The Stage Door (Camren/Norminah)

How Do I Fix This?

"Girls," Alejandro said when Camila left the table to take Sofi to the bathroom. "Sinu and I would really like to thank the four of you, Karla has never had many friends, any friends really," the man said sadly. "She was never happy before, but she's happy now and I don't think that has anything to do with the school, I think it has everything to do with you girls."

"All she ever wanted was friends and love," Sinu said looking at Lauren when she said the last word. "You all hold a special place in mine and Ale's heart because of this."

Alejandro nodded and then looked at Dinah. "And you," he said to her. "I hope it's okay, but Karla told us about what happened with your parents," Alejandro told her and Dinah could feel Normani and Lauren burning her with their questioning stares. "We want you to know that you are more than welcome in our home for Christmas, Spring Break, the summer, whenever. You are family to our daughter, that makes you family to us."

"Oh," Dinah said sadly as she nodded her head. "I would like that very much, thank you."

"You as well Lauren," Sinu added. "You may spend whatever time you need to in our home, you are family too now. All of you girls are." Sinu had a smirk on her face as she leaned back in her seat. "Although you'll probably have to bunk with Sofi because I wouldn't want any funny business in my home," she laughed as she smiled slyly at Lauren who could feel her cheeks reddening with embarrassment.

"I don't know what-" Lauren tried to protest, but Alejandro cut her off.

"Really? Well that song our daughter sang yesterday was about someone," he said shaking his head as Lauren felt like she was going to die right then and there. The feeling not helped by Ally, Normani, and Dinah's manic laughter. 

"We're back!" Sofi announced as her and Camila made their way back to the table. "Kaki, why is Lern's face that colour?" Sofi asked and when everyone started laughing again, Lauren let out a groan and Camila looked at Lauren with raised eyebrows.

"I think I need some air," Lauren mumbled as she excused herself from the table and headed outside.

Camila looked at her parents with narrow eyes and questioned why Lauren looked so uncomfortable and Alejandro hummed the chorus of Camila's song, while Sinu winked at her. "You didn't! Oh my God," Camila said pushing herself up from the table. "You're both so embarrassing," she told the two adults at the table before she went after Lauren.

"Okay, I love both of you," Dinah said looking at Sinu and Alejandro. 

"What about me!?" Sofi exclaimed dramatically and Dinah leaned across her seat and kissed a giggling Sofi on the cheek.

"You too, kid," Dinah said with a smile.

"Well I suppose I should go get the bill," Alejandro said looking at his watch. "We need to be heading to the airport soon," he told Sinu and when he watched the three girls pull out his wallet, he went into Dad mode and pointed his finger at the girls. "I better not see any money come out of those wallets girls," he told them. "We've got this covered, it's the least we can do after everything you've done for Karla. Thank you again."

"You don't have to thank us for that," Normani said as she slipped her wallet back into her bag. "Seriously, those kids back in Miami were idiots! Mila is the greatest!"

"Agreed," Ally piped up, adding to the conversation. "She's a great friend and an amazing person. We're lucky to have her."

"She's kind of the glue to all of this," Dinah said with a smile.

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"Lauren?" Camila called when she stepped outside the restaurant. "It's raining, you should probably come inside before you get sick." Camila stopped in front of Lauren who was leaning against the wall furthest from the doors, cigarette in hand. "I wish you wouldn't smoke," she told her.