The Secret - Camren

Part 19

"HE WHAT?" I screamed unintentionally. I could feel my cheeks warming with anger. "HOW COULD THEY LET THAT SON OF A BITCH OUT OF JAIL?" I was getting angrier by the second.

"Baby calm down, it's okay. I'm safe. He doesn't know where we are" Camila said trying to comfort me. Why was she trying to comfort me? She was the one that had gone through such horrible things over the past few years. I should be the one comforting her not the one freaking out. I tried to regain control of myself and took Camila back into my arms and held onto her tightly.

"I'll keep you safe Camzi, I promise, forever and always" I whispered into her ear. She nuzzled her head into the crock of my neck. I kissed her head and we both fell asleep.

***

The next morning I had to rush off to work since I woke up late. Thankfully they had fixed the karaoke machines and business was back to normal. I would occasionally get asked to sing which I refused, unless it was lip sync of course. The day went by fast and I couldn't wait to get home and get some sleep. Camila was supposed to try to fix everything with Sofia and make her understand that nothing bad was going to happen now, even if she was seeing a girl. Poor Sofi, I don't blame her for being so upset or scared even that Camz broke their promise.

About an hour before my shift ended and the rush had ended Zak came over to me and asked me to take a seat with him in his office. I was terrified. I couldn't afford to lose this job, it was the only thing paying the bills and putting food on the table. I don't know why I would have gotten fired. I never showed up late or slacked on the job. Oh god what if people complained about the singing?

"Thank you Lauren for taking some time with me" he said smiling. God I was so nervous! Wait smiling? That's a good thing. I smiled back.

"Now some people have come to me during the day to tell me about what you did the other night when the karaoke machine broke" he began. Shit this was it. I knew I fucked up by singing.

"I'm so sorry, I had no choice clients were getting mad that we weren't preforming and I..." I started.

"No no Lauren its fine. It's more than fine. The clients have been asking me if there was going to be a night where they could come to hear you sing. They were really enthusiastic about it. When I said that it wasn't in the plans they got really disappointed and suggested that I listen to you sing. They said I wouldn't have a choice to make you sing once I hear you." He said smiling more and more by the second. Ummm what? This was so weird. I only sang a little how could people think I was that good? All I did was song in the shower and to wake up Taylor.

"I ugh.." I said.

"So could you sing me something please? Obviously if I do decide to do this and you agree to it, of course, I would raise your salary and give you a steady schedule, which will be made around your needs" he said as if he was trying to convince me to say yes already.

"Umm alright... can I get the guitar?" I asked standing up. He nodded excitedly.  When I got back I sat down in my chair placed the guitar in my lap and began playing a song I had just taught myself. It was a new song, still on the radio and I was very proud to have learned it so quickly.

"It's been a long day without you, my friend

And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

We've come a long way from where we began

Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

When I see you again"

I had made it my own, changing the rap parts into a fast singing and it really flowed together. I was really glad with my performance. I hadn't looked at Zak during the song and I finally made eye contact with him. His jaw was wide open. He looked so funny I couldn't help but laugh.

"Are you okay?" I asked a little worried when his reaction didn't change after a few minutes. "ZAK" I yelled to get him out of his daze.

"Yeah yeah sorry. That was... that was amazing Lauren. I have never heard someone sing like that. You need and I mean you need to sing. You won't even have to waitress anymore. Just sing. And I'll make it worth it really.  Please do it?" he asked, or begged really.

"Ummm alright?" I agreed nervously.

"Good you aren't going to regret this, come back tomorrow for your shift and we will figure it out then, you can go home early if you want" I said, the smile never leaving his face. Well I wasn't expecting this!

***

The following morning I went to school and sat with Camila as our teacher droned on and on about something I wasn't paying attention to. About half way through the class I got called into the office. This hadn't happened since my mom had gone to the facility. When I got there I was handed the phone.

"Hello?" I said.

"Hello Miss Lauren, Its Dr. Shepard your mother's therapist. I tried calling your cell but then realized you were in school. I hope this isn't too much of a bother." The doctor said.

"No it's fine, is she alright?" I asked worried.

"Oh your mother is doing great, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. We are considering letting your mother leave the facility and see a therapist closer to your home. We think she is ready to go home to you and your sibling." He said.

"Oh? That's umm that's good" I said confused. I hadn't expected her back for at least another few weeks at the least.

"Would you be able to come see us this weekend to discuss the situation?" he asked

"Umm I'll have to take off work but I'll make it work" I answered.

"Alright Miss Lauren, I will see you then. Have a great day" he said before hanging up.

I handed the receiver back and walked back to class. Well that was unexpected. I get this news about singing as a job, and then my mom gets to come home? What's up with that?!

The bell rang as I got back to class. I waited for Camila to join me at the front of the classroom. I took her hand and walked her to her locker. When she grabbed her books I walked her to class. As we were walking people kept staring at us and whispering. What was their deal? Maybe I was imagining it.

"Lolo? Why are people looking at us weird?" she asked. I guess it wasn't just me.

"I don't know, I was just wondering that too" I said squeezing her hand.

*Ding* *Ding*

Camila and I both looked at our phones. It was a Facebook notification.

You have been tagged in a post by RHS Jaguar Gossip

"Gossip alert: Our very own mystery girl Camila Cabello's secret is out! Insider tells us her and classmate Lauren Jauregui are doing the naughty. Watch out guys we might have a new couple in town"

"Omg what?" I said staring at my phone. I looked at Camila. She had a look of horror on her face.

"It's going to be okay baby, who cares if they know right?" I said. Tears were running down her cheeks. "Baby shh it's alright"

"No Lauren it isn't" she whispered.

"Why isn't it okay? Sofia knows right?" I asked. She turned towards me and heled up her phone so I could read what was on the screen.

Jack Milton favourite RHS Jaguar Gossip's post which you were tagged in

"Is that...?" I asked horror in my voice.

"My step-dad? Yeah... and now he knows what school I go to... Lauren he knows where we live"