After the applause

Broken strings

Camila's head swam with self-doubt, the familiar voice in her head telling her that maybe, just maybe, Miley was right. That maybe she wasn't cut out for this, that maybe she wasn't good enough. She felt like she was suffocating under the weight of the past few weeks—the constant need to prove herself, to fight for her place in the band, to survive.

Miley was getting closer now, her presence looming over Camila like a dark cloud. "You're just not strong enough, Camila," she murmured, almost too softly. "You'll never be good enough for Lauren, either. She's just waiting for you to fall apart, you know that?"

Camila's breath hitched at the mention of Lauren. The last thing she wanted was for her to think she was weak—broken. The thought that Miley might be right about that too made her stomach twist with panic.

But just as Camila felt herself starting to unravel, the door suddenly swung open with a sharp bang, and there stood Lauren. Her presence was like a sudden, fierce gust of wind blowing away the fog of doubt in Camila's mind.

"What the hell is going on in here?" Lauren's voice was cold, demanding, but there was no mistaking the concern in her eyes as they flicked to Camila.

Miley didn't move, though her smirk faltered for a second as she turned to face Lauren. "Just having a little chat," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Get out," Lauren said, her voice low and unwavering.

For a moment, Miley hesitated, eyes narrowing, but the cold authority in Lauren's tone seemed to settle something in her. With a scoff, she turned and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Lauren stood in the doorway for a moment longer, watching Camila's shaking shoulders. Then she stepped inside, closing the door behind her.

"Are you okay, baby?" Lauren asked gently, crossing the room to her. "What was she doing here?"

Camila swallowed, trying to compose herself, but her heart was racing. "I... I don't know. She just... she just kept pushing."

Lauren's hand found Camila's, and she squeezed it firmly, grounding her. "Camila, listen to me. You don't have to prove anything to anyone. You're enough. You've always been enough."

Camila's eyes welled up, the tears threatening to fall, but she blinked them back. "She's right, Lauren. I'm not cut out for this. I—"

"No," Lauren interrupted, her voice soft but firm. "No, she's not right. And you are more than strong enough. You've already proven that."

Lauren stepped closer, cupping Camila's face gently in her hands. "I'm proud of you, Camila. You don't need to prove anything to me or anyone else. You're not alone in this."

For a long moment, the only sound in the room was the quiet breath between them. Lauren's eyes searched Camila's face, trying to reassure her with every ounce of love she had.

"I'm here," Lauren whispered. "And I always will be. Don't let her words get to you."

Camila let out a shaky breath, her shoulders finally relaxing as she leaned into Lauren's touch. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Lauren smiled softly, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "You don't have to worry about that. I'm not going anywhere. I love you."

"I love you too. You have no idea."

Lauren pulled her closer, wrapping her arms around Camila's smaller frame, holding her tightly like she could protect her from the entire world if she just held on hard enough. They stayed like that for a long moment, the weight of the confrontation slowly lifting between them, replaced by something steadier — something safe.