f.m. ~camren

chapter 17

It's after dark when the final session ends and they return to their hotel. Camila unloads her bag and sets all the merchandise she purchased on the same table where they ate breakfast.

"Did you want to go out for dinner or order something here?" Lauren asks while sitting on the edge of their bed to give her body a rest from walking and standing all day.

"Oh um, probably just order here I guess?" Camila replies, distracted by a buzzing from the phone in her pocket.

Lauren lays on the bed so she can scoot back and reach for one of the menus on the nightstand. She begins to look it over while Camila checks her texts. When there was an extended break in the middle of the day's session schedule she had sent a message to Jennel so she would have her number as promised. It took until now to receive a reply, but it's sooner than she expected anyway.

Me and the guys are kicking it back at one of the local taverns next to where we're staying tonight. I'd love for you to join us. I'll link you to the address just in case. (9:15 PM)

Camila clicks the link in the most recent message and it brings up the tavern's website which includes a tab for directions. She calculates the distance and it comes out to an estimated eleven minute drive in current, low traffic. It's not that far away, but she looks between her phone and Lauren and hesitates. Jennel's interest in her comes off as flirty and personal whereas her interest in Jennel is supposed to be coming from a business perspective, so the setting seems risky.

"Hey Lo, how well do you actually know that drummer from Rust the Nail?" Camila wonders, getting Lauren's attention.

Lauren raises herself into a sitting position again and looks over at Camila with curiosity.

"I haven't seen her since the last time Wounded Dreams played a show, but we talked over drinks a couple times. Why?"

"She is asking me to meet up with her and I'm not sure if I should go," Camila reveals with a shrug, attempting to appear nonchalant.

Camila catches a glimpse of a frown on Lauren's features, but her expression quickly turns back to neutral.

"It might be a great networking opportunity if you think her band will fit the profile HYPE-R is searching for right now?" She suggests, trying to work the professional angle and ignore the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach coming from memories of how Jennel used to come onto her despite the committed relationship she had with Ally at the time.

"I'd put them in my top three out of all the bands we watched. There's a possibility the label would be interested, but they don't know why I was out there today. Her motive for wanting my number is completely different, I think. Besides, I can't just leave you here by yourself," Camila reasons.

"I'll go with you," Lauren offers a little too quickly, "I mean...maybe having me there will help you ease into the conversation about getting signed and all that since she kinda knows me or whatever," she adds, saving herself from sounding too eager to be a third wheel.

"Okay. If you're sure..." Camila agrees aloud before grabbing her phone to type out a response.

I'll be there soon. I'm bringing someone. Is that okay? (9:20 PM)

Camila purposely keeps it vague, preferring to leave out details of Lauren's identity or their relationship status until she has the chance to discuss it with her. Technically, being hours from home and far from the friends they're fooling, it's not a requirement that they keep up appearances. However, that didn't stop Lauren from holding her hand most of the day; and now she is nervous about letting Jennel continue to perceive her as a single woman when she unintentionally stopped recognizing herself that way weeks ago.

"Let's wait a few minutes to see if she responds before we leave. I want to make sure she knows it's not just me showing up."

Lauren nods in agreement before pushing herself up off the bed and walking over to her bag. She rummages through it for a minute before finding what she's looking for and reaching out to grab it. A gold chain dangles from her hand and Camila's not quite sure what's on it until she walks over to her and allows her a closer look.

"This should help you tonight," Lauren explains, gesturing for Camila to open her palm where she subsequently drops the necklace carefully.

"A guitar pick?" Camila questions her after further inspection.

"Not just any guitar pick. It's rumored to have belonged to Joan Jett back during The Runaways era. Unfortunately, that's almost impossible to verify. It could very well be just any other ordinary pick purchased at an impractical price. However, I've only ever experienced good luck while wearing it since my dad gifted it to me on my sweet sixteen, so I imagine it's worth a confidence boost at least."

"Do you always keep this with you or was there a particular way you were hoping to get lucky this weekend?" Camila accuses while wiggling her eyebrows.

Lauren begins to blush as she avoids Camila's eye contact and shakes her head.

"I brought it for you. I meant for you to have it this morning actually," Lauren reveals, thinking back to when she had brought up their one month anniversary and the conversation went in a different direction than planned. "Here, let me help you put it on?"

Lauren took back the necklace and moved to be in a position behind Camila who lifted her own hair as if placing it into a pony tail so it wouldn't be in the way. Lauren hovered forward so the necklace drifted in front of Camila's face before pulling it toward her neck and playing with the latch until it clicked into place. Camila shivered a little as Lauren's fingertips and the cool metal brushed against the back of her neck, not certain which affected her more. She doesn't have time to contemplate it for very long as her phone buzzes again, indicating a response from Jennel.

The more the merrier, the guys would say. See you soon, beautiful. ;) (9:30PM)

Camila puts the phone away in her pocket quickly, not wanting to risk Lauren reading the message over her shoulder. It shouldn't matter if they're not really together, she reminds herself. Then why does she feel so guilty?

AN 2: I know this is short, but I haven't had a moment to myself all week until today (on Christmas, of all days) and have slept so little between work and friend plans I couldn't even spare any of it for writing time like I usually do. Cheers to a day off and Happy Holidays!