IN TIME (Camren)

Part 7

Lauren's POV

By the time I ended the call, I can't help but cry, I don't care if Dr. Lovato is here but I need to let this out. Being the bearer of bad news to Camila hurts a lot. I know she was just trying to be strong a while ago, but if given the chance I know she would cry, hard.

My mom heard me sobbing and looked at me, she then looked at Dr. Lovato who nodded her head, signalling her to come to me. She came and sat on the side of my bed, then she hugged me tight. I let all the emotions come out, I don't care if my mom's shirt is soaking wet. I am afraid of what will happen to me.

"It's okay, honey. Everything's going to be okay. Be strong, we need your strength." My mom said with her voice cracking, I can tell she's crying also.

"Stop crying. I know Camila's coming over, and I bet you wouldn't want her to see you like this." she continued. She was right, I wouldn't let Camila see me like this, I want to be positive for her.

I released myself from the hug and wiped my tears. "Okay." I told her, as she stroked my cheek and kissed my forehead. And turned to Dr. Lovato who was watching us the whole time, and my mom signaled her to go on to whatever she will do or say.

Camila's POV

I rushed back home, I was relieved when I saw our car in the driveway. I ran on our front steps and open the door.

"Mom! Mom!" I shouted hysterically. I have to hurry, Lauren's waiting for me to come in her hospital room. My mom's probably inside her room, so I climbed upstairs and when I reached her room I threw the door open.

"What is it? What happened?" She asked shock.

"Lauren. . . she's sick. She's in the hospital. We have to go." I told her still panting due to sprinting home.

"Lauren's sick?" My mom's eyes got wide open with concern.

"We have to go. She's at Baptist Hospital. We have to go right now, Mom." I said pulling her arms, like a little kid. But she grabbed my elbow, "She's in the hospital?" she asked, I was getting annoyed.

"I just told you, Mom! Now, let's go." I said, commanding her. But instead of grabbing the car key , she continued to talk.

"Camila, sweetheart, you have to explain what's going on. Calm down, What's wrong? What's wrong with Lauren?" she asked as she put her hand on my shoulder.

"She has leukemia." I said above whisper, I can feel tears were forming in my eyes.

My mom gasped and put her both hands to over her mouth, "Oh my God!" she said shocked.

"We have to go." I told her, my voice was shrill and my eyes stung.

For a second, my mom stared at me as I stood in front of her. If she didn't get in the car, I was seriously going to take the keys and drive myself. Even if I was afraid of it, I would make it, for Lauren.

As if she'd read my mind, my mom grabbed the keys. Her hand shook, and without another word, we headed out the door.

My mom's usually a talker, but now she didn't even said a single word while we are heading to the hospital. Seconds later she looked at me, as I shook my feet and staring at the window, she looked back on the road and sighed.

"You know, honey, I went to school with a girl who had leukemia, and she was fine." she said, to lessen the concern inside me. I didn't answer, but then she continued, "And Baptist Hospital is the best. Just the best. If any one of us got sick, I'd want us there." I just let her talk until we were in the hospital's parking lot.

Just as we got to the hospital, I rushed inside, "I'm going to meet you inside!" I shouted to my mom while running. I went to the nurse station immediately, to ask what room she was in.

"Lauren Jauregui" I told the nurse, and he looked her up in the computer, a minute later he looked at me and said, "she's in Room 248."

I thanked the nurse, and head to the room number he told me. While I was looking for the room number, I saw a little girl, around 4 years old and she has no hair. She was chatting to her mother. I know leukemia is cancer, and as I was looking at the child I was thinking about Lauren. How could people have cancer? I could feel myself getting mad, not at God, who I don't believe in, but at people who believe in God. Because what kind of a God would make a world where people can get cancer, especially kids?

The mad feeling was starting to get to me, I calmed myself and looked at the girl again but she was gone. I continued to walked until I reached Room 248, below the number there was a handwritten words Lauren Jauregui.

I pushed the door, the room was small, maybe half size of Lauren's room at home. Lauren was wearing a white hospital gown with Baptist Hospital of Miami written on it, she was sitting on the bed with her mom. Her dad was sitting in a long chair across the bed with Taylor, and Chris was leaning beside the window.

Lauren was still pale, not the pale white like her usual skin color, but she is pale because of sickness. Maybe she still had a fever. But she looked fine.

"Hi." I greeted.

"Hi" she said smiling.

I was relieved to see her. I wasn't sure if it was okay to go over and sit with her. Unsure of what to do, I just hovered near the door.

"Hi Camila," said Clara, Lauren's mom, giving me a sad smile. "I knew you would come. But before anything else, will you please clean your hands first, ya know Lauren's situation and this hospital, they're very strict." she continued and nodded at the Bactigel on the wall.

I did what I was told, an then Chris and Taylor came over me.

"Hey" said Chris. He came over and gave me a hug followed by Taylor.

"Hi" I said to them. They were still wearing their uniform.

Lauren patted a spot on the bed, as soon as I walked over her, her mom stood up kissing her forehead. I sat next to her, she shifted a bit to make more room for me. I put my arm around her, and she laid her head in my shoulder.