~I never knew I never knew that everything was falling through
That everyone I knew was waiting on a queue
To turn and run when all I needed was the truth
But that's how it's got to be It's coming down to nothing more than apathy
I'd rather run the other way than stay and see
The smoke and who's still standing when it clears
And everyone knows I'm in Over my head, over my head
Eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind, she's on your mind~
Lauren's P.O.V.
"I don't need a tutor dad!" I hissed at my father.
"Oh really? Because Mr. O Brian sent me your progress report and you have a C in English Lauren Michelle." He said in a firm voice.
He's angry, he just middle-named me; yeah I'm in trouble.
"I already spoke with your teacher and he recommended the best English student there is at your school as your tutor. How do you expect to get into an Ivy League school with a C?" He asked me rhetorically leaving no room for arguments as he threw my progress report on the kitchen table.
"I don't want to go to an Ivy League school." I mumbled under my breath.
I'm your all around popular girl in school. I'm captain of our girl's varsity basketball team and I'm even the class president, what can I say, I like to keep busy, but English; English is apparently my weak link. How could he get me tutor without even discussing it with me first! I know how, he's my father.
I was the only one left after basketball practice since my tutor is supposed to meet me here in the school gymnasium. I dribbled the ball a few times and decided to shoot some hoops since I'm here waiting anyways.
"Lauren Jauregui dribbles past a defender, she crosses over, breaks her ankles…oooweeee, five, four, three twwwoooo, she fades back and she shoots, onneeee! Jauregui has won the game! Jauregui has won the game!" I scream out loud into what I thought was an empty gymnasium until I hear a soft, yet full voice directed at me.
"That was a sweet shot and scenario if I may add." A brunette girl said with the sweetest smile that pulled up to her beautiful bright brown eyes as she slowly approached me. "My name is Camila Cabello, I'm here to help you with English."
"Yeah, about that, I thought I was alone." I said a little embarrassed as I extended my hand to shake hers, her hand is soft, but her handshake was firm.
"Don't be silly, I'm sure you've made plenty of those shots the last four years and the scenario was perfect." She said assuredly while her lips poked out a bit.
I quickly look her up and down; I'm trying to figure out where I know her from. Camila's cute, not your typical girl, I can just tell. She wore blue skinny jeans with a white top tucked in along with black flats and a bow on her head, definitely not the kind of girls I'm used to, but she's not bad to look at, not at all. I end up looking into those bright brown eyes; gosh I hope she didn't notice that I checked her out.
Camila's P.O.V.
Did Lauren Jauregui just check me out? The most popular girl in school and she already is assessing me; go figure. I've had her for at least one class the last four years and I've never really been this close to her before. She is absolutely breathtaking, her beautiful porcelain skin to those smoldering green eyes, not to sound cliché, but if looks could kill, I'd be dead. How anyone could ever make a letterman jacket and sweat pants look THIS good, it's just not right.
"You look so familiar, how do I know you?" She asks me with a smile as she shook her head.
"I'm in your history class. We've actually had at least one class together since freshman year, but you're YOU and I'm ME." I said as I tilted my head.
"Oh wow, I'm so sorry, you must think I'm a complete asshole." Lauren said apologetically.
I've never really spoken to Lauren before, but she seems sweet and genuine.
"Not at all, you're the most popular girl in school and it's not your job to know everyone around you; I get it." I said to her nonchalantly.
"You're right," She rolls her eyes at me in sarcasm. "But YOU, you just seem like someone I would definitely notice." She said as she smiled her pearly whites at me staring into my eyes with those beautiful green eyes.
I had to give my head a little shake to break away from that stare. "So did you want to stay here? We can sit on the bleachers or we can go to the library?"
"Umm, why don't we go back to my house? If you're okay with that? I mean the bleachers aren't really comfy, believe me, I know." She chuckled at me. "The school library closes in about half an hour or so."
"Sure."
Lauren's house is gorgeous. It's huge; her room could be a studio apartment, that's how big her house is. She had pictures of everything and anything all over her walls. You would think random pictures would make for chaotic walls, but each one told a story and to be quite honest, I almost lost myself in them, they're so beautiful.
"I got you a water Camz." She said as she approached me, startling me a bit as I looked away from a particular photo.
"Thanks." I look at her. "Camz?"
"Yeah, well I figured I should give you a nickname, you know, since we'll be doing this dance for the next semester." She said confidently as she smirked.
"I can live with Camz." I smile back as I turned to admire the photo once again.
"That's my favorite." She whispers in my ear staring intently at the picture in front of me.
The photo was of an old man, standing on the pier leaning up against it as he looked out at the water. The focus of the photo wasn't on the old man, but of the ocean behind him and the sun that kissed it.
"I took it when I was 15, it was as if he was just lost in that moment." She continued to explain, lost in the picture in front of her. "I wanted to be lost with him, so I took it. I believe the ocean reflects life, how vast it is and all the possibilities, endless." She spoke so passionately.
At that moment, I was lost in Lauren Jauregui.
Lauren's P.O.V.
I can't wait to see Camz! I got an A on my last English test and it's all thanks to her. Who knew I'd be such an expert in Shakespeare. I hate that son of a bitch, but hey, I got an A!
"Camz!" I ran across between the lunch tables outside with my paper in hand, dodging people left and right as they stared me down. "Camz!"
"Lauren?"
I can see her mouth my name, she looks a little confused, maybe it's because we don't interact much in school. I don't really know why, I like being around Camila, we just run in different circles. I finally make it to her to lift her up and spin her in circles.
"Guess who's an expert in Shakespeare?" I asked as I finally put her down, staring directly into her beautiful brown eyes as I hand her my paper.
"Lauren, you got an A! OMG! This is amazing!" She said as she leaned in for another hug.
"I couldn't have done this without you Camz, thanks so much." I said as we continued to hug, maybe a little longer than normal for friends, especially friends that no one really knows about. I can feel all eyes on us. Quite frankly, I don't really care.
We finally pull apart and I could feel two sets of eyes drilling into the side of my head. "Wow I feel so rude, I'm Lau-" One of the girls cuts me off.
"Lauren Jauregui. We know who you are." She said as she stood up to shake my hand. "I'm Normani and this is Ally." She said pointing to the shorter girl next to her.
"Camila's best friends, she's told me about you guys. It's nice to finally meet you both."
"Yeah well Mila never shuts up about you." Ally let slip as I turn to Camila whose eyes were dodging mine as she blushed a little.
"I'm sure, I mean Camz here never shuts up in general so…" I said nudging her to lighten the mood as I turned to smile at her. "You're coming to the game tonight right?" Before I knew it my right hand was on her arm as I waited for a reply.
I see her take a quick glance at where my hand is touching her arm as she shook her head nodding up and down. "Yeah of course." She said as her cheeks turned a rose color.
"Good. You girls should come too!" I say turning to Normani and Ally. "It's going to be a great game, both teams undefeated." I gestured with both hands making them into circles.
"Jauregui! Lets go!" I could see my best friend approaching. "Come on, we have a run through."
"This is my best friend Dinah, also assistant captain." I say proudly as we both pose for a moment and bust out in laughter. "Dinah, this is Ally, Normani and this is Camila."
"Nice to meet you guys!" She said waving at the two girls seated on the table. "Camila as in Camz? FINALLY, nice to meet you." Dinah said as she smiled while staggering across to shake the shorter brunette's hand.
Geez Dinah, way to be smooth, I thought as I rolled my eyes at my best friend who I'm pretty sure just gave me away.
"Finally huh?" Camila said with a smile as Dinah shook her hand.
"Yeah, Laur NEVER shuts up abou—" I elbow her side before she finishes. Thank goodness.
I can feel Camila staring at me and I'm pretty sure I'm blushing a little bit.
"Camz, thanks again." I leaned in to give her a quick peck on her cheek. "Ladies, see you all tonight, we better get going."
~Let's rearrange I wish you were a stranger I could disengage
To say that we agree and then never change
Soften a bit until we all just get along
But that's disregard Find another friend and you discard
As you lose the argument in a cable car
Hanging above as the canyon comes between
And everyone knows I'm in Over my head, over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind, she's on your mind
Everyone knows I'm in Over my head, over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind, she's on, oh~
Camila's P.O.V.
"Oh my gosh, Mila, Lauren Jauregui just invited US to her game personally." Ally beamed.
"Let's not forget about that peck on the cheek." Normani said while eyeing me, I began to blush. "What's up with you two?" She asked me pointing her finger up and down.
"Mila, you're blushing." Ally added.
I don't really know what's going on between Lauren and I. I know I like her; actually, I like her a lot.
"Umm, yeah that was really sweet of her to invite all of us." I said to my best friends with a smile.
"You didn't answer my question Mila, spill!" Norman said crossing her arms.
"I don't really know. Nothing, I'm sure, I mean Lolo's the MOST popular girl in school she could have ANYONE, I'm sure it was nothing." I said while looking down the hall towards the direction Lauren and Dinah ran off to.
I hope it's something.
"Lolo?" Ally asked as she turned to Normani with a smirk.
"You call her Lolo...doesn't seem like NOTHING to me and that peck on the cheek, in front of everyone mind you, well that's something." Normani added. "Lets just hope Ashley Van Kamp doesn't hear about this. That girl SWEARS Lauren Jauregui belongs to her and you know this school and gossip."
I cringed at the thought of Ashley Van Kamp, Lauren's ex-girlfriend. Never really got that relationship. Lauren is so sweet and so smart, how she dated Ashley Van Kamp for three years, I'll never understand. That girl can be compared to Satan and I'm being nice! Once, I saw her and her so-called friends throw a freshman in the dumpster behind the gymnasium because the poor kid happen to walk in their space.
"I got your back Mila, don't worry about it." Ally said confidently.
"Me to!" Normani added while flexing her bicep.
I chuckled at my best friends. "Thanks guys!" I said as I rolled my eyes and wiggled my eyebrows.
I was at my locker grabbing some books after sixth period when I felt a body; too close comfort, behind me. I turn around slowly and I find myself face to face with Ashley Van Kamp, one of the most popular girls in school, GREAT.
"You must be Camila, nice to meet you." She said with the fakest looking smile as she extended her hand to me.
"Yup, that's me." I shook her hand.
"I'm sure you know who I am." She said smiling that horrid smile as she shook her head up and down. "Listen, so I heard through the grapevine about your little cute encounter with Lauren Jauregui." Her face turned sour. "Back off, she's mine."
"Since when DOES a person belong to anyone?" I said as I furrowed my eyebrows and shook my head.
This girl has some nerve.
"Look Camila, Lauren and I are getting back together. In fact, we're running for Homecoming couple." She said as she smiled and pointed to a wall with posters of the nominees.
I glanced over to where she's pointing. I guess they just put the posters up, never noticed them before this afternoon. They must be getting back together; you can't be nominated as a couple without signing up to run as a couple, together.
"Oh." I said with disappointment in my voice.
"You're a cute girl Camila, I'm sure there's someone out there for you." She said with an evil smirk. "Toodles." She waved over her shoulders as I watched her and her friends walk away.
"Mila, Mila! Are you okay?" Ally asked me while she rubbed my arm.
"Yeah Mila, what the heck was that all about?" Normani said gesturing towards Ashley Van Kamp and her group of friends down the hall.
"Lauren and Ashley are getting back together." I said as I pointed to the poster. "You can't run as a couple, unless you sign up as one, together." I said trying to sound okay.
"Sorry Mila." Ally said as she rubbed my arm.
"I just don't get it." Normani added as she shook her head.
"Different circles I guess," I said while shrugging my shoulders. "No biggie, it is what it is. Look guys, I don't think I'm going to the game tonight, I'm just not really up for it."
They both nodded and understood.
Lauren's P.O.V.
"Dawg, what do you wanna do before the game? We have Like two hours to kill, coach said we don't have to be dressed until 6:30pm." Dinah asked me as we walked down the halls exiting the gymnasium. "Um, Laur…please tell me you are NOT getting back together with Ashley, oh gawd! I can't stand her and as your best friend I get a say!"
I stopped walking to turn to my best friend. "When hell freezes over! What would make you thinkkk-" and there they were, our homecoming posters. "SHIT!"
"SHIT is right dawg." Dinah said shaking her head at the poster.
"You don't think they're all over the school do you?" I asked horrified.
"Oh, they are." Tyler said as he approached us and gave Dinah a kiss. "Tell me you two heard?"
"We posed for those pictures like, three months ago! I told her I didn't want to run as a couple anymore. That's what I get for trusting Van Kamp to TAKE CARE OF THINGS as she put it. Ugh" I said irritated as I shook my head and rolled my hands into fist. "I could hurt someone right now!"
"This was kind of expected Laur, come on." Dinah said tilting her head. "Heard what babe?"
"You know that cute little tutor of yours? Camila right?" Tyler began and once I heard the words leave his mouth, I knew Ashley had done something, something not good.
"What about Camz? What? What?" I said wide-eyed and worried.
"I was standing a few feet away, but pretty much everyone after sixth period in the west hall saw Van Kamp have a little talk with her and if that means what it usually means, I'm sure she stamped her claim on YOU." He said looking directly at me. "I don't know, I think your tutor was upset, she walked past me on her way out of school."
"I cannot stand that girl." Dinah said as she rolled her eyes.
"I gotta go, I better try and get a hold of Camz. I'll see you guys before the game okay!" I said running down the hall.
~And suddenly I become a part of your past
I'm becoming the part that don't last
I'm losing you and it's effortless
Without a sound We lose sight of the ground in the throw around
Never thought that you wanted to bring it down
I won't let it go down till we torch it ourselves
And everyone knows I'm in Over my head, over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind, she's on your mind~
You know those moments you ask yourself if hard work is ever REALLY worth it? Well, IT IS. All the two-a-days, weekend practices, extra time at the gym, heck even having to keep my grades up just to be eligible to play at THIS school, it was all worth it, for games like these. The cheers from the crowd brings chills throughout my body and it doesn't matter how many times I've put on this jersey and how many times I've played a game in this gymnasium, all I know is tonight, it feels like the first time and I'm a little nervous.
I hope she shows up.
"Hey Laur, you with us?" Dinah said as she threw her warm-ups behind the bench giving me the BEST FRIEND concerned look. "I take it you didn't get a hold of Camila."
"No, she hasn't returned my phone call or text." I replied softly trying not to let too much of my disappointment come through.
"Her friends just walked in, why don't you ask them." She suggested gesturing with the basketball in her hand. "Go, I know you're worried and lets face it, Ashley's a bitch, even I'm worried."
I couldn't help, but laugh, because Dinah was right. I made my way towards the bench and got Ally and Normani's attention.
"Hey!" I said waving them down. "Glad you guys could make it, thanks for coming, we appreciate the support."
"This is all so exciting, I've never been to a game THIS big before!" Ally said to me her eyes wide and full of excitement.
"Yeah! This crowd is ridiculous and really loud Lauren." Normani said while looking around to take in the atmosphere.
"This is what I live for." I said as I extended my arms out to the side with a smile on face. "Is, um, Camz coming? I haven't heard from her and I was just worried because I heard about what happened earlier…" My voice trailed off as a waited for a reply.
"Yeah that Van Kamp is a piece of work." Normani said as she crossed her arms.
"She wasn't really up for it tonight after what happened earlier. She decided to lay low and catch up on some things." Ally said nodding her head as she gave me a half smile.
"Oh, okay, as long as she's okay." It was a statement, but in a questioning tone.
"Jauregui! LETS GO!" Dinah said as she began to line up for warm up drills.
"Enjoy the game ladies." I said as I ran towards the middle of the court.
"Alright! Bring it in! Bring it in, Lets go!" Coach yelled as we huddled-up. "20 seconds left ladies and we're down by two, we need a basket to tie it, last shot. Go Team! On three…one, two, three!"
"GO TEAM!"
"Lauren." I turned around.
"Yeah coach?"
"If we tie this game, we go into a second overtime, but you guys deserve to win, make sure this possession counts." He said to me as he patted my shoulder.
I look up as I dribble the ball and pass it to Dinah, 15 seconds left. I set up a screen, roll off and set up on the corner just inside the three-point line. I look up, 8 seconds, look across…CAMZ. She's HERE. She's here. I found myself lost in bright beautiful brown eyes and subtle smile.
At that moment, I was lost in Camila Cabello.
~Everyone knows she's on your mind
Everyone knows I'm in over my head
I'm in over my head, I'm over my~
I was just flooded with memories, memories of us. I remember the second time we studied and she decided to call me "Lolo" as she smirked, her red lipstick accentuating her red bow, those full lips pulling towards her eyes as she said my new nickname. I remember the way she spoke so passionately about a random book she came across at a local bookstore and the way her eyes fluttered. I remember the way she would look at me as we sat next to each other after she reread the lines to a section I couldn't quite comprehend and how patient she was with me. I remember the way a small strand of her hair would fall in front of her face every time she peeked up at me to make sure I was paying attention, the way she blushed when I'd move it behind her ear. It was hard to concentrate with Camila sitting right next to me with her cute chuckles as she threw her head back, her red lips parting exposing her pearly whites. I wasn't paying attention half the time; it was hard. I remember walking into my room, my eyes red after I had an argument with my father, I had almost forgotten Camila was over to help me study, I burst into tears and she just held me. She didn't ask me any questions; she just held me throughout the night and stayed with me until I was okay. My favorite memory, I came home and i followed the sound of the piano being played in the living and the most beautiful voice I had ever heard, she was singing and the song didn't even matter. She took my breath away before I even caught sight of her and when I did, I knew, that's when I knew…
"LAUREN! SHOOT THE BALL!" Dinah screamed raising her hands.
I have the ball in my hands. What? I step behind the line and I can hear the count down…THREE…TWO…I shoot the ball…ONE!
BUZZZZZ!
Next thing I knew, I was being mobbed by my entire team, by the entire student body!
"Lauren! You made it! We just won!" Dinah screamed giving me the biggest hug and we both began jumping up and down in excitement. "Wooooo!
I was surrounded by EVERYONE, everyone but Camila. I looked around the bleachers for her, but she wasn't in her seat anymore. I scan the entire gymnasium and I a spot a purple bow in a sea of people; gosh I love her bows. She's walking towards the exit. I NEED to talk to her, need to look into those beautiful brown eyes and tell her how I feel.
"I'll be back!" I said to Dinah running towards the double doors that Camila had just exited through.
I look to the left, look to the right.
"CAMZ!" I yelled as I ran towards her, a little out of breath as I hunched over to catch it.
"Lo?" She said grabbing my shoulder, "What are you doing out here?"
"What am I doing out here?" My breathing slowly going back to normal as I stood up to meet bright brown eyes that held me captive. "What are YOU doing out here?"
"What? Well, I wanted to watch you play and support you," she said her voice a little shaky as she looked anywhere, but at me. "And since the game was over I figured I'd ju-"
"You figured you'd just what Camila? Leave?" I said softly as I cupped her face so that I could look into those beautiful brown eyes that I missed for most of today.
There are those eyes and that smile.
"That was a great shot Lo, you're amazing." She said smiling at me.
"You know what I was thinking about the whole time my hands were on the ball, before I shot it?" I said shaking my head a little as I tapped my temples with both hands, looking to the sky.
"What?" She asked as I felt her soft hand brush against my cheek brining my gaze back to her. I could feel it; my heart began to race.
"You." I said as I placed my hand over her hand that cupped my face. "I looked up for a second and I saw YOU and everyone else just kind of disappeared."
I haven't been this vulnerable in a long time. Her brown eyes looking into as if she were looking into my soul; say something. She's smiling, that's a good sign.
"Yeah?" She asked as she closed the gap between us.
"A thousand memories of you must've have ran through my mind in that second, never even thought that was possible, but I know now that with you, anything's possible. You're amazing Camz, I hope you know that." I said while moving a strand of her hair from her face.
She is so beautiful; I can't believe I didn't notice her before.
"I'm not sure what's going on between us, but when a person's on YOUR mind with 8 seconds left in overtime in one of the biggest games you've played in your life, you don't just let her walk out. I wasn't about to let you walk out of here." I said looking intently into sparking brown eyes.
"Lo." She said slowly throwing her arms around my neck pulling me in as she tiptoed to reach my gaze; our lips almost touching. "I like you too."
Our lips collided, gently. Pressing onto one another, molding perfectly as if made for each other. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her as close as I possibly could to my own body. Her lips were soft as they danced along my own. The kiss was perfect, because to me, SHE was perfect.
~Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head, over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind, she's on your mind~