Not Weak, Just Stronger

Chapter 48: The Final Night Before

September 6th, 2024
Tuesday, 8:25pm, Paris

Everyone had a luxury suite at Hôtel Ritz in Paris, France for the wedding—which was all the way in Versailles but the group all agreed staying in Paris was ideal. Preparing for the wedding and getting all of the guests to France was chaotic and hectic, though it ended up working out and now anyone who wasn't close to the engaged couple was scattered in different hotels they could afford. Very few of Lauren's family members showed up as well as a large amount of Camila's family, most of the Raiders soccer team from 2019, all of Camila's former cheer squad, some co-workers from work, celebrities tagging along with Kehlani that Lauren got to know at her birthday party, and parents of Gigi, Sabrina, Nate, and Dinah.

The official wedding date was two days away and the parties signifying the last day of "freedom" took place today. Lauren took her groomsmen/woman and Camila took her bridesmaids. Valerie had to watch this kids and Camila's tías took care of what needed prepping for the wedding. Ruby decided it was best if she just stayed back with Cruz and did other stuff because she wasn't really in a partying mood, plus Alejandro tagged along with his girlfriend Naomi. As for the rest of the guests? They went sight-seeing and explored the many restaurants Paris had to offer.

Simon planned Lauren's party, so the day so far has consisted of fine dining, drinking, and paintballing; Lauren wanted to keep it simple but have a really fun time. They also had a party bus to travel around in and drink some more. Paintball was super fun, Lauren had to hide away and defend herself from her friends and brother while they hunted and shot at her. Well, actually...it was fun for the most part; the guns sort of triggered the disturbing memories and emotions that came with the scarring rescue mission in Italy. Lauren managed to pull through and enjoy herself in between mini panic attacks during flashbacks no one knew was happening. Besides, she ended up winning and eliminated everyone.

"Strippers?" asked Nate, eager for some action. They were sitting in the neon blue and black party bus, having glasses of champagne.

"Are you kidding? Valerie will find out and kill me. She has a sixth sense anytime I'm around a different woman and I'm not trying to return to the hotel smelling like a prostitue so we can argue all night," Simon chugged his champagne and went to pop an olive into his mouth.

"What do you have against prostitutes?" asked Kehlani. "You say that word like it's a bad thing."

"I don't have anything against them. I'm just marrying a crazy woman who is very territorial. Lauren can relate. Right, Lauren?" Simon gave his best friend a nudge on the shoulder.

Lauren was staring off, seemingly stuck in a trance over a woman she barely knew but dreamt about last night and "fell in love" with. She was daydreaming while her friends had a conversation and celebrated ever since they got back on the bus. She hadn't even realised anyone was around her as she had blocked them out and got lost in another world. The sound of Simon calling her name and the feeling of his shoulders bumping into hers slowly started to bring her back.

"Yo, Lo, everything okay in there? Wanna return back to planet Earth and join the rest of us?" Javie chuckled.

Said girl blinked her distracting thoughts away and smiled sheepishly. She brought her hand up to brush her slick wet hair back so she wouldn't feel awkward continuing to do nothing.

"Sorry. What were you saying, Simon?"

"I was saying that you're about to marry a crazy, territorial girl just like I am," he repeated.

"Oh. Right," Lauren blew out a huff of air and slapped her hands on her thighs before rubbing them, careful not to hike up her white dress. "Camila's not as crazy as she used to be though. She has her moments but everyday no longer consists of me putting her on timeouts and doing my best to convince her not to harass someone for liking me."