when night comes (camren)

seventeen

Lauren Jauregui was seventeen years old and she knew that she wanted her last year of high school to be the best one yet. She knew that it was also about time that Camila came out of her shell and started enjoying school too, and she was determined to make it happen. She knew it wasn't going to be easy, football games, parties and dances were never her friend's thing, but now that Camila was actually living with her, Lauren figured at least that gave her an advantage. She knew that when her mom had agreed that Camila could stay with them, that it was probably going to change the dynamic of their friendship, although Lauren wasn't quite sure if it would be for better or for worse. And ok, they did get on each other's nerves sometimes, and they'd bicker over dumb shit way more often than they used to, but when it came down to it, their relationship had never been better or stronger. She knew that sometimes Camila felt out of place though, because occasionally when they were doing stuff as a family, she would notice her standing on the outside, watching on uncertainly, like she didn't want to intrude. She knew that a lot of these experiences were probably all new to Camila, at seventeen years old she was only just learning what it meant to be part of a real family, and Lauren guesses that's got to be kind of overwhelming. She knew that Camila would get used to it though, and as time went on it seemed like she did. It started to feel like Camila had always been with them, Lauren couldn't imagine life without her. But what she wanted to be when she grew up? Lauren still didn't know, all she knew was that right now, she was more concerned with getting into the same college as Camila than she was over what her major should be.

Camila had been staying with them for just over a year, when one day Lauren's mom sits her down alone and tells her they need to start discussing other possible living arrangements for her friend. She justifies the decision with a "it was only ever meant to be a short-term solution Lauren", followed by something about "Camila being a lovely girl" but here is the but Lauren hates "she has three of her own kids to worry about and she doesn't think it's fair for Taylor or Chris that her time and attention is being spread out so thinly these days".

Lauren does understand where she's coming from. She knows her mom had been doing a lot for Camila over this past year. She'd fed her, clothed her and put a roof over head, not to mention tutoring her to make sure she had the best chance of getting some sort of academic scholarship for college. Camila had always been smart, however, with everything else that had been going on in her life, her school work had definitely taken a hit.

So yes, Lauren does understand what her mom is saying, but that doesn't mean she agrees. They're almost at the finish line and the last thing Camila needed was for her life to be turned upside down again and everything she'd worked so hard for to be thrown down the drain. Lauren's not exactly sure where it's coming from, but all of the sudden tears are falling from her eyes as she tells her mom that Camila can have all the time meant for her, she doesn't care if she misses out. Then out of sheer desperation she adds that if Camila has to leave then she's leaving with her. And Lauren knows that maybe she's being a little dramatic, but she's also pretty sure she means it.

Her mom's brow furrows, a look of concern spreading over her face. "You feel that strongly about this?" She questions her daughter.

Lauren nods her head frantically. "If you kick her out you're basically telling her she doesn't matter. And she does matter mom, she matters to me."

"Of course, she matters Lauren." The older woman sighs, before an uneasy silence falls between them.

"Can I ask you something?" Her mom eventually speaks up again after a few moments.

"Hmm?" Lauren hums as she raises her green eyes to look up from her lap.

She wasn't sure what she was expecting, but it isn't what comes next. Her mom's suddenly asking her if she has feelings for Camila and Lauren can't help but stare back at her like she has three heads or something.