A/N: Hi. It's my first Camren's fanfiction. I write this story to impress someone, she's a Camren's shipper. I hope it works. Lol.
English is not my first language, all mistakes are mine.
It's a beautiful Saturday morning.
Lauren had been studying her ass off for the whole week. There was nothing she wanted to do more than relaxing while reading the book that she had just bought yesterday.
She put it in her backpack and hopped on her bike. It was nice weather so she didn't feel the need to take her car.
15 minutes later she arrived at Sidewalk cafe. It was situated by the beach, a cafe where she became a regular patron for the past one year.
"Lauren, how are you, darling?" Mrs. Duffman, the owner, was standing behind the counter.
"Good morning, Mrs. D. I'm good. I hope you are, too."
"I am. So what can we get you this morning? The usual?"
"Yes, please."
"Ah, forgive me. I shouldn't even ask." She laughed.
Lauren laughed along with her. "You're alright, Mrs. D. I'll let you know when I decide to change my order."
"I'll wait for the day to come. So, toast with smoked salmon and smashed avocado. No egg."
"No egg." Lauren shook her head. "I don't like egg."
"I know that, dear." She smiled wider while typing Lauren's order into the machine. "And a cappuccino."
"Yes, thank you."
Lauren gave Mrs. D exact change and then found a place to sit. Luckily her favourite place was empty. It's in the corner, facing the beach and it got just enough sunshine.
She took out her book from her bag and started reading.
A moment later.
"Hi, your cappuccino." A sweet voice startled her.
Lauren looked up and her heart stopped beating.
In front of her was a very beautiful girl, her back facing the sun made her whole body shining. Just like an angel.
"Miss?" The girl asked Lauren.
Lauren still didn't know what to do.
"Miss? Are you alright?" asked the girl.
Lauren picked up her jaw that dropped minutes ago. It's certainly only a couple of seconds but it felt like eternity.
"Y… Yes?" She answered stuttering.
The girl laughed. "I was asking, are you alright? You seemed like you've seen a ghost."
"Seen an angel, you mean." Of course it's only in her heart. "Oh, yeah." She gave the girl her spokenly answer.
"Enjoy your food." The girl smiled at her.
Lauren said thanks while giving what she thought her best smile. Or more liked a grimace.
She looked down to her food and finally could breathe.
"Who the hell was that?"
She dared herself to look back at the counter. There's that girl talking to Mrs. D. To say that girl beautiful was an understatement. She was beyond beautiful. She might be a great great grand children of a Goddess. Her long dark hair was like a frame to the face and that face was the most beautiful painting that God ever created. Called her cheesy, but Lauren swore she had never seen someone more beautiful than that girl.
Her eyes followed the girl movements.
"I think she's the new waiter here." She muttered.
She remembered seeing a pamphlet last week in front of the cafe that said they were looking for a new waiter. She even thought to apply, but decided not to. She already had a part time job as an administrator at a small law firm in town three days a week. It's also her busiest study times. The final exam was coming for her in two months. So it's not the right time to get another job.
"Do you need anything, darling?" Mrs. Duffman was like coming out of nowhere.
Lauren jolted. "Umm, no, Mrs. D."
"I'll change my question. Do you want to ask something?" She smiled knowingly.
"Haha. No, Mrs. D." Lauren's laughing nervously.
"If you said so." Mrs. Duffman was about to leave her.
"Is she the new waiter?" Lauren asked with low voice.
Mrs. Duffman lowed her upper body and answered her. "Yes."
"Why are you whispering?" Lauren asked her.
"Why are you so secretively?"
"I am not." Lauren laughed nervously.
"If you said so, darling." Mrs. D was finally leaving her.
Lauren grumbled in her heart, "I shouldn't have let Mrs. D knows that I'm into girls. Well, she was trying to hook me up with her nephew for a long time. I should say anything to make her stop."
She finally decided to eat her breakfast, afraid that it might gone cold. The girl was still gonna be here anyway.
She finished her breakfast in record time. And might as well, continued reading while having her coffee.
"Can I take your plate?"
That angel's voice.
Lauren slowly looked up. And smiled. "Yes. Thank you."
She smiled back.
"I have finished it," she said.
Lauren raised her eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"The book. I've read it."
Her eyes pointed The Light We Lost, the novel that Lauren had been reading.
"Have you? Oh, please don't tell me whether they would be together or not."
"No, I won't tell you. I don't like myself a spoiler, too." The girl laughed. "Well, I should go back."
"Ok, thank you." Lauren's still mesmerising her.
"You've said it."
"What?"
"Thank you."
"You're welcome?"
"No, you said 'thank you' to me already." She laughed and left her.
"Oh." Lauren was still having that blank face when it finally hit her. "Damn it, what is wrong with me?"
Lauren once again tried to continue reading.
It had always been her habit to stay in a cafe for hours. She came around 9 or 10 am until lunch time. She usually ordered two times beverages. She had coffee with her breakfast and around 11 am, she would ordered a cold drink, i.e smoothies, milkshake or just ice chocolate with cream on top.
She was still following that girl movement, though. And whenever she passed her, the girl will threw a smile at her. And that made her heart melted.
Around 11.30 am, she moved to the counter and ordered ice chocolate. Mrs. Duffman was still there, smiled knowingly, like she knew her secret. Lauren held the urge to roll her eyes.
Couple minutes later, the girl came bringing her beverage.
"Here you go, Lauren."
"Hey, how do you know my name?"
"Mrs. D told me to get to know our regular patrons, so she told me your name." The girl shrugged.
That sneaky Mrs. Duffman, "and what's yours?"
"I'm Camila."
"Oh, nice name."
"I know."
"Ah, very modest."
She laughed, turned her back while waving her hair like it's in the movie.
Lauren mouth made a small 'o' shape. "I swear I'm gonna be crazy." while shaking her head. "Darn it. I think she did it on purpose." Her eyes narrowed to the direction where Camila's gone.
She should be leaving the cafe around 12.30pm and had lunch elsewhere, but not today. She moved her feet to the counter for the third time.
She kept looking down while queueing, didn't dare to look up to see the look on Mrs. Duffman's face.
"Lauren!" Mrs. Duffman called her.
She finally looked up. Mrs. Duffman put a shock face while her right hand is on her chest. Lauren couldn't hold her eyes to roll.
"You're here for lunch?" She asked her.
Lauren just nodded.
"It might be raining today, don't you think?"
"Mm, why?" Lauren turned her head and looked up to the sky outside the cafe.
"That's what we say when something unusual thing happens."
"Ah. I know that." Lauren's still not sure.
"You're silly, my dear." Mrs. Duffman shook her head. "What can I get you for lunch today?"
"A salad will be fine." Lauren answered while her eyes were looking anywhere but Mrs. Duffman.
She could hear Mrs. D chuckled. "And what salad it might be?"
"Oh. Umm, surprise me?"
"We don't have that menu on our salad, Lauren."
"Mrs. D!"
Mrs. Duffman laughed. "Alright. We'll get you a chicken salad, how about that?"
"Yeah, sure."
Mrs. Duffman was still shaking her head amused.
When she handed the change, she said, "she's on a break at the back."
Lauren narrowed her eyes. "Ok?" And a millisecond after, she realised "I think I need to use the toilet."
Mrs. Duffman winked at her and Lauren just smiled while rolling her eyes.
Lauren straight went to the back the cafe. She did need to go to the toilet.
She heard a soft strumming a guitar. Her feet dragged her to the sound. There, in the back she saw Camila was playing a guitar while singing softly. And Lord, that girl's voice, could send her straightly to heaven.
A moment later, Camila realised that she'd been watching.
"Hey, I didn't know I have an audience."
Lauren chuckled. "You have a crazily awesome voice."
"I know that."
"And still modest."
Camila laughed. "You're still here."
"Yeah. I'm having my lunch."
"I thought you always left before lunch." Camila looked down to her guitar.
"Yeah, I did. Wait, how do you know that?"
"I had my way." She smiled.
Mrs. Duffman, of course. "You should become a singer."
"I am."
"Well, I am not surprise."
Camila laughed. "You should come and see me sing."
"I would love to." Lauren smiled. Then she realised something. "Ugh I really need to use the toilet."
"Then, go."
"Be right back."
But when she came back Camila was out of nowhere. Lauren sighed and went back to her table. As she sat, Camila came.
"Sorry I left. My break time was over." She put down Lauren's lunch on the table.
"No worries." Lauren smiled.
"Enjoy your lunch."
"Thank you."
Lauren ate slowly. She seriously didn't want to leave this cafe early.
Suddenly her mobile phone was ringing. Her roommate's name, Ally, was on the screen.
"What's up?"
"Where are you?"
"At the cafe?"
"Why are you still there?"
Lauren rolled her eyes. She swore if she got a penny every time her eyes roll, she'd be rich that she could travel the world as she always wanted.
"I'm having my lunch."
"You are?"
"Yeah. Ally, what is it?"
"My mom is not feeling well. Could you please take me to her? It would be faster by car than the bus."
Lauren had nothing to do after this, so she agreed to take her.
"Yeah, sure. Is she ok?"
"Thank you. I guess so. It's just, yesterday was exactly a year after my dad passed away. I didn't realise it will affect her this much."
"I'm gonna be home soon, Al."
"Thanks, Lauren. See ya."
"Bye."
She put her phone down and quickly finished her lunch.
When she's about to go up, Camila's approaching her table to pick up the dirty plate.
"So quickly?"
"Ah, yeah. I need to drive a friend to see her mom."
"Oh, ok."
"It was nice meeting you. I hope I'll see you again." Lauren shyly said.
"Here." Camila gave her a piece of paper.
It's an address. "What's this?"
"Come tonight at 7pm." Camila smiled and left Lauren breathless.
She finally came back to earth and put the address in her jeans pocket.
"Bye, Mrs. D!" She shouted a goodbye to Mrs. Duffman.
"Bye. Hope you got what you want." She winked at Lauren.
"Mrs. D!" Lauren laughed and leaving the cafe.
She took her bike and rode home faster.
The road to the city took a little longer than she expected. Mrs. Hernandez, Ally's mother asked Lauren to have a tea and maple pecan cake that she made. It's hard to resist, though.
Mrs. Hernandez thought that Ally was a little over about her mom sickness. She was just feeling a little bit nauseous before.
Even she always enjoyed talking to Mrs. Hernandez, but this time Lauren couldn't put her mind anywhere but Camila. She had found out that the address that Camila gave her was a pub and once or twice a week they had this live music show.
She needed to be there at 7pm.
At 4pm she left Ally's mom house and went home.
"Damn it. I forgot this is Saturday afternoon, the traffic is crazier."
After what she felt like an eternity, Lauren got home. It was 5.30pm. She took a shower right away and getting ready.
She's finally ready at 6.30pm.
"Where's my car keeey?" She's looking everywhere.
And when the clock showed almost 7pm, she finally found it under her couch.
She was mad at herself. "I must be thrown it out when I got home."
Now she wished that Camila's not gonna play exactly at 7pm. If Lauren missed her performance, there'll be a very big catastrophe in this town. She swore.
The pub looked packed up at front. Once inside she's looking for an empty table but couldn't find it. Guess, she had to sit in the bar.
There's some guy performed on the stage. She got here at 7.30pm, so she hoped she didn't miss Camila's performance.
"Hey, what can I get you?"
"A long island, please."
"Coming right up."
"Thanks."
She looked around but no faces that she recognized.
A moment later, the light dimmed. Only the stage that was bright.
There she was. Sitting on a stool, with her guitar.
She played the intros like she's in her realm, so calm. Then voice came through her mouth. Lauren thought she's dead, she's sure that she's in heaven and she's listening to the angel's voice.
Camila covered Justin Bieber's Sorry acoustically. Lauren's heart just melted right there.
She sang two other songs, and Lauren didn't really care what songs that were. She just needed that the voice was calling her name right now.
After finishing her fifth song, Camila said that she'd be back after 9pm. And she's gone.
Lauren's eyes focused to the backstage, hoping that Camila would come out. But nothing. She sighed, and sipped her drink.
"I was afraid that you couldn't come." A beautiful voice came from her back.
She turned around. "Oh my god, your voice! I thought I was in heaven listening to your voice."
Camila laughed. "Why is that?"
"Because you have an angelic voice. I swear!"
Camila chuckled. "Come on, I can't be that good, or else I'd be somewhere in LA producing an album, touring, have concerts all over the states."
"I believe, you will." Lauren stated.
Camila sat on the empty stool next to Lauren. "I don't know about that. I've been doing this for like four years. And look at me, I'm still here. Performing in some pubs, still waitressing."
"Hey, nothing's wrong with that."
"I know. I'm stating the fact." She said it with a little remorse.
Lauren didn't know what to say. She could say something but she barely knew Camila and she didn't want to intrude her life that way.
"Have you had your dinner?" Camila asked.
"No, not yet."
"Come on. I know a place. I still have time before come back."
"Are you asking me for a date?" Lauren said flirtatious.
Camila laughed. "I'm not gonna ask you this way. That would be another time, Lauren."
Lauren chuckled. "If you said so."
They tried to walk past the crowd in the pub with Camila led the way. In the middle, she reached out her hand and caught Lauren's.
Lauren felt thousands of butterfly fly in her stomach. She grinned.
Finally they made it outside. Camila let her hand go. Lauren slightly felt a pang of sadness.
"I'm sorry I had to do that. We could be lost among the crowd and would take a longer time looking for each other."
"Yeah, because we have find each other." Lauren muttered.
"What did you say?"
"Oh no. Yeah, I mean, it's fine."
"Come on. It's here."
The weather was still a little bit chill in this spring. Fortunately the street was crowded and they got lot of heats.
They sometimes bumped their shoulders. And that made Lauren bite her cheeks. She couldn't be smiling too much, it would be weird for Camila.
After walked around 50 meters and had to crossed a road, they got in a small diner.
"They make the best cheese burger here. I hope you like cheese?"
"I love cheese."
"Great!" They took a line to get to the cashier. "I usually come here after my last performance. Around 11pm."
"Alone?"
"Yeah." She answered casually.
Lauren's mind was thinking what would be her excuse to come every Saturday night and accompany Camila for late dinner.
Camila ordered for them and they argued who's gonna pay for the food. Of course Camila won. Lauren seemed couldn't say no already to this girl. But she insisted to pay next time. Camila just winked. Lauren swore this girl could be the death of her.
"Where do you live?" Lauren asked Camila.
"10 minutes from the cafe by car. Where's yours?"
"10 minutes from the cafe as well, by bike."
"Aah, I saw that you rode bicycle this morning."
"Yeah, it's not that far. Plus it was exercising."
"No wonder you have a nice body." Camila said wiggling her eyebrows playfully.
Lauren's jaw dropped. "Such a flirty, aren't you?" While putting her palm on her chest.
Camila laughed sweetly. "But you do."
"And look at you," Lauren said while motioning her hand up and down in front of Camila.
They both laughed and the food came. They're enjoying the food in comfortable silence, while sometimes stealing glance of each other, shyly.
"Damn, this is really good." Lauren said while food still in her mouth.
"I know, right?"
Lauren nodded finishing her last chewed.
"Now I'm full." Lauren's stroking her tummy.
Camila chuckled. "We have to go back."
"Right."
Lauren picked her purse and got out the booth.
"Thanks for the quick bite." Lauren's bumping her shoulder against Camila's.
"You're welcome." Camila bumped back.
They both giggled.
As the bouncer let them in, Camila again reached out her hand and led her to the stage. Camila gave her a squeeze before she let go.
"You can sit here."
The table was in the right corner, but had perfect view to the stage.
"Thanks."
Camila looked down. She put her arms on her back and played her toes. "Umm…" She mumbled.
"I will still be here when you finish." Lauren seemed like reading her mind.
Camila smiled wider. "I'll be back." She winked and gone to the back stage.
Lauren chuckled. Her heart filled with joy that's been so long she didn't feel.
15 minutes later Camila started to perform and Lauren watched her with an awe. She had few favorite singers. But Camila, she knew this girl, and she had this unique tones and voice that she's sure it would be a great character for her career. It didn't fit her that she's still performing in some pubs, she should be singing in the big stage, stadium, with thousands people watching.
At 10.30pm, Camila's off the stage. Lauren waited for about 10 minutes before Camila came out and walking towards her, smiling.
"Amazing!" Lauren clapped her hands.
"Oh come on. You're too much." Camila sat next to Lauren and drinking her water.
"I wasn't. People here agreed. Didn't you see how the crowd loved it?"
"They praised whoever performs."
"Come on, don't put yourself down. You're great, otherwise I'd be going home right now." Lauren said playfully.
"Owh, so you're staying just because my voice?"
"You could say so," Lauren shrugged.
"So if my voice was gone and I couldn't speak, you wouldn't like me anymore?" Lauren pretend to be shocked.
"Whoa, someone got cocky. Who likes who?"
Camila laughed. "We wouldn't get the end of it, if we start it now."
"You're right."
"Wanna hangout here a little longer?" Camila asked.
"Yeah, sure. Like I have anywhere to go, anyway."
"So it's just because you don't have anywhere to go, you decided to stay?" Camila made another shock expression.
Lauren laughed, "you started it again!"
"What?" Camila asked playfully.
"Nothing." Lauren's still chuckling.
They chatted until the crowd was a little quiet around 1.30am. They just met in the morning and this was the time they were getting to know each other. They learnt their surnames to their daily life.
It was crazy to know that they had so many things in common but yet different personalities.
"I guess we should go." Lauren pointed out.
"Yeah." Camila said reluctantly.
They walked out from now quieter pub side by side to the parking lot.
"Are you working tomorrow?" Lauren asked.
"No. I asked for Sunday off, because I knew I'm gonna be home late on Saturday night."
"Oh, right."
They both stayed silent.
"Wanna meet up tomorrow?" Camila finally said something.
Lauren's so relieved Camila asking this. "Yeah. We can have brunch together?" Lauren's feeling a little bit unsure.
"Sure. Give me your phone."
Lauren handed her phone and Camila dialed her number from it.
"Now we got each other number."
"Genius."
They laughed.
"Text me when you're home?" Lauren asked quietly.
"I will. And you too, if you got home first."
"I will."
"Here is me."
Camila stood on the side of blue Honda Jazz.
"Mine is there." Lauren pointed to the north.
"The red one?"
"Yep."
"Ok. Soo, I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Definitely."
Camila opened her back door and put down her guitar. She was about to get in the car when she turned to Lauren.
"Take care." Camila moved forward and hugged Lauren.
Lauren swore she stopped breathing for a moment. When she finally caught her breath, she said, "you too."
"I'll wait till you get in the car as well, ok? We can leave the lot together."
"Ok."
"Bye."
"Bye." Lauren waved her hand awkwardly.
"Go." Camila chuckled inside her car.
"Okay."
Lauren ran to her car and started its engine. She waited for a minute then drove slowly. Camila's car was near the exit and she started to go too, knowing Lauren's was behind her.
When they're already on the road, Camila opened her window and gave a wave. So did Lauren. Then they both gone to separate ways.
Lauren couldn't believe how cute Camila was. She smiled along the road till she got home.
"Thank God Ally's not here. Or else, she'd ask a thousand questions." She rolled her eyes.
Ally had always been nosey about her love life. That were not much to tell either, actually. And maybe because of that, Ally had always curious whenever she got a little closer to someone.
When she's about entered her house, her phone chimed.
Camila: hey, i'm home
Lauren quickly typed a reply.
Lauren: I'm home too
Camila: wait, are we in the same home? ;)
Lauren chuckled.
Lauren: you're funny
Camila: tomorrow around 11am?
Lauren: just text me when you wake up, you need sleep more
Camila: so cute
Lauren narrowed her eyes.
Lauren: what?
Camila: i'll text you when I wake up
Lauren: great
Camila: have a good night
Lauren: sweet dreams
Camila: only when you're in it ;)
Lauren was smiling ear to ear.
Lauren: I really hope you'd be in my dream
Camila: i will
Lauren: why can't we stop texting?
Camila: i dunno
Lauren: go to sleep, Camila, I'll see you tomorrow
Camila: yeah yeah, night, Lauren
Lauren: good night :)
Lauren sighed while smiling. Knowing that her future would be filled with Camila's present.
A/N: It might be only 4 chapters and an epilogue. I've finished chapter 2 and 3, but still need editing. You wouldn't wait too long, though. Please leave a review if you'd like. :)