Closer Than We Thought: Camren

Chapter 3: Who Are You

Lauren's POV:

 After they announced that'd we'd be competing on the show as a group, they finally let us leave the building and we decided to go out for pizza to get to know each other better. We explained this to our parents, and then all piled into one of the girls' cars. I was in the middle of the backseat, between Camila and a really tall girl with curly hair. I couldn't remember what she said her name was. I kind of felt tense on the way to the pizza parlor. I didn't feel comfortable hanging out with people I didn't really know, but I knew it was important for all of our futures that we try to click with each other. I just hoped they liked me and thought I was good enough to be in a girl group with them.

I was okay with the prospect of being a group on the show, because I knew acts like One Direction and Little Mix were really successful. Simon had put them together too, so maybe he knew what he was doing with us? I looked out my window as we pulled into the parking lot of the pizza place, hoping that he hadn't made a mistake.

I watched Camila practically run into the restaurant, beating all of us there.

Man, she must be hungry.

We finally caught up to her, and found her in a booth by the window in thw back. She was excitedly talking to the waitress, waiting for us to sit down and order.

"Do you guys just want a pepperoni pizza?" She asked us before we could even sit down.

The girl who drove us here nodded, and the rest of the table followed her lead. We ordered our drinks, and then the waitress walked to the kitchen with our order.

Camila spoke up first, "So, what are your names again? Sorry, I'm not good with names. I'm Camila. I'm fifteen and I'm from Miami. "

"I'm Lauren I'm sixteen and I'm from Miami too!" I smiled from across the table at her. I couldn't believe we were from the same city. No wonder I was drawn to her.

The girl next to me introduced herself as Dinah, and then the rest of the girls went around the table until everyone knew each others names. Now I knew that we were within a close age rage, all from different parts of the country. Ally was the girl who drove us here, Dinah was the girl with curly hair, and Normani was the tall black girl with the incredible powerhouse voice.

Looking around the table at the smiling faces, I decided being in a group with these girls would be so much fun. I knew without a doubt that we'd all become very close friends in a short amount of time.

Camila's POV:

Once we were dismissed from the show, we decided to go out for pizza to get to know each other better, since we were supposed to be a group now. In a way, today felt like the best day ever. I found out I get to compete in the show as group, and maybe I had the chance to make friends with these girls. Also, I was just really excited about the pizza. I was starving and pizza was my ultimate favorite food. 

I sat by the window, next to the girl with green eyes. I still didn't know what her name was, but I thought it was cool that we ended up in a group together. 

I realized that a whole new life was about to begin for me and I could start from scratch. I didn't have to be a scared, intimidated girl like I was at school. I could be who I was completely now, and maybe these girls would accept that just fine. A crazy part of me decided that I could be as loud and as carefree as I wanted and they'd still love me for it.  So, why not? Why not be my crazy, sassy, fun loving self? Only my closest friends and family knew how I really was. But why not share it with the rest of world? I realized I had that opportunity now. And i'm going to take it.

We finally pulled up to the pizza parlor, and I opened my door and jumped out of the car before it had even stopped. I ran all the way inside the restaurant, not looking behind me or waiting for the other girls. Honestly, I was so hungry and I just wanted to eat. I found a booth and sat down in it, making sure my seat was next to the window. I liked to watch the cars and people pass by. The rest of the girls finally showed up and found me, and we all agreed on a pepperoni pizza.

It was awkwardly silent after the waitress left, so I decided to break the ice. I introduced myself and asked them to tell me what their names were again because I'd already forgotten. I was in a daze when we were called back to the stage, and when Simon put us together. It was only starting to feel real now.

"I'm Lauren," the girl with green eyes started, "I'm sixteen and I'm from Miami, too." She smiled at me and I felt chills run down my spine. She's from Miami, too? I felt myself go warm all over. I was happy, maybe having her around would feel like having a little piece of home with me.

The rest of the girls went around and introduced themselves. Once I heard all of their names, I started to recall each of their performances from boot camp. I sucked my breathe in. All of them had incredible voices. I knew they were all extremely talented. I had a feeling that us being in a group would work. Maybe we could even win this thing together.

The pizza finally came, and I shoved a whole piece in my mouth.

"Ouch!" I whined.

The rest of the girls looked at me with concerned expressions.

I swallowed my bite. "Hot," I explained to them.

The table erupted in laughter and everyone started piling their plates with slices, talking and laughing.

Before the end of the meal, we were all talking about Beyonce and Ed Sheeran and talking about what would come next for us on the show. We were all excited, and nervous. I couldn't wait to see what my future looked like with these girls.