Closer (Camren)

Chapter 20

Lauren's POV

The next morning, I woke up alone. I looked around and Camila wasn't there. Her phone was on the bed but she wasn't. I checked her phone, there's still plenty of messages from people checking how she is.

I get up and put some trousers on and head to the toilet. I wash my teeth and face. I start to make my way out of my room to find Camila when I start to hear her voice. She's downstairs.

As I make my way into the kitchen, Camila is sat with my mum looking through a photo album. She's laughing so much, her face is red and she's wheezing. She looks at me and laughs even more, then she speaks.

"Good morning sweetie", she smiles.

I walk over to the table and sit down.

"What's so funny? And what are you showing Camila?", I ask my mum.

"Calm down darling, I'm showing Camila photos of you from when you were younger and she loves them", my mum chuckles.

"And why would you do that?", I ask.

"Because she's your girlfriend-", she tries to carry on.

Camila and I look at each other.

"What?", we both say.

"I'm not stupid. I don't appreciate the lies but it's okay. It's understandable", she says. "It's fine by me, it's fine by dad but no messing around upstairs if you get what I mean", she adds.

"Oh my god", I say in astonishment. "I'm literally speechless. Please put that photo album away", I cringe at the photo of my younger self stood naked by the bath.

Camila let's out another laugh and my mum joins in. I look at them both and smile. I get up and make some breakfast.

"Camz, are you hungry?", I ask her.

"No thank you. I've already eaten", she replies.

"No I'm fine thank you Lauren. Thanks for asking me", my mum spits.

"Okay, no problem", I sarcastically reply.

After I had made my breakfast, I sat back down next to Camila. She puts her hand on my thigh under the table and gives it a reassuring and loving squeeze. We look at each other and smile.

"Girls, tonight we're going out for something to eat. The whole family. Lauren, do you want to bring Camila?", my mum asks me.

"I'm allowed to bring Camila to a family meal?", I question.

"Of course. Well, everyone else gets to bring their partners. Why can't you bring yours?", she replies smiling.

I turn to Camila. "Do you want to?", I smile.

"Of course I do", she says enthusiastically.

After I had finished my breakfast, Camila and I head back upstairs. We sit on my bed and just chill out. I have my speaker on and I'm playing with Camila's hair. She looks at me and smiles, she gets up and kissed me.

"I love you", I blurt out. My cheeks turn red and I just look blankly at her. "Sorry, it just came out. I didn't mean it", I say.

Camila looks up at me.

"No, no, no. I did mean it", I try to save it. "I just didn't expect you to say anything back", I explain.

"It's okay honestly", she starts. "I think I may be, in love with you too", she replies as she lays back down.

I just look at her and smile. There's butterflies in my stomach. Everything is perfect right now, I can't believe my life.

"Lauren", Camila says.