Closer Than We Thought: Camren

Chapter 4: Impossible

Camila's POV:

Today was the Judge's house performance and I was extremely tired and anxious. We'd been rehearsing "Impossible" all week long, trying to perfect it. We were only an hour away from meeting Simon and his friend, and my heart was racing. This performance was it. It needed to be right on point. None of us could mess up, or our chance would be blown.

"Alright, girls," the music composer told us, "You can go. Take a break, relax and get ready to meet Simon."

I left the rehearsal room and ran to the bathroom. Once I was inside, I locked myself in the stall, and broke down crying. What if I wasn't good enough? What if I mess this up for everyone? These girls were all so nice and fun to be around. I didn't want to lose them. Even though we've only known each other for a little while, I genuinely care about each of them. I don't want to be the reason they get sent home. My vocals needed to be absolutely perfect and I don't know if I can do that.

I'm so emotional.

I was full out sobbing on the bathroom floor, flashing back to all the times I'd done this at school. Funny, how I always end up in the same spot.

"Camila? Is that you?" I heard a voice call. I sighed, and stood up in the stall, trying to wipe the tears from my eyes and hoping it was obvious that I'd just been crying. I unlocked the stall door and put on a fake smile.

"Oh, hey Lauren. Are you ready to sing for Simon again?"  I tried to say, with out my voice cracking.

"Camila, have you- Have you been crying?"

I bit my lip, feeling the tears rush out of my eyes again.

Lauren's POV:

"Camila, have you- Have you been crying?" I asked in disbelief.

I came in here to check my hair and makeup, and I'd heard someone crying. I'd seen Camila come in here earlier and thought she already had left. But then she came out of the stall, with makeup running down her cheeks. She looked so fragile. I was used to seeing her confident and goofy.

She started crying again so I rushed over to her, and wrapped my arms around her tiny body without saying a word. We stayed like that for awhile until she finally calmed down and stopped crying. I lifted her head of my shoulder and began drying her eyes gently with the tip of my fingers, carefully removing any traces of left over makeup.

"What's wrong, Camila?" I asked. I was so worried. I didn't like seeing her this way. My heart was hurting just at the sound of her shaky breath and sniffles.

She sighed shakily again, "If I tell you, you might think I'm being stupid."

"No, no. I won't, I promise. I'd never judge you. We're friends now, remember? You can tell me anything," I tried soothing her.

I handed her a tissue and she wiped her nose with it.

"It's just... you and Dinah and all the other girls are so talented and you all deserve this so much. This performance means so much to all of you. I don't want you guys to have to go home just because my voice isn't good enough."

Wait, she thought her voice wasn't good enough? Didn't she know how talented she was?

"Camila. Look at me," She locked her eyes with mine, looking so sad and scared.

"The first time I heard you sing, I was blown away. Remember, I was staring at you during boot camp and then you tripped?"

She giggled and nodded at me.

"Well, I was staring at you because I couldn't believe how great you were. I thought that I didn't stand a chance with you in this competition. But now, we're singing together, and I'm so lucky to have you in a group with me. You're insanely talented. I feel like I can learn so much just by watching you."

She started to wipe her eyes again, and a little sob came out.

"No. Camila, don't cry. Don't be sad."

She smiled at me, "I'm not crying because I'm sad. I'm crying now because that's the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me."

"Well. no more crying. Happy or sad, ok? You're messing up your makeup," I teased her.

She walked over to the mirror and laughed at her reflection, then checked the time.

"Ah, shit. We have to be on our way to the judges house in 15 minutes, and my face is a trainwreck."

"No, your face is beautiful, Camz," I slipped out.

Oops. That was my nickname for her, but I'd never used it out loud before.

"Camz?" She asked, confused.

I bit my lip shyly, "Well, yeah. I give people nicknames sometimes."

She laughed at me, "Okay. Well then, Lolo, would you like to help me fix my make up?"

"Lolo? I like it," I grinned at her, before opening my make-up bag and ordering her to sit down.

I wiped any leftover eye makeup from her fae, and then began from scratch. I put eyeliner and eyeshadow on her eyes again, making sure the colors brought out the deep brown color of her eyes. Then, I put a hint of pink blush on her cheeks. I finally got down to her lips, deliberating on which color to use. I chose a soft natural pink, and began painting it onto her lips. They were soft, and shaped perfectly.

I wonder what it'd be like to kiss her.. WAIT, no. She is your friend. You are in a group with her. Stop thinking like this.

I finally finished her make up, and we both stood up.

"Okay, are you ready to go know 'em of their feet, Camz?"

"Sure am, Lolo," she answered. Giggling, she looped her within mine and we exited the bathroom, preparing for the moment that could change our futures forever.