It's A Long Ride Home, I'm Afraid. {Camren} ✔️

~{2}~

Lauren's POV

Paparazzi. Always so annoying, aren't they?

I was trying to enjoy some actual original-sounding music before I spotted them across the street.

No matter how far away from LA I traveled, there were always some somewhere.

That woman. She was good. I saw that there was actual talent in her, which was definitely hard to come by these days.

She could've even been better than me, and yet, she was there on the streets singing for money probably because she hadn't had any major breaks in her career.

What if the roles were reversed? Sometimes, I can't help but wonder.

I sighed to myself as I hurried down the city streets.

New York City was so confusing. The constant smell of smoke and pollution, and the 24/7 rush of the people and cars was enough to probably overwhelm any foreigners.

But at the same time, it definitely had it's charm.

At that point in time, I was taking a long break from my music career after just finishing my first album.

I needed some space, some new experiences even, because LA just didn't feel like home anymore.

There were lies everywhere. Tricks. Traps. Some days I longed for the power to differentiate between genuine people and those who use me for my fame.

Because of this I developed some major trust issues, and I've pushed people away.

My best friend Ally, for example. I left her behind in LA.

There's also my parents and my family who I never bother calling, so they kinda have to stalk me online to know what I'm up to.

It's lonely. But I choose to be alone.

If that isn't depressing, I don't know what is.

I don't even know what's wrong with me. Maybe it's my social anxiety fucking me up in the head, or maybe it's just the tiredness from all the work I've been doing that makes me distance myself.

Space. I reminded myself. That's all you need. Focus on keeping your space.

I glanced down at the time on my phone.

It was about time for me to get back to my condo, or else I would probably be recognized sooner or later.

The hat and the pair of sunglasses I had wore were definitely not enough to keep me hidden much longer.

People weren't dumb.

Camila's POV

People are so dumb.

I was currently packing my stuff into my car after playing for maybe another hour or so, and someone was walking backwards and practically almost tripped over one of my amps.

As expected, I laughed at them.

All together, I collected one hundred and forty seven dollars. It wasn't a bad day at all. Well, mostly thanks to that mysterious stranger's generosity.

On my way home, I picked up some Wendy's and ate it with utmost content.

Wendy's Frosty's are literally to die for. I know it's just ice cream, but I swear that signature cup they put it in makes it taste better I don't know how. The plastic of the cup just compliments the ice cream so well.

When I pulled into the apartment building complex, I suddenly remembered that I needed to grab my mail.

Not that I was expecting any, but usually once a month my sister liked to send me a handmade card and I secretly loved receiving them.