IN TIME (Camren)

Part 11

Ally, Normani, and Dinah asked if they could come in the hospital and I said of course because they are Lauren's friends. They were all excited to see Lauren.

I'd been expecting to find Lauren asleep or maybe vomiting, but when we got to the hospital, she was sitting up in bed dressed in a pair of jeans and her usual red flannel, and her hair in braid. It was good to see her in regular clothes rather than a hospital gown. Her mom was sitting in the chair next to the bed.

"You look really pretty." I said to Lauren.

She gave me a thin smile. "They started this new anti nausea medication, so I'm supposedly feeling better already."

"Well, that's supposedly good news." I said, and turned to Clara, "Hi Clara." then the rest of the girls came in.

"Hello, girls." She smiled. and gave each of the girls a hug. Clara looked way more tired than she had the day before, and I wondered if she'd had as bad night sleep as I had. "Girls, would you please use the bactigel first?" she continued, and smiled at me. But it was a smile that I've never seen on her mother's eyes. It's like any second it would crack. It hurts to see that.

We went over to the bactigel, hearing Lauren and her mom talking in whispers behind me. When I turned around, Clara was still smiling, and said "Okay girls, I'll give you some time. But only an hour, is that okay?"

We all looked at each other. I know they understand that Lauren needs a lot of time to rest.

"Of course, Mrs. Jauregui" they all answered and smiled genuinely.

"Okay, thank you. I'll see you girls later." said Clara, as she made her way outside. As soon as her mom left, Lauren sighed and dropped her head back against the pillow.

"She's driving me crazy." Lauren rant.

"She's freaked out." Normani answered as I made my way over to stand by the bed and they took the sofa across Lauren's bed. Looking at them I know they were afraid to even touch Lauren because they were afraid that they might hurt her.

"I wish she'd stop smiling for a minute. It's freaking me out." Lauren said, and we all laughed.

"We miss you Lauren." Ally spoke up.

"Yes, and the whole softball team misses you." Normani followed.

"That's because you lost your captain." Lauren answered, smirking.

"Good point," Dinah said laughing, then she continued "It's not the same without you Laur."

Lauren smiled sadly and answered, "I know, and I'm sorry that you have to find a temporary captain but I trust you guys. I know we have a game coming up, win it for me, please." Her voice sounded like begging.

"Of course, that game is for you, Lauren." Ally said, and we all nodded.

"Thanks." Lauren said. Then Dinah's phone started buzzing.

"Oh shit, I forgot to tell my Mom we're going to visit you. She's probably worried as hell right now." Dinah said panicking.

"It's okay, we're going to leave anyway." Normani said

"Take care, Lauren. We love you" Ally said, and they all made their way to hug Lauren and headed outside.

When it's only me and Lauren in the room, she leaned toward me and took my hands in hers, then I spoke up, "How are you feeling, babe? Are you tired? Would you like to eat something? Is it too cold in here? Is it too warm in here? Do you want to walk down the hall? Do you want your book? Can I get you anything? Anything at all?" With each question, she made her smile wider and more frightening. Then she flopped back and let go of my hand.

"That's why I finally let her braid my hair. I figured I wouldn't have to look at her smiling while she did it." Lauren said, and I laughed.

"It does look nice." I said, and Lauren narrowed her eyes on me.

"I look like a third grader." Lauren corrected me.

"A very pretty third grader" I assured her.

She rolled her eyes at me, and we started to laughed.

"How are you?" I asked when we came in silence.

"I don't know." She shrugged. "I had to call Coach Cowell and tell him I was sick. They're going to find someone else to be the captain of softball team."

"Oh." I saw the sadness in her face, because I know how much she loves softball.  I sat down in the chair her mom had vacated. "Well, I mean, that's good, right? That they won't have to cancel the game or anything." I continued carefully.

"Yeah, I guess." she said, but her voice was sad.

"Lauren?" I said as I leaned toward her.

She toyed with the edge of her shirt, not meeting my eyes.

"I love softball, and I love leading my teammates, okay? And I'm just. . . I'm just feeling sorry for myself. Forget about it, okay? I mean it's not like I can play softball from here. So let's. . . let's talk about something else. Tell me about your day." she said.

"Lauren. . . ," I started, and I reached for her hand, but she shook her head and shut her eyes tightly, not facing me.

"Tell me about your day, Camz," she repeated. "Please."

"Sure, of course." I said, not sure what else I could do.

---

An hour later, Mrs. Jauregui followed me out the door of Lauren's room and down the hall.

"Thanks for coming today, Camila," she said. "It means a lot to Lauren."

I hoped it had, but I wasn't so sure. Nothing had seemed to cheer her up.

"I've spoken to Ms. Montes," she went on, "and it looks like when she's well enough, Lauren is going to be able to Skype her classes. But if there's work that can't be delivered via computer, I told her you or Chris could be the point person. I hope you don't mind."

"Of course not. I will do everything for Lauren. And I'm glad to help." My parents always said Lauren was a part of our family, but I didn't know if the Jaureguis felt the same about me even though our parents were friends. Sometimes, I worried that they thought I was a bad influence on Lauren because our family wasn't religious, my parents let me go to R-rated movies, etc. Meanwhile, the Jaureguis went to church every Sunday. Lauren said I was totally paranoid, but I wasn't so sure.

I didn't want to explain to Clara my whole family setting, but I wanted her to know how much I loved Lauren.

"I really hope you'll rely on me in any way you can." I said to her

She smiled and hugged me. "Of course. We know we can count on you. And I support you two wholeheartedly"