Best of the Best

Chapter 15: Getting Dressed

"You're going to what?"

Camila shrugged off her already opened uniform jacket, as she came through the door and draped it, and her belt, on the back of a kitchen chair.

"It's a charity thing," she said, grabbing two bottles of water from the fridge. She tossed one to Dinah, before downing her own, and wiping her face with the sleeve of her t-shirt. "For the hospital where Thomas was born. Lauren's a big donor. She asked me to come with her."

Dinah dropped her kit bag and sat at the table. "This is it buddy."

Camila leaned back against the counter. "It's what?"

Dinah twisted the cap back on her water. "The big step. The biggest step. I mean, you're dating Lauren Jauregui. I think you've forgotten that with all the cute, little dates, and the babysitting, and waffle making, but as soon as you step out together at this thing and the flashes go off...you're not going to be unidentified lunch companion anymore."

Camila bit her lip and played with the drawstring on her pants. "I know. I know. We-We've talked about it. Lauren's kinda warned me about what could happen, what people might say, but she said she'd handle it. I'm not really sure what the means, but the way she said it was kinda scary."

"Sounds hot."

Camila rolled her eyes. "Shut up. Do you want to get pizza or something?"

"Pizza sounds good," Dinah answered, hopping out of her seat. "Mind if I take a shower?"

Camila shook her head and rummaged through her drawer of take out menus. "Go for it. Extra cheese and pepperoni?" She asked, but didn't wait for a reply before she started dialing.

Dinah just waved a thumbs up before disappearing down the hall.

Pizza ordered and with a fresh bottle of water, Camila flopped down on the couch picking at the ragged end of her undershirt. Distracted by her swirling thoughts she was defenseless against the sock that struck her face.

"Aww gross, DJ," she whined, picking it up between her index finger and thumb, and flinging it back across the room. "Did you find that in the bottom of your bag?"

Dinah laughed and caught it, returning it to the depth of her bag. "Oh yeah. It could walk out of here on it's own at this point."

Camila made a face. "You're so gross. How are we friends?"

Dinah dropped her bag, and used the edge of the towel around her shoulders to dry her ear. "The more important question," she started, sitting down next to Camila. "Is what the hell were you thinking about that you didn't smell that sock coming?"

Camila sighed and flopped back further against the couch, flailing her hands a bit as she spoke. "About all this stuff, and going to this thing, and tabloids, and gossip, and they're probably going to say stupid stuff like Lauren's robbing the cradle, which she's not. I mean, I'm a big girl and she's not that old."

Dinah nodded along. "They're just jealous."

"Right," Camila agreed. "But then I was thinking they're not going to care about that. They won't care that I'm younger. They'll probably going to be too busy picking me apart. That I'm a gold digger. How Lauren's way out of my league. I'll probably spill something on myself, or have food stuck in my hair, or I don't even know what. Then Lauren will start to wonder what she's doing with me and it'll all go down in flames."

Dinah's response was short and succinct. A hard, quick punch to Camila's shoulder. "You're such an idiot foster kid."

Camila coiled back to the opposite side of the couch, rubbing her now sore arm. "You're an idiot foster kid."

Dinah rolled her eyes. "No I'm not. You always worry you're gonna get sent back."

Camila looked down at her hands unable to argue as Dinah continued.

"But it's not going to happen. It didn't happen with the Cabello's and it's not going to happen with Lauren. She's not going to just wake up and kick you to the curb. She seems pretty nuts about you. God knows why."

Camila managed a chuckle and slid over on the couch to rest her head on Dinah's shoulder. "Cause I'm cute."

"That must be it."

"Thanks DJ."

"So what are you gonna wear?"

---

Lauren sat on the edge of the luxurious couch in the private changing area that was always available to her and crossed her legs as she waited for Camila to emerge.

"Do you need help, darling?" She asked, putting her phone back in her purse, as she heard a soft curse and saw the curtain flutter as Camila lost her footing.

"I- Wait is this dress suppose to zipper on the side?"

Lauren covered her mouth as she chuckled. "Which one?"

"Umm, the blue one."

Lauren stood, shaking her head. She pulled back the curtain which earned a yelp as Camila attempted to cover herself with the discombobulated top of her dress.

"I don't think there's anything you can cover that I haven't seen, champ. Now let go and let me help."

Camila sighed and dropped her arms so Lauren could arrange the straps and get everything twisted around the right way. "Lift your hair," she ordered and Camila acquiesced gathering her curls so Lauren could zip up the dress, and leave a soft kiss on Camila's shoulder.

"How do I look?" Camila asked, fidgeting as she turned around.

Lauren stepped back and gave her a long, sweeping appraisal. "Blue is certainly your colour."

Camila blew some hair out of her face and wrapped her arms around her waist. "Does it look okay?"

Lauren hummed and stepped close again, reaching out to properly fix Camila's wayward hair. "I think you look more than okay, but I don't think you feel the same."

Camila sighed. "I don't know. I just don't feel like me."

Lauren played with on of the straps. "What would make you feel more like you?"

Camila shrugged. "My uniform," she answered with the hint of a smile.

Lauren shook her head. "I wouldn't mind that at all," she murmured, winding one of Camila's curls around her finger. "It has been far too long since I've gotten to experience the uniform."

Camila licked her lips, but Lauren continued before she could put them to use.

"I just don't think it's formal enough for a black tie affair. Although..." she trailed off, stepping back and narrowing her eyes as she took all of Camila in again. "There is something about you in a crisp white ensemble, and those shoulders...Okay," she snapped out of it. "Dress off. I'll be back."

Camila slid one of the straps down. "Do you want me to try one of the other dresses on?"

Lauren shook her head. "No, no dresses, but how about a tux, champ?"