Stronger (Camren)

Chapter 9

The next day at school, Chris had a new friend. A guy named Jackson. Eventually it became obvious they weren't just friends. In first period, they laughed and held hands. "Okay, class, today we'll be starting our poetry unit. Take out your notebooks and write a poem. A poem about anything. It could be about love or about the rain or a favorite sport. Just use your imagination." Mrs. Lovato said. I love poetry. I'm great at writing poems, so is Camz, which is amazing. Mrs. Lovato chose me to go first. It wasn't because I waved my hand in the air or anything. I got up and stood in front of the class. "This poem is called 'Love.'" I said. I winked at Camz and began:

"A million stars shine bright way up high in the sky

But one of those stars shine brighter, I can't deny

It shines for a love

A love so precious, A love so true

A love that only comes from me to you

The angels sing sweet song when you're near

Within your arms, I know I have nothing to fear

You always know just what to say

Just talkingto you, makes my day

I love you, sweetheart, with all of my heart

We'll be together forever and never to part."

I finished and sat back down. Camila kissed my cheek. "I love you too." She said before turning back around. "That was an amazing poem, Lauren. Would anyone else like to share?" Mrs. Lovato said. A girl in the back raised her hand. Her name is Megan but no one seems to pay attention to her. She seems like a nice person. I guess people just judge her by her appearance. Even though she wears all black and has long dark hair with piercing green eyes, I'd give her a chance at friendship. She begins:

"Frustrated, because I can't tell if it's real.

Mad, because I don't know how you feel. 

Upset, because we can't make it right.

Sad, because i need you day and night.

Angry, because you won't take my hand

Aggravated, because you'll never understand

Disappointed, because we can't be together

Broken because I'll love you forever and ever."

"Yet again another great poem. I knew I'd like this class." Mrs. Lovato said. By now it was the end of class. Later that day, we heard something odd happening in the boys' bathroom. When we eventually found out what happened, we weren't surprised. Austin and his friends had beaten up Chris. They did it just because he's gay. Which I'd say is obviously bullshit. They were all suspended for six days but should've been expelled. Not only did they beat up an innocent classmate but they committed a hate crime. Love is love. Members of the LGBTQ+ community don't deserve to be beaten up and not get the correct justice for it. When we went home, there was a caseworker/lawyer sitting at the table with Uncle James. "What's going on?" I asked. Uncle Gordon motioned for me to have a seat. I sat and Camz sat beside me. "Hello, Lauren. My name is Cassandra and I'm here to inform you that your mother has requested custody of you. She claims to have a pretty strong case. The request was granted and has been set to be heard in court on Saturday. At the trial, you have to be honest. Don't worry about what I will ask you. And try to be emotional. The jury will like that." She said before leaving. "She thinks she can just take me home like nothing has happened?" I said. I began to have a panic attack. Camz wrapped me up in her arms. "There's no way anybody will let you back into her care." Uncle Gordon said. I didn't know what to think. It had been almost a month that I've lived with my uncle and I planned on living here until I was able to move out on my own. Who does she think she is? She can't take me from my new life that I got to create because she was unable to parent me.

The next day,  I didn't go to school. Camz did though. I couldn't go to school and pretend that I was okay. I'm not okay. There's thousands of thoughts racing through my head. If my mom gets custody of me again, I could move again. New school. New neighborhood.  No Stevie. No Lacey. No Aunt Milika or Uncle Gordon. No Dinah or Normani. I put my head in my hands. No Camila. How could I not be with her? We haven't even been in each other's lives that long yet. We have so much to do together and so much to accomplish. She means the world to me. I started crying. I cried for hours. It felt like the tears were endless. At some point, Camz came home. She asked me if everything was okay but when I didn't answer, she just held me. I hugged her as tight as I could without hurting her. She always smells so amazing. I love her smell and her hair and her eyes and her smile. Her everything. Have you ever met someone out of nowhere and you just know they're supposed to be in your life? Everybody is a stranger at one point and time. Anyone that comes into your lifeis either a blessing or a lesson. I have no idea what I did to deserve her but Camila  Cabello is definitely a blessing. I let go of her and took her hands. "What'll happen if my mom wins her case?" I asked. "She won't." "But what if she does?" I said worriedly. "We'll figure it out." She said. "I can't lose you." I said as tears fell down my cheeks. She wiped them away and held my face in her hands. "Listen, Lauren. I'm not going anywhere. God, this has been such an amazing time with you and your famiy and I'd be stupid to let that go. No matter what happens. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. Okay? You're stuck with me." She said before kissing my forehead. We talked until we fell asleep. 

You know it's crazy how we never run out of things to talk about. We just go on and on about everything and anything. Conversations at night are the best ones because everything is just pours out from somewhere deep inside that you probably didn't even know existed. You can go from talking about what's bothering to why can't animals talk. And when you can talk to someone from morning to end where the conversation only ends to sleep; you can't let them go because it's devastating to go from talking to someone 24/7 to not at all.

Thoughts?