Camila's POV
After school, my mother was running around the house frantically. She wanted to make sure everything was perfect tonight. She cleaned the whole house spotless, prepared dinner, and even managed to get Sofi and herself dressed in as little as a few hours.
I didn't understand what the big deal was. I mean, it was just Lauren. My parents have known the Jauregui's for years and I don't know what was so different about this one that made her so insecure about our home.
I tried to pretend that I wasn't totally nervous, but I couldn't help the churning in my stomach that formed every time I thought about my fathers reaction. I mean, I knew he wouldn't banish me or anything, but it was always hard telling a parent something they thought they knew about you. It's difficult watching them realize that they never knew you to begin with. That they didn't know this part of you that formed your whole being.
But either way, I tried to suck it up because I really wanted things to go smoothly tonight. And I hoped that Lauren felt the same as I did too.
--
Narrators POV
Lauren walked off the field after her coach had dismissed them. She got a little shit about her absence in the beginning of the practice but with her charm and skills she was able to wash away her teammates and coaches concerns.
When she got home, she showered, then dressed up for the occasion next door. She didn't want to over do it, so she wore a sleeveless, floral crop top, washed out ripped skinny jeans, black open toed heels and a pair of circle snapped sunglasses. She didn't have to look at herself in the mirror to know that she looked good but she did push back her hair to intensify it. After she felt that she was ready, she went I've to her night stand and retrieved her phone. There, she couldn't help but look at the empty baggie that was sitting under her it.
It was her sickening desire that taunted her. Mocking her because she couldn't have any. And the simple fact that every atom in her body was telling her to inhale the bag for any remaining particles, frustrated her. It had been like that for a few days now. She thought that she didn't need it anymore when Camila became a permanent addition to her life but that didn't seem to be the case. Her body wanted more and she was determined to give herself more.
She took a deep breath before she slipped her phone into her pocket and left her bedroom. She quickly made it down stairs and out the door. She didn't want to be anywhere knew the stuff. She was afraid that if she stayed too long, she'd decide to miss diner to find some.
She successfully made it out and took a few seconds to catch her breath. The want was becoming extremely difficult to control but she managed to get her shit together to meet her girlfriend's family tonight. That was her only motivation and she was planning to keep hold of it.
She walked over to the Cabello's residence and rang the doorbell. She waited patiently for someone to answer the door and before she knew it, her girlfriend did.
Camila smiled at her.
Lauren leaned against the doorway and asked, "You're parents home tonight? I thought we could you know..."
Camila rolled her eyes and playfully pushed her shoulder, "Yes they're here. So no we can't fuck tonight."
Lauren frowned, "Oh poo."
"But hey, look at the positives, my mom cooked a really nice dinner for you and if your good enough maybe they'll like you."
Lauren scoffed, "Of course they'll like me."
"And why is that?"
"Because I'm me."
Camila held the bridge of her nose and shook her head lightly, "I don't even know why I date you honestly."
"Because of the sex obviously."
"Yes. The sex. Of course." Camila sarcastically said.
"Oh no?" Lauren challenged.
"Please be good tonight."
"I can't promise a thing."
"Ugh, Lauren." Camila whined.
She smirked, "I'm kidding okay, I'll be an angel."
Camila sighed in relief
"You didn't think I'd fuck you in front of your parents or something did you?"
"I didn't doubt it."
"Well you're smart for seeing right through me." Lauren winked.
Camila playfully rolled her eyes, "Shut up."
"You know, I'm kinda disappointed." Lauren suddenly brought up.
"Why?"
"You're not wearing my jacket anymore. It looked really cute on you earlier today."
Camila blinked a few times, "Wait you noticed?"
"Yeah. Of course I did. Do you think I am blind or something?"
"You just...you didn't say anything. I thought that maybe..."
"I noticed Camz...I just didn't have time to address it."
"Well, do you want it back?"
"No, it looks better on you anyway."
Camila blushed.
"Mija! Is that Lauren at the door?"
"Oh shit." Lauren muttered when she heard Sinu's voice, "Hold on." She whispered to Camila.
She quickly ran over to her own front yard and picked a few flowers from her mothers garden. She made her way back to the doorway just in time before Sinu could see her.
Lauren handed her the homemade boucay and Camila rolled her eyes in response to her girlfriends actions before her mother finally approached them.
"Lauren honey!" Sinu said before grasping the green eyed girls hands, "It's so great to finally meet you like this." She said squeezing the brunettes hands.
Lauren smiled appreciatively and said, "Likewise. I'm glad you can have me."
Sinu smiled back at Lauren as the brunette waited for Camila to say something.
"Oh mom, Lauren brought you these for you."
Sinu was taken a back, "Oh my, how sweet of you Lauren. Thank you. They're so beautiful." She said before retrieving them from her daughter and smelling them, "Let me go put them in a vase while you two wait inside, dinner is almost ready."
The girls nodded and then made their way to the living room.
Lauren removed her sunglasses and hung them on the collar of her top. She looked around for the rest of the Cabellos but couldn't see them anywhere, "Where's your dad?"
"Probably still trying to cope with the fact that I brought a special guest over today."
Lauren's eyes widened, "You didn't tell him?" She almost yelled.
"Well, not exactly."
"But you told your mom?" Lauren asked confused.
"I didn't tell her either she kind of just figured it out."
Lauren stifled a chuckle then smirked, "Well, shit."
Camila grasped Lauren's hand and squeezed it, "It's gonna be okay."
"I know. I'm just worried about you."
"Me too. But I think I can do it. I just need to stay relaxed. I don't want to say the wrong thing."
"You won't. You have a beautiful way with words Camz."
The brown eyed girl blushed.
"I mean it." Lauren half smiled before she squeezed her girlfriends hand back.
"I know..." Camila mumbled as she played with Lauren's fingers.
"By the way, where's Sofi? I miss that cute little ball of joy."
Camila smiled at that.
"She's upstairs. Probably drawing. When she heard that you were coming over this morning, she couldn't stop talking about how much she wanted to impress you with her new work. She's really excited to show you."
Lauren furrowed her brows and smiled, "I can't wait to see it."
"Me too. I just hope she doesn't reference anymore suns or moons. She's been obsessed with them since I told that story again."
"Agreed. That story always gets me thinking..."
"Of us?" Camila asked.
"Yeah..."
"I know...it's kind of weird."
"It is. But it's true."
"What is?"
"The story."
Camila quirked her brow up.
"I'm the moon to your sun babe." Lauren cooed.
"Oh shut up. You know that story wasn't meant for you. I liked it since I was five okay."
"Suuure-" Lauren began to say before Sofi came storming down the stairs.
"TIGER EYES!"
Lauren instantly answered and crouched down to embrace the small girl in her arms. She then stood up and twirled her around and gave her one final squeeze before she set her down.
She grasped her hands and said, "Hey kiddo. It's been a while hasn't it?"
Sofi nodded, "Where have you been? It feels like I haven't seen you in ages!"
"Try two days." Camila interrupted.
Lauren snapped her head back to look at Camila, "Two days long enough!" She said before she pouted and looked back at Sofi.
Camila rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
"Sorry. I've been busy with school. But I promise I'll try to come by more. It's just sometimes, Camila doesn't want me over because she hates me."
Sofi gasped, "Kaki! Why do you hate Lauren? She's so nice..."
Lauren sighed, "I know right."
Camila stuck her tongue out at her girlfriend, "Because she's annoying sometimes."
Sofi frowned at her sister and returned her attention to Lauren, "Well, if Kaki doesn't want you over, you can come to my room instead and play princesses and dragons. We don't need a no fun meanie around."
Lauren chuckled, "Okay. Deal."
Camila grunted, "Ugh you guys are so annoying." She said before her father appeared before them.
How long had he been standing there? Camila thought.
He smiled in relief when he had seen that Camila's guest was not a boy, "Oh, I didn't know you were having just a friend over Mija. Why didn't you just tell me?"
"I uh-"
"Dinner's ready!" Sinu yelled from the dinning room.
"Oh look at that dinners ready come on guys let's go before it gets cold!" Camila almost yelled before pulling Lauren into the kitchen and into a seat.
Alejandro quirked his brow at his daughters weird rush to get to the dinner table and away from their conversation. He then looked down at Sofi and she shrugged her shoulders, "I think Kaki is a little nervous."
"You think so?"
"Yeah, she's afraid that I'm going to take Lauren away from her. If she keeps being a meanie I'm sure I will." Alejandro chuckled and his daughter and patted her head, "Come on, let's go have a seat."
And so they did. Everyone was seated at the table, serving themselves with the Mushroom Risotto Sinu prepared in a large bowl for everyone.
After everyone was served, everyone dug in. There was no need for any pre dinner prayers because the Cabellos weren't exactly religious. Just like Lauren's family.
Lauren couldn't believe the sensation coming from her taste buds. Everytime she had tasted Sinu's cooking, she was never disappointed. The woman sure knew how prepare a good meal and probably even better deserts.
"This is amazing Ms.Cabello." Lauren smiled.
"Oh please call me Sinu, Lauren."
Mr.Cabello looked up and quirked his brow at his wife.
"So mom, what did you make for dessert?"
"It's a surprise." Sinu winked.
"Can we just skip to the dessert part of this dinner?" Sofi asked.
"No." Alejandro said pointing his fork at Sofi's plate, "You gotta finish all your food."
"But-"
"Mija, if you want to grow up tall and strong like your sister, you have to eat right."
Sofi grumbled, "Okay."
They sat in silence for a few minutes before Alejandro brought up, "You know Mija, I'm kind of relieved you didn't bring a boy over. I thought you were going to introduce me to your boyfriend or something." He said as he focused on the food in his bowl.
Camila laughed nervously.
"If it would've been a boy I'd probably scare the whits out of him." He chuckled.
"I'm sure you would've." Sinu chuckled nervously.
"I'm glad it's just a friend though. I don't think I was ready to give my little girl and her boyfriend the talk."
Camila felt her chest wallow up. She didn't want to tell him. She could've gotten away with this whole dinner if she wanted too. But a part of her knew that wasn't the right thing. She had to tell him. Though all the lumps in her throat and the lock on her jaw, she had to utter the words. She simply had to or else, she'd never be able to get the courage to ever do it again.
"Dad." Camila almost yelped, closing her eyes as she searched for Lauren's hand under the table.
Alejandro looked up from his food.
She met his gaze, "L-Lauren's not..." She tried to say.
He cocked his brow in confusion.
"She's not..." Camila tried again before she grunted.
"She's not my friend okay?"
Alejandro looked more confused than ever.
"She's my girlfriend."
It took a few seconds for Alejandro to process it and when he did, he nonchantly said, "Okay." before he continued to eat.
Camila was practically hyperventilating at this point.
"Okay? That's it?"
Alejandro shrugged, "Yeah I mean, I'm a little surprised, but I'm glad you told me."
"And you're okay with this?"
"Of course I am. I love you Mija and if your dating Lauren then I'm okay with it."
"Wow, that went much better than I thought." Camila sighed in relief.
"But I do want to have a chat with you sometime. You know, I still have to look out for my little girl." He said looking directly at Lauren.
"That's very understandable-"
"Mr.Cabello." Alejandro interrupted Lauren.
"Mr.Cabello. Of course."
He smiled and said, "I think you and I will get along just fine."
Lauren smiled at that and thought, I sure hope so.
"But tell me, why an interest in my daughter?"
"In short, I love who she is. I like how she makes me laugh and all the weird quirks that go along with her. But most of all, I love that she accepts me."
"Good answer." Alejandro smiled. "What do you think is the first thing that caused you to be interested?"
Her ass. Lauren immediately thought.
"Her clumsiness. We first met because she ran into me and fell."
Alejandro chuckled at that, "Sounds like something Karla would do."
Camila huffed and crossed her arms, "I can't help that I trip over air all the time okay?"
"I didn't say it was a bad thing." Lauren cooed, " I actually like that your clumsy. It's cute."
Alejandro smiled at their interaction. Sofi beside him watched the two girls carefully as she tried to comprehend what her sister meant by girlfriend.
Sinu noticed the little ones confusion and half smiled before she turned to her other daughter and said, "Mija, why don't you explain to Sofi what's going on. She seems a little behooved."
Camila had forgotten about her sisters presence and hadn't prepared for such a thing.
"Well, when two people love or like each other, sometimes gender doesn't matter. And sometimes it never mattered to begin with. When I was young, I thought I liked boys, but as I grew up, I started to realize that I didn't like them at all. And I thought that maybe it was something I'd grow into but when I got into high school, I realized that I wasn't ever going to grow into it because...I like girls. There was always something different about them that made me feel things in here." Camila said pointing to her heart, " And when I met Lauren, I started to feel like that all over my body and my heart really hurt whenever I saw her smile. And with boys well, that never happened. I guess what I'm trying to say is that, it's okay to like people who are the same gender as you and even if they're not that's okay too. It just depends on what your heart wants."
Sofi nodded as if she was following along, "Well that makes sense. Why didn't you just tell us that Lauren was your girlfriend in the first place?"
Camila sighed, "Because sometimes people can be really mean about it Sofs."
"Well then they're stupid. You shouldn't be afraid of who you are because your scared of what people think. If you love Lauren then you love Lauren and that's it."
Camila smiled at her sisters words, "You're right."
"I want you to be brave now Kaki. We can't have a lousy knight on our team."
Camila half smiled at her sister and said, "I promise I'll be brave from now on."
"That goes for you too Lauren." The little girl said pointing at her with her fork, "Don't be afraid of anything."
Sofi's words wounded Lauren's heart. She wasn't sure if she could keep that promise, but nodded regardless.
Sofi smiled at them both before Alejandro patted her head, "Oh you."
Sinu smiled at the aura that radiated from the table. Everything went well. Just like I thought it would. Sinu thought to herself in relief.
"Oh, that reminds me, do you parents know that your dating Karla?" Sinu asked.
Lauren and Camila exchanged glances.
"Not exactly." Lauren answered.
Sinu and Alejandro both looked at each other.
"I mean they know about me. But I haven't told them about Camila because my father can be a little overbearing. But I'm hoping to tell them soon. Maybe the next time he comes home." Lauren explained.
"As long as you don't keep anything from them or us, it's okay. Take your time." Alejandro smiled.
"Yes, as much as you need." Sinu added, knowing exactly how Mr.Jauregui was with the topic of her daughter's sexuality.
Lauren smiled appreciatively, "Thank you."
Both of Camila's parents smiled at her before a buzzing sound appeared from the kitchen.
"The chocolate cannoli is ready." Sinu jumped up before she excused herself to retrieve it.
A few moments later, Sinu arrived with a cylindrical chocolate cake with thin frosting at the top. She set the platter down and cut the cake into several slices. She then placed on a plate for everyone at the table. Camila helped her mother pass the plates around as Sofi, out of manners, retrieved and stacked everyone's plates for her mother to take once she had finished giving out the desert. She went back into the kitchen to dispose of the dishes and came back with a box of sugar powder.
She sprinkled some on her own, her daughters, and Alejandro's.
She then offered Lauren's some and she agreed without thinking.
As she watched each little sprinkle fall onto the slice of cake, she couldn't help but think that she'd rather have it be cocaine. It looked so similar. Too similar. Lauren thought.
She clenched her teeth in an attempt to control herself. She then reached over for her fork and her finger twitched when she felt the cold silver ware. She managed to have a good grip on the utensil and focused her eyes back down the dessert or rather, the powder.
She took a deep breath before she cut off a piece and put it in her mouth. She chewed it quickly and managed to finish the slice fast. She didn't want to risk it existing there any longer. But when she finished her eyes wondered to all the other slices and to the powder that laid on top of them. Oh how she wished that she could just have another hit. Just one hit was all she asked for.
Lauren rubbed her arm and closed her eyes. Camila noticed her girlfriends weird behavior and asked if they could be excused. Her parents didn't think much of it and continued to eat while the girls took a step outside.
Lauren sighed in relief.
"Are you okay?"
"No. But thank you for getting me out of there." Lauren said meeting the brunettes gaze.
Her eyes went to the sugar on her lip and she quickly looked away.
Camila was taken a back and rubbed her lips. She looked at her hand and saw the powder that was smeared there. She instantly knew what was wrong. She meant to address the weird conversation Lauren had in the parking lot earlier that day but wanted to keep that for after dinner. But now seemed like a good time to pick at the topic.
"Lauren..."
"I know what you're going to say Camz. But I'm fine. Alright?"
Camila furrowed her brows, "You're not fine. You can't even look at me because of some stupid sugar powder that reminds you of that shit you do."
"Hey, it's not shit okay?"
Camila gave her a pointed look.
"Okay it's shit. But it helps me okay? And I can't help it."
"I thought you stopped doing it a long time ago?"
"I did for a few days. But I just-I'm sorry. I found a stash in my drawer that I forgot I left and I was really tempted because I was stressed."
Camila groaned, "Lauren you can't keep doing that crap. Don't you see how much it's hurting you?"
"I know it does but it doesn't hurt as much as everything else."
Camila softened her expression at her, "If you were starting to feel or see things again why didn't you just tell me?"
"Because you already have enough to deal with. I didn't want to worry you. Plus I'm done, okay Camz? Let's drop this."
Camila shook her head lightly and crossed her arms, "How long?"
"How long what?"
"How long have you been doing this?"
"Coke or drugs in general?"
"Both."
"Well, I used to smoke weed. Sometimes I still do if I don't have any coke. That's not new. But ever since the day of that college party, I haven't been able to let it go."
"You couldn't just stop after one hit? Don't you remember how terrible that was?"
"I did remember but, it's the only choice I have right now. I cant smoke weed because my provider is out of town and will be for a while."
"Can't you find another one?"
"Do you know how dangerous competition is around here for that stuff?" Lauren almost whispered, "I'll start a gang war or something."
Camila rolled her eyes.
"Plus, going for another drug here isn't going to do any harm because it's a whole different source from another side of the drug world."
"Lauren are you even listening to yourself right now?"
"I sound like a fucking lunatic don't I?"
"Yeah, kinda." Camila scoffed.
"I'm sorry."
"I don't want to hear how sorry you are anymore. I want you to stop. Coke is some serious shit and I don't know if you realize this but you're going to end up like addict if you keep this up."
Lauren groaned, "Then what am I supposed to do Camz? You know I can't help it."
"You have to tell my doctor about this when we see him. I don't know what else I can do but just tell you to stop."
"ARE YOU CRAZY? I can't tell him, he'll send me to rehab or something."
"You have a problem and you need to deal with it and if you don't I will."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I'll hunt Vero's provider down and personally kill him."
"Wait, how do you-"
"I heard you speaking to them on the phone in the parking lot at lunch."
"You did?" Lauren asked, slightly embarrassed.
"Yes. I heard everything. You better not pick up anymore of that stuff tomorrow."
"Or?"
"You'll piss me the fuck off and I'll go find this guy myself and give him a piece of my mind."
Lauren didn't doubt her girlfriend for a second. Camila could do anything when she was determined and she was motivated more than ever.
"Fine." Lauren gave in throwing her hand up in defeat, "I'll stop."
"You promise?"
"Promise."
"I'm watching you." Camila said narrowing her eyes at the green eyed girl.
Lauren sighed at her girlfriend before she asked, "What about pot?"
"What about it?"
"Think about it. If you find me some pot, then this whole problem will go away."
"I'm not going to get you dope Lauren. Me of all people will probably buy you tea leaves instead of the real thing because I can't tell the difference."
She groaned, "Fine then I guess I'll try to get some through a friend or something."
Camila rolled her eyes, "God, I never knew you were such a pot head."
"Hey in my defense...it makes me happy."
"How so?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"Yep."
"Well I put on a Marley record, lay down and light up and I'm gone. I forget everything and I don't feel so empty anymore."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. And the good thing about it is that I never feel the need to do it unless I'm feeling like shit."
"Unlike coke."
"Exactly. So do you understand my delema now? I don't do coke out of my own will, I just don't have anything else to use and using this is really starting to fuck me up."
"But you can't control yourself."
"That's right. I can't. And that's the thing that frustrates me the most. It's like I'm a whole different person right now."
Camila grasped Lauren's hand, "Don't worry. You're gonna be okay. Alright?"
"I don't know if I will."
"You're going to get over this need for that drug and eventually all the other ones you do."
"Okay but weed is kinda fun." Lauren argued.
"Okay, but using it for recreational needs is different than using it to wash your problems away for a few hours."
"Okay, that's true." Lauren finally agreed.
"Then it's settled. You stop, we go to our appointment later this week and give the guy a chance okay?"
"Okay." Lauren agreed again.
"Thank you for trying." Camila said squeezing her girlfriends hand.
"Thanks for making me." Lauren half smiled.
"Anyway, it seems like everything is going well in there." Camila said nodding towards her home.
"How so?"
"They like you."
"Only because they don't know I'm a fucking mess."
?
"They don't know that I'm going to ruin your life."
"You're not going to ruin my life."
"Camz, I'm a mess." She repeated.
"Yeah well, a little mess never hurt anybody."
"But what if I'm a big mess?"
"Then it doesn't matter anyway because your my mess and I'm going to help fix you."
Lauren shook her head in disbelief, "You're too good to me."
Camila frowned.
"There's a reason why I tried to stop you from choosing me that day, and you should've listened. You should've chose Ariana."
Camila cupped Lauren's cheeks and made her meet her gaze, "There's a reason I didn't choose Ariana over you and you know what that reason is?"
"..."
"It's because I love you Lo. And nothing is going to change that. I knew from the start that you were different and that you were broken and ever since, you were the mess I always wanted to fix. You're my mess and I'm not afraid to help you in any way that you need it."
"Camz-" Lauren tried to protest.
"My girl. My problem. Alright?"
Lauren nodded her head before Camila kissed her nose, "Let's go back in before they start making assumptions."
"Like what?"
"Oh you know, the type of things my moms third eye tells her."
Lauren chuckled and was about to respond before Sofi opened the door.
The little girl had her hands over her eyes and yelled, "Mama said to stop making out and come back, we're starting a movie in the living room!" She then closed the door and Camila and Lauren exchanged glances.
"Well you were right about that one." Lauren said.
"Oh trust me any longer and my mom will start to think were fucking."
"Could we? I mean for science?"
Camila rolled her eyes and grabbed her girlfriends hand, "Shut up." She simply said before dragging her back inside.
--
A/N: Another update before I disappear for two weeks. I have college admission exams to study for during that time. I will give you guys two updates then for your wait and as a thank you for the continuous support you give me. I love you guys.
Thank you for understanding,
hoplessromantic143