A Change Of Directions (Camren)

Chapter 28: Jealousy

"Oh, hey Camila. Lauren's not home right now. Actually, I thought she was with you."

I politely smiled at Clara who looked very surprised at my unannounced visit.

"No, that's okay. Dinah and Normani are keeping her company right now. I actually came to talk to you, about Lauren, if that's alright with you."

Her raised eyebrows displayed her growing surprise.

"Come in, then." She stepped aside to let me into her house. I gratefully nodded and stepped past the threshold, straight to the kitchen.

"A coffee, perhaps?" Clara offered and I quickly declined. I already had two cups of coffees on my way here.

"I'll get straight to the point." I immediately started, not wanting to waste any time in case Lauren had noticed that Dinah and Normani were acting strange, and now was coming home to catch me here.

Clara seemed to brace herself as she leaned against the table. "You're not asking for my permission to propose to her, are you? Because I think you're too young."

Flabbergasted, my previous intention flew out of my mind and I stuttered, "Wha-what? Marriage? No! No, not that I wouldn't marry her, but you know, I wasn't - I didn't -"

I had to stop talking, I was just digging myself a deeper hole.

"Oh, okay." Clara said, relieved, placing a hand on her chest.

I was still sort of dazed. I hadn't thought about that at all, I would've never expected for Clara to assume me asking that. I mean, gosh, I wasn't even an adult, that thought had never crossed my mind and while I wouldn't object to life-long commitment to Lauren, still, marriage was...big stuff.

I had never been a big fan of marriage, but then again, I had never been a big fan of anything that required commmitment. But still, marriage wasn't as great as everybody made it look like. It was overrated anyway if we took a look at the divorce rates.

"Uh - Camila?"

"Right." I snapped out of my trance. "No, no marriage while still in high-school. I'm not that irresponsible."

Clara chuckled and nodded along. "So you were saying?"

"Ah, yes. You see, Lauren's birthday is approaching and I -"

"Lauren's birthday is in a month, honey." Clara kindly said and pointed to the calendar attached to the fridge, where 'L's B-Day' was marked in red and yellow on a Friday. "You have enough time, whatever that is you're planning."

I gave her a small smile before I slowly shook my head. "I just want to make sure it's...something that she wants. Something that makes her happy as much as it would make me happy. And therefor, I have to ask for your opinion and your permission."

Clara narrowed her eyes. "You two are not adopting a baby, are you?"

Losing track again, I openly gaped at her.

"Just teasing you. I'm sorry, go on." Clara laughed few seconds later and my shocked expression turned into a forced smile. That was not funny, woman. A baby? Maybe I should really borrow one and show it to Clara, telling her how cute her little granddaughter looked. That would teach her a lesson to keep interrupting me with these crazy assumptions.

"As I was saying." I said after clearing my throat. "My gift for Lauren would be a trip to New York with me. In Spring Break. Which starts on her birthday."

The older Jauregui took a few seconds to process this fact, leaning against the fridge for support.

"Oh, that would be wonderful, my little Lolo finnally seeing a world outside Lima!" She was positively squealing and though the sound was quite piercing, I had to laugh out of amusement.