Camren One Shots

You Stood By Me: Part 2 of Songs Through The Years

The OG author: BlindLesbianLexie on ao3

Summary:

Camila hears something nasty, and Lauren saves the day and gets another performance.

Notes:

• Fluff
• Protective Lauren Jauregui
• Soft Lauren Jauregui
• Song: Drag Me Down (One Direction)

Work Text:

I slam the door to my locker shut, trying not to cry. God, people are so mean! Usually it's my partner Lauren who thinks like this, but I can't help it. I try to ignore it, but I can't.

Usually, when people whisper about me behind my back, it doesn't really bother me. They don't know me, and they don't really have grounds for their judgment. This time is different, though. I shouldn't, but I do my best to discreetly listen. "God, why is she even dating her? I mean, she's literally Lauren Jauregui, what does she even see in a wannabe like that? She can't even sing!"

Lauren and I have been dating for an amazing six months, or at least, I thought it was amazing. What if these people are right? What if Lauren doesn't really love me like she says she does? What if it's all one-sided, or a big joke? God, why am I so easy to fool?

I bite the inside of my cheek to try to keep the tears at bay, and quickly start making my way to the girls' bathroom. I need to be alone, and I can't give those mean whisperers the satisfaction of knowing they got to me.

I sit in the middle of the stall on the floor, trying to keep myself calm, but failing miserably. I hear a sound in the next stall and quickly hold my breath, trying to keep the volume of sound from me down as to avoid being detected. Apparently, I royally suck at it, because I'm found out.

"Camz? It's me, are you okay?"

I would recognize that voice anywhere.

"Yeah!" I attempt to sound collected and calm, but Lauren knows me too well.

"Bullshit, Cabello," she says tartly, coming over and proceeding to kick down the door.

"Oh my God, Lauren, you could've just knocked or asked me to open it or something!" I protest.

Despite acting as if I'm angry or shocked, I'm secretly very touched that Lauren cared enough about me to come and use force to check on me. I hear her boots as she rushes over to me, pulling me to her and kissing the top of my head.

"What happened?" Her voice is both concerned and a little hard. I know she's angry on my behalf. I tell her what I heard. After a moment of silence, Lauren bursts out laughing.

"Really, Camz? You don't listen to anyone and you do what you want for as long as I've known you, and you let some losers get in your head? You're amazing, and strong, and intelligent, and a whole list of other things I'm not sitting here and naming in a dirty bathroom stall. I do love you, and you're not dreaming it or whatever. I promise."

Her words are sincere, her voice gentle as she holds me tightly against her chest. I sigh, releasing tension I hadn't even know had been there this whole time.

"Thanks, Lo," I say simply, leaning over and kissing her gently. She pretends to grimace at me.

"God, Camila, you taste like salt," she teases, handing me some extra-soft tissue from her purse.

Now, that's love!

I decide I have to do something to show Lauren my appreciation and gratitude, and how much I love her. Our official six-month anniversary is coming up this Friday, and I know exactly what I'm gonna do.

I get Dinah to help me, and we pen a great song and some killer choreography. I'm nervous, but I know in my heart that Lauren will really like it.

Briefly, as I'm getting into my simple white shirt and black ripped jeans, I reflect on the last time I did some sort of performance for Lauren. That didn't work out too badly, I think with an inward laugh as I finish putting on the hot pink lipstick. Showtime!

The music starts, and as I wait for my cue, I look to the front row. There's my Lauren! She's looking at me with pride and pure adoration in her face. God, I'm so lucky! With that thought, I start singing.

"I got a fire for a heart,"
"I'm not scared of the dark,"
"You Never seen it look so easy."

"I got a river for a soul,"
"And baby you're a boat,"
"Baby you're my only reason."

"All my life, you stood by me,"
"When no one else was ever behind me."
"All these lights, they can't blind me,"

"With your love,"
"Nobody can drag me down!"

"Nobody, nobody,"

"Nobody can drag me down!"

I keep singing, pouring my all into the lyrics, and my heart almost sings in response. I finish the song, to thunderous applause.

The only person that really matters, though, is the one running up the steps to the stage. Before I can really register what's going on, I'm swept off my feet. Lauren lifts me clear off the ground and spins me around, getting a bunch of giggles from me.

"You were amazing, Camz!" She says fiercely in my ear.

"It was all for you," I answer.

"It always is"