Certain Things (Camren AU)

Chapter 7

Lauren slowly opened her eyes. One of Camila's legs were over Lauren, and somehow the other was tucked under her. Lauren just realized how close her and Camila was. Camila was practically hanging onto Lauren.

An alarm went off, causing both girls to jump. Camila groaned, slowly opening her eyes.

"Turn it off." Camila mumbled.

"I would if I could move." Lauren giggled, and Camila looked down. Camila blushed and removed her legs. Lauren rolled over, grabbing her phone and turning the alarm off.

"Why do you have an alarm set for..6:30 AM?" Camila asked with a yawn.

"I have a schedule," Lauren told her. "Wake up, take pills, get ready, walk to the cafe, and so on."

"But you get to the cafe at 8?" Camila said in a questioning tone.

Lauren nodded, "I like to lay in bed for thirty minuets or so." Lauren adjusted the pillows, laying her head back on them.

"Oh," Camila did the same. "Why?"

Lauren shrugged, "No reason. I just like to think, I guess." Camila nodded, not saying anything else about it.

Lauren stared up at the white ceiling, watching the fan spin. She sighed, remembering last night. She remembered the jealous feeling but also the happy and great feeling of hanging out with Camila. Just being around Camila brings a smile onto Lauren's face.

Camila looked at Lauren, studying her face. Camila felt a swarm of butterflies in her stomach, causing her to furrow her eyebrows. The last time she got that feeling was with..

Oh god no. Camila couldn't be falling for Lauren. They've only known each other for two weeks! But love doesn't have a specific time. You could fall in love at first sight. At least, that's what Camila believes. But with Lauren? No! Lauren was Camila's friend. Friend. Nothing more. A trusted, friend.

---

"I'll see you later, Lo." Camila smiled at Lauren.

"Okay, have a good day at work." Lauren said. Camila had taken her time to walk Lauren to the cafe, to make sure she had gotten here safely.

"I'll try," Camila said. "And you have a good day too." And Camila was walking down the street. Lauren stood, watching her until she was out of sight. Lauren didn't know if she turned the corner or if she was now in the crowd of New Yorkers.

Lauren swallowed and walked inside of the cafe. Normani and Ally were inside, sitting and talking. Lauren set down next to Ally.

"Good morning, where's Dinah?" Lauren asked. As if on cue, Dinah came out of the back, wearing an apron.

"Guess who got a job? I did!" Dinah exclaimed.

"We need more money to pay rent, especially after the trip to Hawaii." Normani clarified to Lauren, who had a raised eyebrow.

Lauren snickered, "Watch her scare a customer off. Or drop a cup of coffee on someone."

"I can hear you, you know!" Dinah pouted.

"Heads up! People are coming in now," Ally said. "Alright, gotta get to work now girls." Ally climbed over Lauren, leaving Normani and Lauren.

"So, you've been happy this morning. What's up?" Normani noticed Lauren's unusual demeanor.

Lauren bit her lip, "Okay. You can't tell any of the other girls. Especially Camila or Dinah. Okay, especially not Camila. That'd be ba-"

"Lauren, get to the point." Normani cut off her best friend's rambling.

"I think..I think I like Camila," Lauren admit, running a hand through her hair. "I don't know -- but last night I spent the night at her house, and I had really fun. It was almost like, like I was normal. And I woke up this morning richer cuddling me and I realized that's how I always want to wake up."

Normani stayed quiet for a moment, processing this new information.

"Wow."

---

Camila knocked on the patient's door, hearing a faint come in. She entered the room, softly closing the door.

The man looked up, shooting a kind smile at Camila. He turned the TV off.

"You're the girl who was at the scene," the man said. "You practically saved my life. Telling me not to move was a good choice."

"Oh," Camila awkwardly smile. "Yeah. Uh, I'm here to ask you some questions."

"I know," the man nodded. "I'm Greg Collins. I used to work for New York Times."

"Oh?" Camila set down, getting her notepad out. "What happened?"

"I have my own company now, Collins Magazine? That's me." Greg said, causing Camila's eyes to widened.

"No way!" Camila gasped. "That's so cool! I'm Camila Cabello, intern at New York Times."

"I'll keep that in mind," he grinned. "Now let's get on with the questions, yeah?"

---

Lauren had returned to the cafe after her daily routine. Normani was chilling out in the usual booth, watching her girlfriend work, or on her phone. Dinah would take small breaks to keep Normani company.

After Lauren had told Normani about Camila, Dinah had came over. And then once Dinah returned to work, it was time for Lauren to go see Dr. Gordon.

Lauren set down across from Normani.

"Good," Normani placed her phone face down. "You're back, now we can talk." Lauren glanced out the window to see Camila in a black coat, walking down the sidewalk.

"Not so quite, Camila is here." Lauren said, just as Camila walked in. Normani groaned, throwing her head back.

Camila approached the table, unzipping her jacket and then sitting down.

"Hi guys," she said. "Guess who I met? The Greg Collins of Collin Magazines!"

"Isn't that that guy who reports like, everything in New York?" Normani asked.

"Yes!" Camila squealed. "He was the man in the accident. And I told him my name and he said he's gonna keep that in mind."

"That's great, Cami. I'm guessing you had a great day." Lauren said.

"Yeah, I did," she happily said. "What about you? How was your day?"

"Dinah got a job," Lauren said. "Here, in fact. And my day was fine, just..talked with Normani about a few things, went to therapy and came back here to wait for you."

Camila smiled, "So an okay day?" Lauren nodded. "Okay, want to walk with me back to the apartment complex?"

"Yeah, sure," Lauren got up after Camila. "Night Mani. Night Dinah and Ally!"

"G'night!"

Camila zipped up her jacket, smiling at Lauren as the exited the café.

---

sigh

-Gracie