Lauren's POV
I was stood in front of the mirror just staring back to myself with my nerves so alive and the butterflies in my stomach rambling around in restlessness. I don't know exactly why I was suddenly nervous but I know definitely it involves a pair of brown eyes and cherry pouted lips that fits perfectly on mine. I smiled to myself, realizing how ridiculous my thoughts are and finally decided to walk out of the hotel room, wearing the first pieces of clothing I saw in my not-so-organized suitcase. I was wearing a simple band shirt, black ripped jeans with my combat boots and my usual leather jacket. I wanted to tie my hair but eventually thought it wasn't a good idea so I just decided to just let it flow as it usually is and put on some eye liner and light lipstick and wear my key necklace to complete the package.
It wasn't long when my friends and I reached the club and was greeted by the other members of my crew. We decided to rent the whole club for the night just to celebrate for the success of the summer tour and a job well done for all of us. I also invited some old friends to catch up and rekindle relationships with some of them including Kendall who I never really talked to since that memorable summer and we never really had time to talk because I was busy trying to patch my life together.
"Mr. Enriquez said he would like to speak with you if you have time." Kendall said.
"Why, did he miss me so much?" I playfully asked, raising an eyebrow on them and they can't help laughing.
"I guess he miss all the trouble you brought to our school." Amy said, making everyone in the table laugh, remembering the days when we used to break all the school rules and do whatever we wanted in life as fucked up teenagers.
"But I heard he would like to give you a plaque of appreciation as a former student of Lakewood highschool. I mean, you're the only former student who made it sucessful into the music industry and everyone's just proud of you." Kendall said on a serious note. I seriously admire the person she have become after high school. It was as if she have never been the head cheerleader and everybody's girlfriend. She's a lot less bitchy and self-centered. She now cares for the people around her and I'm loving that version of her.
"Wow, thanks, that's pretty huge." I said in astonishment.
"Yeah pay him a visit or something." the former head cheerleader said with her perfect smile.
"I will, of course." I nodded, gesturing the girls to have more drinks.
We continued sharing crazy stories about our lives after highschool. I was laughing along with my friends when I saw from the distance, the most beautiful girl who's the only person in the world who can cause my whole body to shiver just by merely looking at me. She was standing there with a simple laced crop top, black leather skirt, heels and a light make up on.
"Hey guys, I gotta go, see you later, okay?" I said, standing on my feet and leaving the bottle of beer on the table. They regarded me with genuine smiles and nodded. "Yeah sure."
"Enjoy the party." I said and tried my best to keep my balance, not because I was already drunk but because of my whole body quivering and feeling numb by merely looking at the girl I never stopped falling in love with.
"Hi." she greeted with a perfect smile, pulling me back to reality.
"Hey, you came." I said, trying to hide my nervousness.
"Yeah how am I suppose to turn this down anyway?" she said, looking at my crew while they dance happily and an indulgent grin formed across our faces.
"You look beautiful." I said nervously and she gave me another shy smile."Thanks."
"Lauren!" the girls greeted as they showed up hotter than they have ever been and then in my surprise, Niall, Harry and Katie showed themselves from behind the door with teethy smiles.
"Oh my God!" I exclaimed, almost jumping on the three of them and enveloped them in a hug.
"Holy shit! How are you guys?" I asked, receving laughters from our friends.
"Great, how about you, superstar?" Katie teasingly asked.
"Well, I just got lucky." I answered, playfully bragging as if I have all the rights to be.
"Damn look at you Jauregui, apparently the big fish here." Niall said, checking out the changes that time brought to me which honestly, in my opinion, is non existent because I feel like just the same person I was four years ago except now I can barely walk down the streets without being noticed. "Did you know that Harry have been bragging to everyone that he's friends with you? And he won't stop until they believe him and it's seriously annoying." Everyone laughed on his remark while Harry gave him a disappointed look while the girls can't stop laughing out loud especially Ally and Normani who had the best kind of laugh in the world.
"Hey, that's absolutely not true." Harry denied, playfully pinching Niall's cheeks who tried everything to get away from him.
"You guys never changed." I said in between laughters.
"These idiots wouldn't even slightly change, Lauren. Just don't mind them please." Katie said while Dinah face palmed the lads who have been trying to annoy each other. "That's enough losers, we're not in your house, we're in Lauren's party for Pete's sake." she said and they did stop but playfully stuck out their tongue on Dinah.
"Hey come on, let's get you a table." I said, casually taking Camila by the hand which I didn't really mean doing that brought butterflies in my stomach once again. Her hands still perfectly fits into mine and I felt her skin quivered against my hand and I inevitably caught her, staring down our intertwined hands. She looked up again, meeting my eyes as if asking me 'what's going on?' but I decided to ignore the look on her face and just casually walk without letting go of her hand. Our friends were following close behind and by the way their eyebrows shoot up suspiciously, I know exactly what they were thinking.
"Hi guys!" I greeted my friends who greeted us back with huge smiles. Dinah, Ally and Normani immediately slipped in the couch next to Chloe while the boys and Katie found a seat next to Bea and Stacy across the huge table, leaving Camila and I with no choice but to take the only available seats next to each other.
"Oh um these are my friends by the way, Stacy, Chloe and Bea." I said, pointing into each one of them while they greet my friends with overwhelming smiles.
"Girls, these are my friends from Miami, Dinah, Normani, Ally, Niall, Harry, Katie" I stated and stopped for a second there with a little sigh and turned to my right. "and this is Camila."
The girls was very delighted to finally meet the girl I always talk about.
"So you're Camila, finally we met." Bea said, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "It's nice to meet you guys." Camila said with bated breath. The girls shared a meaningful look as if sending signals to each other.
"Now I know why Lauren can't stop talking about you." Bea said and immediately regretted the words that slipped from her mouth. "Ok not probably too much but she said you're really gorgeous and hot." she said, trying to contrast what she said earlier. I signalled her to shut up and everyone laughed.
"And you're really annoying, no wonder you're still single." I playfully said in a pretended exasperation.
"Look who's talking." she mumbled, taking a shot of her vodka.
"Ok I need you kids to shut the hell up now." Chloe said in annoyance, making us give up the pointless and childish conversation. "It is very nice to meet everyone. This is a really wonderful time to know each other and have a good time. Why don't we just enjoy our drinks?" she said in her usual manner as if a 75-year-old woman speaking as the waiters add more drinks and food on the table.
"You're not drinking, Chloe." I said, taking the bottle of beer from where it rested on the table in front of her.
"I'm thirsty." she mumbled.
"You're 16." I said, matter-of-factly, causing my friends to drop their jaw in surprise of her actual age.
"Why don't you say it louder so the waiters can hear it and throw me out of the club?" she sarcastically said. She just got in because I told them she's legal and they believed me without asking for her I.D.
"I seriously thought you're of legal age." Dinah commented, obviously blown away of the sudden information just like the other girls.
"That's what everyone says." Stacy answered.
"You're pretty much the smartest and most matured 16-year-old I have ever encounter in my life." Ally said, sharing a smile with Normani and the boys.
"Yeah and her brother kills me all the time when I screw up and bring her to places for legal ages such as this one." I said.
Our table was filled with laughters reminiscing stories which inevitably lead to a really awkward moment for Camila and I.
"Lauren was very devastated when I met her in the restaurant where we worked and she generally just hated life." Bea said and I sat there with my face burning from embarassment.
"And lucky her, I was there to comfort her and bring her to bed when she was too drunk to carry herself." Stacy said with an indulgent grin, gaining everyone's attention.
"Shut up." I mumbled.
"But when I start to change her clothes," she continued, ignoring my sentiment. "she would call out for someone's name and thought it was that someone doing it." I dropped my jaw in disbelief and gave her a devilish stare.
"Okay I really need you to shut up now, Stacy." I said in a warning voice, hopeful that she would get the message. But then, inevitably, I remembered everything, how seriously depressed I was for losing Camila and how I badly wanted to just stop breathing. It was seriously so hard for me to move on.
I looked at the girl who was the exact reason for that melancholy but I can see her embarassment just few inches from me. And I had to stop them for sharing stories about our past. Luckily enough, Dinah took the initiative to change the topic.
"Hey did you guys know that one couple in this table is actually engaged now?" she said as her voice dramatically sore high in excitement of the good news
"Are you serious?" I asked in astonishment and the girls flashed a satisfied grin while I noticed Katie's face suddenly turned red.
"Yeah and that's certainly Harry and Katie." Ally informed as Harry took his girlfriend by the waist and pulled her closer with an indulgent grin.
"What? Really?" I said, still in disbelief of what I was hearing.
"Well um.." Katie tried to explain bitbit seems to be that she just can't find the right words.
"I mean who would let go of a girl with such an amazing sense of humor and a big heart?" Harry said, teasing Katie while she crinkled her nose and connected their foreheads. Harry kissed the side of her head, recieving sounds of agreement and teasing from everyone in the table except Camila who was just silently watching while I was doing the same thing to her, watching as she smiled a smile of satisfaction and I guess a little bit of bitterness and envy.
"Wow, congratulations." I said, trying to ignore the look on Camila's face. "I remember pushing you off a tree house because of forcing Katie to kiss you and now you guys are engaged. That's pretty intense." Harry and I shook hands while I gave Katie a soft kiss on the cheek.
"Wait, you pushed him off a tree house? That's scary." Stacy said in realization.
"Yeah I still have the evidence." The future groom said, flipping his hair and showing them the part where he had a huge wound.
"She literally looked like superman when she jumped on him." Katie said, causing Stacy to look at me with a big amount of fear on her face.
"It was practically like five years ago." I said matter-of-factly, trying to help vanish her fear but she still looked as if I was going to bite her any time and I just rolled my eyes just like what Chloe did.
Few bottles of beer later, everyone in the table went to the dancefloor to enjoy themselves except Camila and I. No matter how much I wanted to dance, I chose to remain in my seat to accompany her, wishing that I could talk to her in private and try to have a real conversation for the first time after we met again.
"Hey I'm really sorry about that, I--" I apologized but she interrupted me with a shy smile.
"It's okay, nothing to worry about really." she said as she play absentmindedly with the hem of her skirt while I was biting my bottom lip in anticipation and fear.
"Hey do you want to go somewhere quiet?" I asked with all the courage left in my chest, hoping she would approve. "Sure." she mumbled.
We stood up and Camila almost trip on her heels but I was there to catch her. My hands just automatically wrapped itself in her waist and stopped her from falling on the ground. It once again felt like the world stopped spinning around and we were just the only ones in the world tonight.
"Thanks." she muttered, bringing me back to reality and finally helped her get on her feet.
"Are you really still tripping on your heels after all these years?" I asked her as she fixed her clothes.
"Age wouldn't change a thing in my case." she answered and we shared another smile of agreement. I gestured her to the direction of the stairs leading to the rooftop and she almost instantly followed. On our way, I watched her steps to make sure she won't lost her balance again and fall but if she did anyway, I'll be ready to catch her again and again.
"Hey, I just want to thank you for being here." I said in a serious note and she regarded me with a sincere smile, her long dark locks dances in the air and her eyes looked brighter than the stars above us.
"Why did you invite me here tonight, Lo?" she suddenly asked with bravery in her voice, as if she pulled out all the courage she have to ask that. I took a deep breath and met her eyes.
"I wanted to see you. It has been four years and I just want to know how are you doing." I said in all honesty.
"I already answered that, didn't I?" she said, wrinkling her forehead.
"Nope, not really." I said, moving closer in my first attempt of holding her face but she backed off.
"What do you want me to answer you?" she asked, taking few steps away and I followed suit.
"The truth. I want the truth Camz." I said as we continued walking all the way to the other side of the rooftop.
"What do you think is the truth?" she asked, embracing herself in both arms as the wind blew just right, I could smell her usual perfume I love so much.
"You're miserable." I firmly said. I took off my leather jacket and covered it on her body. I felt she quivered instantly from the sudden connection as my hands brushed her arms and my breath touched the back of her neck that was facing me.
"Does it still matter?" she whispered with an ample amount of fear, still refusing to look at me but I could see how her hands shook from the proximity of my body against hers.
"Of course it does." I answered. I turned her around softly and saw the tears threatening to fall from her eyes. I moved closer and put a hand on her cheek but she moved away again with fear spreading across her face and she tried everything to avoid my gaze.
"Do you wanna know the real reason why I wanted to see you? It's because I'm still not over you." I bravely admitted.
"But I'm married now Lauren." she answered, tension started to rise between us.
"You were just forced to marry him," I reminded her as I watched while she looled down her hands. "or did you learn to love him already and forget about me?" I asked, intently looking at her face.
"That's not important anymore." she said in a defeated tone.
"What isn't important? That you still love me too?" I asked and she moved away again.
"We have different lives now, I have a family and you have a career." she said bitterly. Hurt was so eveident in her voice that it rips my heart apart.
"Every little thing about fame is nothing without you." I told her and finally, she turned to me and caught my eyes. And it was a cue for me to move really closer and hold her face."Camz, I don't want to see you like this, you deserve so much better. I know you still feel something for me." I looked deep into her eyes as if looking for answers that she can't speak of.
"Lauren please just stop." she said, holding me by the wrist and took my hands away from her face but I refused and held it tighter.
"Look at me in the eyes and tell me that you don't love me anymore and I will let you go." I mumbled, still intently looking at her while she can't take her eyes off mine as if there was an invisible power connecting it.
I felt like her knees gone weak and her facial features softened.
And I did the only thing that I know will give the answers to all my questions, I took the opportinity to lean in and kiss her. Our lips still tasted like before and our bodies still fits like puzzle pieces, I got high from the very familiar smell of her perfume and I felt like Camila's head was spinning from the very familiar taste of my lips.
Still hesitant but Camila responded to the kiss, I bet she also wanted to know the answers to all her questions that words cannot answer.
But as if the very first kiss we shared in the wooden floor of their library in the east cabin of their private island, she pushed me and looked at me with fear.
"T-This is wrong, Lauren. I shouldn't even be here." she anxiously said, turning her back on me.
"Camila! Hey wait!" I shouted on her direction but she didn'
She ran away from me and I know it wouldn't be a good idea to force her to talk now and apologize.
She was semi-running down the stairs but she stopped and looked back. That look on her face tells me that she was silently asking for help, pleading to be saved from the ocean where she have been drowning for years and this time I will not let go of her. I will save her and give her the happiness that she deserve. She's the most prescious jewely anyone could have and I despise those people who think otherwise. I will not stoo until she gets back in my arms, until we find our happily ever after. I don't care if it's the hardest thing to do. I will get her back.
I trudged down the darkened hallways, leading to the party hall and met my friends. They told me she just left the party and her friends followed her off the parking space.
"Hey Lauren, did you see the girls?" Katie asked as she and Harry showed up from the crowd.
"They went home." Bea answered in a weak tone.
"Why all of a sudden?" Harry asked, just as confuse as his girlfriend from our friend's sudden disappearance.
"I talked to Camila and she ranaway from me." I admitted, gaining their interests. "I just wanted to know if she was okay but maybe I pushed myself too much."
Katie and Harry shared a knowing look and Katie signalled me to have a private talk out of the party hall. I followed as they srpinted off the glass doors leading to the balcony. "I think it's time for you to know how miserable she have been since you broke up. Grandpa made a deal with your parents and asked them to leave Miami." Katie explained and I was on the edge of my seat in anticipation.
"H-he talked to my parents?" I asked in dismay. Confused and frustrated from the sudden revelation. My parents never told me that they talked to the oldest Cabello and they never told me about the deal in between them.
"Yeah, she was forced to marry Gray because of you. She wanted to save you from being killed in jail as what grandpa asked of her." she continued.
"We were there on their wedding day and everyone's convincing her to back out but she said she can't," Harry said. "not because she doesn't love you anymore but because she loves you so much that she's willing to give her life up for you."
Katie reached over and took my hands on both of hers while looking at me with a reassuring smile.
"I know my cousin too well, I know that she have been waiting for this day. The day you're finally coming back." she softly said and the truthfulness in her words ignited the fire in my chest. I want Camila back and my decision's final. I have to get her back one way or another.
Camila's POV
I was so lost, confused, I was terrified. So many thousands of things happening in my head at once. The way she kissed me was still the same as what we used to share four years ago. How am I suppose to forget about that?
I sighed and walked out of the party, avoiding everyone's questioning look.
"Mila!" I heard Normani's voice from the distance. I tried hard to ignore them but they were running as fast as I was going.
"Camila wait up!" Dinah shouted and I finally stopped in front of my car.
"What happened?" Ally asked, catching her breath just like the other girls were doing.
"Nothing." I simply said, refusing to answer their questions for now and slip in the driver's seat but they followed.
"What are you doing?" I asked in annoyance.
"We're going with you." Ally answered.
"We'll not leave you until you tell us what happened." Dinah firmly said and I had no choice but to start the car and drive off the parking space.
"It's not important, okay? I'm fine." I told them but I know they're not at all convinced.
"No you're not." Mani said as I drove faster than I used to.
"Please, guys. It's fine." I reassured them again but I know they were not even listening. They still want to hear the truth but my head was in a huge mess and I just can't tell them what really happened. I stepped on the gas a little bit more that the white BMW Z4 almost looked like flying and the girls looked at each other. That look, I believe, was a combination of shock and mutual panic.
"What the hell!" Mani cursed, holding grip on the back of my seat while Ally was praying hard and Dinah looked like she seriously wanted to kill me.
"Camila, slow down!" Dinah shouted in anticipation while I was speeding toward the dark highway until there was a deer running across the street. I didn't had a chance to stop the car before it hit the deer and in just a second, blood was scattered all over the hard ground and on my head lights. We quickly get off the car and I tried to save the deer bit it was definitely too late.
"Hey wake up! Don't die please, don't die you idiot!" I shouted on the lifeless animal as tears rolled down my face while I slap it's head repeatedly.
"Mila stop!" Dinah said, lifting me up from where I sat beside the dead animal but I get off from her hold and went back to the ground, crying out loud like a child losing her favorite pet. "No!"
"Camila!" The three girls helped me get up and shared a confused look as if I was losing my sanity once again, as if they were witnessing yet another pure animal agony.
I don't know exactly know what happened after that, I think I passed out after hysterically crying over an innocent deer that I accidentally ran over on a highway. I wasn't drunk, neither sober. I think I got high from all the revelations that happened but more of Lauren's lustful kiss, if I'll be honest.
I flipped on my position on bed and the sunlight peeking from the curtains as it dance in the morning air, hit my face. I took a deep breath and forced myself to sit up. My head hurt and my mouth was dry. I shoved away the blanket covering my body and rolled out of the bed. And my eyes caught a familiar leather jacket, hung up on the headboard. I thought I gave it back to Lauren before I ranaway from her at the rooftop but clearly, I totally forgot about it. Everything that happened last night was the scene I always see in my dreams. The way her mouth worked its magic still lingers in my lips and I couldn't forget how it tasted. I stood on my feet and grabbed the jacket and let it rest in my arms while I ran my hands soothingly on the its fabric as if it was a piece of gold. I held it closer and smell her perfume that still linger on the jacket that embraced her body for hours last night before she covered it on me. I hung it back on the arm chair but there was some metal hitting the floor, probably coming from the pocket of her jacket. I get down on my knees and picked it up. It was a necklace with a key pendant that looks really familiar. And that's when my heart started to beat faster than running 10 miles. I abruptly stood up and ramaged on my drawer, holding my breath in anticipation. I pulled out a small box with another key that's very identical on the key that's on Lauren's necklace. It was the key to our small apartment in Hawaii. She have been keeping it and made it into a pendant where she could see it everyday and keep it close to her heart.
As the sun rises, when everything turned bright yellow with a little bit of orange, I sat back on my bed and held the keys close to my heart where it belongs and drift into ancient memories of us until I found myself smiling.
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A/N:
I'm so sorry for the late update guys but here it is now :) Thanks for reading.