Let's Get Lost (Camila/You) Prequel To This Isn't Love

Chapter Six

After having a relaxing night with their friends, Y/N and her brothers searched for jobs at the nearby shopping center. The five boys managed to book night gigs at the mall, aside from their retail jobs.

Niall enjoyed working at the music shop, he often taught guitar lessons or showed off his skills during his lunch breaks. Harry spent his time in a bakery, using his charisma to draw customers into the store — he was an excellent employee, both on the floor and working in the back. Meanwhile, Liam, Louis, and Zayn all snagged jobs at the sporting goods store.

Overhearing her job search, Ally offered Y/N a position of being co-manager at a restaurant she managed. Despite her lack of experience, Y/N found comfort in familiarity — she jumped at the opportunity. Working under Ally had its perks, but she never took advantage and fulfilled every aspect of her job.

At the end of her shifts, Y/N would watch her brothers perform. It was a daily routine. They'd go to school, get home with enough time to eat, head for work, and leave at midnight all together. This way they all avoided being home alone or being there at all, none of them enjoyed the presence of their mother. Her mood swings were intolerable, they had rescued her from physical abuse yet in return, she decided to verbally torment them.

Y/N's relationship with Camila was on edge. She did her best to manage her time, she'd spend breakfast and lunch with Camila at school, and Camila would sometimes stop by the restaurant to have dinner. Yet, the arguments arose once more — Camila continued to feel unwanted, she ached for more from Y/N.

Camila understood the time restraints on Y/N's strict schedule but their conversations were taking a toll on her. With the time they had together, Y/N only offered pieces of her life whereas Camila spilled her heart out whenever she could. She gave Y/N insight into her life, her family, her deepest secrets but still, Y/N never budged. It was never an exchange, Camila had only scratched the surface of Y/N's life story, and she was convinced it was all she'd ever get.

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Y/N's eyes shot open, her hand patted around to find her phone, she shut her alarm off and sat up on the side of her bed. The pit of anxiety in her stomach awoke, it was an everyday normal for her. She eased her mind, focusing on her dangling feet, and the warmth of the carpet as they touched the floor.

As she prepared herself, she reviewed the schedule of her day in her head, a technique she'd use to help battle her constant anxiety.

"Y/N can you check on Niall after you're done? We're running late!" Liam's muffled voice sounded through her bedroom door, Y/N rushingly put her uniform on and headed to her brother's bedroom.

"Hey, feeling better?" Y/N leaned on the doorway, flicking the light switch on. Niall stirred under his sheets, revealing his tired blue eyes. His natural brunette roots had grown out through his blonde dyed hair, and his facial hair had begun to grow in. He was recovering from his knee surgery and had developed an adverse reaction, yet there was nothing to do but let him ride out his symptoms.

Y/N went over to touch his forehead, even through the light sheet covering him, he radiated an immense amount of heat. His skin glistened with sweat, she propped him up against the backboard of his bed and gave him the antibiotics and fever reducers prescribed to him.

Niall swallowed the pills, finishing the cup of water given to him. He felt dehydrated but no matter how much water he consumed, it could not quench his thirst. He tried to maintain a conversation with his sister but his voice would tire and a series of violent shaking would follow when he felt the chill of the room. He weakly rubbed his arms to keep warm and Y/N piled on multiple blankets to keep him comfortable.

She decided to miss school to take care of her brother and called Camila later on in the day. Her phone rang and Y/N sat on the end of the line, waiting for an answer.