It's the first official day of the Reflection Tour. It's been a month since they've started rehearsals and yet the girls still very unprepared. The pressure is truly on, this isn't another tour of opening for something up, instead its their first headlining tour. Moment before the meet and greet the girls are in their own universes doing whatever helps them calm down. Normani, Ally and Lauren are just leaving catering and heading to the meet and greet. Dinah has the fun job of finding Camila to take her to the meet and greet. Dinah isn't surprise to find the shorter girl fixing her to be sure she looks good.
" Girl you ready? " Dinah asks while Camila fixes her hair. Camila feels weird having it parted on the left or right, seeing that it's usually in the middle. While she fixes her hair Dinah repeatedly taps her foot outside the door louder and louder to get Camila's attention. She does get her attention but she gets a giggle.
" In a second, this doesn't just happened you know, " Camila jokes, walking out of the dressing room following Dinah to the meet and greet.
" Girl whatchu talkin about we got a whole team dedicated to help us with all......this. " she says making a circle around her face, and lightly tapping her chin indicating the perfection that is her hair and face.
" Hush up. " Camila giggles linking their forearms together trying to catch up to the other girls.
Camila still hasn't gotten use to the idea of screaming fans and adoring gifts, being a former fan girl she sympathizes with the fans.
" CAMILA! CAMILA! CAMILA! " some girls shout and she smile and waves at them
The girls start with a couple of acoustic performances, a few questions and then onto meet and greets. Their first fan is a girl named Emily who greets them in tears. She goes into Camilas arms for a hug and Camila being the sweetheart that she is, couldn't have been happier to squeeze her with love.
" O-my hands are shaking. " Emily said as she laughs hysterically not fully grasping the situation unfolding in front of her.
" It's alright we'll shake along with you, " Camila jokes and starts shaking while the other girls follow
" I love you so much, " she cries into her arms as they give her one of the warmest group hugs
" Oh we love you, " they surprisingly respond in unison.
" So what would like us to do babes? " Lauren asks smilingly wrapping her arm around Emily, making her almost faint. Anyone can tell she is weak in the knees. Lauren always has that affect on people.
" Can we pretend to make it rain? " she laughs at herself,
" With what tho? " Dinah asks
" Oh-uhm-I already prepared this. " she takes out fake money and shreds of green paper, " Ay! " we all cheer.
" Yes! Girl you are ready!! " Mani cheers as she evenly hands out the slips of paper or fake money
" We didn't choose the thug life the thug life choose us. " Camila says earning weird looks from Ally, Normani, and Dinah while Lauren and Emily laugh
" Ready 1,2,3 " the photographer and onto the next fans.
About 30 minutes within the meet and greet, Camila decides to act cute by holding Lauren's hands and let one of her legs pop out. As soon as that shutter clicks the screams got louder, a few aw's, and they start screaming a name everyone recognizes.
" CAMREN! CAMREN! CAMREN! " they continue to cheer after the two girls left Camila whispers to Lauren, " Camren? " Camila hasn't thought about this in a while, she simply can't remember. Lauren shifts uneasily away from Camila, which the younger found odd.
Camila looks at the others girls, Dinah gives her an I-got-no-clue, Ally gives her a sorry-I-don't-know-either, and Normani gives her nothing it's like she didn't hear the younger girl. Ever since the unspoken incident between the two girls, the other girls have tried to ignore it as much as Lauren and Camila have.
" Lauren? " Camila asks snapping her out of her thoughts
" Sorry Cam-Camila, " she stutters,
After the meet and greet Camila takes it upon herself to search up Camren. She knows its a ship name but who's... While the hairdresser fixes her hair she investigates on her phone. They're were Tumblr tags,
This memory has been so repressed that she forgot all about her crush on Lauren back in the old days.
Now she remembers, Camren. That same name that gave her hope, Camren. That idea of Lauren actually finally saying she loved her back, Camren. At the same time, the same lie that tore her down every single day of her life until she realized. Camren wasn't and will never be real.
" Lauren! " Camila says catching her attention. The older woman looks up from her phone and gives her a surprise look.
" Look, " she hands her the phone and watches as Lauren scrolls through the tag. Lauren knows this feeling all too well, after Camila's cold shoulder she often would look through this tag to remember how fun they were together.
" Weren't we cute? " Camila jokes trying to lightly tread over the subject. Seeing that Camren has been rather cruel to both of them.
For Camila, In the beginning it was hell because, she was in love with the green eyed girl, but she didn't know how to approach such a sensitive topic. And of course the fans started to notice which scared her even more, to the point where she stopped, because she feared of the delusional confrontation that Lauren might've come with if they'd kept going.
" Super " she says boringly. They both use to love the idea of their friendship, because it was just such a rare experience but, not now.
" Right, no wonder they were screaming that, " Camila laughs at herself while Lauren simply agrees, still holding something back,
" Are you okay? " Camila wonders
" Yea. " she fakes a smile
" You're a horrible liar, Are you sure? " Camila turn to her making the hairdresser a little annoyed. Camila apologizes and turns back around while still giving Lauren full eye contact through the mirror. Camila knows, she has no right talking to her as if icing her out never happened but that was the only way to get over her. The only way for her to move on, and the idea of her knowing that there was even a " her " to move on from, is unbearable for Camila.
" Yeah Camila, just tired you know, " Lauren fakes,
" It's the first day of tour, " Camila say making her lightly chuckle, taking themselves by surprise. Camila hasn't really heard her laugh or chuckle like that in a while.
" Well you know me, working hard or hardly working, " that was the last thing Lauren says before leaving hair and make up.
Camila simply nods trying to understand that they can no longer talk to each other how they use too.
As Lauren is walking out of the room, she feels anxiety coming on. She knows she's got to find Normani, she walks pass 5 dressing rooms 3 different hallways until she finally she's the tall dark skin goddess that is Normani.
" Normani! " Lauren screams making her jump and look at her worriedly
" What? Whats wrong? " she says while as they held each other's forearm dramatically
" Camila, she's-talking to me? " Lauren mutters, Lauren knows how crazy that sounds but the reason for this anxiety is that Ā last time this happened things went too far. For one thing Lauren almost lost her mind trying to get answers as to what she did to Camila, making her ignore Lauren. Secondly, Lauren almost told her she loved her. Still love.
" Oh. " her eyes popped open and began to worry along with the raven hair girl. Normani's has been Lauren's rock through this whole experience she knows every single thing that has happened.
" Alright girls can we run it from the top for Better Together? Make sure you're in sync and one with each other. " Sean snapped at the girls trying to bring them back. They were Ā in the middle of rehearsing and putting together their opening act for Demi's Neon Lights Tour. Not only that, 2 weeks from now the tour starts and so does finishing their first official album, so everything is pretty hectic.
" Lauren? " Normani clapped getting her attention, Lauren was the only one left seeing that the rest of the girls were in their position. Lauren released a small huff and weak smile before running to her spot. She watched Normani give me a questioning smile, and Lauren just shook it off and got her head in the choreo.
After rehearsals the girls were cleaning up, seeing that Lauren didn't usually make a mess of things she finished rather quickly so she decided to talk to Camila.
" Hey Camz, " she lightly tapped her shoulder, Ā Camila quickly shuttered away. Ouch. Lauren thought to herself.
" Hi Lauren, " she says coldly, Lauren shook it off and just continued to smile.
" The Notebook and Chill tonight? " She jokes hoping she'd finally crack a smile at her.
" I-uhhm-I can't--because I've-Uhm-I've got plans. " she struggled to finished.
" Oh, alright. " Lauren sighed almost reaching towards her for a hug goodbye.
" Yeah, maybe next time? " she let out a fake smile before walking away from their short and meaningless conversation. " Sure. " Lauren whispered. Lauren felt the formation of tears come but she doesn't let them out yet, not here not now. She let out a sniffle and quickly gathered the tears on her index finger letting them go, that's when she felt a familiar gesture of comfort. Which was Normani wrapping her arms around her and asking;
" Can you tell me now? I've watched the same thing unfold over 100 times in 3 months, maybe it's good to finally talk about it? "
Seeing the tour started here in LA the girls decided to simply stay until the start of tour. The girls stayed at their usual hotel with our usual sleeping arrangements only this time Normani and Lauren shared a room.
After the release of their EP and promo tour Camila's been so cold, it's like after they got signed they hung out less and less. And even if they did it wasn't for more than 5 hours, Lauren understands that she's got her own life outside of the band but this isn't how it use to be.
And at the mention of our ship name Carmen it's like she's disgusted, which doesn't make sense because they created Camren.
" What's going on Lo? " Mani wondered as they entered our hotel room. Lauren placed her bag down on the floor, and plopped down on her bed faced down. She let out a groan before she felt the tears fell and the song of sobs began.
" Lauren? " Normani questions lifting her shoulder and turning Lauren over, " Okay you're worrying me, please tell me what's wrong? " she then sits Lauren up and pulled her into a really really tight hug.
" Lauren please tell me what's wrong? I gave you space and waited for an explanation for but now I could careless. This isn't you, for the past 3 months I've watched you approach Camila then come back here and mope. Please tell me what's happening. " she practically begged making Lauren cry even more.
" I'll grab you some tissues and water and I'll be right back okay, " she stood up from my bed and walked away to grab what she said she would while Lauren grabbed the pillow behind her. She brought the pillow to her chest and watched Mani come walking back to her with the items.
Lauren used a couple of tissues to clear her nose and drank some water to wet her super dry throat.
" Lauren? " she asked once more. " Camila hates me. " Lauren states making her scoff not believing older girl, but seeing that Lauren started to cry again she knew it was serious.
" Where'd you get that idea? " she rubbed her shoulder and brought Laurens head on her shoulder.
" She won't talk to me, she won't even acknowledge my presence. " Lauren cried into her shoulder, " Shh...shh...that's a bit ridiculously isn't it? I mean you and Mila are like best friends. " she explained trying to convince Lauren other wise.
" Okay what about? I think we've established your love for her, " Normani jokes trying to lighten the mood
" Camren. She knows! Mani she knows! SHE'S FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT! "Lauren say almost breaking into tears shocking Normani. Her eyes widen and gives Lauren a quick hug before saying
" Hey, hey, hey listen to me let's go on the bus okay, " Normani drags Lauren out as tears began to pour. Normani makes sure that she's one facing the crowd while Lauren hides behind her.
They left the stadium and found their way to the bus, thankfully there was no one there. They walk to the back of the bus since they know that's where they would get the most privacy.
" Tell me what happened? " she asks sitting across from Lauren
" Didn't you hear her question earlier? "Lauren ask hugging my knees to my chest
" Yes, but I tried to act like I didn't hear it, and it hasn't really come up in months specially from her side. So it was weird," she answers
"Yea but now I'm getting flashbacks about those horrible months with her giving me such a cold shoulder. And now it's even worse because it's like she's trying to play some fucked up game. Where she'd gained my trust again, figure out what I'm hiding, then ice me out again because of said secret. " Lauren starts to get louder and paces around the room
" Hold-hol-hol-hol-hold one! Wait a minute! She doesn't actually know? " she interrupts me
" Well-no, " Lauren answers, Normani sighs loudly
" Listen to me honey, maybe she finally realized that what she did was wrong and she's just trying to rekindle your friendship okay. Just don't act suspicious during the subject, " She advised
" But that's what I'm worried about, what if she questions me about it. " I began to sob again. She stood up and walked to my side
" Don't give her a reason to read into it. Okay, don't give them a reason to think my that you know somethin-"
" But I do. " Lauren interrupts
" Yes and only you and I know about that. " she smiles comforting Lauren
" What if she finds out, I can't take another ice cold Camila. I like how everything is and I've accepted it. " Lauren explains while Normani sits sarcastically laughing, Lauren looks at her not getting what was so funny about what is said.
" Are you serious? " she stood back up
" You like how everything is? Are you serious? HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY ACCEPT SOMETHING SO UNNECESSARY! Listen to me you don't deserve this okay, she should have given you an explanation. I seriously thought that during that last month of Neons Lights Tour everything would be back normal again. I didn't think it could get any worse, never did I ever imagine that she could do it again. Not only that as soon as you almost confessed you love she wave around the idea of her and Austin. It's as if burning you twice wasn't enough for her. I love Mila as much as the next girl but that's not how she should've handle the situation. " she paced while Lauren disappointingly agrees
" I didn't think it would be this bad Mani, I really didn't. It's just a crush. " Lauren sobs
" I know, I know. But you still need to know the truth.This is how Camren should've been handled, not ignored." she caresses Laurens hair comforting the crying girl
" Well I can't tell her! You saw how she acted, about this Mani! " Lauren defends herself
" Alright I see your point? But it's just a crush and you're not a lesbian " Normani says
" Who isn't a lesbian? "Camila walks into the back scaring Mani and Lauren
" Uh, Rebel Wilson " Mani quickly answers, trying to cover Camila from seeing a post cry Lauren. Lauren quickly wipes her eyes and fans her face.
" Oh that's a bummer, " she smiles
" Hey are you okay? " she asks popping her head to the side to look past Mani. Mani moves to the side and looks at Lauren with an act-normal look before she exits to the bunks
" Yea just really nervous, " Lauren say caressing my hands
" Why? You've performed so many times before? " she laughs and sits down next to Lauren. Lauren shifts a little more to the left to get some space between them, but that only made Camila come closer.
Come on Lauren! Act normal! She thought to herself.
" Well it's our first official tour where it's just us, you know, " Lauren says looking at her
Lauren has seen a lot in her small life but nothing is as beautiful as Camilas. She found them to be so simple and cute that she could stare at them all day. Some might say that brown is plain and boring but not hers it's like every time Lauren look in them she can see all the amazing things she can do. Lauren's mom always said if you ever fall in love with somebody don't fall for their looks but fall for their eyes because the eyes are the only thing that lasts forever. They are so mesmerizing, and her hair her perfectly curly light colored hair falling on her shoulder we're just killers. For Lauren If looks could kill, she would be dead.
" Lo? " she surprisingly says, Lauren hasn't heard that in a while " Yea? " Lauren weakly smiles
" I said, it won't matter what happened we're all in this together. " she smiles holding Laurens hand.
" Right, well I have to get my make-up done again, so I'll see you later. " Lauren gets up from the couch and leaves the bus
When step step foot onto the pavement someone grabs her arm and pulls me to the front of the bus.
" Mani what the hell? " Lauren say
" What happened? " she asks eagerly
" Nothing, now seriously I have to get my make up done again. " Lauren plainly answered
She nods her head and they make their way back to their dressing room. This is going to be one long and interesting tour.
A/N
Guys I hoped you liked the first chapter please vote and comment I'd love feedback questions anything.
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