NOTE: For a better reading, when I point out during the chapter, listen to "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum. Put it on repeat :)

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Karla Camila Cabello's Point Of View

For some reason, that night brought me good feelings. I stared at my image in the mirror of the room as I slid the rosy lipstick over my lips, delicately as to not smudge, it was the last touch for me to be completely ready. At this time, all the models, except me, were parading around the central area of the mansion, at the small party organized by the directors of the summer session of VS. I got up from the bench as I straightened the fabric of my black dress, it reached just below my knees; it was tight, highlighting my curves; its back was almost completely bare, except for the crossing of two strips in the center. The front part offered a relatively flashy neckline, where a delicate necklace rested with a few small diamond stones.

"I think I look good." I said to myself as I twirled in front of the mirror.

My hair was straight, long, reaching the middle of my back. I looked sexy and provocative, and I loved it so very much. I smirked and walked towards the exit of my suite. From the corridor I could already hear the sound of the music downstairs, accompanied by the voices and laughter of countless women and some men of the team. It was a celebration of the beginning of our project, which had everything to be the best one in all of the Victoria's Secret's history. From the top of the staircase I had the partial view of the first floor, and apparently, I was the only one missing to complete the party. I spotted the Angels and the bombshells scattered around the room as they savored something I thought was champagne. On the other side were the members of the team. And at the foot of the huge staircase was Lauren Jauregui, accompanied by Normani and Dinah, all in an entertaining and casual conversation.

"Come on, Camila." I whispered as I descended the stairs.

My steps were slow, in the right measure to attract the attention of those who were closest. Dinah lifted her head, along with Normani who flashed me a cheerful smile, which made Lauren turn towards the direction they were looking. The businesswoman spun on her heel, and fixed her eyes on me. I swear that in that split-second I felt a shiver run up my spine to the nape of my neck. I remained firm, with a provocative smile on the corner of my lips, until I approached the women. Lauren looked impeccable, she was wearing a burgundy dress, of light fabric and thin straps, showing off her gorgeous curves. Her hair was loose, wavy, almost natural. Her makeup highlighted her lips and her emerald green eyes.

"Good Evening, girls." I said with a smile as I approached.

"I thought you'd never come down." Normani commented.

Lauren averted her gaze, and shook her head, very subtly, but enough to make me notice. She had a glass of champagne in her hand, and time or another took a sip of it.

"You look amazing!" Dinah complimented kindly.

"You too, Dinah! In fact, everyone here looks amazing."

"I'm glad you came down for the party, I really thought you weren't coming." Lauren said.

"I really wasn't going to come, I'm pretty tired. But I don't know, I felt like I should."

"Oh, I'm going to get more champagne. Will you join me, Dinah?"

I looked into Normani's eyes, clearly noticing her intentions. The woman just smiled, and dragged Dinah away from there, leaving me alone with Lauren. We stood there in silence for a few instants, awkward instants, which were interrupted by her.

"Your family still lives here?"

"Yes, they live in the same neighborhood as before. The difference is that they changed houses, with the money I earned I was able to offer them a much better place."

"I imagine so, I'm surprised they haven't moved."

"My parents like it there, they say they have a lot of friends, and loved ones."

"Are you going to visit them?"

"Yes! I'm going on the weekend when I have some free time. We're going to stay here for a few days, and I want to take the opportunity to see them."

"Of course, you definitely should do that. The Cabellos are wonderful people."

"Thank you, Lauren."

"Do you want a glass of champagne?" She asked as soon as she saw a waiter stop by our side.

I just nodded, and gently she grabbed one of the goblets with champagne, handing it to me.

"Let's make a toast." Lauren said with a smile.

"To what?"

"To our truce."

"We don't even know if it's going to work. I confess that I'm controlling myself not to provoke you."

Lauren let out a chuckle, which made me smile.

"Really?"

"I'm not as nice as I was before, Jauregui."

"Me neither, Karla."

We stared at each other for a few instants, until we were interrupted by some people. The party was animated; people were really having fun, they were dancing, talking and drinking a lot. I had already lost count of how many glasses of champagne I ingested in the last two hours, but luckily, I was still feeling fine, I couldn't say that I was drunk, unlike some Angels who had already fallen to the floor a few times.

"Come, Karla. Let's dance." Alessandra exclaimed as she pulled me by the hand.

I walked in hurried steps to the group of models who danced excitedly to the sound of Ariana Grande's and Nicki Minaj's "Side to side". I positioned myself between Alessandra and Adriana, two of the main models, both Brazilian with a renowned career. They were always very welcoming and kind, and made sure to dance really close to me. I moved my body according to the engaging music that filled the room.

"Like this, Camila." Alessandra exclaimed as she swayed her hips really close.

I let out a lively laugh and repeated her movements, swaying my hips at the same rhythm as both models. People around danced and celebrated, while the alcohol altered their senses. We stayed in a kind of "train" with all the models dancing at the same time; for those watching, it was a rather striking and sensual sight, modesty apart, of course.

"Girls, look over here." Exclaimed Patrick.

We faced the man carrying the camera in his hands, recording all our moments of relaxation. We positioned ourselves in the best possible way, all trying to look as presentable as possible, since we were almost at the end of the party, and we no longer looked as good as we did at the beginning of the night. After some photos for sheer pleasure, I moved away from the group of models and walked outside the mansion; I needed fresh air. I grabbed my glass of champagne that was on some table inside the house, and headed to the deck. Outside, the atmosphere was much more cold, the cool breeze blew against my face, bringing me a good feeling. My head was spinning due to the good amount of champagne I ingested tonight. I walked slowly, not to stumble or stagger, until the edge of the deck, which marked the division between the beach and the garden.

"You came to cool off your head?"

I jumped up, startled, putting my hand on my chest. Lauren let out a chuckle as she took a few steps towards me.

"Jesus, Jauregui! You want to kill me?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"What are you doing out here?" I asked as I leaned against the jamb of the deck.

"The same as you."

I stared into her light green eyes and nodded slowly. I felt a little uncomfortable, not because of her presence, but because of the silence that had settled between us, as if there was an abyss full of things to be discussed, and I knew that there was, but I wouldn't bring them back, it wasn't healthy, was it?

"You look beautiful tonight." Lauren said nervously, making me look at her.

I shook my head and smiled.

"You too, Lauren." I took a deep breath. "As usual..."

She took a step forward, closing the distance between us, everything in the slowest and most subtle way she could, as if she was afraid of being attacked at any moment. I didn't back away, on the contrary, stood right where I was, just turned towards the beach. The sky was open, clear, except for that starry immensity that enveloped the luminous moon up high; the sea seemed agitated, the waves moved with voracity, as the cool breeze blew against my face. I closed my eyes for a few instants, and took a deep breath, feeling that seawater scent enter my nostrils, and the sound of it fill my ears.

"Doesn't this make you remember the past?" I asked, still with my eyes closed. I felt Lauren really close, right next to me. She also rested her arms on the jamb, and stared at the sea. "I mean, this place, us here."

"It does, Camila. Ever since you came back all I can think about is the past and how much you make me lose my mind."

I opened my eyes and stared at her face. Lauren didn't speak in a nervous way, on the contrary, her expression was calm.

"It's no different for me, Lauren." I said as I took the last sip of the champagne. I was drunk. "I don't know if I hate you more for it, or if my anger remains the same."

"Camila..."

"I don't want to talk about what happened today. if you want we can remember something good... Take advantage that I'm drunk and don't want to fight with you."

"You're very drunk." She said with a funny expression, which made me smile.

"Don't look at me like that, I've had to witness you drunk several times. Drunk and melancholy." I said with a laugh, seeing her do the same.

"Let's not remember those shameful moments."

"Oh, so when it comes to those, you don't want to remember, huh?"

"No, leave them in the past!"

"No way, I remember the time you drank so much after an argument of ours, you showed up at my house, crying and apologizing."

"That earned me a good headache the next day." She said with a grimace.

"I know, idiot. I took care of you, as always!"

I tilted my body to the side, bumping her shoulder with my own. Lauren let out a laugh and shook her head as she took another sip of her drink.

"Do you remember the time we drank together on the beach?"

I stared into her eyes that now were fixed on mine, she was breathing slowly, but with that hint of excitement due to the memories.

"How could I forget?"

*Flashback On*

I raised the remote towards the television, changing the channel for the thousandth time in less than an hour. Nothing could hold my attention, nothing would take that damn girl out of my head. At this time, Lauren was in Ethan's arms, and I didn't want to imagine what they were doing, but it was impossible to eliminate those thoughts from my head. I closed my eyes and pulled the pillow over my face, in a metaphorical attempt to silence my thoughts.

"You only complicate things, Camila!" I exclaimed to myself.

I sat up on the bed, turning my attention back to the images on the TV, or at least trying to do that. And that was when the bedroom door burst open, showing a totally shaken Lauren. I stared at her troubled expression, leaving me completely confused. Her face was red and wet. She was crying, to the point of sobbing.

"What happened?" I asked as I got up from bed at once.

She didn't answer me, just kept crying painfully. I didn't know what to do; what could we do when someone cried nonstop?

Lauren walked over to the bed, where she sat down. I sat beside her as I watched her, I didn't know if I should get closer, we didn't have a good day, and getting closer could make her worse.

"Please, tell me what happened." I whispered as I touched her hair slowly.

Her gasping breath was filled with sobs amid her crying. Lauren lifted her head, turned her body towards me and hugged me. I closed my eyes, and in that instant I wrapped her in my arms. It was heartbreaking to see her like that; a thousand possibilities of what might have happened went through my head.

"Lauren, please. Tell me why you're like this. Let me help you."

"You were right, Camz." She whispered crestfallen.

"About what?"

"Ethan! He's a tremendous asshole!"

"What did he do to you?" I asked as I stood up.

I didn't want to think about what that asshole might have done. Seeing Lauren like that, and knowing it was because of him, only fired my desire to kill him. Did he cheat on her? Did he hit her or force her to...

"Lauren..." I whispered, afraid to ask and get an unwanted answer. "Did you..."

"No, Camila." She stood up and took a deep breath, trying to control her tears. "We didn't do anything."

I let out a breath of air in sheer relief. Not that it softened the state he'd left her in, but knowing that he hadn't harmed her that way was less traumatizing. I looked at her sad face, and moved closer.

"Tell me what happened, why are you like this? I want to help you, but I need to understand, Laur."

Lauren, after a few minutes, stopped crying and started talking about everything that had happened with Ethan. She told me he was drunk, that he almost forced her, and that he was extremely rude when she refused it. She said that he left her alone and didn't even care about her condition. I confess that my only desire was to go down to that party and spit out on his face all that I was holding back, but I couldn't expose Lauren that way. But I wouldn't let it slide, at all.

"You were right! I was an idiot for not listening to you! I was so dumb!" She cried out in my arms.

"Forget about it, Lo. It doesn't matter anymore, okay? You can't stay sad like this..."

"I can't not stay like this, it was horrible!"

"I know, but he'll pay for it. I promise."

Lauren lifted her head and looked at me. Her green eyes were reddish due to the tears. It broke my heart to see her so sad, I felt powerless for not being able to eliminate such feeling from within her. If I could, I'd do anything to make her happy, to make her forget about that moment.

"I'm sorry, Camila. I was an idiot with you today, I ignored you all afternoon."

"Lauren, forget about it, okay?" I begged as I carefully brought my hands to her face.

I let my thumbs slide down her cheek, wiping the tears that time or another escaped her eyes. Lauren sighed tiredly, and joined her hands to mine.

"You're the best friend I could have."

A smile escaped my lips, and I just nodded before hugging her. We stayed there for a few more minutes, and then Lauren laid down on the bed and rested her head on my lap, while she let my fingers slide between the strands of her brown hair. I managed to keep my eyes focused on the TV screen, but my thoughts still surrounded the girl, and that was when I heard her low murmurs. I leaned over, realizing that she was still crying.

"Lauren, please, don't cry." I whispered affectionately.

"I just want to forget about it all. But it still keeps repeating, you know? He was such an asshole." She exclaimed as she got up.

I remained where I was, just watching her walk from one side to the other as she grumbled about Ethan. I always knew that he was an asshole, and I warned her, but I wasn't the type of person who said 'I told you so'. Maybe my in love with Lauren side prevented me from being so rude in the midst of her pain, my only desire was to make her forget about what had happened, in a hopeful attempt to save her night.

"We'll leave tomorrow." She said.

"We will, but we have to enjoy the rest of the night first."

Lauren turned towards me with an incredulous look.

"Camila, I'm not in the mood to-"

"You want to forget about all this, don't you?"

"It's my only desire, to forget about it all. Even if only for a few hours..."

I nodded briefly and approached with a hopeful smile.

"What...?" She asked.

"Let's go out! Take a walk."

"No, no way... I..."

"Lauren, I'm not asking. I'm ordering. We're going out, you and me, even if it's only to walk on the beach. I'm your best friend, and it's my duty to make you feel better."

"You don't have to, let's stay-"

"You won't regret it, I promise."

The girl stood in silence, as she bit the tip of her lower lip slowly, she seemed to be thinking about my out of the blue proposal. I really didn't know what we were going to do, but I was determined to improve her night, even if only for a few hours.

"What do you say?" I insisted. "Shall we go?"

Lauren sighed heavily and flashed me a weak smile. I extended my hand to her, which she held confidently.

"I'm gonna make your night better, Jauregui. Do you trust me?"

"You're the person I trust most in this world."

"Then let's go!"

I pulled Lauren down the corridors of Ethan's house, heading towards the stairs. On the first floor, the party was in full swing, there were a lot of people circulating around, maybe even more than a few hours ago. I descended a few steps, trying to see if the owner of the party was present. Lauren remained at the top of the stairs waiting for a sign that the path was clear. Before we left the bedroom, she grumbled that she didn't want to have the misfortune of seeing Ethan again that night.

"It's all clear! Come." I whispered to her as I motioned for her to come down.

Lauren hastened her steps, and soon stood beside me. I held her hand before leading her out of the house. We didn't want to be seen, avoiding questions or unnecessary companies at the moment was the best way.

"I don't think there's another way out to the beach that's not through the deck." I heard the girl whisper.

"There must be one through the garden. See, it's dark, no one will see us."

"You're right. But I still don't understand why we're hiding."

I let out a chuckle and faced her green eyes.

"Well, if you want we can walk through the deck, come across Ethan's group of friends who think they have some intimacy with you, or you can even come across Ethan himself."

Lauren frowned and shook her head.

"That wouldn't be a good idea, I want to stay away from all of them."

"That's what I thought."

We passed behind a group of people, some older guys who were talking about the boobs of a drunken girl in the pool. Lauren grimaced when she realized the subject matter, which made me laugh at her funny expression. I pulled her to the side garden, which was empty and dimly lit.

"We can go down through there." She whispered once we stopped behind a tree.

"We can, but wait here a little." I whispered before walking away.

"What?"

"Wait there, I'll be right back." I motioned for her to stay where she was.

"Camila!" She exclaimed incredulously.

I walked to the deck and approached the beverage table. Josh, one of Ethan's friends, flashed me a smile that I reciprocated before turning my back to him. I stood there observing the people around, waiting for them all to move away, and as soon as they did, I subtly grabbed one of the bottles that were on the table, and 2 plastic cups.

"Oh my God, what are you doing?" Lauren asked as soon as I approached.

"I thought you might need this."

"You're crazy!"

A smile appeared on her lips, giving me a hint of hope of improving her night.

"Come with me."

We walked across the lawn to the wooden fence that divided the beach property, and luckily, there was a way through a small gate in the left corner of the garden. As soon as we stepped out of Ethan's property, Lauren flashed me an enthusiastic smile.

"What are we going to do now?"

"Let's go for a walk. Hold this." I handed her the bottle of tequila and the plastic cups, as I bent down to take off my sandals. "Give me that now, and take yours off."

Lauren nodded and took off her sandals, like I had done. I waited for her to pick them from the ground, to then walk beside her across the almost deserted beach, except for the couples that were hooking up near the deck.

"We'd better walk further, I don't want to see Ethan."

"Sure. How about that side?"

"It's great."

We walked in full silence, and that didn't seem to bother us. Lauren walked beside me as she let the sea water wet her bare feet. Thank God that night looked beautiful, the sky was open and very starry. I loved to go to the beach at night, it made me think and relax. My thoughts seemed to get lost in the sea breeze.

"You shouldn't even be helping me."

I lifted my head towards the girl next to me, seeing her still entertained by the waves that ended at the edge of the beach.

"Why?"

"I only treated you badly today. And all because..."

"Because?"

Lauren sighed hesitantly, and finally looked at me.

"Because of jealousy." She murmured as soon as we stopped walking.

We were far away enough from Ethan's house, close to the other houses that also seemed to be having a party, not like ours, these ones were much more tranquil.

"Jealousy?" I asked as I sat down on the sand.

The girl rolled her eyes impatiently before sitting down by my side. She looked at our cups that were now resting on the sand, alongside the bottle of tequila.

"Yeah, you spent all your time with Vero."

"Really? You were jealous? Oh my God."

"Don't say it like that! You pulled away from me during the whole weekend, you stuck to Veronica like gum."

"Maybe it was you who pulled away from me to be with your almost boyfriend."

Lauren fell silent, realizing that I was right. I opened the bottle cap and poured a good amount of tequila into the two red cups. God, the scent was already strong enough, so imagine the effect of it. Laure grabbed her cup, and I promptly did the same.

"I don't want to fight, Laur. I brought you here so you could forget your problems."

"With booze?" She retorted amid a laugh.

"And with my company."

I don't know for how long we stayed there, talking about the most random subjects. Lauren seemed to have loved the taste of tequila, she didn't let go of her cup for a minute, maybe she was finishing the bottle way faster than me. Her intoxicated state made that clear. I grabbed the bottle and put it beside me, and received a reproachful look from the girl who didn't say anything.

"No more booze for you."

She laughed, as if I had just told a joke.

"You're so cute when you're worried." She commented in a rather exalted voice tone.

"Of course I'm worried, I was the one who gave you that drink."

"And you did the right thing, I feel light!"

She lifted her arms and threw herself back, letting her body touch the sand. I looked at the young girl who was now lying down, looking at me.

"Lie down."

"I'll get all dirty."

"Lie down, Camila." She exclaimed as she patted the sand with her hand. "Let's look at the sky, it's beautiful."

*(Play song)*

I shook my head and smiled before laying down beside her. Lauren was right, the sky looked very beautiful; perhaps it was a full moon, taking into consideration its size and extremely strong glow. Around us we could identify innumerable starry points, which painted the sky mesmerizingly.

"I like looking at the sky at night." She said as she rested her hands on her stomach.

"I like it too, I do it whenever I can."

"You do?"

"Yes, it makes me think about everything. My life, my plans, people." I whispered.

"What are your plans, Camila? For the future."

I flashed a smile and took a really deep breath, feeling the scent of the sea, which worked like a natural tranquilizer for me.

"I have so many plans, so many dreams that I could spend the whole night telling you about them."

"I don't mind listening, we have the whole night ahead of us."

"You really want to know?" I asked as I looked at her.

"Very much."

I looked into her eyes, they conveyed excitement, and they were shiny despite their intoxicated appearance. Lauren had a sincere smile gracing her so gorgeous lips.

"Hmm, I have a list of things I want to do in my life."

"Really?" She asked incredulously.

"Yes! It has many things."

"Tell me! I want to know." She said as she inched closer.

"No way, there are a lot of things in my list."

"Tell me some then, come on." She pleaded with puppy dog eyes.

I sighed in defeat, and looked back at the starry sky again.

"Well, I think the first one is to become a model, a worldwide known model! I want my name on every magazine cover, billboards, TV shows. I want to walk down the runway for countless events and brands, like Victoria's Secret. I love those girls wearing those wings, and the valuable design pieces." Lauren had a smile on her lips as she just stared at me. "I want to be able to help my family, give them a better financial condition. I want to help my little sister become a more well-educated person, with many opportunities. I think I want to have children as well, in fact, I really want to adopt a child."

"Why? You don't feel like having one?" Lauren asked, making me look at her.

"I do, of course. But I intend to have two children. And I really want one of them to be adopted."

"I understand, it's a very beautiful gesture."

"Thank you."

"Go on, I want to know more."

I smiled, and struggled to remember more items from my wish list.

"I want to get a tattoo! One that represents me."

"I can accompany you when you do it, I'll choose your tattoo." She said smugly.

"You will, huh?" I looked at her.

"Of course! But keep going..."

"I want to have the resources to create a charity institution, I don't know, some kind of workshop for children, and that can serve for education, leisure, and maybe even housing. There are so many people who can't live a decent life because of social inequality. I really want to be able to help, you know? I feel that I must, and I'll do my best to succeed."

Lauren remained silent, just staring at me in an indecipherable way. I confess that I felt naked under her eyes, as if she could see into me. She was tranquil, breathing calmly, and I wondered if that was the effect of the tequila. She motioned for me to continue, and so I did.

"I want to jump off a hang glider, dive in the sea, throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain in Italy, watch the sunset at the top of a mountain, go somewhere where I can see the aurora borealis. I want to be arrested for a few hours for a stupid reason. I want to have an amazing prom. I want to fall madly in love, and do some very cliché things like carving my initial and the other person's on a tree. I want to spend a whole day watching a movie, and run away from home to spend a romantic weekend away; I want to have that person with me for the rest of my life and I want to be able to fulfill good part of my plans with them."

"Do you have any defect?" She asked seriously.

I chuckled and bumped her shoulder with my own, with some difficulty since we were lying on the sand.

"I'm serious." Lauren whispered with a smile. "I can't see bad things in you, Camila. It's hard to believe that you still haven't found a nice guy to be your boyfriend."

"I don't believe I have to find anything, you know? I see love differently."

"How do you see it?"

I was nervous, very nervous. Lauren and I already had countless conversations about love, relationships, plans, but this one had something different about it that I couldn't explain. I knew that Lauren was drunk, but she was staring at me in such an intense way that it made the hairs on my body stand on end.

"Lauren..."

"Tell me. I've dated a few boys, but I don't think I've ever been truly in love, you know? I don't think I know what love is, Camila. And even if you haven't dated as much, I feel that you know more than me. So tell me..."

I swallowed hard and sat up. I bent my knees, enveloping my legs with my arms. Lauren didn't take long to sit up as well, with an expression that indicated that she was still waiting for my answer.

"People believe that when they have a relationship with someone that that's a mandatory sign that there's love between them. But no, sometimes it's not even love, it's just an attraction, passion, desire or even affection. Love is much bigger than that, you know? It is a feeling that we can't conceptualize, after all every person has their way of loving, but we can express it. You love someone because of how that person is inside, all their little details, be them good or bad. Love isn't accepting someone because of their qualities, is it? Anyone can do that. Love is accepting the flaws. Love is understanding the past mistakes and help not to commit them again. When you love you're willing to do everything to see the other person happy, even certain sacrifices, like giving up something important, such as: your feelings." I sighed, and stared at her. "There is love when you feel light, safe, confident, protected, cared for, just because you are in the presence of the person you love. Love is those famous butterflies in your stomach, it's a memory followed by a silly smile, it's that maddening urge to scream when you feel totally submerged in inexplicable feelings, it's listening to a song and remember someone, it's the urge to touch, to feel. You feel you must protect them from the world and from everyone who can do harm. You want to have that person in your life, almost full time. You want to have their attention, their caresses, their time, their feelings. You want to feel like you're the only one to this someone, as if they need you just as much as you need them. I could stay all night long talking about love to you, but I think this is enough for today."

I didn't have the courage to face her while I talked about love; I had the feeling that at any moment she could figure me out only with a glance. We stayed in silence for a few seconds, which made me even more nervous. I was feeling my hands sweating and my head spinning. Effects of the tequila, or effects of Lauren Jauregui?

"Camila..."

We were sitting side by side, almost in the same position. My breathing was starting to change.

"What is it?"

"Can I ask you a question? Look at me." She said as she held my chin, forcing me to look at her.

"Sure."

Lauren also looked nervous, her breathing betrayed that. But she was extremely drunk, so it could be because of that.

"Have you ever felt that way?" She slid the tip of her tongue over her lips. "In love with someone?"

Her question floored me. I looked into her intoxicated eyes, which now stared at me waiting for a serious answer.

"I..." I looked away from her gaze, but she made me face her again.

"Tell me the truth, I just want the truth."

"I'm feeling that way now."

Lauren seemed to stop breathing, she went completely still. I felt my heart pounding in frantic and nervous beats that I could swear would lead to my death at any moment.

"Lauren..." I whispered as soon as she averted her eyes from mine.

"You're in love with Veronica, aren't you?"

I frowned in confusion, seeing her get up in a jolt.

"Why didn't you tell me? I thought I was your best friend!"

"What? Lauren, you're-"

"I knew I wasn't imagining things, the way you two were more than close this weekend." She grumbled completely angry. "I didn't even know you liked girls!"

"I never denied it. Is that a problem for you?"

She turned her back to me, putting her hand on her waist, as she spat out something I couldn't understand.

"Of course not! I just wanted to know. You told me so much about love, and didn't tell me that you were in love?" She looked nervous, disappointed.

"You're confusing everything!" I said as I faced her.

"What? Huh? Are you going to tell me that you're not in love?"

"No, I'm not going to say that, I really am in love. But not with her..."

I had the feeling that I could pass out from nervousness at any moment. The alcohol in my body made everything more intense, heavy.

"Then who are you in love with, Camila?"

"You wouldn't want to know." I whispered nervously. "Forget about it..."

"I want to know, tell me!" She exclaimed as she stood in front of me.

In that instant I felt my heart falter, the words disappeared from my mouth, leaving me completely lost. Lauren was standing in front of me, so close to the point of making me feel her warm breath against my face. I swallowed hard the knot formed in my throat, while my insides seemed to boil. She had a furious gaze, almost murderous. The wind blew against her face, making a few strands of her wavy hair get out of place.

"Tell me, Camila!"

In a short space of time, my mind got lost, and the courage tamed by my feelings made me act. I took a step forward and brought my hands to Lauren's face, which I pulled towards me to take her lips with mine. At first she didn't reciprocate, however, she didn't pull away, perhaps was too surprised to think straight, but I didn't back away. Lauren sighed against my lips, and accepted them along with hers, kissing back. Soon I felt her hands rest on my waist, giving me the answer I needed to continue. I remained with my eyes shut as I descended my hands to the back of her neck. Her lips were so soft, delicate, the best I could touch with my own. I felt my whole body shiver, my skin burn in a colossal heat caused by that so intense kiss. I let the tip of my tongue slide slowly over the girl's lips, and she parted them in a silent request for me to deepen the kiss. I closed my fingers around her hair tightly as soon as our tongues slid over each other. It was like putting all our energies, desires, feelings into a single act. I didn't want to let her go, but the lack of air was already starting to make me feel dizzy, and my only alternative was to pull my lips from hers.

*Flashback Off*

I woke up from that bubble of memories, realizing that Lauren and I were too close. I confess that I felt my body shiver with her proximity. It was at least crazy the way how she made me feel. I could hate her, but I couldn't deny that she attracted me, and a lot. Lauren was staring into my eyes, and time or another looked at my lips, just as I did with her. Suddenly I was in a time tunnel, where everything repeated itself. This time, Lauren no longer had the same young features of before, now they were mature, sensual, but still extremely attractive to me. She inched closer slowly, enough to make me close my eyes and feel her breath against my face.

"Lauren, don't..."

"Please, let me do this." She whispered against my lips.

I felt her hand grab the back of my neck, and the other rest on my waist, in a breathtaking grasp. I couldn't deny it, I didn't want to deny it, I was too drunk to fight against my subconscious that screamed for me to back away. I just let it happen. And immediately felt the woman's lips seal mine with want. Her tongue skillfully snaked over mine, making me savor the taste of champagne in her mouth, and what a mouth. Lauren pushed me against the jamb, pinning my body with hers, while her mouth drove me completely crazy. It had the same intensity as of years ago when we kissed for the first time. I brought my hands to her face as I sucked her tongue slowly, and then I felt Lauren's teeth pull my lower lip, to then join her tongue with mine again. We were breathless, almost silently pleading for more, but we couldn't.

"We'd better stop..." I whispered.

She pulled away slowly, without taking her hands from my waist.

"You're right, I'm sorry. I just-"

"I know, I know." I interrupted as I freed myself from her arms, facing the sea again. I need a safe distance from that woman.

"I don't want this to mess things up."

"Lauren, it was only supposed to be a truce and-"

"It can be something more, Camila. You know it can, you feel it can."

She took a step forward, closing the distance between us again, but I backed away.

"It may not work out. I know what I feel, and it won't be an easy job for you."

"I know it won't, but I'd be willing if you wanted. If you let me."

I looked away from her eyes that made me weak. I didn't know what was happening, suddenly, every barrier I built to protect myself simply disappeared, leaving me completely unprotected before the woman who once was everything to me.

"I have to go." I said quickly, in an attempt to end that night. "I'm tired, and we have a long and busy day tomorrow."

Lauren sighed, but didn't say anything.

"Good Night, Lauren." I said as I walked away.

The woman remained standing in the same place. I had to gather strength to move on, because a part of me asked me to stay and let her try again. But I knew that everything had happened because of her, and I wasn't sure if I was willing to allow myself to go through it all again.

"Camila!"

I was already a few feet away when I stopped to face her. In that instant I saw the Lauren from high school, with the same nervous expression and the same hopeful look as she seemed to search for the right words.

"Yes?"

She closed her eyes briefly and took a deep breath, it was noticeable by the movement of her chest.

"I just want you to know that I'm still completely in love with you."

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NOTE: I'll try to translate and post the next chapter till the weekend, otherwise only on the weekend. Now that my classes started again, I don't have as much time as I had this past week, but I'll try to translate every time I can during my free time.