POV Lauren Jauregui

I was awakened by the nurse when she entered the room to perform some medical procedures. Slowly I realized where I was and GOD, it wasn't a dream, Camila still had her eyes closed and a serene expression.

-Good Morning, what time is it? – I asked as I accommodated myself better in the small armchair that was there, and only then I realized that my hand was intertwined with Camila's.

-Good Afternoon, it's already 1PM. – she said smiling, a beautiful smile by the way – Some people came to visit Ms. Cabello.

-Oh, okay.

-You can ask at the front desk for them to put a bed in here, in case you spend more nights here.

-That'd be great. – I said gratefully.

I fixed my hair and grabbed my purse.

-I'm going home to take a shower and I'll be right back. – the young woman just nodded.

When I opened the door, I came across Rob. The man looked elegant, he was wearing a navy blue suit and his hair was impeccable. I walked past him without saying anything, and he entered Camila's room.

-Lauren. – I heard someone call me, I turned around and it was Dinah.

-Hey, Dinah. – I smiled weakly and approached her.

-How is she? – she asked anxiously.

-You know... The same. – she nodded her head sadly – Look, I'm going home, I'm going to eat something and then I'll come back. I don't want to stay here with that asshole Rob.

-Can you believe that I practically had to drag him here? – Dinah was looking at me and I saw the hatred in her eyes – We came together, I called him and he simply told me that he couldn't come. – I huffed and shook my head.

-He's a coward, that's what he is. – I felt my phone vibrate and grabbed it from my purse, it was Taylor – Well, Dinah, I'll be back in 2 hours tops. – she just nodded and I turned around, picking up the phone:

-To what do I owe the honor of your call? – I asked ironically.

-Lauren, we need to talk.

-I don't have time for this. – I said already outside the hospital.

-I just want to talk to you, please.

-Here's the deal, you have 10 minutes to be in front of my house, otherwise, forget it. – I hung up the phone and entered my silver Volvo, starting it.

I haven't even stopped to think about everything that was happening. I had such a quiet life before Camila walked into it. I can't even say how big is the damage that she's done in these last few months. I didn't feel like crying, I felt strong, but the idea of not knowing when she will wake up or if it will happen someday, simply killed me over and over again.

I turned the corner of my street and I could see one of the company's cars parked in front of my house. I parked my car and got out of it.

-You were fast. – I said smiling.

-I was already here. – she said awkwardly – How's Camila?

-Don't act like you care.

Taylor huffed. This was beyond ridiculous.

-Lauren, I haven't been sleeping well since that incident.

-What you call "incident", I call betrayal, in every possible way. You are dirty, Taylor, I won't even invite you in, I don't want your impurity in my house. – I said everything in one breath and Taylor started to cry, and I felt that I was about to break down as well.

-I'm sorry, Laur, I was weak.

-No, you are being weak, you are still with him. – I felt dirty just by talking about it – Don't you have an ounce of compassion? Camila's in the hospital in a coma and you are calling that bastard, asking him to come to see you. – I laughed humorlessly, already feeling sick with all that conversation.

-Laur, I haven't seen him in a while, I can't.

-Liar! You are lying straight to my face, I don't know if I'm more disgusted by you or him.

-Laur...

-Shut your mouth and get out of here. I don't have time for this since I have to go back to Camila and take care of her while you fuck her fiancé. – I shoved her to the side and she moved a little, letting me enter my house. A loud cry flooded the whole environment, but I didn't look back, I could falter otherwise.

I threw myself on the couch and I felt as if a thousand trucks had run me over. And as if in slow motion, some memories started to torture me:

-Why, Lauren?

-Why what? – I asked without understanding.

-Why do you want to be with me?

-Because you are good at what you do, Camila. – I smiled mischievously.

-Aren't you afraid to fall in love with me?

I propped my elbows on my legs and sank my hands in my hair. The knot in my throat was bigger, I closed my eyes and the memories came back:

When my breathing regulated, I pulled my head from her chest to look at her.

-You are so beautiful. – I whispered softly.

The brunette looked at me with her brown eyes, they were shining. A shy smile formed on her lips, making me laugh.

-Don't be shy, I'm just telling the truth.

-Thank you, Laur. – the brunette whispered close to my lips.

A few uncontrollable tears began to bathe my face. Camila needs to wake up, there's so many things that I want to tell her, so many kisses that I want to give her, so many caresses that I want to share. I feel cursed for having had the opportunity but not the intelligence to tell her everything that I really wanted. I tried in vain to dry the tears that insisted on falling. I closed my eyes tightly and the freshest memory made itself present:

-Lauren, Lauren. – Camila drew my attention.

-What is it? You don't want to do this? – I removed my hands from her hips and supported them on the mattress.

-No!

-No?

What the hell.

-No! It's not that. – she sighed – You are too hasty.

-I'm sorry, do you want me to go slow?

-LAUREN! – she exclaimed – Let me talk.

I was scared as I waited for her to continue.

-Lauren... Make love to me?

I was in silence for a few seconds, trying to assimilate everything, that request was like taking a punch in the stomach.

I looked into Camila's eyes and she had expectations in them, so beautiful. I don't know if I could answer all those expectations, but I could try, couldn't I? After all, making love is almost the same as having sex, but with more feelings, it's not very hard to have feelings for Camila. I woke up from my reveries and her eyes were now dull, sad maybe. I didn't say anything, still kneeling on the edge of the bed, I leaned over and sealed our lips. I started a calm kiss, that would be my answer. We could hardly kiss, Camila smiled between the kiss. That smile left me weak. Knowing that I am the reason for her smile made me feel good, made me feel alive. 

I opened my eyes, feeling them burn, the cry that before was stuck in my throat echoed throughout the room. I balled my hands into fists and then threw some object that was on the small table in front of me. I'm going to kill that son of a bitch Brow. I got up and I no longer had control of my fury, everything in front of me was turning into shards. I'm going to find that son of a bitch whatever the cost, but he will pay for everything he did to Camila. I grabbed my phone and dialed the most obvious number.

-Lauren? What a surprise.

-Britt, I need you, NOW.

-----

I walked by the hospital's front desk hoping to be received with good news. I had taken more time with Britt, far more than planned. It was night already, and unlike what I expected, I came across Ally crying in Dinah's arms, who was comforting her, stroking her back. I approached the two quietly, it was possible to hear their sobs.

-Ally. – I called the shorter one.

Ally turned to me with her eyes red because of the tears, and her nose was even redder than her eyes. She released Dinah and threw herself into my arms, hugging me tight.

-Lau... Lauren. – her words came out slowly due to her sobs, my heart tightened more in my chest than my arms around her small body.

-Shhh. – I stroked her back, trying to calm her – I thought you were at Troy's parents' house.

-I... I was, but I heard what happened. – Ally sighed, pulling away from me a little to look at me – I had to come back earlier.

Ally barely completed the sentence and was already drowning in tears . I looked at Dinah, she was barely holding, she was trying to be strong, but the two bags under her bloodshot eyes indicated a sleepless night due to crying.

-Dinah...

-I... I'm fine, Laur... – I didn't let her finish, just pulled her close so she could join me and Ally in a hug.

I know that this was strange, I was even wondering such act myself, but in that moment I wouldn't let my ego dominate, but my heart. I squeezed them against my body, and Dinah couldn't hold it anymore and let her armor fall, breaking down in tears. We stayed like that for a long time, just hugging. Then Dinah told me that Camila didn't have any changes, and hearing that was like walking towards a cliff.

Dinah and Ally left, leaving only Sinu and I. In that moment she was in her daughter's room, and since I had to wait for her to leave the room so I could visit the Latina, I decided to go to the cafeteria inside the hospital. I was walking slowly and calmly, without hurry, walking by several rooms. In all of them there were relatives crying... Some of joy and others of sadness. I'm not a religious person at all, but there was a faith inside my body that screamed for me not to lose hope in my humanity. My thoughts distracted me until I reached my destination. I took care of ordering an espresso as I sat on one of the counter's stools.

-Hey, I see that you're here again. – a woman's sweet voice next to me caught my attention, I grabbed my coffee, bringing it up to my mouth as I turned to look at the owner of the sweet voice.

-Oh... Hi. – I flashed my best smile to the nurse who takes care of Camila.

-You came to see your friend? – the nurse asked the obvious as she sweetened her coffee, and I just nodded my head, taking another sip of my coffee – She's very lucky. I always see friends and family in her room, she seems to be a very dear person.

-Yeah, she is. It's impossible not to love her.

-----

The young nurse and I were having a tranquil conversation, she was telling me about all the times she witnessed a patient waking up from a coma, she was probably trying to cheer me up.

-Why are you doing this? – I asked bringing my cup of coffee up to my mouth.

-This what?

-You are trying to give me hope.

-Because I know that it's possible, because I've seen a lot of people waking up and I guarantee that there's nothing more exciting. And that young woman there seems to be strong, but not enough. – she said and I sighed – But that's exactly why she has you. – I remained in silence, just listening to the woman – I studied a lot, Miss, but nothing compares to what I learned in life.

-And what was that?

-I learned that in these moments, love is important, very important. And I know that they, the patients in a coma, feel the presence, feel the environment and especially the love. That motivates them. – the woman paused and smiled at me – Well, now I need to get back to work, I'll see you around, ...?

-Lauren, my name is Lauren. – I smiled at the young woman who was already standing, straightening her white uniform.

-Okay, Lauren, bye then. – the nurse said as she turned around and went on her way.

-Can I ask you something? – I asked, drawing the woman's attention, who stopped in the same instant.

-Of course, Lauren.

-Is there something that I can do to help Camila? I mean, besides being here, something more... physical? – that question was pounding in my head, I wanted to help in her recovery.

The nurse looked at me, narrowing her eyes, and approached me.

-Unfortunately there's not much to be done, but I advise you to talk to her. – I looked at the nurse who kept a serene expression.

-But talk about what?

-About things that she likes or even about your day to day. She may not remember after she wakes up, but it will be special.

-Thank you, ...?

-Lívia, my name is Lívia. – Lívia smiled and turned around again, going on her way.

POV Halsey

The audience here was amazing and I felt very welcomed and accepted, but wherever I went I always heard relentless questions about Lauren. I didn't mind, not really, I also wanted her around. I got off the stage, already being greeted by Sté.

-You were incredible, dear. – she complimented, pulling me into a hug.

-Thanks, I was a little nervous, but I think it went well. – I said smiling.

-Indeed. – Sté smiled and handed me a bottle of water. I grabbed it and drank it, my throat was completely dry.

-It's been a while since I've done this.

-If you were rusty, then I can't wait to see you fully active. – she winked at me – But I came here because I heard that you wanted to talk to me.

-Yes, can we go to your office?

-Of course. – Sté said motioning for me to go ahead, and so I did.

We walked by some people dancing, until I saw the metal door. I opened it and waited for Sté to enter.

-Well, I'll be straightforward. – I said as I sat down on the chair in front of her desk. The woman went around her desk and sat facing me, motioning for me to continue – I want Lauren here, in fact, I need her here.

-I know that and she'll come back. – the woman said, serving herself a glass of wine from the bottle that was on her desk.

-It turns out that I can't wait that long, I need her here until tomorrow at the latest.

-You can't handle things without Lauren here, Halsey? – the woman asked cynically.

-That's beside the point, just call her and tell her to come back to the club. – I got up and walked out of her office, letting the door slam shut.

I went towards the bar and sat on one of the stools that were there.

-Let me guess, a strong drink? – Normani asked.

-I don't drink on duty, Normani. – I gave her my best smile.

-Lauren would actually say that she doesn't work sober. – she said and we burst into laughter – Alright, I'll prepare you something very light then, you've already finished your shift. – she looked at me, narrowing her eyes, and eventually I agreed.

-Normani, Lauren isn't coming today? – asked a blonde woman as she sat next to me.

-Well, she's on vacation. – Normani said as she handed me the drink – This is Halsey, she works with us now, she'll work with Lauren. – the blonde woman looked at me and flashed me a lovely smile.

-Pleasure to me you, my name is Britt. – she said and extended her delicate hand.

-The pleasure is all mine, Britt. – I winked at her.

-Well, for a change Lauren stood me up again, but since she's not here, would you like to keep me company? – she asked and I looked at Normani who rolled her eyes and then laughed – Only until my real company calls me.

Great, this was all that I needed, it might come in handy.

-Of course, why not?!

POV Lauren Jauregui

I went back to the waiting room and stayed there until Mrs. Cabello left Camila's room. I talked to her and offered to spend the night with the Latina again. At first she was reluctant because she didn't want to abuse my goodwill, but soon gave in and left to go home. Upon entering the room, the cold atmosphere hit me hard.

-Hi. – I approached Camila's fragile body – Well, I had a conversation with the nurse who takes care of you and she advised me to talk to you.

I made a small automatic pause, waiting for an answer, but nothing was said. Only her breathing and the heart monitor beeping indicated that the Latina was still there.

-I know that I'm not very good with words, but I can try. – I let out a humorless laugh – I'll start with how my day went...

I told her about my day, I told her some funny facts, and as much as I didn't receive an answer, I felt that she was paying attention to everything I was saying. And strangely enough, it made me feel very good.