Beautiful When You Don't Try (Camren)

Chapter 27

A/N: Okay. Here is the next chapter. Interested to see what you all think of the first part.

Also, to answer a few questions. Yes Normani comes back into the story. And we will be seeing one or two of Camila's friends now that they are back in New York and seemingly inseperable.

As always, you are awesome with your comments and reviews.

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"Are you crazy?" Lauren screamed as soon as she slammed the door for the second time. "I mean, are you that fucking psychotic? I know you're capable of being controlling and a little manipulative, but this...this..." She held up the paper and threw it in the air in her frustration. "You are certifiably in-fucking-sane."

"It's been a long time since I've hear you swear like that." Adrianne retorted leaning against the desk coolly, expectant of the insults, as Lauren leaned against the closed door, running her fingers through her hair as she calmed down. "But to answer your question, no, I'm not crazy. I may have been a little off from center when I type that up and tricked you into signing it, but I'm not right now." Lauren lowered her hands and looked at her ex girlfriend, she was calm, unmoved, and maybe even a little ashamed of what she was doing. "Look, I need the job."

"What happened to the job that that letter was suppose to be for?"

The brunette diverted her eyes to her conjoined hands resting on her thighs. "It fell through."

"It fell through? Why? How?"

"Because I wouldn't sleep with the prick. You know how it is. How many times were you proposition on your way up?"

Lauren sighed in understanding. It was the worst part of the business, of most businesses, for models, assistants, apprentices, anyone looking to better their position. It's hard to get anywhere without giving something up, normally self respect. Lauren had been offered dream jobs and desired promotions if she would just sleep with someone. It was part of what brought her and Adrianne together in the first place. They could trust each other.

"Look, I know how fucked up this is..."

"This is beyond fucked up, Adrianne."

"I know, but I need a job, you need help. So let me help you. If I'm helping you out in the studio it will give...I don't know her name, your assistant, the time to handle your schedule and phone calls." She was begging. Not in the same way as she had been the night of Camila's photo shoot. She wasn't begging for Lauren, but rather to Lauren. She was desperate. Lauren's agrivation was wearing away.

"You can't get a job anywhere else?"

"Not one with someone that can teach me what I need to know and would have that powerful of an effect on a resume. And unfortunately when you get to that phase of the industry, where there are only a handful of people who can provide you with what you need, they tend to want favors in return. I have too much self respect, I can't do that."

"I don't want you to do that." Lauren agreed. Her mind was battling with itself. Adrianne had been her best friend for years, her only real friend since she moved to New York. It hurt her to know that she was being put in that position and that she was turning to Lauren for help. But at the same time, she knew Camila wasn't going to like it and she would be damned if she was going to intentionally do anything to push the diva away.

"Then give me a job. Three months. Ninety days. And I will spend every available second looking for a replacement job."

Lauren hesitated. "It's not that simple." If it wasn't for the diva, or really just the rocky start that the two brunettes got off to, Lauren would have just said yes. "I have a girlfriend out there who isn't exactly too fond of your expressed lingering feelings for me."