You Know (C.C / You)

forty three

I opened the small blue velvet box, staring at the diamond ring. I don't know why I still have this, but I do.

It's not like I liked to be reminded of the pain this ring brought me, or the grief and loneliness. But this ring could've brought me other things. Like love, and a family, and the girl I once and probably still love.

I know I should get rid of it for Vero's sake, and my mine, honestly. But I can't. I've tried and I've tried but I simply can't.

•

"Hernandez,"

Ally looked up from her file, seeing her boss and an unfamiliar girl standing next to her.

"Yes sir?" she questioned, standing up and now in front of her desk.

"This is Detective Lovato, your new partner," he said.

"But sir, why do I need a partner?" Ally asked, arms crossed. "I'm doing fine on my own."

"That you are," he started. "But we can get criminals locked up ten times faster if you have a partner. Now, you two get to know each other. I have things to do."

He walked away, leaving Detective Lovato staring at Ally. Ally looked at the taller girl. She had short black hair, and tattoo's on her arms and wrists. She wore tight black pants, a black shirt, and black combat boots.

"I'm Demi Lovato," Demi stepped inside. "I'm from Chicago PD."

"Ally Hernandez," she shook Demi's hand, grip firm. "If you're from Chicago, why are you in Miami?"

Demi shrugged, "Reasons."

Ally narrowed her eyes at Demi, growing suspicious, "Okay. Whatever. I have work to do."

•

I walked away from the laptop and to my door, opening the door. I sighed when I saw Camila, shyly looking at me.

"What, Camila?" I inquired, leaning against the door.

She glanced down at the floor, "I keep having this weird dream or something. Both of us are back in California, on that beach, and when you proposed, I said yes. And then a couple of years later we have a little girl."

My voice grew harsh, "Jesus, Camila! I'm trying to move on here! You can't just do that!"

"Do what?" she innocently asked.

"Come to my apartment and give me some bull crap about a dream!" I exclaimed.

"But I'm not pulling bull crap, Y/N," Camila explained. "And it's Vero, isn't it? Your new love interest?"

"You know what? Yeah, it is," I glared at her. "And she told me what you said about her. And you're fucking wrong, Camila."

"Y - "

"Stay away from her and Ethan, okay?" I scowled, shaking my head. Before she could respond, I slammed the door in her face.

•

Vero felt bad, sad. She had decided to let Luis have Ethan one more night so she could think things through. She sat in her car, in the parking lot of Y/N's loft.

Her hands rested on the steering wheel, and then one hand was running through her hair. She sighed and made up her mind, getting out of her car.

She locked it and walked into the building. When she arrived at Y/N's door, she knocked, wiping a tear away from her eye. The door opened, revealing Y/N with a small smile on her face.

"Hey!" Y/N welcomed her. "So, for once, I decided to put my kitchen to use and cook. I made - "

"Y/N," Vero gently interrupted. "We need to talk."

Vero looked around, and felt even more sadness. She saw the table covered in a white cloth, with a rose in the middle and two candles, two plates, and some forks and knives.

"Yeah? What's up?" Y/N turned toward Vero, then frowned when she saw her upset face. "Vero? What's wrong?"

"I - " she sharply inhaled. "Listen. We - us, we won't work out."

"What?" Y/N murmured. "Why?"

"Because," Vero swallowed. "You love Camila. I realized that when you let me read the first and second chapter of your book. And I've been trying to deny it and deny it, but I have to accept it sooner or later."

"But - "

"No," Vero shook her head. "Y/N, this is sweet and all, but I'm not the right girl," she cupped Y/N's face. "The sun and the girl wouldn't of worked out, because all the sun would do is give her happiness."

"But isn't happiness a good thing?" Y/N murmured, eyes searching Vero's.

"Yeah, it is," Vero softly laughed. "But when it comes to love and a relationship? No, that isn't enough. You wouldn't of have gotten pleasure out of our relationship, because you would be still thinking of Camila."

Y/N didn't respond, she just stared at Vero with a sad and sorrow expression.

"Go Y/N," Vero removed her hands from Y/N's face, walking toward the door. "Go love Camila. She's the right girl."

And before Y/N knew it, Vero was gone.

•

Instead of going to get Camila, I went to the bar. I could've easily loved Vero. But I guess what she was trying to say, is that love shouldn't be easy. Love should have obstacles and hardships.

Some people might say that Ethan would be an obstacle or a hardship. But they're wrong. Ethan isn't an hardship, or an obstacle, he's an accomplishment. He's a beautiful little boy that I could've loved as my own son.

Before I knew it, I was drunk. I had no idea how long I've been sitting here, but the bartender cut me off and my head was in my arms.

"Y/N," a voice said, then arms wrapped around me. "Come on."

I got lifted up, and my vision was blurry, but we were walking to the parking lot. The person - who I now know as Camila, locked me in my seatbelt.

•

Camila sighed, brushing the hair away from Y/N's face. She sat on the edge of the bed, just tucking Y/N in.

"I love you, Y/N," Camila whispered, planting a kiss onto Y/N's forehead.

Y/N opened her eyes, her vision cleared but her head still cloudy, and she saw Camila walking out.

"Camila," Y/N groggily and drunkly started. "I hate you. I wish you never would've came back here."

Camila's smile slowly faded away, and she felt her heart break into two. Y/N rolled over and closed her eyes, back now to Camila.

Camila felt tears form in her eyes, and she sharply inhaled and walked out.

•••

not edited

-gracie