Serendipity (Camren)

Chapter 11: It's Time

Is it possible to succeed without any act of betrayal?" - Jean Renoir

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Lauren met Carson at the door as he was exiting and she was entering the apartment. He looked up at her, finger on the bridge of his glasses, and nodded quietly. It was the usual way he said hello and goodbye and everything in between.

As Lauren walked in and dropped her bag by the door, Lucy called to her from her place on the couch, "Did you get the girl's name this time?"

"Camila, actually."

Lucy shot up from her sitting position and stomped over to Lauren, shoving her backwards until her back connected with the closed door. "Lauren, you piece of shit! You know-"

Lauren grabbed Lucy's arms before she could accost her further. "It wasn't like that."

"You smell like a goddamn forest fire."

"We played pool and then went to a bonfire party. I dropped her off at her apartment. I didn't see the inside of it. End of story."

"I swear, Jauregui, if you mess this up, I'll rip your head off and shove it up your ass." Lucy pulled away from Lauren's grip, and walked back to plop on the couch.

"I won't." Lauren couldn't help adding a dig of her own, "How was not having sex with Carson tonight?"

"Fuck off."

She walked to the cabinet to grab a bottle of Johnnie Walker to take to bed, regretting ridiculing Lucy for keeping her feelings to herself. Lucy did it because she feared a rift they couldn't mend. The band had already weathered an enormous one. It wouldn't be able to survive through a second.

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"They're fucking, Lucy! I caught them! Carrie and Craig have been having an affair in my apartment!"

Lauren was sitting on Lucy's couch after knocking on the door hours earlier, a wild and bewildered expression on her face. Now she was waffling between numbly relating the details of her night and hysterically beating on the couch pillows.

Lucy was at a loss. She didn't have any words of comfort. There wasn't a way to stitch it up, kiss the boo-boo, wash the hurt away. "I'm so sorry, Lauren. You know I had no idea what was happening, or I would have told you. Carson can't have known either. He'd never keep something that fucked up to himself."

"I quit college for her, for our band. My dad won't even- and now it's all for nothing." Lauren was numb again, blinking rapidly as the enormity of her heartbreak kept hitting her in waves, battering her with its anguish.

Lucy put a gentle hand on Lauren's knee. "No, it's not for nothing. We still have our band. You still have me and Carson."

Lauren looked at Julie as if unable to comprehend words. "I can't stay in the band now. Are you crazy?! I'll never forgive Craig!"

"So beat the shit out of him until he can't use his dick anymore, and move on. You aren't the only one who gave up everything. You aren't the only one completely invested in this band, Jauregui." Lucy's harsh words were also tinged with a carefully controlled panic, and Lauren heard it.

Lauren blinked at a sudden realization. Lucy needed this band. Needed to be close to Carson. Needed the band to be successful. Jesus, she thought as she put her head down, her chin hitting her chest. I have to make it work. She would stay for Lucy. She would keep the band together. She'd endure the pain. But Lauren knew as she looked back up at her best friend that it would cost her dearly.