after all this time?

I can make my own decisions

Camila's POV

I got into that plane knowing that my life is about to change.

After some hours that felt like days I arrived at Miami. Five security guards were waiting for me, they showed me the way to the car and I just followed them, saying nothing. I also couldn't cry more than I already have, to be honest. Lauren's words didn't leave my mind. I left her again.

When I got home my family were reunited on the living room. They all hugged me.

- How are you? - my mom asked.

- I'm okay mama. - I looked at my dad and Sofi - I'm sorry you found out that way. I was going to tell you

- Camila you don't have to justify anything - my dad said, interrupting me - you're not a child anymore

- Also it's not like we didn't know... - Sofi completed.

- How's Lauren? - My mom asked, worried.

- I don't know, she wasn't okay when I left... I'll charge my phone to call her

I got up the stairs and went to my room, taking my baggage with me. I lay down on my bed and let myself take a deep breath, calming down. It's fine, I'm home. I'll have to live with some paparazzis on my door for a while but it's worth it if they leave Lauren alone.

Speaking of her, I turned on the phone and opened my WhatsApp. A lot of messages, especially from Chris, but nothing from Lauren. I decided to talk to Alexa first.

Me: "Hi Alexa, I'm home. How's Lauren?"

I waited a few minutes for an answer.

Alexa: "Hi Camila. She's sleeping right now. Though morning. Quick question: why did you leave?"

Okay, she has the right to ask whatever she wants. She's taking care of Lauren.

Me: "Well, my manager called me to let me know about the photos and all I could think of was Lauren. I didn't want her to suffer or to be followed everywhere, and I know how the media can affect our lives. I just felt I had to leave her out of this mess."

Alexa: "That's what I thought. So you're not leaving for good, right?"

Me: "No, of course not... I wish I could've stayed in LA with her but that wouldn't be fair"

Alexa: "She's feeling abandoned, to be honest. But I think it's much more about what happened years ago than about this situation. She thinks everything's happening again"

That's precisely what I was afraid of.

You know what, maybe Shawn's right. Maybe I'm an asshole. I should've think twice before drowning Lauren into my life like this, now the consequences are knocking at my door and I only made things worse while trying to do better. That night on her place when she first kissed me, I should've stopped her. I should've accepted her friendship and that's it.

Me: "Please keep her out of social media"

Alexa: "I'll keep her phone for a while. I let you know when she wakes up"

Me: "Thank you, Alexa. For everything."

Someone knocked at my door, it was my manager Chris.

- Come in - I said sitting on my bed.

- Hey girl... you okay?

- Can we skip that part and go right to business? - I asked, tired.