The Last Time (Camren)

Chapter 7

Time was running out for Lauren. It was already Christmas Eve and she was planning on proposing to her girlfriend tonight. Emphasis on the word "was" because it really wasn't going to be tonight. Or tomorrow. Frankly, Lauren has delayed the entire proposal until she finds a better time.

Not that she didn't want to marry Cami anymore. Or so she thinks. She just now believes that a Christmas proposal is too tacky. So is a New Years'. Also, the whole yacht idea wasn't going to work either. If she really loved her girlfriend, she was going to get down on one knee in a less gimmicky fashion. Not on some million-dollar item. Lauren was better than that and Cami deserved the best.

Chris was all too excited for his sister only to be told that she wasn't going to do it. "She's only in Miami for another week or so, sis. What's with you?" he asks while she sulks on her bed.

"It's just... not the right time," she sighs, staring up at the ceiling.

"What do you mean it's not the right time? We've talked about this, Lo. Don't pussy out now," he looks down from the glass window at Cami and Dinah chatting in the hot tub. "Even right now is the perfect time when she's least expecting it. Go on, get down there."

"Chris, will you relax?" Lauren groans, sitting up on her pillows. She takes a smaller one and holds it to her chest. "I'm not in the mood."

"Why not?" he sits on the edge of the bed. "You were so ready before. Like, tonight was supposed to be it."

Lauren chews her bottom lip. "I know. I know I was ready but things have... changed. They're different. I mean, Cami and I have only been together barely a year. We still need more time to really get to know each other, you know? To know if we're really supposed to spend the rest of our lives together."

"Lo," he sighs. "You said so yourself. If you know, you know. You know she's the one." The younger brother is sad for his sister. Her face screams uncertainty and doubt.

"Okay, but maybe I don't know anymore," she shakes her head, fighting back a mental breakdown. "I'm sick of being the one with all the answers. I don't fucking know anything anymore."

What Chris doesn't know about is the crisis Lauren's been going through with her son she doesn't know she has. It's still been eating away at her for weeks. She can't sleep, she can't eat, she can't breathe without constantly thinking about Jason. And every time she looks at him, she falls apart.

"I'm sorry, Lo," Chris whispers, his own heart hurting for his sibling. "I just don't want you to regret this."

"It's fine," she takes a few deep breaths, getting up to look at her girlfriend with her best friend. "I'll still propose... soon. Just give me a little more time. I'll marry her one day. And we'll be the happiest people on earth."

Many people forget the fact that Lauren is still only 23. She still has much growing up to do. Even though everyone around her thinks she has it all together because she's rich, that's far from the truth. Lauren has plenty of her own insecurities that make her human. For once, she just wishes her friends and family would realize that.

"You deserve to be the happiest," Chris comes up behind her and they both look down.

Cami is beautiful, no doubt. The way her positive energy and bright smile just make the whole room light up. Lauren always feels better when she is near. Like she's her safe place. But if that's true, how come she can't get herself to propose?

And how come Lauren can't get the other Camila Mendes off her mind? The more she's with the woman, the more she talks to her, the more she looks at her, she just wants to stay right there and never leave her side. Camila is like a magnet and Lauren is pulled to her. She can't get enough.