Crossroads - A Camren Fanfiction

Chapter 4

{1/5 Marathon}

Sitting at the table surrounded by the entire Jauregui family filled me with a comfortable feeling. They were so warm, so funny, so... close. Without realizing it, a tear fell down my cheek, I missed my family. But I did not regret having my baby, I turned my face away to wipe that tear and I found a curious and worried green look.

Smile at her.

"Chuchu killed the bus..." I heard Michael laugh.

Everyone gave a genuine laugh. I didn't really pay attention to the joke from the beginning, but his way of telling it and how he ended up speaking at the end was what made me laugh.

" Dad, that joke sucks," Lauren commented holding her belly with laughter.

" Yes, but it always makes you laugh, " the eldest of the Jauregui defended himself.

Taylor the younger sister was fifteen years old. Long hair, volleyball player, pretty lips and pink cheeks, warm look like Chris's. Middle brother, seventeen years old, football player, good body, short hair, flirtatious smile just like Lauren. My personal angel.

Michael was all three in one. Laughing, cheerful, friendly, direct, focused, an exemplary father. And Clara, well, Clara was her.

Everyone treats me like I am part of the family making a lump form in my throat every so often when I think about how different they are from mine. I feel comfortable with them, they are so easy to live with.

"Ok, getting a little serious," Michael said "When was the last time you saw the doctor?"  I swallow dry.

"I ..." the words did not come out of my mouth "I have not been since I found out" I lowered my eyes.

An awkward silence was created for me, as I felt all the gazes on me. I felt small, five pairs of eyes pierced me completely. My cheeks flushed to an unsuspected level, or so it seemed.

"Camila" it was Clara's voice "Please raise your face, sweetheart" She spoke sweetly, I did what I asked "You must go to the doctor, you are pregnant, they must check if everything is going well with the baby" I stifled a sob.

"I can't " I barely managed to speak.

"Why?" Lauren's voice sounded concerned.

"My parents left me without insurance as soon as they found out" more tears fell.

" Don't worry, we'll fix that." I raised my face quickly.

" No ... I can't allow you to get more involved," I argued against Mike.

"Why not?"He crossed his arms "Camila, you're a good girl, I can tell. We want to support you as much as we can, you are not alone, please" he smiled warmly, reminding me of Lauren.

"I ... I have no way to pay you for what you are doing for me" I felt that knot again.

"Camila ..." I listened to Lauren "You don't have to pay anything."

"I will look for a job and I will get support to live here and I'll get another place so I will not bother you guys" I promised.

"Miss Cabello, right?" Asked the head of the Jauregui, I nodded "We want to support you, without compromise. You are pregnant, you are seventeen years old, it will not be easy from now on, sometimes you will feel frustration, other maybe hate, but you have to remember that that baby you are waiting for is not to blame for anything" by now the tears were already falling for me uncontrolled cheeks "he or she will come into your life to make it better, a child is a blessing ... never forget that" I saw a tear fall down his cheek as well.

"Can I... can I hug him?" I asked in a broken voice.

He just got up from his seat, walked over to me, and spread his arms right in front of me. I did not wait any longer, quickly but without losing care, I got up and hugged him tightly. I buried my face in his chest, he was not my father, but at that moment I wished with all my might that he was.

Behind me, I felt a pair of arms surrounding me and trying to hug him too. It was Lauren, I made out her scent. It didn't take long for me to feel more arms around me. I was right in the middle of a group hug with the Jauregui family and I can swear I have never felt so lucky before.

Mike and Chris had offered to arrange the furniture in the spare room that was in the MM, I have to admit that a part of me was a bit disappointed to know that I would sleep alone. But it was for the best, I couldn't bother Lauren. She had already done so much for me.

She brought me to her house, she introduced me to her family and everyone was supportive of me. They did what my family and friends couldn't do. Another lump in my throat? I am too sentimental. I always have been, but this is the last straw.

A strange smell reached me, making me nauseous. I couldn't control it, I ran straight to the bathroom. Get out of my body all the deliciousness that we had for lunch.

"Are you okay?" I turned my face quickly.

Lauren was standing by the door, haven't  I closed it? I think not, I really don't remember. I was still dizzy and nausea didn't go away entirely. What was it that made me throw up? My gaze returned to Lauren, her face serious, concerned.

"Yes, I... just..." I shut up. I really didn't know what to say to her.

"Nausea, right?" She asks with a warm smile on her face.

" Yes..." I nodded slowly.

"Has it happened to you before?" She asked as she leaned on the door frame.

" But not like now, " I blushed.

"What's the difference?" she was interested.

I stood up to brush my teeth. This was the bad thing about throwing up, the taste that lingered deep in my throat. I quickly brushed my teeth, expelling all the obnoxious taste from my mouth.

I could feel her eyes on me.

"It always starts with small dizziness or nausea that gradually grows until I end up returning everything I have eaten" I played with my hands.

"And now? What happened?" She asks paying attention to me.

" I don't know, I got a strange smell and I had to run here, " I blushed.

"Strange smell? " Her face was confused "I did take a bath, " She joke.

"Lauren!"  We heard a shrill voice in the distance.

Tac, tac, tac. The sound of heels hitting the ground with each step they took towards where we were. Lauren's frustrated face, and I guess the doubt highlighted in mine.

"Laur I'm talking to you!" It was heard louder as it got closer.

" In the bathroom, " she simply answered.

For no more than a couple of seconds I saw a girl practically throw herself at Lauren, and if it weren't for how agile she seemed to be, that mystery girl, at least for me, would have ended up on the floor.

" Laur ... I've missed you so much ..." She whispers almost next to her mouth. " I'm coming for you so that we can go out," she spoke as she ran her long nail across the cheek of my savior.

" Zoey ..." she tried to loosen up. " Please ... calm down." Her eyes went to me.

The girl with black hair, red lips, and high heels turned to see me, her gaze scanning me up and down and vice versa. I felt small again like I was unprotected like that dark night before Lauren found me.

"This is Zoey... a friend," she introduced us.

"Friend? " I can swear if looks could kill, Lauren would be dead right now.

" Don't start, please," she clenched her jaw.

She quickly turned to me, her hair flying from front to back, exposing her neck. That dress was too short, even for her small stature. She stretched her hand in my direction showing me her long nails, it scared me. Her face had a fake smile, I'm sure of that.

"Hello... And you are?" She asked defiantly without removing the smile from her face.

"I'm Cam ..." oh no!