Serendipity (Camren)

Chapter 9: I'm Responsible For Them

"The price of greatness is responsibility." - Winston Churchill

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Camila caught her reflection in the mirror above the desk in her hotel room and frowned. She wasn't getting enough sleep, and her eyes looked tired and puffy. Dinah had called early in the morning, forgetting the time difference, and woken her up long before she was ready after being out so late last night. Camila blearily fumbled with the small coffee machine on the desk while Dinah spoke into her ear.

"Serendipity is blowing up on YouTube, and Lauren is like, so hot! She's officially my girl crush. After you, of course," Dinah quickly added.

"Did Ally start a YouTube campaign?" Camila frowned again. She was surprised Ally would do that without telling her about it first, but then again, she'd spent so much time chasing Lauren that she hadn't had a chance to really talk to her friends in the past couple of days.

"No, it's some phone video from their concert last night. Lauren is standing on a table, and she's got a ripped shirt on. Way hot. It's at a hundred thousand views right now. You have to see it!"

Camila didn't need to see the video. She could close her eyes and picture the moment crisply in her mind. "I was there, Dinah, I remember it. But call Normani and Ally if you haven't. They'll want to know." If what Dinah was saying was true, Camila would be busy today working on promotions while the video was trending. It would be another long day. She sighed out loud.

"Hey, are you okay?" Dinah was still on the phone, her previous excitement replaced with concern.

"I'm fine."

"Do you need me to come there? Because I totally will."

"No. I need you to stay in Georgia and take care of our bands. If this doesn't work out, I don't want us left with nothing."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Dinah said, confused by Camila's pessimism.

"Nothing. It's just- Nothing. It's fine. I'll make this work."

Camila hung up the phone, and sat down on the edge of the bed, grabbing her pillow and hugging it tightly. She couldn't help but be anxious. Lauren was a loose cannon, and Camila was desperately praying that she didn't blow a hole through the side of their ship.

Normani had been next to call Camila after Dinah broke the news of their client's successful video.

"I found an apartment that does month-to-month leases for business travelers, it's right in the middle of the valley, and it's move-in ready. There's even a balcony."

"Okay."

"Boy, contain your enthusiasm," Normani quipped, "Dinah was right. You sound terrible. I just told you I'm getting you out of that hotel, and you don't seem to care. What's wrong?"

"I spent last night fighting with Lauren about security, and then watching as she deliberately walked into a big audience all alone. And then I had to sit in a bar, basically by myself and get hit on, while she picked up a girl. I'm tired." Camila walked into the bathroom, pulling off the long shirt she slept in and turning on the shower.

Normani softened her tone into one of cajoling. "Mila, you're doing great. This video is going to make it so much easier to get them a really good record deal. I just need you to hang on and keep her out of trouble."

"I will. And thanks, Mani. I'm sure the apartment will be great." She hung up the phone, dropped it on the counter, and stepped into the shower, wondering if there was enough water in the world to wash away her vexation with Lauren Jauregui .