Not Quite the Opposites (camren)

7 - Consequences of Yesterday's Choices

Throbbing pain was all I felt when I fluttered my eyelids open. My vision pounded along with my headache. It was exceptionally challenging to keep my lids apart as they felt like they were glued together. Apart from that, my eyes were sore, my entire body was sore.

Thankfully, nobody even tried to open any windows or turn the lights on. Otherwise, I would have unleashed the tiger in me.

I nursed my head, rubbing my temples until I felt the slightest relief and I was barely close to my nirvana.

"We've been waiting for you." Chris said, unimpressed by my pain. His tone was quite daunting.

My breath hitched as I was startled. I didn't realize my siblings were in my room. I swiftly swiveled to the other side, holding my palm against my chest. The quick movement caused more pain to shoot up to my head. I groaned as I continued massaging my head.

My brother's arms were crossed as he maintained a rather stern expression. His lips were pressed tightly against each other as his gave me a piercing stare. Next to him was Taylor, who only looked worried, her brows stitched to each other, forming an arch in the middle.

"What time did I come home?" I mumbled, adjusting my head on the pillow.

"Three." He reluctantly answered, his front was still intact. "You're lucky mom isn't here."

I was starting to get irritated by my brother's scolding. He wasn't saying much but his tone was getting to me. My head wasn't in the best state and I had to hear some unnecessary yammering. Ok, they might be necessary.

I massaged my forehead, sliding my fingers down to my temples and back as my brother continued.

"Dad is waiting downstairs." He warned. "You better look better than this mess. He knows you went out to party, I'm sure-"

"Chris!" I exclaimed, slamming my hands against the bed. "Five minutes! I don't need you to f*****g lecture me, ok? My head is bad enough as it is." I took deeper breaths to cope with my aggravation. My pulse sped up; making the pumping headache pace faster along with it.

Taylor was startled by my little outburst, her eyes widened as her jaw dropped. She took a step back, cautiously looking at us.

"Lauren, you're the oldest! You should be a little more responsible!" He insisted. He matched my tone, uncrossing his arms.

I huffed in frustration. I clenched my jaw. "What's wrong with having a little fun?" I glared at him, disregarding the pain in my skull.

"Little is when you're able to climb up the stairs and into your room by yourself." He forcefully pointed to where the stairs outside would be and then to me. "You cross the damn line when you can't maintain balance and crawl up the f*****g stairs!"

I widened my eyes at the revelation. What happened last night? I thought long and hard about it. And then it came back, like gushing flood, the memories swarmed my aching brain. Tequila and vodka; Brad flirting with me, showing off his guitar playing skills with that stupid charming smile; James trying to get Jette really drunk as his hands traveled up her thigh while she seemed to like it; dancing on the sand, people were too close; sweat and the night mist; Camila leaving early.

It wasn't just my head that hurt, my heart wasn't too happy either as the memory of Camila's back continually flashed in my mind. She left.

I was in a daze as I recalled my wild night. There should be more things I couldn't remember.

"Breakfast in five, Lauren." Chris grumbled; he wasn't as angry anymore. He was now disappointed of me. He turned his heels and walked out of my room.

"I...got you some...Advil and water." Taylor guardedly stated, pointing to the bed side table. "It should help with your headache." She gave me a faint smile as she was about to follow our brother out.

I grabbed her wrist, making her look at me. "Thank you, Tay." I smiled at her. "I'm sorry."

Instead of talking immediately, my sister leaned close to give me a warm embrace. It was tighter and she let out a sigh. I'm sure it was of relief. "I'm just glad you're alright."

I took the medicine as soon as my sister let herself out. I decided on taking a hot shower to rid myself of the stench and to somehow ease my discomfort. Miraculously, it worked.

Downstairs, I braced for another set of lectures from my father.

"Good morning, Lauren!" Mike Jauregui greeted me like he usually did as he spotted me approaching the table.

"Good morning, dad." I retorted. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to smile at him. Instead, I looked elsewhere, my eyes traveling to different corners and edges of the room.

I sat down with my wet hair wrapped in a towel. Dad seemed to not make a big deal about my apparent crawling only five hours ago. He wasn't suspicious of me or my actions. I was starting to think he was punishing me with kindness. I wasn't sure.

My siblings held their head low, eyeing each other meaningfully. It felt as if my father and I were out of the loop.

"Do you want some coffee?" He asked as I unconsciously stared at the steam emanating from the glorious dark drink.

I aimlessly nodded at him. I needed coffee and I needed him out of the room to ask my sister something.

"Why is he acting like it was okay?" I whispered apprehensively, leaning to my left, closer to Taylor. "Is this the start of my punishment?"

"Chris and I covered for you." She began, looking at our brother who still didn't look merry. "At midnight, we opened and closed the door, pretending it was you. When they wanted to see you, I laid down on your bed while Chris practically shoved them out saying they can talk to you in the morning."

"We waited for you to get back. We tried calling you but you wouldn't answer." She continued.

And then it was; I felt guilty. My stomach went sour as my heart pumped some cold fluid out to my limbs. I was embarrassed with how I acted. My closeness with my siblings was tested last night and they passed with flying colors while I was a complete asshole to them.

I cupped my face in shame; hiding myself from my siblings. But I had to apologize. I lowered my hands and adjusted my gaze and rested it on my brother to my right. I shrugged my shoulders as I carefully pronounced,

"Thank you, Chris."

I grabbed Taylor's hand and squeezed it. "I'm really sorry. It won't happen again." I glanced between my siblings. "I love you two."

"I love you three." My father merrily walked back in, holding the cup of coffee he had promised me. He really was very unaware of what just happened.

It was an uneventful half of the day. I was barely recovering from my hangover. There was no use in studying if I could not even function. But I had to do my homework and I needed a little push. I needed switch from lazy to inspired. Camila.I thought.

Just in time, my phone went off, ringing loudly from inside my room. The noise was annoying me, and yet I could not find my electronic device which added to my discomfort. I jumped onto my bed. I ran my fingers through my hair as I kicked the pillows and blanket out of the way. It wasn't there.

I bent down, trying to listen closer. It was ridiculously annoying having it ring frantically louder. I crawled underneath my metal framed bed but it wasn't there as well.

I grunted trying to get up. I stood still, only feeling my heart beat from my motionless body until I closed in on the sound.

"Hamper." I mumbled, eyeing the woven basket by the door.

I dug through the pile of clothes until I found my leather jacket. I anxiously dug through the pockets until I found the ringing device only finding my boyfriend's name on the screen.

My head had annoyed the crap out of me and the search for my phone drained my energy. I crashed to my bed and waited until he dropped the call. That was the first time I ever did that.

Despite not answering the call, I opted to send Gavin a text message.

"Babe, my head hurts. Can we talk later? I'll call you."

For some reason, it wasn't just my head. I wanted to talk to someone and that someone wasn't my boyfriend.

Soon enough, Gavin replied.

"Are you ok? It's ok. Yeah, we can talk later. I hope you feel better, babe. I miss you."

I was feeling an impeccable amount of guilt as I didn't really miss him as much on that particular time. I still miss him. Although, I didn't crave a conversation from him, I craved to be held just like he used to. At least, it was still his arms that I wanted. I hope.

"I miss you, too. I'll be fine. Thanks for understanding."

I flicked through my contacts, looking for somebody's name. That somebody is Camila Cabello. I wanted to finish my homework and she was the only person who could help me. If we have more classes together, she could at least get be on track. Jette proved to be no help.

Waiting for her to pick up, I was unconsciously pacing around my room. I ran my fingers through my hair. I found my hand massaging the back of my neck. It was weirdly nerve-racking to be waiting for her to answer my call.

"Hello?" Camila said, questioningly. She sounded quite unsure. Her raspy voice sounded increasingly sexy on the other line.

I froze, I was jitterier. Why was I jittery even? Despite my nerves, I was smiling as I heard her familiar melodious voice.

Oh, what the heck, Lauren! I scolded myself, hitting my forehead, successfully making my vision spin. I sat on my bed as I closed my eyes shut.

"Is this a prank?" She scolded. It sounded more adorable than intimidating.

"Camz!" I muttered as I recovered from my momentary brush with vertigo.

"Oh! Hey Lo!" She chuckled, realizing it was me. "Sorry about that. I don't really answer unknown numbers."

And that was just music to my ears.

Yes, I could have just sent her a text message. I laid down beating myself up for not settling with just the measly text. But there was nothing I could do anymore.

"Why'd you answer then?" I queried with a playful smug tone.

Camila didn't answer for a little bit which made me a little worried.

"I don't know." She chuckled as she finally retorted.

"It could have been some cosmic manipulation." I jested as I laughed along with her. I was pleased with my answer.

I took a deep breath with what I was about to say. My nerves came back as I contemplated on how to break it to her. "Listen..." I paused.

She stopped laughing at my request. I heard a hum from her which was my cue to continue.

"Can you come help me study today? I can come over or you can come over. I mean, I just really need help with the last four days that I wasn't at school. I don't want to fail. This is senior year and I am hoping to get to a great college. I don't know who else to ask. To be honest, you were my first choice beca-"

"Lauren." Camila said slowly, interrupting my monologue. She was stopping herself from laughing. "Breathe. You're rambling."

I didn't realize I was saying things too fast. I didn't even realize I was holding my breath.

"I'm coming over. I'll help you study." She quickly continued. "Text me the address."

"Okay." I nodded aimlessly. I was stunned; I could not believe she said yes.

"See you." She merrily said.

I was beyond ecstatic despite my monotonous answer. I was speechless.

"Okay."