The Intern (CAMREN)

Chapter 6: Back Off

After that bizarre day between Lauren and Camila, the two are still not talking to each other in the office.

It annoys Lauren so much that she's starting to feel a bit of guilt. Camila is not plastering her annoying smile anymore and she felt like it's because of what happened yesterday.

And she's right. Camila is still very pissed off or more hurt when Lauren called her out for being late. It affected her how the supervisor judged her for something she didn't do.

As the clock hit 12, Camila quickly collected her things and went outside, leaving Lauren no chance to apologize for what she did.

Yes, she wants to apologize to the intern. She doesn't know why, but it felt like she has to. She can't stand not hearing Camila's annoying laugh or their bantering. Everything just seems off.

"Mani, let's go get some lunch at the restaurant nearby." She asked her friend who nodded while still at her computer. Deadlines are coming. "I'll just wait for you at the parking lot. And call Harry and Ashton, so we'll have lunch together."

Lauren went back to her office and grabbed her phone and keys. She went to the parking lot and another wave of jealousy crept into her system as she saw Camila happily chatting with the same boy she had a lunch yesterday.

Clenching her jaw, she watched the two from afar like a creep. "What are you doing here?" Harry whispered to her friend making Lauren jumped out of shock. She thought she was caught by other people. But it's always better if she's not caught by her friends because she knows she'll never hear the end of this.

"Now I see why you're upset this morning." Normani nudged her friend who glared at her. "She's jealous." She simply explained to the two boys who stood there, confused with what's happening.

Lauren rolled her eyes as they went to her car, the three trailing behind with smirks on their faces. "I'm not jealous, okay." She said firmly as they buckled up to their seats. Her on the passenger and Harry on the driver's seat while Normani and Ashton at the back. The three stifled a laugh, annoying Lauren a lot.

"Yes, you are." Ashton snorted at the back.

She watched as Camila entered the boy's car and drove off. Why is it that it's affecting her so much? Is she really jealous? She pushed away the thought.

They also m drove off eventually. "Uhm, Harry the restaurant is not that way." Lauren pointed out, noticing that they are driving in the opposite direction.

"We're not going there honey. We're spying your crush today." Lauren smacked Harry's shoulder and glared at him. "Come on! It's also for you Laur. Let's see if they're dating, so you won't wait for nothing." Harry said rubbing his shoulder to ease the pain.

"Yeah, Laur. This will be fun." Ashton chimed in excitedly. There's nothing she can really do with her friends' plan, so she just groaned and let Harry follow the boy's car.

Minutes later they arrived to a restaurant. The three cautiously sat on the nearest table where Camila and the boy are sitting while Lauren trailed behind. She rolled her eyes watching her friends walk like ninjas in the restaurant. Yay way to go subtle.

"Duck! Hurry up!" Normani whisper shouted to Lauren, earning a glare from the brunette. She allowed Normani grab her to the table and sit, facing her back to the ones they are spying.

"I'm really starting to question my decision in making friends with the three of you." She said still crossing her arms, watching her friends keeping their eyes to the next table.

"Shut up and let us do our job as your best friends."

Lauren groaned in embarrassment as she watched the three carefully eyeing Camila and her date. "I need to go to the bathroom." She excused herself without waiting for their approval. The three seemed to be too preoccupied with their "spying" that they didn't recognize Lauren's absence. As soon as Camila stood up, the three immediately ducked their heads, but was eventually caught by Camila's attention when she heard a groan. Apparently, Ashton hit his head on the table.

"Hey. Didn't know you also come here." Camila casually talked to the three. "Uh-yeah. We often come here for lunch." Normani responded first, noticing that the two boys are tensing up. "Oh okay. Sorry but I really have to go to the bathroom real quick." She excused herself from the group.

"Where is Lauren?" Harry asked when he noticed the brunette's chair is empty.

Camila was stunned on her spot as her eyes landed to a particular brunette she's been avoiding. And Lauren's not different. "Uh-hi." Lauren broke their silence as well as their staring game as she shifted her eyes to somewhere else. Camila didn't respond and went straight to the sink to wash her hand and put on some lipstick.

Lauren groaned internally. She can't stand Camila ignoring her. Breathing in and out, she faced Camila again. "I'm sorry." She blurted out, surprising Camila who held on her ground and continued on whatever she's doing. Carefully taking a step nearer to the girl, Lauren looked at Camila through the mirror. "I'm sorry for snapping out of you. I'm not in the place to call you out you like that."

A small smile crept into the smaller girl's face as she saw how genuine her supervisor is. "Are we good?" Lauren shyly asked, taking Camila's smile as a good sign. "Yeah." She responded timidly, confusing Lauren. But nevertheless, she's happy that her apology was accepted.

The two came out from the cr and went to their corresponding chairs. Lauren ignored her friends questions and asked them to go to have a take away and have a lunch in the office instead. The three understood it and complied to their friend's wishes.

Coincidentally, Lauren's and Camila's ride arrived at the parking lot at the same time. The three was on their way to the elevator when they heard a struggling voice.

Looking around, they spotted Camila being pinned in the car by the same boy she went with in the restaurant. Without any second thoughts, the brunette came rushing to the two, grabbing the boy away from Camila.

"Back off!" She scowled to the boy. "You okay?" Lauren asked the girl, eyeing every inch of her body to see if there's any injuries. The smaller girl nodded, assuring Lauren that she's okay.

"Who the hell are you?! We're just having fun here." Austin shot back.

"From the looks of it, you're sexually assaulting Camila." She said clenching her jaw, ready to punch the guy.

"I'm not assaulting my girlfriend."

"Excuse me but it's EX GIRLFRIEND and I'm sorry you can't have me anymore Austin. I told you that right from the start, but you kept pushing. I'll forget what you just did, just get the fuck out from our building and never try to contact me. I don't want to see your face anymore!" Camila snapped out angrily.

Austin was about to throw a punch to Lauren, but was soon stopped by Harry and Ashton who pinned him down to the ground. "Nuh-uh. You won't lay a finger to our friend." Ashton warned him, holding his wrist tightly.

Austin surrendered and hurriedly made his way to his car. "I'll come back for the all of you! Especially you!" He said pointing at Lauren as he drove off.

"Yeah, we're totally scared!" Normani shouted.

Camila stared at the brunette who's still not dropping her bow towards the way Austin's car went. "You really okay?" Lauren asked again, slightly catching Camila staring at her already.

"Uh-yeah, yeah. Thank you." She smiled to the brunette who smiled back at her.

"You okay Camila? Just checking, so Lauren won't get too worried." Harry teased her friend, earning him a smack on the head. Camila can't help but smile as she watched the brunette have a playful banter with her friends.

Lauren's side that she saw today from apologizing to defending her made her day.

A/N: so I still decided to do update. just want to share. Hope you'll like it.