The Promise IV (Grand Finale) /On-going

Chapter 9 - Wide Smile

Heather yawns lazily with her chin propped on her hands. Her inappropriate actions caused a few glares from the other students and the librarians. Heather sits up straight and opened a big hard cover book and placed it in front of her, pretending to be reading it. But she's not.

Obviously.

The book was about 'Whales'.

"Where is she?" Heather mumbled to herself as she glanced at the library clock.

She and Naya are supposed to meet there to study together for the upcoming Science test. But Naya is nowhere to be seen. And it's been almost an hour.

Heather took out her phone and typed a message.


To: Naya♥

Naya Rivera Cabello! Where on earth are you?!


She pressed the send button harshly and let out a cute sigh.

"Ehem." Someone cleared her throat.

Heather looked up and was greeted by a serious stare from the librarian.

She gulped and smiled. Then she quickly picks up another random hard cover book and pretends to be reading it.

The book was about 'Cucumbers'.

Her little act had succeeded and the librarian walked away to another noisy table. Heather let out a relieved sigh.

Suddenly her phone vibrates.

Heather quickly opens the message.


From: Lauren Idiot

Did you write 'Lauren Heart PillowCamz' with permanent marker on my post box? You wanna die?

Heather covers her mouth with her hand as she tries to hold her laughter.


To: Lauren Idiot

Of course I did. xD You're PillowCamz-whipped.

Heather continues to hold her laughter that her face had turned red.

Suddenly her phone vibrates again.

"That was fast." She said to herself.

But it's not from Lauren.



From: Naya♥

I'm sorry Heather, I can't be there. Something suddenly came up. 

**



Isabel looked around her new room. Everything is pink. The bed, the bed sheet, the wallpaper, the closet, the carpet, the curtain and pretty much everything. She wonders if she can get used to all the pinkness.

"Are you okay?" A voice asked from the door.

Isabel turned around and was greeted by Zooey's smiling face.

"I'm sorry with all the pink things, this is Mila's old room after all." She added.

Isabel nodded slowly.

"It's okay, I think I can get used to it..soon."

Zooey chuckled and walked to the desk.

"If you're not comfortable with this  girl staring at you while you sleep, I can remove all of her pictures." She said, pointing at a big frame on the desk.

Isabel looked at Lauren's picture on the desk and looked around. There's like 5 other photos of Lauren in the room.

"To be honest..it does bothers me." Isabel said.

Zooey smiled.

"My cousin is so in love with her fiancee, it can get a bit annoying."

"Though I can totally understand why." Zooey added.

Isabel looked at Zooey, curious.

"Okay, er..if you're all settled, I have to go now. But call me if you need anything."

"Work?"

"Er..a date actually." Zooey said, smiling coyly.

Isabel gulped and tries to act normal.

"Oh. With Marley?"

Zooey smiled and nodded.


"Of course, who else?"




**




Lauren sighed tiredly as she sat down on one of the chair by the window. Her shift is almost over and she decided to take a little rest before going home to Camila. She misses her so bad. Though it's only been a few hours apart.

"Hey." A voice suddenly called.

Lauren looked up and met Harry's smiling face.

She scoffed and looked away.

"What do you want?"

Harry sighed and sits on a chair opposite her. Lauren continues to look out the window, acting as if he's not there.

"Lauren, I.."

He paused.

Lauren rolled her eyes as she could feel that it's going to be another stupid conversation that will make her angry even more at him.

Harry looked down and continued.


"..I'm sorry."


Lauren looked at him, shocked.

"You..what?"

"I'm sorry for the way I acted towards you." He added.

Lauren wasn't sure how to react.

"It was very immature. I hope..you can forgive me." He said.

Suddenly he offers his right hand for a handshake.

"Friends?" He said, smiling.

Lauren stared at him, confused.


"Please?"


Silence fell between them.

Lauren slowly held his hand.

"Why not."

"You're lucky that I'm not the type who hold grudge." She said, smiling.

They continues to shake hands and smiles at each other.

"Lo.." A familiar voice called.

They both turned around to the direction of the voice.

Camila was staring at them with the word 'JEALOUS' written all over her face.

"Honey!" Lauren let go of Harry's hand immediately and walked to Camila.

She hugged Camila tightly and kissed her cheek lovingly.

"You're here to pick me up?" She asked as she pats Camila's hair.

Camila nodded.

"Grandpa called me, said that he wants to have dinner with us today."

"Oh really? Let's go then. My shift is over for today." Lauren said, smiling widely.

Harry looked at the loving couple and bit his lip. He has never seen Lauren smiling like that for anyone else except for Camila.




**




Heather Jauregui walked along the classroom corridor with heavy steps. She's supposed to be studying for her upcoming test tomorrow but she's not in the mood to do so. Not without Naya.

A few junior female students looked at her and smiled shyly as she passed by them. Heather smiled back at them, out of politeness. That's what she's been taught in the Jauregui household. Always be polite with anyone and don't ever be a snob. Though it never applies to the older Jauregui, Lauren.

The female students blushed and giggled excitedly upon seeing Heather's smile.

The youngest Jauregui shook her head, witnessing the weird incident. She had heard about her own legion of fans in the school, but she never really realize of its existence. Especially girl fans.

Even though she's being the object of admiration from her peers, Naya is her best friend.

And even when she's surrounded by other students, she will feel terribly lonely without Naya around.

Like right now.


"How are you feeling?" A familiar voice said.


Heather stopped her steps and looked at the direction of the voice.

It came from the school clinic.

"I'm fine. Thank you, Naya." Another voice said.


Naya?

In the clinic?


Heather could feel her heart suddenly beats faster, worrying if something bad happened to her dear friend.

She rushed to into the clinic.


"Naya! Are you okay?!" She shouted.


She froze as she watched the scene in front of her. She didn't expect to see her best friend wrapping her arms around the girl she hates the most.

"Hea-Heather!" Naya said, shocked.

Heather looked at the both of them with indescribable feeling.

One feeling was apparent though, heartbroken.

And jealous.

Naya gulped as she can almost read what's on Heather mind at that moment. And it's all wrong.

"Heather..listen, I saw Callie on my way to the library, to see you! But she was feeling sick and then she..fainted, so I..bring her here.."

Heather looked down and shook her head in silence.

"I waited for you for an hour.." She suddenly said.

Naya sighed and let go of her grip on Callie's shoulder. She walked towards Heather.

"I..I.. sent you a message." She said, slowly.

Heather scoffed and looked up, staring straight into her best friend's eyes.

"You sent me a message?! Is that all you can say?!" She asked as she's holding back her tears.

Naya gulped and took a step backwards. Heather is scary when she's angry.


"Heather..Elizabeth, I..I.."


"What's going on here?" Suddenly a nurse entered the room.

Everyone looked away, hiding the tension inside the room.

"Ah, Heather Jauregui. Why are you here? Are you feeling sick somewhere?" The friendly nurse asked, smiling.

Heather bit her lip.


"My heart is hurting." She replied, shortly.


Suddenly she stormed out of the room.

"Eh? What's wrong with her? Is she okay?" The nurse asked to Callie and Naya, puzzled.

Both Naya and Callie kept silent, ignoring the nurse's questions.


"Naya, go to her now." Callie said.




**




The atmosphere was pleasant at dinner with the Jaureguis. Everyone was smiling and laughing at the joke told by Grandpa.

Camila can't help but to flashes her adorable eye smile.

"Aww..she has such a beautiful eye smile!" Clara said, pointing at Camila.

Camila blushed immediately and looked down, embarrassed. Lauren chuckled and quickly held Camila's hand.

"I know right." Lauren said, smiling proudly at her mother.

Her remark caused the others to laugh even more. Joanna smiled as she observes the faces of her family members. She has to admit that ever since Camila came into their family, things just got.. brighter. For example, family dinner used to be filled with heavy sighs and tons of awkward silence, but it's not the case since Camila joined the family. Grandpa Jauregui is no longer grumpy as all his grumpiness is now replaced with cheerful warm smiles all thanks to Camila. It's amazing how a simple conversation with Camila can turn his mood around. That's why he calls her everyday. The doctor also said that his health condition has improved a whole lot. Maybe Camila is what the family need all this time.

She completes the Jauregui family.

Amidst the entire cheery mood filling the atmosphere, there's one Jauregui that was not smiling.

Troy glanced at his youngest cousin, beside him. She wasn't even touching her food.

"Heather, why are you not eating?" He asked slowly.

Heather has no expression on her face as she shook her head.

"You're not hungry?" He continued to ask.

Heather didn't answer him, she continues to stare blankly at her plate.

Troy can't help but feeling something is not right about the youngest Jauregui.

"You don't like steak? Maybe we can order some Chinese or Pizza afterwards." He said gently.

"Tee..it's okay." Heather suddenly said.

She looked at Troy and forced herself to smile.

"I'm just..not hungry." She said before leaving the table.

Troy looked at the girl as she leaves the dining hall. He can't forget the look in the girl's eyes.


She has never looked that sad..


"Camila is the new Head Designer?" Lauren asked, shocked.

Troy turned his head to the table and realized that he just missed another drama.

Camila and Lauren were looking at each other, their eye contact filled with tense. Camila's face was pale.

Ashley and her mother was shaking their heads and mumbled something like 'I told you so..'.

"Yes she's the new Head Designer and we have never made a better decision than this." Albert Jauregui said, smiling. He's completely oblivious of his granddaughter's little drama.

"Since we hired Camila in the design department, the sales of our magazine have increased." Mike suddenly said.


"More than when Lauren was the Head Designer." He added.


Lauren continues to stare at Camila, questioning her in her head,



"Why did you lie to me?"