Talk Me Down (Camren)

Chapter Six

Quick A/N before we start - the video at the top is the one that Lauren and Camila watch, and just a quick warning for homophobia/homophobic slurs in the latter half of the chapter.

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"You can't embarrass me, okay?" Camila folds her arms across her chest and stares her mom down as best she can. "I'm so glad that Sofi is staying at a friend's. We both know how she can get when it comes to saying things I don't want her to in front of my friends."

Sinu laughs. "You weren't that bothered when I met your friends for the first time. Why are you so worried now?"

"Because you were meeting all of them at once." Camila explains, not disclosing the real reason. The last things she needs is her mom teasing her about her crush on Lauren. "It was like... I was ripping the band aid off. And there was more people there to distract you. This time it's just Lauren coming over, and I happen to care about what she thinks of me."

Sinu sends her a knowing smile. "You must have a thing for Laurens. I remember when you were younger you used to mention a Lauren who was 'so pretty, mama'."

Camila rolls her eyes. "I don't like this Lauren in that way. Okay? She's my friend and I'm not going to ruin that. All I said was that I don't want you to embarrass me in front of her."

"I'm not making any promises, Karla." Sinu responds. "I think the same goes for your papi."

Camila huffs, but its effect is lessened by the soft smile she sends her mother's way. "I'm being honest when I say I don't like her like that."

Before Sinu has time to reply, the doorbell rings and Camila practically sprints to answer it. Before she answers the door, she takes a moment to straighten out the casual dress she's wearing and check that her hair looks okay, and then she puts on a smile.

"Hey," She greets her friend as she opens the door, "how are you?"

"Hey, Camz." Lauren passes by her and Camila takes in her lavender perfume as she takes her shoes off. "I'm good. I had a softball thing earlier which was pretty tiring, but that just makes me all the more ready to eat pizza and watch Netflix."

"You had a softball thing?" Camila frowns at her. "You should've told me. I would've been there for you."

"I didn't think you'd be all that interested in softball, Camz." Lauren says, and Camila wants to reply with 'no, I'm interested in you' but she manages to hold her tongue. "Besides, it was just a practice. Next time I'll let you know."

"Good." Camila smiles and nods towards the stairs. "Do you want to head up to my room? We can watch some TV before we order our pizzas. Or we could watch it downstairs if you don't want to go in my room, I'm sure my dad wouldn't mind-"

"Camila," Lauren interrupts her, "you're rambling. Let's go upstairs. We'll have to go up there to sleep anyway."

"Yeah, good point." Camila blushes, and heads up the stairs in front of Lauren. She really doesn't know why she's so jumpy; she's hung out with Lauren alone before. Maybe it's because that was in the living room, where anyone could walk in. This was different somehow. It was her bedroom. "So, how did the softball game go?"

Lauren shrugs. "We won, but it was pretty close. How was your day?"

"Oh, I didn't do anything. I just hung out with my sister until my mom dropped her off at her friend's house." Camila replies, not mentioning how she and Sofi had recreated most of the songs in the High School Musical trilogy while her mom filmed it. That really wasn't something she wanted Lauren to see. "Softball sounds way more interesting than that."