The Guidance Act (Camren)

One

"Miss.Jauregui, how have you been with your patients?" A tall, thin, blonde haired woman asked. Lauren smiled, "it's been going well, I'm going to be assigned to a couple of more girls soon."

Lauren Jauregui was twenty one year old guidance counselor to young girls influenced into the way of life of trafficking. She was at the top of her business, she was a recommended counselor by all, with her eloquent way of conversing and patient attitude with the ladies, she was the number one choice for anyone in need of a counselor; or a friend simply asking for guidance.

At home, Lauren remained in her one bedroom apartment with only the company of her seven year old golden retriever puppy, Biscuit. Lauren had neutral color decor in every corner of her apartment. Just like her, her choice in design was also very sophisticated and classy. Lauren was a good friend to her patients, of course she was, that was in fact her job. But, out of the workplace she was very lonely, after a severe break up and being busy with work and school during most of the hours of the week leaves hardly anytime for socializing. The only person Lauren actually referred to as her best friend was, Biscuit of course. They don't call dogs mans best friend for nothing, right? Well, in this case woman's best friend.

"That's good, I'm happy for you. How are your current girls doing?" The woman asked. The woman asking Lauren all of these questions was the assistant manager of the company, also known as Elizabeth. "The girls are actually doing fairly well, I'm amazed at their improvement since the beginning of the program." Lauren said laughing softly, throwing up a thumbs up. Elizabeth sighed deeply and lifted her eyebrows, "well, is there anything the Lauren Jauregui can't do? My god, Jauregui..this is your third group of girls in two weeks, how do you do it?" She asked.

With a warm half smile and bright eyes, Lauren replied, "patience and guidance, that's all there is to it."

Elizabeth turned on her heels and headed out of Lauren's office, but then suddenly reappeared at the door frame, "lunch meeting, tomorrow at noon! Don't be la– who am I kidding, you're never late," Elizabeth tapped the door frame and walked down the hallway, "night, Jauregui." Lauren called out, "have a great rest of your evening, Johnson." She then continued to respond to her previous emails from patients and so on.

Lauren sighed to herself as she shut off her computer, "another day, another smile." Lauren in fact loved her job, she wouldn't change her occupation for the world. She was personally in the job because of her father, he struggled with depression and anxiety due to the death of her mother, Clara. Clara passed away when Lauren was only five, Lauren's mother had a serious case of breast cancer, and the chemotherapy wasn't doing its intended job. Lauren's mother fought for as long as she possibly could. Sadly, Lauren's mother lost the battle to cancer.

Lauren's fathers counselor, Mrs.Davis was a definite role model to Lauren. Seeing the woman in and out of her house, day in and day out was a definite comfort to her. She was absent of a female figure in her household, having Mrs.Davis around most definitely filled the hole of absence of her mother. Mrs.Davis was a thirty-six year old, African American woman. She had a huge smile, and she always wore a tinted purple lipstick. Lauren could remember her being there for her as long as she could remember, Mrs.Davis was there for Lauren during prom dress shopping, boy advice, pointless teenage girl feuds, and puberty of course.

Lauren admired Mrs.Davis from afar, during her sessions with her father, Lauren would sit behind the couch and peek her green eyes out from the side. Lauren focused her eyes on the way Mrs.Davis carried herself when talking to patients, she also focused on the way the poise woman spoke to her father without pushing his buttons, or rushing into things. So Lauren sat there, every night behind the couch with her bright eyes peeking out from the side, until the age of thirteen, when she felt as if she was old enough to admire from up close.