Camila felt someone shake her body, at first slowly, but it gradually increased. She continued sleeping, because she thought it was a dream. She tried to go back to her dream, she didn't remember it very well, but it was something happy, she was sure of it.

"Nugget."

The gentle whisper caused the Latina to wake up slowly from her sleep, and a broad smile appeared on her face, but it vanished when she reached for Lauren with her hands and found only emptiness. Camila opened her eyes, alarmed, and turned on the bed, coming across Selena, who smirked at her and stroked her face. Not again, the Latina lamented in thought. She was completely frightened by the possibility that last night was just a dream.

"She didn't come here, did she?" Camila asked sadly, her chest tight. She couldn't have dreamed of Lauren, she wanted it to be real. She must have spent the night with her stupid little boyfriend, and here I was, thinking of her like a fucking fool, she thought angrily.

"Who? Lauren?" Camila nodded. "Oh no, she did. But she had to leave. She cooked you breakfast." Selena pointed to the nightstand where there was a tray full of things for Camila to eat. "She said something about meeting the cast of her new movie and then hanging out with Ally." The woman shrugged and Camila sighed in relief.

Thank god it wasn't a dream, Camila thanked in thought.

The Latina sat up on the bed and stretched, her body gradually releasing its tension. Selena watched her, smiling, she was happy to see her best friend all smiley. Her skin looked even more beautiful.

"Lauren is good for you." Selena commented, drawing Camila's attention. The Latina just smiled awkwardly. "I'm rooting for the two of you, you know that, don't you?"

"I know." The Latina sighed before stretching again. Camila grabbed the tray and placed it on her lap over the covers. It was impossible not to be happy about Lauren's gesture, cooking her breakfast even if she wasn't there by her side. "She didn't say anything else?" Camila asked, trying to sound casual and not desperate. Deep down, she wished Lauren had left her a message. Something like 'see you later', she completed in thought.

"Not that I remember, she left in a hurry." Camila arched a brow, curious. "She and Dinah bickered again. Then Lauren called DJ Blunderbore again and-"

"Wait a minute..." Camila interrupted Selena, she couldn't stop laughing. "Lauren called Dinah Blunderbore?"

Now they were both laughing loudly. Camila's face was so red that she looked like she was having an asthma attack. And Selena laughed so hard that she almost fell off the edge of the bed a few times.

"She did, twice."

"Oh my God. That's a good one, I'd never thought of calling Dinah Blunderbore before. Lauren is the best."

Selena stopped laughing for a few seconds and flashed a huge smile; Camila's eyes sparkled when she quoted Lauren. It's so good to see her this way, the woman thought, watching her friend. Selena thought she'd never see Camila like this again because of someone, she thought her best friend had really closed herself off to feelings since it didn't work out the first time.

"What's so funny?" The bedroom door opened and a curious Dinah walked in, her hair tied in a tight ponytail; she was still wearing the pajamas that Selena had lent her.

Camila looked at Dinah, then at Selena, and the two of them burst out laughing again. Dinah frowned, curious to know what those two were laughing at.

"Nothing, nothing." Selena finally said, fanning herself with her hands; she was breathless from laughing so much. On the other hand, Camila was still laughing, she simply couldn't stop. And Dinah rolled her eyes and sat down on the bed next to her friends.

"What's your street name, Chee?" Camila asked the Polynesian girl when she finally stopped laughing.

The younger woman stared at the Latina without understanding. And Selena ended up falling off the bed, rolling around on the floor as she laughed like a maniac. Camila held in her laughter, trying to look serious. And then Dinah realized what they were laughing at, she was the reason why.

"Fuck you, both of you!" Dinah seethed, pretending to be mad. Camila ended up bursting out laughing again, just like Selena, who was squirming on the floor, clutching her belly that hurt from laughing so much. "I hate you two! Hoes!"

And that's how they spent their morning, laughing and joking around. And obviously, Dinah was the center of the mocking.

There really is nothing better than being breathless from laughing so hard while being surrounded by people who do you good and who lift your spirits. Being surrounded by good people is the best way to face the bad moments in life. Get rid of those who hold you back, keep around only those who lift you spiritually.

-----

"Hold on, you've been having an affair with Camila during all these months?" Lauren nodded somewhat awkwardly and apprehensively, but she had a smile on her lips as she remembered the Latina. "And you like... like her?"

Lauren let out a long sigh, she was already sure of what she felt for Camila, her only fear was not to be reciprocated. She was about to lower her barriers because of the Latina, willing to face anything for her, but she didn't want to do that alone.

Lauren needed Camila to be her support in the worst moments.

Little did she know that Camila felt the exact same way.

"I'm completely in love with her." She confessed, even though she didn't necessarily need to do that. It was clear on her face and her actions that she was in love.

Everything about Lauren was different; her smile, her mood, her skin, even her hair. It all looked livelier. In fact, Lauren seemed more alive, completely happy. Another completely different person.

And everyone around her had already noticed that.

It's amazing how loving someone can really mess with someone.

"Well, that's pretty clear." Ally laughed and Lauren felt her cheeks flush. Deep down the brunette was glad her friend wasn't judging her. "Look, I confess that I already knew of your inclination towards women, but I never imagined that your first would be none other than Cabello."

"Same here." Lauren agreed and they both laughed.

Ally sipped her coffee and Lauren did the same with her green tea, sighing upon feeling the sweet liquid trickle down her throat. The two of them were at a mall, Lauren had called Ally and invited her to the movies, but it was just an excuse to have this conversation with her best friend. The brunette had already talked to Lucy, and now it was Ally's turn to know everything that was going on. Lauren felt lucky to have the best of friends in the whole world. They were always understanding and didn't judge Lauren at all, but they also never coddled her when she did something wrong.

Being a friend is more than saying 'I love you', more than covering up when screw-ups are made, and much more than using just words. Being a friend is being present, it doesn't need to be in person, people can be friends from afar.

Being friends with someone is taking action and not just talking.

"I'm curious about something."

"About what?"

Lauren set the teacup on the saucer and propped her elbows up on the table, looking straight into Ally's brown eyes. The short blonde did the same thing and smiled before saying:

"Is it as deliciously amazing to be eaten out by a woman as they say?"

Lauren pressed her lips together and turned serious for a few seconds, but within instants she and Ally were laughing, in a moderate and acceptable tone for a mall.

"You have no idea how true that is." Instinctively, Lauren wet her lips, her mind traveling to images of Camila knelt between her legs, eating her out in various locations. "It's completely different, I think that even the texture of the tongue is different."

The brunette let out a mischievous giggle, and Ally popped her tongue, laughing at her friend. Lauren had several images floating through her mind, she couldn't wait to relive her memories with Camila.

"By the look on your face, I can see that it's really good." Lauren nodded her head frantically. "It was just a curiosity, I have no interest in that."

If you knew Camila, she'd definitely change your mind, Lauren just thought it. She knew that Camila's power of seduction could convert even the most heterosexual of heterosexuals like Ally.

[...]

After eating, Ally and Lauren decided to take a stroll around the mall and do some shopping. It was supposed to be something quick, only a few minutes, but they got carried away and ended up spending hours and more hours just trying on clothes, shoes and spending money. Consumerism was a mutual flaw between them.

"It's in moments like this that it would be nice to have Troy with me. These bags are so heavy." Ally grumbled as she walked beside Lauren, they were already in the parking lot, but the shorter one's car was towards the back.

Lauren laughed at her grumbling friend, she looked more like a grumpy child than anything else. She's the same height as one anyway, Lauren thought.

"No one told you to buy half the mall."

If looks could kill, Lauren would have fallen dead on the floor in the exact moment she finished that sentence. Ally just shot her a glare that made her shy away instantly. Her best friend might be short, but she could be scary when she wanted to.

[...]

Ally parked in front of Lauren's building as the brunette texted Ryan asking him to come down to help her with her bags. It was nice to have a strong best friend around in times like this.

"Lo, can I give you a mega advice?"

Lauren stopped picking up the bags from the backseat of Ally's car and looked at her friend. The blonde smiled and the brunette nodded her head yes. After all, of her two best friends, Ally has always been the wisest when it came to advise.

"What is it?"

"Talk to Camila as soon as possible. From what you told me, your situation with Ryan really bothers her a lot and affects her, so if you don't want to lose her, talk as soon as you can." Ally smiled sincerely and beckoned Lauren with a finger. The brunette approached her friend and lowered herself so that the blonde could kiss her forehead. "Take care, okay? And don't let your happiness slip through your fingers. I haven't seen you this happy and glowing in forever." Ally winked at Lauren, who smiled and nodded her head.

Lauren had already made a decision, she'd talk to Ryan and end this whole fake relationship ordeal, and then she'd talk to Camila and tell her everything.

The brunette said goodbye to Ally, promising her best friend a date lunch with Lucy present too. Lauren missed hanging out with her best friends. After Ally left, a fully Ryan covered up Ryan appeared on the sidewalk. Lauren had to laugh because he looked like a bank robber.

"Don't laugh at my disguise." He warned her and Lauren raised both her hands up in surrender, still holding in her laughter.

The boy helped her with all the bags – which were a lot – and the two of them went up together to Lauren's apartment.

"I honestly don't know why you bother with this disguise, everyone must already suspect you're here." Lauren commented after sitting on the couch to take off her high heels that were already hurting her feet.

Ryan put the bags on the other couch and sat down next to Lauren, soon enough putting the brunette's legs on his lap to massage her feet. Lauren sighed heavily. It was really nice to have Ryan there.

"I know, but I like to see them speculating. It's funny sometimes."

They both laughed, and Lauren closed her eyes to better enjoy the massage her best friend was doing on her feet.

"We need to talk." Lauren let out and Ryan paused the massage. "But only after the massage, you can continue."

Lauren bossed playfully, and Ryan laughed before going back to massaging the brunette's feet, and she ended up falling asleep without realizing. She was tired, she had spent the whole night watching Camila sleep.

Her Camila.

[...]

Hours later, Lauren and Ryan were lying on the brunette's bed; he was listening attentively to everything she was confiding to him. She was telling him about her bumpy relationship with Camila, from the beginning of it all to the present date.

"You're in love." He let out suddenly, interrupting Lauren.

The brunette remained with her mouth slightly open and sighed. Was it that clear for everyone around her to realize?

"I am." She admitted softly, and Ryan smirked and stroked the brunette's face.

He never hid that he'd have something serious with Lauren if she so wished, but their friendship was always a priority. Ryan would be happy if Lauren was happy.

"Does she feel the same way about you?"

Lauren swallowed hard and felt a chill cut down her spine. Fear was present there, hand-in-hand with her insecurity. Lauren is already insecure by nature, and when it comes to Camila, she can be much more insecure. It was impossible to control.

"I don't know." She confessed in one breath. "But she feels something, she already told me that. But Camila is very closed, you know?" Ryan nodded. "In the beginning she was completely cold, didn't care about anything. But now she's a completely different person."

"I see..." He propped himself up on his elbows and threw his head back, looking up at the ceiling. "So you want to break up our fake relationship because of her?"

He looked back at Lauren, and she nodded, sitting up on the bed.

"I need to do this because I want her to know the truth, and I really want a chance with her."

"Alright." He smiled and also sat up on the bed. "Can we just wait for all this to pass? Will she be okay with that?"

Lauren shrugged, she had no idea what Camila would think, if she would understand, and if she would be cool with all this. But she was praying for the Latina to accept.

"I have no idea. I have to talk to her and see."

[...]

That same night, after Ryan fell asleep, Lauren got out of bed and picked up her phone from the nightstand; she carefully opened the balcony door, she didn't want to wake the British boy. Then, she unlocked her phone and clicked on the contact of the only person she wanted to hear from at that moment.

"Hello?" The brunette uttered and heard a heavy sigh from the other end of the line. She knew that Camila was sleeping due to the time. Lauren wanted to feel more confident about the Latina, and she was starting to little by little.

"Laur? Did something happen?" The Latina's voice sounded worried and sleepy at the same time.

Lauren didn't know if regretted waking Camila up or if she regretted not being there to watch her sleep.

"No, I'm sorry I woke you." The brunette sat down on one of the divans that was on her balcony and looked up at the starry sky. "I really needed to hear your voice, to know if everything's okay."

Lauren had no idea what to say, she didn't even know if Camila was paying attention to what she was saying, but she just needed to hear the Latina's voice.

"Mmm, it's okay. I'm actually glad you woke me up because I fell asleep on the couch." They both laughed, and Lauren bit her bottom lip and smiled, she definitely loved the sound of Camila's laugh. "But answering your question, everything's okay. How about you? How was your day with Ally?"

Lauren crossed her legs and straightened the hem of her shirt, covering her thighs that were a little exposed. It was cool outside, with a light breeze in the air.

"It was great, we had so much catching up to do, but now we're all caught up."

"I'm glad." The two of them were silent for a while, just listening to each other's breath. "And how did it go with the movie cast? Did you meet everyone today?"

Lauren was confused by Camila's emphasis on 'everyone', what did she mean by this 'everyone'?

"Oh, yeah. It was nice. They are very cool and fun."

"...Was Keegan there too?"

Why did Camila's voice sound different now? Lauren noticed that the sleepy tone from before was no longer present, the Latina sounded serious.

"He was, he's so funny."

Because he wants to get in your pants!, Camila exclaimed in thought; she'd rather keep that to herself or she'd sound like a jealous idiot.

"Mmmm." That was all she muttered, and Lauren raised a brow. "I wish I could be there, sleeping with you. But your little boyfriend is with you."

Now her voice was pure mockery and disdain, and Lauren let out a chuckle. It was funny to see Camila jealous.

"Speaking of which, we need to talk." Lauren said and, on the other end of the line, Camila felt her body stiffen.

Nothing good ever comes after someone utters 'we need to talk'; it's a real fear.

"Did I do something you didn't like?" Camila asked worriedly, and Lauren smiled without even knowing why.

"No, no. You only do things I like." The Latina laughed, and it was possible to feel the smile in her laughter. "Can we meet up tomorrow?"

"Of course." Camila answered quickly. "Could it be in my apartment?"

"Your apartment...?"

"My apartment, my home, where I live." Camila sounded amused, though her voice also betrayed her nervousness. No one would ever understand what that meant to her.

Lauren swallowed hard, she knew Camila, she had heard several times from her friends that the Latina had never taken anyone to her apartment, with the exception of Selena, Dinah and her parents.

"The sacred place?"

"Perhaps."