she win this battle? Could she completely forget about her and just enjoy her time with Théa? Camie was so happy that she immediately rushed to find Théa. She got very lucky and reached her building exactly as she was walking out. She ran up the stairs and immediately grabbed her wrists:
"Théa!"
The latter started panicking:
"What's wrong? Are you okay? Did someone hurt you? Who?
-Yes!"
Camie answered the second question, having not even heard the others. Seeing Camie's bright smile immediately calmed Théa down, making her understand that everything was okay. Camie was beaming and having never seen her that happy, Théa couldn't bear looking at her for too long. She looked away, her cheeks red, trying to look back multiple times, however wanting to see more.
"Let's do something together!"
Théa's head jerked up:
"Yes!"
Camie heard people whispering and she suddenly realized that they weren't alone. Seeing Théa's classmates, Camie forced herself to calm down. She really wanted to see Théa immediately but she couldn't help it if she had class.
"Oh... Maybe you have class. We can meet later.
-No!"
Théa was ready to throw her bag away in that second and she quickly motioned for her classmates to leave:
"I finished already. I was just walking with them."
Camie immediately got her excitement back. She really wanted to spend time with Théa. More than ever. Who else to celebrate with than the person who had been betrayed by Lula? She finally managed to free her from her toxic best friend and Théa finally started being self confident and doing whatever she wanted. So much changed in those few months that it needed to be celebrated.
"Let's go to your favorite coffee shop. Or to a défilé. Or to a park. Or a museum."
Camie soon realized that she had no idea how to celebrate. All she knew was that she wanted to be with Théa. Therefore she asked:
"Where would you like to go?"
Théa had trouble paying attention, feeling that Camie didn't let go of her wrists yet and she did her best to answer:
"I don't care about the location as long as we are together, Camie. I... Yes let's go.
-Where do you usually go to celebrate?
-Restaurant?
-Great! Let's go eat something! What do you feel like eating?"
Théa suddenly realized where the conversation was going and she looked up at Camie:
"Are we celebrating?
-Of course. What would you like to eat?
-I really like Indian food.
-Me too. Let's go to an Indian restaurant."
And just like that, Camie started pulling Théa after her. Having still not let go of one of her wrists, Théa completely forgot how to walk. She tried her best not to look weird but it seemed she failed because Camie suddenly realized that she was still holding her and let go. Théa really wanted to hit herself but she didn't have time to because Camie started rambling:
"I went to that restaurant once and it was delicious. They give huge portions. Like very huge. I can never finish and always have to take it home with me. They give two meals worth of food for a reasonable price. Not that I care about money today. We could even go to an expensive place but this place is very good. The best Indian I ever ate."
Camie suddenly stopped and Théa almost walked into her.
"Camie?
-Sorry... I was walking in the wrong direction. It's that way."
This finally helped Théa relax and she laughed.
"It's okay. We have time."
Finally walking in the right direction, the girls reached the restaurant and were lucky to find an empty table. They got seated and Camie immediately started going through the menu:
"What should I eat? Butter chicken? Or tikka masala? I love both so much. But then I could have some Palak Paneer... This is so hard."
Théa completely forgot to look at the menu and continued staring at Camie for so long that she had to say the first dish she could think of when the waiter came back towards them.
None of them talked about Lula or the recent incident and it felt like they were in their own little bubble for the night. Every single detail about that night was just perfect and the meal flew by in a second. They arrived to the end way faster than Théa would have wanted and she thought she would cry:
"May I have the check please?
-No!"
Camie frowned. Wasn't she the one uncomfortable about being invited usually?
"Théa? Is something wrong?"
Théa sighed:
"No...
-Did I make you uncomfortable? I really wanted to invite you today but if that makes you feel better, you could invite me next time."
Hearing Camie say next time made Théa finally smile. Camie paid for both of them and she grabbed their doggy bags. Leaving the restaurant did make her feel suddenly sad. She felt disappointed at the idea of their night ending there. She didn't want to leave Théa so early.
"Let's do another pajama party.
-Okay!"
Seeing Théa's excitement made Camie smile.
"Should we invite the girls again?"
Théa pinched her lips. She couldn't help feeling disappointed.
"I am always happy to spend time with your friends. But... I would love for us to be alone tonight. Of course if that makes you uncomfortable, I would gladly invite your friends over."
Camie couldn't help blushing.
"No. It's fine. I would love to spend the night with you alone."