Dance For Me

Chapter 34

Lauren scoffed "She is a good girl" her tone was strong, defensive and well spoken "I know how to talk her up, don't worry Fallon!" She grumbled with a rasp "I would trust me if I were you, I have some great lines up in this big old brain!"

"I trust you LJ" Fallon finally smiled, lifting a palm to gently stroke the woman's elbow "With all of my heart, I just want this to go as well as you planned, that's all"

Lauren lifted a brow and smiled back "It will, providing the girls arrive safely and the press do as they're told" she winked "Nothing can go wrong!"

•••

Camila

Arriving to the venue with Nova felt like an explosion of emotions. I was excited yet worried, overjoyed but equally low. Lauren had briefed us both on the carpet situation which thankfully went pretty well, Nova smiled and I offered only a blunt stare after the eventful realisation yesterday

When entering the venue, security and crew members ushered us towards the stage, Nova and I sat with Nikki and Fallon, the crowds surrounding us begging for Lauren to make her long awaited speech. I was nervous for some reason, although my only duty right now was to sit in the front row, I couldn't help but feel exposed, I wanted people to believe I was ok

"You're doing great my love" spoke Nikki into my ear "Just sit and look pretty, once the speech is over we can all party like teenagers!" Her wink didn't comfort me even a little, the campaign was hard enough, now we had to promote it? Something about the new found fame felt more exhausting than anything else

Still, I was happy to be here. Especially when Lauren walked across the stage and found her glass podium. She was stunning, well painted and powerful beyond belief. I wanted to run up there and hug her, feel her arms around my shoulders but I couldn't. This side of Lauren was not mine but the world's

Suddenly I was filled with the same dread from yesterday, Lauren and Lena's betrayal was fresh and I had to hide it. I loved Lauren, deeply, and I knew this phase wouldn't last, but I couldn't help feeling lower than ever amongst the excitement

"Thank you all for being here" she smiled, the audience surrounding us roaring the moment she began to talk

Moments like this still felt surreal, I knew Lauren in ways nobody else did. While she stood up on that glorious stage wearing diamonds and a skin tight gown, I couldn't help but internally smile at how she would probably die for an oversized sweater and pair of comfy sneakers right now. She was a picture of perfection, elegant yet beautifully stern, I was proud of her but intimidated too, I never really understood how to cope with the shift in her energy

She talked to the room of onlookers, projecting her raspy voice while the eyes around me practically sparkled with every syllable that fell from her mouth. I was admittedly slightly jealous, the way they looked at her, it felt like a crime. Nikki stroked my back from beside, reminding me that the woman in front belonged to me

"I first want to thank my beautiful girls for making this campaign such a success" she spoke with a vibrant smile, forcing me to blush as her eyes worked to seek me out within the audience "I am more than proud to represent them and their courageous efforts in becoming the best versions of themselves they can be"

Nikki pulled me into her side with a smile, my fluttering heart syncing with the beat of her soft words "It's a common misconception in the world of privilege that those who look just like us are torn from the same cloth" I swallowed when her eyes met mine "I myself have realised in the past few months that the misconception is truly a dangerous one"

The crowd nodded back and lifted their glasses with a cheers of agreement "We can never really know what those around us have been through. We can never really know how hard each and every day is to simply live in for another person" her words began to burn into my skin like a creeping flame "Many people are in constant battle, every second of their life spent fighting against triggers and fear of pain, rejection, loss and more" my breath began to shallow as my eyes filled with unwanted tears