after all this time?

hi, it's me.

Camila's POV

- You sure you don't wanna come?

Shawn and I were at the airport, standing close to gate 10, where he was going to take a flight to California.

- Yes, love. I need to stay. - I answered and he held me with his arms.

- Okay... I'll miss you

- I'll miss you too. But I'll be back soon, I promise.

The loudspeaker warned that it was the last call for flight 1475, and Shawn and I shared a last kiss. He went to the counter where his documents where checked and then entered the corridor that led to the plane, looking back one last time to send me a kiss.

I walked to the parking lot stopping three or four times to talk to fans, until I got into the car. I leaned my head against the steering wheel and closed my eyes, asking myself if it was the right thing to do. Now it was too late to turn back, so I started the car and drove to the exit, taking the closest way to my parents home.

I was passing through the 29 exit on road when I decided to take the next one, 30, and go see Lauren. I know it is impulsive, I know she probably doesn't wanna see me, but I have to try. I just have to.

My hands started getting wet and I was shacking a little bit, really nervous about how she would react. After 30 minutes driving I arrived at the street where her parents' house was located, but I stopped the car before I get to it. I mean, what am I doing? What exactly do I wanna tell her? Why am I so nervous about it? I should get back home. That's a mistake.
But I am so close and the worst that can happen is that she doesn't want to talk to me. And that would be fair, to be honest. Oh my God, I'm going crazy.

I drove the car until the end of the street and stopped in front of her house. It's now or never. Having a deep breath I got out of the car and walked slowly to the entrance, knocking at the door twice.

- It's probably Chris who forgot the key! - I heard Clara's voice inside.

- I'll answer it!

Before I could prepare myself the door was unlocked and a smiling Lauren opened it, holding a key on her right hand close to her face.

- Here it is! - She said swinging the keys, until she saw me and put her hand and her smile down. She was looking at me with confusion.

- Hi... - I said - it's me.

- Hi Camila. Sorry, I thought it was Chris... What are you doing here?

Her gorgeous green eyes were looking at me while her left hand was holding the door.

- I want to talk to you, if that's ok... please? - I almost begged.

Lauren's POV

Camila is standing at my door asking me to talk to her and I don't know what to do. Why the hell is she here?

- Lauren, who is it? - my mom asked from the kitchen.

- It's Camila! - I yelled at her and then looked back to the girl on my door - Come in.

I took a step back to give her space to come inside and then closed the door, turning to a curious Camila looking at my living room. Now that I can take a look at her, she seems a lot more mature than she was, she lost her teenage vibe. She is wearing a black jeans and a white t-shirt, nothing else. No pink, no Mickey print.

- Camila! It's been so long! - My mom came from the kitchen and gave her a hug.

- Hi Clara! I know, right?

- How are your parents?

- They're fine! My mom misses you.

- I miss her too! We should invite them to a dinner, what you think Lauren?

They both looked at me waiting for my answer.

- Yeah, sure. Mom, Camila and I are going up to my room okay? - I pulled Camila's arm to take us out of this situation - you can talk later.

- Ok, got it. I'll tell you when lunch's ready.

- Okay

Camila led the way up to the stairs, then taking the right to my bedroom in a path she knows so well.. I followed her in silence, wondering what she wanted to talk to me about. When she got to the door, she calmly opened it and got inside, and nothing could be more familiar to me than that. Camila stopped to take a look around, and then finally broke the silence.

- It looks just like I remember.

- Yeah... My mom likes to keep it that way.

- But you changed a few things, like the walls.

She was referring to the posters that I had before.

- Growing up process - I resumed and she looked at me. I couldn't read her brown eyes no more, so I had no idea what she was thinking. - Sit down, please.

She preferred to sit on a chair close to my computer desk, so I sat on the end of the bed, in front of her.

- Thanks for letting me in, Lauren

- Camila, you'll always be welcome in this house. My parents love you.

I was being honest. I hated a lot of things she did but I would never mistreat her. She opened a smile and her cheeks got a little red, which was kinda cute.

- You know, I just couldn't stop thinking about our meet the other day... - I waited in silence for her to keep going, she was looking at the window trying to find the right words - You're right, it was a long time ago, but seeing you again... reminded me of everything. And I know I should've apologized before, but our lives followed completely different paths and I tried to leave it all behind... but it was a mistake.

- Camila... - I tried to interrupt but she didn't let me

- No, just let me finish. I know I hurt your feelings. I know that's not something I can take back, but I just want you to know that I regret it, and that I wish I could go back in time. I wish I thought one more time and decided to stay, but I was too young and...

- Ok, listen - I hold Camila's hands to stop her and make her pay attention to me, and she looked at our hands together before looking at my eyes - Yes, you hurt our feelings. You did. And we were hurt for a while, but it's been seven years - Eight, she corrected me -, right, eight years, so we are fine, okay? But Camila, I just wish you had talked to us, I know you were unhappy about what was going on and I know you wanted more creative freedom, but so did we. We were all unhappy, but we were together, we were family, Camila. It's not about the band, it's about the connection we had.

At this point we were both crying. I let go of her hand to dry the tears that were starting to fall from my eyes, but tried not to stop looking at her eyes. I wanted her to see I was being honest.

- I fucked it up, I know. I hope you can forgive me someday.

- I already did. - she looked at me surprised - I am still angry sometimes, however, because you never talked to us again. But you're doing it now, so..

I fell back on the bed with the weight of Camila, who hugged me tightly. I took a long breath, recognizing that sweet smell.

- I missed you - Camila said, still crying a bit.

- I missed you too, I really did.