Beautiful Optimism (Camren)

Chapter 8

Lauren's PoV.

Sheriff Hernandez nods his head at my question and taps the glass behind him. A few seconds later the other cop comes in and escorts me to the restroom.

I walk inside and splash cold water on my face and stare at my reflection in the mirror. The bags under my eyes seem to stand out more than usual. For a while I just stare at myself.

Then there's a loud knock on the door. "Lauren hurry up in there." the other cop says. I didn't even bother to learn his name. There's no point I'm going to jail to anyways.

"Okay give me a minute!" I yell back.
There has to be a way out of here. I look around the small bathroom and see a window on the far side. I rush over to it and try pulling it up. It doesn't budge.

I look at the top of it and realized it's locked. I quickly unlock the window and use all my strength to pull myself up. My ribs are still healing and this amount of effort is going to kill me. I fight back tears and sit in the window frame. I look back once more then jump out.

The hot Miami air stings my face and it's light outside. How long was I in there? That doesn't matter right now. I have to leave.

I can never return here again. I forget about everything except Camz. This will kill her if I leave. I'll take her with me then.

We'll run away together and leave this life behind. I run away quickly, sneaking a glance at the police station. I smile and continue running.

Camila's PoV.

I sat in the car while Dinah rang the doorbell of Ally's house. Normani was already waiting patiently in the backseat. I tapped my fingers nervously against the steering wheel when I see Ally at the door. Normani rests her hand on my shoulder and I turn to smile at her.

I can't make out what Dinah had said to Ally but she's using her hands a lot. Ally nods her head and runs back inside. Dinah runs a hand through her hair and climbs in the passenger seat.

"Is she coming?" I ask nervously. Clara told me to be there for Lauren but that also means the other girls too. Considering she's known them much longer than me I decided to bring them along.

Dinah nods her head. "She has class to today but she's talking to her professor about rescheduling."

I nod and Ally comes running out the house. Normani slides over in the seat and Ally climbs in.

"Hi Ally," I say while smiling at her in the rear view mirror. I haven't seen her since the wedding. She's been busy with college and Troy.

Under normal circumstances I'd be more than happy to see her but today isn't the same.

"Hey Mila," she replies. "How are you holding up?"

I don't reply yet because I'm consecrating on backing out her driveway. I drive for a second before meeting her eyes in the mirror.

"I've been better." I say with a smile.

"I think I speak for us all when I say everyone's been better than this." Normani speaks up from behind my seat. Dinah only nods her head and continues to look out the window.

The rest of the drive is silent except for the air conditioner and low music playing. When I stop the car at the station no moves. I turn the car off breath deeply and open the door. Everyone else follows after me.

I look up at the door and I'm not sure I can go inside. I'm not sure why it's not like they're torturing her or something.

Normani steps from behind me and opens the door wide for everyone. I'm the last one waiting and she gives me a reassuring smile.

"C'mon Mila," she says and I nod my head. She walks in behind me and the door closes. It smells like criminals in here.

Which is weird because I've never smelled a criminal in my life. I look around for a minute before my eyes find Mike. I rush over to him and he lightly smiles.

I look down and notice his wrists are together in tight cuffs.

"Are you okay?" Dinah asks before placing her hand on his forearm.

He nods quickly."I don't think Lauren is though."

"Why do you say that?" I ask calmly.

He shrugs."She just seems like she's not telling us something and she's really angry I tried to help."

I gulp. "Do you know where she's at?"

"They took her back there a few minutes ago." he says gesturing towards the door at the end of the hall. I nod.

"I'm gonna go talk to her." I say quietly. The girls nod and take seats beside Mike.

Before I leave Dinah grabs my arm. "Are you sure you can go alone?" I nod and give her a small smile.

She let's me go and I walk alone down the hall. I pause at the door and suddenly my palms are sweaty. I wipe them on my shirt and knock on the door lightly.

I don't see Lauren when I go in. There's two men sitting across from each other at a table.

"Isn't Lauren Jauregui supposed to be in here?" I ask nervously. The man with the scar on his chin nods.

"She's in the bathroom, but she hasn't come back in a while." the other man says.

I nod. "Is it okay if I talk to her?" Both men nod and I thank them as I leave.

I walk down a few doors before I find the bathroom. There's a cop standing in front of the door.

"Excuse me sir." I say as politely as humanly possible. He moved out of the way with a grunt.

I open the door and close it behind me.
"Lauren? Are you in here?"

No response. I open all the stall doors and Lauren's not here. I look around and see the open window on the far wall. I rush to it quickly and look out.

I hit my head in my hands and scream loudly. She's gone and I might never see her again.

Lauren what have you done?