Trials and Tribulations

Chapter 38

"So where are your parents and everyone?" Normani asked Lauren as the two of them moved around the Jauregui kitchen, pulling out bowls and bags of chips from the cupboards in preparation for the Christmas movie marathon that they'd

rearranged with the rest of the girls for today. It was New Years' Eve and Normani had returned from Texas late last night after having spent the holidays there with her family. "My parents are at Camila's house," Lauren informed her chuckling at the unexpected turn of events. "They really hit it off on Thursday night," Lauren told her, pulling out a couple of bottles of soda from the fridge and tucking them under her arm as she walked over to the kitchen counter to deposit them there. "My dad is watching the Dolphins game with Camila's dad whilst our moms go shopping." She laughed at the absurdity of it all. "Chris and Taylor are both staying over at friends' to see in the New Year." "So your parents will be back later?" Normani asked, rummaging through a cupboard and pulling out some microwaveable popcorn. "No, they probably won't be back until the early hours of tomorrow morning," Lauren said as she pulled out an assortment of sweets from a draw beside the sink. "Camila's parents are having some friends over for a party tonight to celebrate the New Year so they're staying there." "So we'll be unsupervised," Normani mused, raising her eyebrow thoughtfully. "Interesting..." "Why is that interesting?" Lauren asked, not understanding Normani's train of thought. "Well, we're all staying over so it'll give you and Camila the chance to, I don't know, celebrate the start of a New Year together," she finished, smirking in Lauren's direction at the insinuation. Lauren rolled her eyes in response to Normani's suggestion. "What, with all of you here?"

Lauren asked making a face. "I don't think so do you? Besides, my parents might be celebrating the New Year with Camila's parents and her friends but they'll be back at some point. I don't really think it'll be a good idea for them to find me and Camila in bed together tomorrow morning. I'd be grounded for the next three hundred and sixty five days, guaranteed." "Where is your girlfriend anyway?" Normani asked as she opened a pack of the microwaveable popcorn and put it in to the machine. "I thought she would have already been here by now." "She's getting a lift here with Ally and Dinah," Lauren replied, turning around to lean against the kitchen counter as she watched Normani copy her stance opposite. "So how is she?" Normani asked genuinely interested in Camila's health. "She's...better," Lauren answered hesitantly. "Just, better?" Normani asked, chuckling lightly. "Wow, don't over sell it Lo," she remarked amused. "Ok, she's a lot better," Lauren repeated, more confidently. "It's just..." "What?" Normani prompted when Lauren didn't continue. "What is it?" "Ok," Lauren said, shifting her position slightly to get a better view of Normani who was pulling the bag of popcorn out of the microwave carefully and emptying it into a bowl. "Physically she's great," Lauren explained as Normani returned her attention to her friend, the task she'd been doing now completed. "She's walking much better than when she first woke up and her hand is still

clumsy but it's almost back to how it was before the seizure," Lauren said, arm leaning onto the marble beside her firmly as she paused for a moment, trying to calculate the best way to explain herself. "Her speech is still crap," she finally settled on saying. "Didn't the doctor say it could take a few days?" Normani asked, trying to remain positive and giving Lauren a sympathetic smile. "Yeah but it's been a week," Lauren shared with her friend, frustrated. "I mean, ok, so it's a little better now...she can speak one word answers consistently but otherwise it's rubbish. She can hardly express herself at all." Lauren continued. "So what?" Normani questioned. "It's just taking a little longer than expected that's all. Camila will get there eventually." "I know," Lauren groaned, "but I really need to talk to her about something and it's kind of hard when she can't speak." "What do you need to talk to her about?" Normani asked with interest. "A few things," Lauren responded, running a hand through her hair. "Remember I told you that she gave me her diary for Christmas?" "Yeah," Normani confirmed. "Well, there's some stuff in there that I really want to discuss with her," Lauren told her. "Stuff that you're upset about?" Normani queried probingly, Lauren not having divulged any particulars to her. "No not at all," Lauren said slightly surprised that Normani would assume that to be the reason. "The opposite actually," she went on. "Honestly Normani," Lauren said, sighing thoughtfully. "Camila's words, they're just, I wish I could share them with you. She's so smart and insightful." "Camila used