Summers were long, at least in Lauren's mind. They lasted forever and nobody ever stayed. New York is one of those places you love more than anywhere, but you need a break from it. All of her friends travelled back home for the Summer but Lauren couldn't afford to. It took all of her life's savings to get her into NYU. She didn't have enough money to travel, and there was no way her parents could afford it. They simply called one another and pretended to be happy with it. She missed her sister more than anything, she even missed her egotistical brother. Her puppy, Gracie, who she had hoped to bring with her had to stay in Miami. She was hoping she'd get to sneak her into the dorms but the school has a VERY strict pet policy. After spending all of her money and her parents money, she couldn't afford the risk. Besides, her parents treated Gracie like she was their 4th child.
She couldn't imagine what it must be like to be able to do what everyone else could. She tried her hardest not to be envious of her friends, and none of her friends ever flaunted anything. They were all very humble. But when she's alone in her dorm, no Dinah or Normani there to keep her company, she wished she had more money.
The only thing that seemed to help was art. Lauren would wander the city, snapping pictures of all the beautiful things she sees. Even in places she frequents, there's always something new to be seen, something new to be captured. The most expensive thing Lauren owned would be her Iphone, which is where all her photos were taken. She couldnt afford a phone and a very expensive camera so she decided to bundle. Sometimes she would draw her pictures and hang them up, sometimes they stayed on her phone or ended up on Tumblr. It didn't matter exactly where her images wound up, all that mattered was the feeling she felt when she took them. Art is about feeling, and when she's lonely she tries to pull positive inspiration from the beauty around her.
Today was different. Pure boredom, not loneliness, had drug her on a subway and was leading her to the Upper West Side of New York. She didn't like interacting with the people because they were mostly snobs, but the architecture and parks and everything was just beautiful. Lauren always figured that it made sense. If you pay what you pay to live in that area, everything is going to be gorgeous. Nothing was outlandishly fancy, which is what Lauren thought was unique. Sure, they could pave the streets in gold with all the money that the people there had, but they didn't. It was nicer than the rest of the city, but it wasn't flashy.
The subway ride was surprisingly peaceful. With headphones in, Diezepam by Turnover playing, it was nice and comforting. It wasn't too crowded, she got her own seat. The walls flying by soon turned into distinct pillars as the ride came to a halt. The doors screeched open and Lauren was one of the first off.
She kept her headphones in as she made her way up the stairs. The air even felt different here. She knew she didn't belong, but did any of these people? Half of them were truly worthy in wealth, the other half just pretended.
That was something Lauren was always happy with: honesty. Especially with herself. She would never kid herself into thinking she belonged in a place like this. Never. It made her feel sick to think that people did.
She snaps a few shots of the details on the wall of a very tall building. It was older and the swirls and design were beautiful. Then she could move onto photos of old, but still very nice and surely very expensive apartments.
"What're you doing?" A voice asks.
Lauren drops her phone and lets out a huff.
The girl rushes and bends down to pick it up. "Shit. Im so sorry."
Lauren gives her a smile. "Its fine."
"What're you doing here?" The girl asks again.
"Is it that obvious I don't belong?" Lauren scoffs, dusting off her phone and shoving it into her pocket.
"That's...not what I meant." The girls voice is small and Lauren finally looks at her. She's small, a little shorter than her. She's got gorgeous hair that Lauren fights not to touch, brown eyes and a body hand sculpted by God and revised by every single angel in heaven. "I just meant....here...like... Outside my house."
Laurens eyes nearly bug out of her head and her mouth drops open. "This is your HOUSE?"
The girl doesn't look at Lauren. "Yeah..." She says.
"I thought this was an apartment complex."
"Well, it is. There's like 3 of us living here. It's like a penthouse kind of thing. I live on the top and I've never seen you so."
"Afraid you were about to get robbed?" Lauren chuckles, admiring the jewelry the girl has on. She feels a little insecure, taking note of how little jewelry she has on her self. Mental note: buy a necklace.
"No. I was just curious about you." She shrugs.
"Is that so?" Lauren quirks a brow. "Well, I'm curious about those diamonds on your neck. How much did that cost?"
"Its not real." The girl blurts.
Lauren watches her skeptically. She's lying. Why is she lying? "Those aren't fake."
The girls eyes flit up to Laurens that are full of scrutiny. "How do you know?"
"I've worn more than enough fake diamonds to know that those are definitely not fake."
"I'm not sure....My dad bought it-"
"Oh, so you're daddys princess huh?" Lauren smirks.
"I guess so..." She shrugs.
"Is that what you tell your friends? You tellin all your friends its fake?"
The girl doesnt answer at first. "I dont tell them anything. They dont ask."
Lauren leans against the stone wall leading to the stairs. "Must be nice, huh? Living here in this fancy place."
"Im not from here."
"Where are you from, then?"
"Miami." She says.
Laurens eyes light up. "Me too."
"What are you doing here?" The girl asks.
"Im going to NYU."
"But its summer. I thought they didn't offer summer courses."
"They dont." Lauren sighs. "I just..." She kicks at a rock. "I couldn't afford to go home." She looks down And she's nearly certain she's red from embarrassment. "What about you?" She quickly asks.
"Im just here for the summer."
"Vacation?"
"Sorta."
"Sorta?" Lauren asks.
"Im taking a summer course at Juliard."
Laurens lips purse. "Oh. Of course you are." She says, monotonous.
The girl frowns. "What?"
"I just meant of course you're stinking rich and beautiful and talented."
The girl blushes. "I....Thank you."
"I'm Lauren by the way." Lauren offers her hand.
"Im Camila."
Lauren mutters her name, liking the way it feels coming from her tongue. "Bet you wanna be a star, huh?" Lauren asks.
Camila smiles a little. "Its been a dream of mine." She says. "Ever since I was little."
"What exactly?"
"Music. I love music."
"Well, maybe you should show me what you've got some time. I can give my unbiased opinion. But, Im assuming that since Juliard is very prestigious what with their 6% acceptance rate and all, that you must have something other than your pretty face."
Camila's cheeks burn. "I...Sure. That'd be fun."
"I'll see you around, Camila." Lauren smiles, turning and walking back towards the subway. She turns around to send Camila another smile before getting on the subway and leaving the upper west side.
