The Blindside of Love (Camren) Altern Versión

Chapter 19

Lauren paced nervously in front of the computer. She'd managed to somehow avoid checking her email for a week, but her patience was starting to wear thin. She was scared of Camila's reaction.

What if she starts insulting me? What if she's so disgusted she didn't even respond? She sighed sadly. What if she stops being my friend.

The devil on her shoulder spoke up. And why do you care if she never talks to you again? You were doing perfectly fine before she ever came along. It's not like you're going to lose anything by never speaking to her again.

But Lauren knew that wasn't true. Besides Adrian and her grandmother, she'd never found somebody else she could open up to. Even when she chatted online, it was always one-time conversations. They never amounted to anything. She lied to them all, anyway. But Camila... Camila was different.

Lauren let out a deep breath and stopped in front of the laptop. She moved the arrow on the screen until she was confronted with her inbox. Both to her relief and dread, there was an email from Camila .

Just open it, she thought. Get it over with.
She counted to five and then clicked on the email. She read it over. Once. Twice. She blinked a few times and smiled.

"She doesn't care!!" she yelled happily.

She started dancing around the living room, nearly tripping on the rug.

Returning to the computer, she hit reply. Lauren couldn't believe how relieved she felt.

"Or how incredibly dorky I am," she added, shaking her head. But she didn't particularly care, cause she was happy.

"I'm sure Entertainment Tonight would've paid top dollar for a copy of that performance."

Reining in her excitement, she began to type.

Dear Camila ,

I'm relieved that my sexuality doesn't present a problem. I admit I was a bit nervous about telling you.

"Ha, try petrified," Lauren commented.

I'm sorry about your family's reaction to your step-brother's news. It must have been really hard for him coming out to them. But it's really nice that you're there for him. I'm sure it means a great deal to him to know that he's got your love and support. I know how important it's been to have Adrian's, and he's not even family.

I'm pretty certain that mine would react in much the same manner as yours did, though for different reasons.

I come from an upper middle class family and they (my mother and sister especially) are the kind of people that make everything about what every one else thinks. If they were to find out about me ... well, the world would end at my household. I don't even think they're homophobic, per se. Just too focused on their social standing to think for themselves.

Now who's going off on a tangent? :o)

But you spoke of your culture... what culture are you referring to? Every time I read one of your emails I realize how very little I know about you.

My favorite poem. You couldn't ask me something simple? ;o)

I have so many I love. But I suppose I can pick one for you. I'd have to go with

"The Indian Serenade" by Percy Bysshe Shelley.

I'm particularly fond of the first stanza. I am a sucker for romance poetry, though I'm sure you could guess that by now. :o)

So who's your favorite artist?

Your friend,

Laura

———

"I brought a couple of scripts to glance over," James Corden said, handing them over to an impatient Lauren.

Her agent had shown up at her house early the next morning to discuss some of her upcoming roles. She looked at the first screenplay and then the other.

"They're filming around the same time," James continued. "Shortly after the release of Guardian, so you'll have to pick one or the other."

Lauren flipped through one of the scripts, not particularly reading anything. "So which one do you think would be best?"

James sighed, running a hand through his disheveled brown hair. He pushed his glasses up with one finger. "Frankly, I'm not sure. One is an excellent role, but it may be a bit more controversial than the other."

Lauren glanced up. "What do you mean?"

"The character's a lesbian," James responded hesitantly.

Lauren stared at him. "Absolutely not, James," she replied at once.

"I figured you might say that," he said, looking a bit disappointed. "But it's an excellent script and the character is truly remarkable. Definitely Oscar bound."

"Lesbians don't win Oscars in Hollywood," Lauren informed him, tossing both scripts aside. "What's the other role?"

"A robot," he answered.

Lauren sighed. "That's it? That's all you've gotten me? A lesbian and a robot? What kind of crap is that?"

James shook his head. "They're both good roles," he said on his own behalf. "Though I feel that the lesbian role may only help you grow artistically."

"Grow? No, it will not help me grow. It will only box me into a category I will never escape from. I play an angel for crying out loud. No one's going to want to see me get it on with another woman!"

"Hollywood's evolving," James tried again.

"Screw Hollywood's evolution, James!" Lauren yelled. "I will not fall into this bullshit trap!"

James Corden sighed again and shrugged his shoulders. He was used to dealing with Lauren's temper. It was legendary. She must have been in a good mood today.

"Well, on to the good news," he said, removing some paperwork from his briefcase. "Guardian wants to renew your contract for two more seasons. Do you accept?"

"Gladly," Lauren answered, though she was fuming still from the original topic. A lesbian?! She couldn't play a lesbian! She may as well start prancing around wearing an "Out and Proud" tee shirt.

"Great." He handed the papers over. "You can go over the details with your lawyers. I've already faxed them a copy." He rose to his feet. "If I get you any better offers, I'll contact you. In the mean time, think it over, Lauren. At least read the scripts."

Lauren walked the man to the door, flipping through the papers in her hand. "Yeah, whatever," she muttered, and slammed the door shut behind him.

She headed back to the living room and picked up one of the scripts. She guessed the one entitled A Robot's Diary wasn't the one about the lesbian. So, she stared at the other's title page. Summer's End, written by Normani Kordei. Lauren opened it to the first page, where she noted that the character of Lena Harlow was highlighted in yellow.

Lauren shook her head and went to close the screenplay, but paused as she noticed the setting. New York City ... Camila ...

She frowned and threw the script across the living room. It crashed noisily against the vertical blinds. Angrily, she stormed up to her room and slammed the door.

She would not play a lesbian. No way. No how.