Clandestine

Chapter 1

Shawn took off his sunglasses, smiling. "You look gorgeous, babe,"

"Do I?" Lauren spun around in her dress and fluffed her hair. "I wanted to impress your friends,"

"They're impressed by you already. Who isn't?" Shawn pressed a kiss to the side of her head and slung his arm around her shoulders as they walked down the dock. "It's a little hot outside. Maybe we can grab some ice cream before we go back to my place later."

"Whatever you want," she affectionately stroked his arm. "Or we can get snow cones from that one place Ally works at,"

"Let's just see what we're in the mood for later," he guided them both over to his friends who were heavily focused on an intense match of volleyball.

Shawn was known as Carrollton's prince charming. With his sweet smile and perfectly styled hair, it was hard for anyone to not fall for him and his alluring wits.

He wasn't just some regular guy, though. It was important to keep that in mind. He was Stanford-bound and one of the best quarterbacks in the entire state of Florida. He brought home three championships during his run at Carrollton and had just enough gas left in the tank to hopefully bring another one home for his senior year.

He had spent his entire high school career devoted to football and winning over people's hearts—which was exactly why he became the perfect target for Lauren's plan. She needed somebody who was of her caliber.

Somebody who could make her shine and be greater than how much she already thought she was. Shawn Mendes was a gift from the Gods that just fell into her lap, she likes to say.

He'd help her win prom queen and, in return, Lauren would help him hide the fact that he was gay.

It's a win-win situation, truly.

"So," Lauren kept her voice low as they settled underneath one of the umbrellas to protect them from the sun. "Have you made a move yet?"

"What, with Harry? No! Are you crazy?"

"You're both just going to keep running around in circles with each other then?"

"He doesn't like me back," Shawn mumbled.

"Did you tell him I was only your fake girlfriend? Emphasis on fake?"

"Well," Shawn lulled his head to the side and smiled. "He thinks I'm a pussy for having a fake girlfriend in the first place,"

"Excuse us for not being loud and proud," Lauren rolled her eyes.

She scooted closer to Shawn and admired the group of girls splashing each other with water. "Look at them,"

"I'm looking," Shawn said, disappointed. "I don't think I'm seeing what you're seeing, though,"

"I mean..." Lauren let out a quiet breath. "Can you believe beauty like that exists with us in this lifetime?"

"Your boyfriend is right here," Shawn waved his hand in front of Lauren's face. "Don't be a prick,"

Lauren giggled. "Sorry, babe. You and I both know the eye candy here is irresistible."

"What am I gonna do with you, Jauregui?" Shawn grumbled.

-

"Mija?" Sinu called out into the empty kitchen. "Are you in here?"

Camila poked her head out from around the corner. "Yes, Mamí?"

"I was asking if you ironed your uniform or not yet. You should make sure everything's all set now so that you're not running around like a lunatic in the morning."

"Everything's all set," Camila reassured her. "I feel like you're more worried about my first day than I am,"

"Of course, I am. It's been years since we've left and I can't expect everything to just go back to the way it was so easily."

Camila hummed. "Is this about Papí?"

Sinu cut open another one of their moving boxes with a box cutter and sighed as she set it down. "The other senior associates at the firm aren't... The most enthusiastic that he's back. There's a lot of pressure on him to not mess anything up and I think he's relaying some of that pressure onto me as well. You understand, don't you? I just want everything to go smoothly for you. It's the least I can do."

"Or the only thing you can control,"

"Karla," Sinu said. "Watch your tone,"

Camila held her hands up in surrender. "Alright, okay. Before you turn fully gray, my uniform is already ironed and hanging up in my closet. Sofi did it for me."

"And I'm assuming she did it for a price?"

"Five bucks," Camila picked up a banana from the fruit bowl her mother filled up earlier. "Kind of a steal if you asked me. I was going to give her ten if she bargained a bit more."

"Paying your sister to do things for you isn't the way to go," Sinu started to place the bowls into the cabinets. "You need to learn how to do things yourself,"

"Papí used to pay me to run errands for him. If you really think about it, I'm just passing down a family tradition!"

"You're going to drive me crazy," Sinu sighed. "Are you nervous for tomorrow?"

"Not really. What's the worst that could possibly happen? I trip and fall on my face in front of everybody?"

"I want you to try to be open to making friends," her mother gave her a worrying look. "Can you do that for me?"

Camila groaned loudly and tossed her banana peel into the trash can. "Friends bring drama. And drama gives me wrinkles. Do you really want to see your eldest daughter with wrinkles before she even turns eighteen?"

"Good friends don't bring drama, there's a big difference. Plus, you already have wrinkles from that damn pout you put on all the time for your wrinkles. A few more wouldn't hurt."

"Mamí..."

"You've lived in Miami for almost your entire life, mija. You know the people here—nothing's changed and it's certainly not like New York. I want you to enjoy yourself a little before you head off to college. I don't think that's an impossible request."

"You're just trying to get brownie points for being a cool mom,"

"I don't need you to tell me I'm a cool mom," Sinu kissed the top of her head. "I already know I'm one," she headed into the living room to grab another box as Camila rolled her eyes and huffed.

"Fine!" Camila shouted after her. "One friend! I'm only bringing home one!"