Serendipity (Camren)

Chapter 21: Shut It Down

What of soul was left, I wonder, when the kissing had to stop?" - Robert Browning

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"Come home with me," Lauren whispered against Camila's lips.

The words twisted Camila's stomach and stole her breath. She squeezed her eyes shut and leaned her forehead against Lauren's, trying to regain her senses enough to formulate words. She ran her hands over Lauren's shoulders, along her collarbones, and back up to her neck, concentrating on the feel of being in the singer's arms. She knew what it must have taken for Lauren to offer the invitation. "I can't," she finally said as she opened her eyes and looked at the other girl.

Lauren stiffened, "I don't understand."

"I know. I just. I need more." She kissed Lauren quickly once more, and then pulled out of her arms before she changed her mind. "I'll see you tomorrow at the concert."

As Camila walked away, Lauren stood there, wanting to stop her but unable to speak or move.

Fuck this, Lauren finally said to herself. I don't need this shit.

The Shoreline Amphitheatre was at capacity. It seemed like everyone in the area had come to watch Serendipity kick off their tour. The noise of the crowd, even in the open air, was deafening, rising to this level after the band members, minus Lauren, had walked onto the stage.

Lauren was pacing nervously in one of the lighting and sound tents towards the back of the crowd.

"Calm down, baby."

Lauren's head snapped around to stare hard at Carrie. "I'm calm enough."

"If you say so," Carrie said dubiously. "Where's Camila? Isn't she usually here to talk you through your jitters?"

Lauren scowled. "I haven't seen her."

"Really?" Carrie went right for the jugular. "I thought you two were getting close. You certainly have been spending a lot of time with her, at least."

"You are fishing in the wrong pond. There's nothing between us." Absolutely nothing, Lauren added to herself bitterly as Craig began banging his sticks in the air, signaling the beginning of the show.

Camila watched anxiously from her vantage point in the VIP section. She could see Lauren in the tent as she walked back and forth, a fierce look on her face as if she were angry at something. It felt strange not to be next to her, but it was time to step back and let the roadies and stage manager take care of everything.

As the music began, the audience turned around, knowing how Lauren normally made her entrances and eager to see if she'd pass nearby. As she left the tent with two guards around her, the crowd grew louder and hands went up in the air as her fans parted to let her pass.

Camila noticed immediately that something was indeed wrong with Lauren. Her stride was heavier, her voice rougher, and her eyes darker. It worried Camila, but she couldn't do anything about it now. She'd just have to wait until the concert was over.

As the chorus began, the singer mounted the stage, her mood somehow infusing the lyrics with even more power. She walked to the edge of the stage and stood, feet wide, arms up, muscled stomach fully exposed in the cutoff black tank top she wore, and the fans began to crush toward the stage, eager to soak in Lauren's spirit as it flowed out of her and through the speakers. She was their Nyx, their Nike, their Nemesis, and they worshipped at her feet as she sang.

Tell me how can you sleep?
How can you breathe?
I hate when you say
How you love me now

As the song ended, Paige folded in half to the crowd's cheers. There in front of her, so close she could almost taste her, was a beautiful blonde with light blue eyes.