Like I Do - Camren

Chapter 35

Camila's POV
Lauren consumed my thoughts. After I left to get help I had expected her to become happier at least, even to get herself together, but instead I learned that she had been throwing her life away. I had to watch from the sidelines as she destroyed herself. It hurt me more than I was willing to admit.

"Mila, come on. I highly doubt she'll even be there." Dinah whined, still trying to convince me to go to some party she was holding later that night. "Dinah, where there's alcohol there is Lauren right now. I can't let myself be around that right now, I'm working too hard for this." I sigh.

"Well, when you put it that way.... I would never make you go if you're so uncomfortable, okay? Just... take care of yourself. Eat some food, and not just pop tarts. Real food." Dinah said as she stood up from my bed. "I've gotta go get set up, but if you change your mind, don't hesitate to come down." Dinah said. We exchanged out goodbyes and she left, leaving me alone.

I stepped out onto the balcony and lit up half of a joint that I had left. I realized the calming effects it had on me were more helpful in small doses, with further spaces in between. I didn't want to smoke as often as before, but I still enjoyed it.

It was getting closer to ten, and I decided I should head to bed, forgoing dinner. Just as I was turning off my tv in the living room there was a knock on my door. Wondering who would possibly show up at this time, I looked through the peephole, surprised to see a dazed Lauren standing there.

Taking many deep breaths I contemplated on answering the door. Her knocking got more persistent before I heard her yell. "Camila, I know you're in there! I checked for your car in case you weren't actually here." She said. "Unless you got an Uber and I'm acrually talking to a door." She laughed at herself. Yep. I thought. She's definitely drunk. I decided then to open the door, for some odd reason scared she would leave.

"Camzzz." She giggled as I opened the door and threw herself at me into a hug that was very dependent on me. "Lauren, what are you doing here?" I questioned, trying to peel the girl off of me while also closing the door. She completely ignored my comment as I led her to the couch. "I drove here, silly." She finally spoke up. "That's... not what I asked. What do you mean you drove here?" I ask, worried.

"Oh, don't worry. I didn't crash." She said as she brought a bottle I hadn't realized she had to her mouth to take a drink. I acted quickly, pulling the bottle out of her hand, and she whined. "I'm cutting you off. You need to explain why you're in my apartment right now." I said, somewhat agitated now. I loved this girl to bits, with all of me, but she was a different person now and I had to accept that.

"I missed you, Camzi. I was at Dinah's stupid party and she had stupid pictures of your stupid face on all of her stupid walls. It made me miss you, and stupid Brad wouldn't leave me alone." She rolled her eyes, looking adorably annoyed. "Lo, you can't just show up here." I sighed. "You called me Lo. Do you still love me?" She asked, her question catching me off guard.

"I don't think-"

"Just answer the question. I need to know." She pushed, and I realized she probably wouldn't remember any of this tomorrow. "I don't know. I love the Lauren that I left, this one is too hard to handle. Especially right now, so I should go to bed." I say, as I start to stand up.

"I didn't mean to push you away. If I didn't break up with you, you wouldn't have left me. I still want you, I still love you. I hate drinking with Brad. I hate Brad. But you don't Brad's sloppy seconds anymore. I regret everything that has happened with him, that's why I broke it off with him the day you came back. Maybe if I get better you'll want me." She slurred her way painfully through her drunken confession.

"Technically Brad had my sloppy seconds." I replied, but the look on her face told me I should say more. "But Lauren, the things you said can't be taken back. You hurt me, a lot. I got better and I almost relapsed. I'm getting better, but I need to work on it. You're drinking has messed you up, and I can't trust you won't say things like that again." I finished, meeting her gaze.

"I won't drink ever again. I don't wamt you to die." She sobbed, confuaing me for just a second. "Lauren..." I said softly, and she wrapped her arms around my waist, burying her head in my neck. "I'm so sorry." She cried harder. All I could do was wrap my arms around her as well and rub her back.

"I really should go to bed." I say, standing up. I couldn't allow myself to be sucked back into my old lifestyle, as much as I wanted Lauren in that moment. As I walked to my bedroom I could hear Lauren's soft sobs.

I couldn't sleep, and the sound of someone walking into my room at 1 am scared me. "Camz?" I heard a soft whisper. I looked up in response, and sure enough Lauren was standing right by the door. "I couldn't sleep and I was just wondering if we could cuddle like we used to. It doesn't have to mean anything, please? I swear I'm almost sober now." She said, and I could hear the sincerity in her voice. "Okay." I responded, and lifted ghe blankets up for herto climb into.

After a few minutes of silence, Lauren spoke up. "Remember the last time we were in this bed?" She said, and I could tell she was smirking. I groaned and felt my face turn red asI buried it into the pillow, listening to Lauren chuckling. A few more moments of silence went by, and Lauren moved to press the front of her body intl the back of mine. "I really meant every word I said earlier. Drunk words are sober thoughts, y'know." She whispered into my neck. After those words, I felt myself slowly drift off.

Sorry for mistakes, I didn't proofread. The story is coming to and end soon. Just a few more chapters. Anyone want a sequel? Cause I got ideas. Comment and let me know.