Where We Land (Camren)

2

Lauren was pretty much free for the rest of the day, so after Normani left without Camila, Lauren insisted on taking her to a coffee shop nearby to catch up. They had a lot to fill each other in on, after ten years of being apart.

"So, what exactly have you been up to all this time?" Lauren asked the brown-eyed woman, taking a careful sip from her cup.

"I could ask you the same question," Camila giggled softly.

"You first," Lauren teased, truly eager to know where Camila had been for ten years.

"Well, I spent most of my time in Paris, actually..."

"Paris?" Lauren couldn't believe what she was hearing. Their dream ever since they were little was to move to Paris together when they grew up, own 20 cats and live happily ever after. Clearly, that didn't exactly work out for them. The cocky eighteen-year-old Lauren had thought deep inside that she'd be the first to make it to Paris. She didn't even believe Camila would ever even be able to go there at all. But Camila had beat her to it, seeing as Lauren had only gone to Paris for the very first time just a few months ago.

"After you left to Berklee, I stayed in Miami and did some DJing at clubs for about two years. Then when I made enough money, I moved to New York with my friend Dinah. I stayed there for a year or so, but left after I got bored. I wanted to leave the U.S. and travel to other places, like my original plan. So I went to Canada, did some more DJing. I wasn't just working at clubs anymore, I was also opening for a lot of local gigs. I moved around to different cities until I got sick of Canada, then went to London. That was when I began writing for artists too, along with DJing. It was fun, never staying in one place for long. But you eventually do get sick of it. I traveled all around Europe for three years before finally settling down in Paris. By then I had a pretty good reputation as a songwriter. I sort of grew out of DJing. After my twenty-eighth birthday, I got a call from Jamie because one of my friends who knew her told her about me. I took the job, and now I'm here in LA."

"Damn," Lauren shook her head slowly, staring at the woman in wonder. "To think that I even doubted you at one point..."

"I don't blame you. Anyone would think I was crazy after hearing about my plans. Even I thought I was nuts for wanting to do it, but I guess I just wanted to prove everyone wrong."

"And you did," Lauren smiled. "I'm proud of you."

The two women simply watched each other, settling into a comfortable silence. Neither of them had to say anything, they were both just grateful for each other's company. They finally found one another. That's all they needed.

"Are you thinking of settling down in LA now, at least for a while?" Lauren asked hopefully.

"Originally, that wasn't the plan because I was supposed to just work with Normani for a few weeks," Camila explained. Lauren's heart sunk.

"But now that I've found you..." Camila continued, giving Lauren a tiny smile. "I'm starting to rethink my decision."

"And I am more than glad to hear that," Lauren spoke smoothly. Camila was staying in LA now, all because of her. She felt her heart flutter after hearing the chocolate-eyed woman's words, but didn't quite know why.

After Lauren filled Camila in on everything that had been going on for her since graduating from university, the pair decided to leave. Camila told Lauren the address of the hotel she was staying at as they got into Lauren's car. She'd only arrived in LA a week ago, and like she explained before, wasn't planning on staying for long. At first.

"You can't live in a hotel forever, you know," Lauren teased.

"I know, I know," Camila rolled her eyes playfully. She was surprised that even after ten years of no contact whatsoever, things were still so normal and relaxed between the two. They didn't have to try, and there wasn't a single awkward pause.

Lauren finally pulled up at the hotel and found herself not wanting to leave Camila's presence.

"You know, I'm gonna look at houses tomorrow. I would feel so much better if you came with me, because I'm horrible at making big decisions like these," Camila chuckled. They were still sat in Lauren's car, both reluctant to get out.

"Oh, I know," Lauren laughed. "Of course I'll come with you." Camila sighed in relief, laughing along with the green-eyed woman.

Eventually Camila finally got out the car, followed by Lauren.

"So, I guess I better head off now," Lauren sighed, standing outside Camila's hotel room door as the Latina leaned against the door frame.

"This was fun. I'll see you tomorrow?" Camila asked hopefully, referring to the house-hunting Lauren had agreed to go to with her.

"Sure. I'll call you at eleven?" Lauren asked. "Then we can have lunch together after."

"Sounds great."

As Lauren left the hotel, she still couldn't believe that she'd run into Camila again. It couldn't just be luck, there had to be some reason behind it. This had to be something that was meant to happen. Camila could've been anywhere on the planet, yet somehow they were in the same place at the same time. She wasn't complaining.

Lauren was smiling all the way home.