Not Quite the Opposites (camren)

9 - The Inevitable

I've oftentimes heard the phrase "no man is an island" but that never mattered much to me in the past. As a human being, there is an irrevocable need to feel loved; a need for companionship in any shape or form. To me, I had found that in my family and I have never at all felt that I needed to feel more. That much is true, except for the times I had to walk in on another new school swarmed with strangers that I have never seen my entire life.

It was unfortunately a Monday again and I was seated in my AP Biology class. I rested my chin on my palm while my elbow was perched on my desk. I was watching students talking to their friends while some were making their way in the room. Our teacher was still not in and I had time to just relax.

"Dinah!" I waved briskly as soon as my eyes were set on my Polynesian friend. I smiled brightly at her, maybe too eager but that didn't matter. I wanted the comfort a friend could offer. "Hi!"

"Laurenza!" She exclaimed with widened eyes and slightly parted lips in astonishment. Her expressions soon changed into something of delight, and I was more than relieved to see them.

I had not thoroughly checked anyone else's schedules other than Camila's. I was equally surprised to see the bodacious brunette with red streaks on her hair. I had noticed my taller friend as she strutted from the door to her seat. She immediately asked the tall, gangly guy who sat next to her to switch seats with me as soon as she had set her things down.

She waved her arms for me, signaling my transfer which I immediately obliged. I was more than willing to have a friend for a lab partner. I was essentially more than happy to just have a friend with me. While others cared about having friends more than they could count with their fingers and toes, I was perfectly fine with have a handful real ones.

"I didn't know you'd be here, girl." Dinah remarked with her usual flair and pushed my by the shoulder. She had a grin plastered on her features as she threw her arms out to envelop me in. "But I'm glad you're here! Come here!"

I leaned closer to adhere to my friend's request and found the corners of my mouth tugging up to a smile. "Me, too." I muttered in her grasp and I meant it despite the jealousy concerning her relationship with Camila that I have been fearlessly denying.

We pulled away momentarily and Dinah had examined me as if I was a frog being dissected. Her gaze was set on scrutinizing me and my choices yet she was intrigued somehow. "Was this like your last option or something?" She asked with furrowed brows.

I held my palm against my chest as I chuckled at her remarks. I shook my head. "I'm thinking about being a doctor."

I took a deep breath as my wandering mind went on and on about why I wanted to be a health care provider. Despite all the reasons I could say, there was one common denominated; I intrinsically wanted to help.

"I have good grades and enough determination to make it. I just have to maintain it." I shakily stated. The truth of the matter is that I am deathly nervous about failing.

The Polynesian looked more confused than ever, apparently having different thoughts of my career choices. She took her head back at a good analytical distance.

"What? Before somebody says 'nope, your voice is so uniquely beautiful, it would be a crime not to share it to the world'?" She cooed as she held my arms. "Laurenza, your voice is the right combination of raspy and deep yet sultry and sexy at the same time."

While Dinah spoke of praises, there was only one voice that registered in my head. It was as if she took the words from my mouth and said it to me like my subconscious emancipated itself from my mind and settled in my friend's body.

"Don't get me started about Camz's." I instantly retorted which made my eyes widen in shock. I had just blurted out one of my secrets and to the worst person possible; Camila's best friend. Panic descended upon me and I was certain that my features would have been as pale as our bathroom tiles with my anxiety. My breathing had become forced as my pulse pounded with greater force.

Before Dinah even muttered a word, our teacher, Mrs. Verano, walked in. She looked to be in her fifties given both the minute and perceptible laugh lines that grazed her porcelain skin. She had glasses perched by the tip of her nose and wore the typical earth toned slacks, button down blouse and blazer ensemble.

She walked in beaming at us. It was as genuine as her heart as I later found out. Her smile was bright and warm, just like the summer sun. Coincidentally, her last name is the Spanish term for "summer". She was a breath of fresh air compared to Mrs. Dubose's thick and suffocating breeze.

Mrs. Verano went on to discuss a branch in Biology that deals with the constitution of life form, called Anatomy and proceeded to discussing about animal tissues. I was two classes late for the formalities.

Dinah and I listened intently while taking notes down and I unexpectedly recalled that study date I had with the one and only Camila Cabello. She listened and took down notes so she had a solid excuse not to study. I was unconsciously smiling as I shook my head; consumed by thoughts of her. The way she talked so animatedly that her entire head would move most, if not all the time. Her arms would be flung to different places to emphasize the subject she was so intently focused on telling. Her brows would dance by her forehead to accentuate her already expressive brown eyes.

Everything Camila ever did and everything she ever is was imprinted in my head and the most important was the way her eyes gave me a glimpse of her beautiful soul.

As far as animal tissues are concerned, the tissues that made up my cardiac muscle contracted and pumped blood in a way that I had never felt it before. It was the Camila effect.

The week went on fairly well. It was uneventful to say the least. Miss Dubose was still grumpy and Jette still sported the menacing stares with her peculiar smirks. My lyrics were good enough for Miss Peterson and she didn't ask questions about the topic which made it better for me. She gave me a few suggestions about word choices and arrangements which I found helpful.

Sitting in the cafeteria by myself that Friday, I read a book called "Fences" by August Wilson. It was a reading assignment and being the diligent student that I am, I decided on getting a head start. I sat there with earphones blocking the noise. Within my reading, I had realized Dinah has the most classes with me. We share homeroom, AP Biology, AP Music Theory, AP Physics, AP English Literature and Composition. Jette beat her by one class though and I would have given anything to have Camila or anyone from the other three friends I cherish in my AP Art History class. No matter how hard I wished though, nothing was ever going to change.

During Tuesdays and Fridays, I had Art History before lunch and that meant going to lunch with Jettle ogling boys or eating alone, reading something. I liked the latter better and that was what I did in both days. I would have lied if I said I didn't anticipate Camila popping in in the most adorable manner.

"Hey..." A familiar voice with a distinct accent said, barely audible from the music playing in my ears. I would say it was masculine but it was of a teenage boy, it wasn't nearly as deep. "Lauren?" He said louder which made me finally look up to meet his gaze.

Brad instantly flashed me his cheeky grin as he slightly waved in front of me. I managed to give him a half smile, concealing my teeth. I raised my brows to prompt him to continue with what he needed from me despite having some of my own speculations.

He began to speak but I could not at all understand him as Drake's "Started From The Bottom" blared in my ears. For some reason, my conscious mind was not with me and I had not thought about removing the particular ear piece that had muffled his words. Truthfully, I'd rather bang my head to the rapper's songs than listen to the British lad in front of me.

He unexpectedly perched his hand on the table and leaned closer to me. He lifted his hand up to my face and it was when I started to panic. Cheating on my boyfriend was the last thing I wanted to do and if he was to put his hand behind my neck and pull me close, I wouldn't hesitate to punch him. To my relief, he simply pulled the ear phones off and smiled to himself.

"Is it ok if I sit here?" He asked courteously yet I couldn't help but feel something malicious about him.

I took a deep breath as I mustered a smile that failed to reach my eyes. I was trying to find a valid excuse to deny the guy of his request. I looked around to find a friend, a classmate, even Jette. I must have been praying very hard for the particular person that she had to be sitting a few tables away from me. She was smiling and her face just radiated with contentment. A wave of relief enveloped my body but was soon stolen from me as I twisted my head further revealing the other person in the conversation.

"Austin." I slurred under my breath.

My heart rate sped up and my rational mind was clouded by envious desires. My gaze was continually fixated on the two, however, eying the male species as if looking at a helpless prey and I was on ravenous predator. I darted my stare from the beautiful brunette to the wavy haired boy as they were exchanging smiles while I was gritting my teeth, sharpening it, probably. What has gotten over me?

The curly haired boy that stood in front of me was impatiently waiting for my answer, waving his arm in front of my face incessantly. I did not feel myself ascending from my seating, pushing the chair away and walking up to the two who were obviously having fun.

My consciousness seemed to have diminished the moment the big brown eyes fastened her gaze upon my greens. She instantly beamed which made my heart and my mind go ballistic.

"Hi Lo!" She greeted in the friendliest manner. She stood up and offered me her seat. Gentleman or girl, or something. I thought.

"Camz." I breathlessly muttered as my lips formed a serene smile. "Hi."

To the corner of my eye is Austin who had intently watched the exchange in front of him. I faked a smile at the boy who looked up with a grin in greeting. It was genuine but I was not reciprocating.

"I'll leave you two alone." He suddenly blurted out. He raised his brows as he mustered a toothless grin. He picked up his red backpack. "See you later, Camila."

"See ya!" The younger brunette said with an unreadable expression on her face.

My resting b***h face has never failed me before and I have never been more grateful about it. Camila and I watched her friend scamper away. I had felt a little aggravated that she had given him too much attention even with his back on her.

"Did you not see me?" I said, sounding a little too obsessive. I sounded like a jealous and insecure girlfriend; it was unnerving to hear me say those words.

Camila furrowed her brows as her eyes awkwardly looked elsewhere. "I did." She slowly retorted, nodding once.

"Why didn't you come to the table?" I groaned like a whiny little child. I discretely stomped my foot once

She shrugged her brows, still without looking at me. "You were busy?" She sounded sarcastic, as if slapping me with the truth that I already know. It might have been my anger but she almost sounded jealous.

"Lauren, love." Brad interrupted, standing between Camila and I. "Did I do anything wrong?"

I twisted my head a little farther from his gaze and I took a deep sigh as my nostrils flared. I eyed the brown-eyed brunette, silently begging for her to step in. Just as I was about to speak, the sexiness that is the raspy vocal chords of my friend erupted.

Camila cleared her throat without even trying to fake a smile. "She forgot about a homework we were supposed to be doing together during lunch." The brunette was significantly defensive and protective somehow; intensifying my suspicion about the British boy in front of us.

She swiftly swiveled to grab her black backpack and swung it over her right shoulder. "Excuse us, we have to go."

To my surprise, she grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers; filling the gaps comfortably. My breath hitched as my jaw dropped open. My legs kept walking but all I did was drown in the moment and hope it would linger. She dragged me towards my previous table to retrieve my things, leaving the British boy standing, there astonished.

My euphoria was quickly robbed from underneath me as I had to fix my things. Taking a deep breath, I reluctantly let go of her hand.

"I want to get away from here." I mumbled as I snapped my book close. I shoved the book in my bag and stood up. I was overwhelmed by conflicting emotions.

I have a boyfriend and yet I have been craving for somebody's touch. Even the slightest contact made me feel like I had hit a homerun multiple times in a row. I was furious to find her with someone else; especially with that grin of hers. I wanted to be the only person who could do that but for what? I was just so confused.

"How far away?" She queried as she stood right next to me, protectively. "Within school grounds or beyond the barriers?"

"Infinity and beyond would be nice." I jested as I stood up with my messenger bag in tow. I gave that answer more meaning that I intended it to be.

Camila beamed me a bright smile with the joke and if I were to describe how my insides felt, I would run out of endearingly embarrassing adjectives.

"I know this good café." She retorted.

"Great!" I mumbled as I unconsciously grabbed her hand which she let me take. I was ridiculously overwhelmed with a surging wave of love and admiration for the girl whose hands were in mine.

Camila drove us to and later we arrived at this small blue and white painted café with exposed brick walls. The interior was bright yet warm, and the irony keeps going on and on. The tables and chairs were made of wood with the latter covered in a simple white embroidered cloth. It just looked like home but my butt could not agree with me given how uncomfortable I was against the wooden surface. I had later found out the place used to be a house which explained all the mismatched furniture. I liked it though.

Neither of us was hungry so we ordered deserts. Camila was persistent about her choice of sweet decadence and I could not help but give in. She was too damn adorable for words as she bounced up and down in her equally uncomfortable chair. I shook my head with a smile on my face.

The server came holding slices of banoffee pie and lemon meringue pie in two plates with two sets of cutleries. He courteously asked us if we needed anything else. When we declined, he was on his way and we were about to devour the desserts my friend swore her life by.

I took a bite of the lemon flavored pie and my eyes instantly closed while I moaned with pleasure as the balanced flavor of sweet and tangy nibbled on my taste buds. "Oh..." I mumbled. "This is orgasmic."

Camila chuckled, jolting her body. "What?" She said in disbelief. It was as if the slight mention of any s****l related subject throws her off.

"Here." I offered as I dunked my spoon in the pie, scooping enough pie and extended my arm to her. "Taste it."

She furrowed her brows as she slightly backed away, confused at the gesture. "I have my own spoon, Lo." She declined, grinning at me.

"I did not smother my saliva on it." I insisted, showing the spoon closer which made her lean backwards even further.

I felt betrayed by her response; her grin did not give me as much butterflies or incredibly loud moths. Instead, my heart plummeted down the toilet. However, I was courageous that day and I was willing to fight for what I wanted.

"Just taste the damn thing, Cabello!" I grumbled which made her feign annoyance as she suppressed a laugh. "Please!" I begged, elongating the pronunciation.

Finally, she leaned in and ate the stupid pie. Her brows shot up as she pursed her lips. She twisted her head slightly.

"Not bad, Jauregui." She commented as soon as she swallowed which was followed by a chuckle.

Camila looked down on her banana-toffee pie and took a small piece with her own spoon. She merrily lifted the silverware up and towards my direction. "Your turn!"

I unreservedly leaned in to devour the dessert; moving it in my mouth to taste the different flavors. I looked away, trying to focus on the task at hand.

"Do you like it? Do you like it? Do you like it?" She incessantly asked. She put her hands on the table as she hunched forward, awaiting my approval which made me smirk as I had a plan.

I curled my lips as I arched my brows in an artificial disgusted look which made her slump back in her chair.

"I like it." I gradually grinned which made her sit up straight with a very wide smile across her pretty features. It felt as if there were explosions in my chest as I had achieved a small yet coveted goal in making the brown-eyed brunette smile.

"That's great because I like bananas!" She proudly proclaimed. "I told you I'd pick delicious deserts."

"I know, I know."

I knew I shouldn't feel any sort of attachment for Camila other than the platonic friendship that was supposed to exist between us but it just felt like this was inevitable. The solitary island that is Lauren Jauregui now has a neigboring one called Camila Cabello.