***12AM-House of Blues, Los Angeles, CA***

Lauren slowly made her way towards the curtains; backstage; it seemed as if everything was in slow motion, at least for her.

Breathe, Lauren, Breathe. It's fine; they're both staring at YOU, you're fine.

As she walked she was met with two pairs of eyes. One, sparkling light blue, filled with love and admiration as it lit up at the sight of her. The other narrowed, a little darker than before; nonetheless, those brown eyes still pierced her heart and she felt the hurt that was flowing from them.

"Lauren, that was amazing!" Jason said as he hugged her as a thank you for singing on the spot. "I think we're all set, let me just run to the dressing room to grab some things."

"I'll go with you!" Camila insisted as she smiled and nodded looking at her cousin.

Lauren watched Jason and Camila walk towards the dressing room and she felt like shit. She felt guilty. She felt guilty for being the reason Camila's eyes weren't as bright as they had been and that she was in pain because of HER and she felt shitty for being the main reason they were in the situation they were currently in. she felt guilty for lying to Amber, even though she had always been honest with her about their relationship, if you can call it that.

Lauren couldn't fully commit to an exclusive relationship even after 8 months of dating steadily. She had told Amber this from the beginning and the blue-eyed girl was willing to stick it out with her. Something was always holding her back and she could never quite put her finger on the reason why. She loves Amber, she really does, but for her that wasn't enough; there was always something missing, a void she could never really comprehend. Whatever the reason, she knew Amber deserved BETTER than what she was willing to give, and for that she felt guilty, she felt like a scumbag and in this situation, Lauren knew she was a scumbag.

++ Flashback: 1 year ago ++

"I fucking hate these events, fake people sucking up just to climb up the social ladder." She said as she leaned up against the bar. "So, what's a hot piece of ass like you doing here by yourself?"

Amber was confident, she knew how to grab someone's undivided attention and she immediately had Lauren's; something no one had been able to do for a long time.

"Oh well you know, just sucking up to people, trying to climb up the social ladder." Lauren shot back with a smirk as she perked up an eyebrow.

Amber chuckled, "I like you." She said as her lips curved into a half smile, blue eyes scanning Lauren's form.

"You don't even know my name," she shot back leaning her back against the bar.

"I don't need to, I like you, already decided." She said as she sipped on her whiskey sour.

Lauren liked Amber's in your face attitude. It was something different for her; almost like a breathe of fresh air.

"Lauren Jauregui." She said extending her hand.

"Lauren Jauregui, " she practically purred, "it's a pleasure. Amber Hannan."

"Amber Hannan, wait, isn't this party for YOUR new movie?"

"Ding, ding, ding, I hate promotional parties." She said as she rolled her eyes. "Thanks for singing our theme song, it's on point."

"Oh so you already knew who I was?" Lauren asked as she narrowed her eyes.

Amber laughed, "absolutely." She said with a devilish grin. "So what do you say we get out of here?"

Amber quickly found herself falling for the green-eyed beauty. It took a few months for Lauren to somewhat let her guard down with Amber, but the blue eyed girl never gave up on her and they began to date on a regular bases about 4 months after meeting each other.

There was no denying that Amber was beautiful. She had blonde hair that draped a few inches past her shoulders. She was tall and fit with a slender body that mirrored that of a victoria secret model. In the beginning it was just to cure the sting of loneliness at night, but after a few months, Lauren found herself enjoying Amber's company.

++ End of Flashback ++

"Let's get going babe, I'm pretty tired and I REALLY missed you these last few days." Camila heard Amber coo as she and Jason made their way back towards the backstage exit where Lauren, Amber and Dylan had stood.

I think I'm going to be sick.

"Mila, you okay? You look a little pale?" Dylan said with concern as the brown-eyed girl stopped in front of him.

Lauren's head snapped towards Camila, completely ignoring what Amber had said, as she analyzed the shorter brunette. Her eyes glanced over her face, which did look a little pale and she just wanted to hold her and make her feel better, but she couldn't and it killed her.

"Me? I'm fine," She said waving her hand in front of him to dismiss such an idea. "I should probably get going; it's pretty late."

"You're NOT driving THIS late by yourself." Lauren interjected in a stern voice as she took a step closer to Camila, which meant taking a step away from Amber.

Amber crossed her arms, she didn't like being ignored and she certainly didn't like the way Lauren was so concerned with Camila.

"I'm 25 years old, I can drive whenever I want." She shot back with anger in her tone and a hint of sarcasm not taking her eyes off of Dylan.

Jason could sense the tension between the two brunettes as he quickly jumped in, "I'll drive back with you cuz."

"Don't you ALL have a recording session in the morning? It doesn't make sense for you to come back to Newport Coast, then back to L.A." Camila responded in a softer tone. "It's fine, I'm fine."

She wasn't fine. The thought of Lauren going home with Amber made her sick, literally sick.

"CAAMMMZZ."

Amber's eyes widened as she heard Lauren's voice softened, almost in a pleading tone directed towards the brown-eyed girl.

"She said she's fine to drive; why don't we all let Camila make her own decision." Amber said aggressively as she approached the green-eyed girl and linked their arms together. "Dylan, Jason, great show. Lauren I'm tired, let's go." Her tone was demanding as she looked directly into green eyes.

"Yeah, yeah you're right. We should get going then." Lauren said in defeat. "Great show guys." She said as she gave Jason a hug and then she made her way towards her best friend.

She pulled Dylan into a hug, "Great show!" She squeezed a little tighter, "Do NOT let Camila drive home by herself, she doesn't look well…I'll fill you in later." She whispered into his ear before she let him go.

Lauren turned towards the shorter brunette, brown eyes locking with her own and she doesn't know how Camila does it, but she seems to make everyone else disappear around her.

"Drive safely and if you don't feel well just give me a call," Lauren gave her head a quick, and I mean quick shake, "I mean one of us, Dylan, Jason or myself; we don't want anything happening to you."

She gave Camila a light hug as she could feel a pair of blue eyes drilling at her back. She turned around to walk towards Amber who was already waiting near the exit doors.

"It was nice meeting you Camila." She said in an indifferent tone, "have a safe drive back to Orange County."

"Thanks, it was nice meeting you too." Camila responded; her eyes watching the blonde walk out the door followed by the brunette she desperately wanted to be with her instead.

Camila watched Lauren walk out and she began to feel even sicker. She could feel her slipping through her fingers again and this time, she doesn't think she'd be able to cope. Her stomach turned and she began to feel lightheaded as her thoughts began to unravel.

I can't believe Lauren left with HER; how could I be so stupid? What was I thinking? To think Lauren would just drop everything in her life because I told her I'm still in love with her? I can't believe this is happening.

"Camila…Camila…Mila?" She could hear faintly as the black took over her eyes and her hearing got worse.

~THUD~