Red String (CAMREN)

Chapter 6

a/n : another update since i've found my internet spot hehe :D

Entering a tall white steel gate that was attached to two forts made of gray bricks on each side of the gate, the first to greet was well cut grass spread across as eyes could take; pavement in the middle was placed orderly following the contour of the land giving an easy access to hundreds of grayish big stones with farewell words and names sculptured on it. The area was quite vacant this afternoon. In this atmosphere, some people might feel the horror vibe the place gave, even with the sun still shining bright through the clouds. A few people was seen on the other side of this place shielding under a tree that could be found everywhere on the area...probably visiting their loved ones who had passed away.

So was Lauren Jauregui.

Standing on each side of her – her brother and Dinah while her little sister was crouching down and putting bouquets of white flowers on the tombstones in front of them. The grayish stones were written 'Here lies our father and mother to whom our love and prayers were sent to. Michael and Clara Jauregui'.

It was the day of their death twelve years ago.

Most of people would think how fast the time flew by. By that wasn't the case for the Jaureguis. It was certainly not fast enough for Lauren Jauregui.

Not when she went through the milestones in her life – her eighteenth birthday, the first time she voted, her high school graduation, entering the university then another graduation and so on – without both of her parents by her side, to stay and share happiness in the times of her life. Not when she couldn't get home to her mom preparing dinner, not when she couldn't feel her dad's tight embrace when she was having a bad day or her personal life was weighing on her. Not when the two people she loved and respected the most were not in the same world with her.

"Ma, Pa, How are you?" asked Taylor rubbing her right hand on her mother's stone. Breaking the silence. She looked closely; up and down at the sculptured name. "The three of us are fine. Lo and the jerk will tell you how they're doing later. As for me, I'm enjoying my days as a college student, you know, attending classes, studying at dorm, assignments and essays, parties, study, and more parties, but I promise it wasn't too much. I wasn't getting in too much trouble-"

"Yeah right," scoffed Chris that earned a snort from Dinah and a smile from Lauren that were still standing on their spots. Her siblings, despite growing older and becoming adults, their attitudes towards each other definitely didn't reflect it. One thing she felt grateful for, that nothing seemed to changed with their bonds after the unfortunate event. Another thing she felt as a blessing in her life was Dinah Jane Hansen; ever since, the two of them became good friends in high school, the taller woman would always come here with Lauren every year. Dinah had been there for Lauren in every sense of a way.

Taylor rolled her eyes and cleared her throat.

"As not much of a trouble as a college student can get." said Taylor ignoring her brother before sending him her deadliest glare. "I bet Chris has more trouble to tell you guys than I do."

"As if," said Chris cockily. He took a step forward until he stood beside his father's stone then crouching down. "Right. So uhm.. hey guys, I'm doing well, you know, work and stuff. I finished my first case several months ago and I'm dealing with more cases ever since."

Chris rarely visited Lauren due to his occupation as a young lawyer in a law firm he worked at consuming his time and concentration. Even so, her overly tall brother always squeezed time to make a call and give Lauren an update to his life. So, Lauren knew about the first case he advocated directly after a while of dealing with only documents for cases. And she was utterly proud of him.