Between The Raindrops (Camren)

Chapter 1

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Lauren sat in front of her best friends closed casket as she tuned out the Priest's words. She looked around the church, seeing familiar faces whether they were Zayn or Perrie's family members or other friends that she recognized from their wedding almost two years ago. She noticed that almost everyone had tears rolling down their cheeks, or just held a sad expression on their faces. But she herself, couldn't manage to bring a simple emotion inside of her; she felt so empty.

Never once did she imagine attending her best friend's funeral. They were born six months apart, and grew up inseparable. From being little league soccer champions together, to defending each other from bullies in middle school, to graduating high school and joining the Marine's by each other's sides, Lauren and Zayn were the epitome of 'best friends forever'.

Camila sat adjacent to the emotionless girl, since she held the title as Perrie's best friend. She had met the blonde beauty at the end of their junior year in high school, where Perrie had welcomed Camila with open arms to the town. It was friendship at it's finest, to the point where they even attended the same college together and spent four years being roommates. Once they graduated, they opened up their own mini studio for aspiring musical artists. Music was their passion ever since they had met.

Somewhere along those lines, Perrie and Zayn had met and started dating while he was on leave in New York. Dating eventually became official, where they then called themselves boyfriend and girlfriend while holding a long distance relationship because Zayn was away serving his country. He came back every so often, just to make sure that his love for the girl was known.

After leaving the Marines, the happy couple announced their engagement and then celebrated their marriage. 9 long months after, their son Joseph, or better known as Joey, was born.

Camila and Lauren have known of each other for quite a while. Well actually, for the same amount of time that Zayn and Perrie had been together. At first they were happy being friends, until one day, they both separately complained to their own best friends about being single and lonely.

The couple instantly had the idea of setting up their friends together on a not-so-blind date, which ended terribly. Lauren kept running into her exes and one night stands wherever they went, and Camila wouldn't shut up about how perfect all the girls Lauren dated turned out to be rather perfect and model-like. The green eyed girl was fed up with the suggestive thought that Camila was calling her some 'player', while the brown eyed beauty was fed up with Lauren's constant attitude.

Not long after, they made a truce and decided to be cordial around their mutual best friends since they were also the godparents of their son Joey. From then on, they were always seen bickering rather flirtatiously with one another which had them constantly mistaken for being an actual couple.

"Lauren Jauregui, is that right?" A man in a lawyer suit approached her at the post-funeral reception. The girl nodded, not recognizing the man. "I am James Martin, and I was given your case for child services."

"U-Uhm, I'm sorry sir. I don't have a child." Lauren tried her best to be polite, despite how fast her heart started racing.

"Do you have a minute to talk?" He nodded towards the empty room not too far away from them. Lauren agreed, following right behind him.

Entering the room, she noticed another body awaiting at the table.

"Camila?" She spoke up, getting a surprised expression from the shorter girl.

"What is she doing here?" The two said in unison, glaring at one another.

"Please, let me explain." The man opened his briefcase, pulling out a file full of papers. "When Joseph Allan Malik was born, Zayn and Perrie wrote their wills in case of the very unlikely event of their death. They were asked to write down the names of close friends or family members that they would like to appoint being legal guardians of their son, and they... They chose you two."