Miss Cabello (Camren)

25

Lauren's PoV

I never thought I'd see the day I graduate. The day I walk upon the podium and look out to my mom smiling in the crowd.

I've never imagined what it's like after high school. Really, it's not all sunshine and happiness like movies make it out to be. There's studying, there's romance, there's friendship, there's jobs. There's infinite amount of things after high school, but I guess I'm just waiting to find out.

It feels right, really. To sit with my class and see Camila in the distance, smiling at me so tenderly my heart warms. It feels right to sit with my friends, to laugh with my classmates for the last time, to see my teacher's happy smiles but slightly teary eyes.

Everything just feels right.

It feels like I'm finally surfacing from an ocean. Like all the water and stress corrupted in my lungs has vanished, as if I'm swimming up to shore and taking my first breath as I sit upon the sand.

It feels like I'm finally breathing again. Like this future of mine is worth while. Like this year meant something.

"Lauren Jauregui."

I don't notice they're calling my name at first. It's only when Ally whispers in my ear, giving me a slight nudge to move forward, do I tentatively make my way up the stage.

I'm not one for long sappy speeches. Sure, they're nice to watch, but to be the one to speak them seems overwhelming.

So, I don't say much. I say a few words, thanking my friends, my teachers, and saying how excited I am to finally be set free into the real world.

My mom is slightly crying, and I can tell Camila is too. The rest of the audience is smiling brightly, and I return their smiles before making my way off of the podium and out the back door into the main car park.

I can feel Camila's presence behind me when I make it outside, and when I turn to her she's softly crying. From what, I don't know. But I lean into her and press a hard kiss to her lips nonetheless.

We don't say anything. Camila just wraps me in a tight hug, her arms squeezing into my sides like she never wants to let go. And honestly, I don't want her to either.

My head rests on her chest, and I notice her heart is beating fast. Her vanilla scent is strong and wafts through my nostrils, and I lean my head forward slightly to place a gentle kiss on her neck.

It's not exactly right, to date your English teacher in secret. To love her, too. But heck, being with Camila is the rightest thing I've ever done, and I know she thinks so too.

She knows it, I know it. And quite frankly, in this universe, in our world, that's the only thing that matters.

It feels like the right time to ask her. To lay my heart on the line. So I do.

My head moves from the crook of her neck, turning to look into her eyes. My mouth opens slowly, as if I'm scared to say the words. I try not to be. I open my mouth again, the question on the tip of my tongue, but then the back door is opening.

I pull apart from Camila quickly, pretending we were just casually talking, and I'm annoyed to see almost half the grade outside now.

They're all either crying, laughing, or screaming, throwing their graduation hats into the air whilst jumping in the beaming sun.

My heart starts to panic. Because gosh, I'm leaving for New York in two days. Shawn and I are leaving early to spend the summer there and get used to the city, hopefully learn our way around campus too. But that's in two days. I still haven't asked Camila. I still don't know where we stand.