HMU

thirty

Ring, ring, ring...

"Hello?"

"Camz?"

"Lauren?"

"H-Hi.."

"Hey."

"I, uh.. last night..."

"It's okay."

"No, it's not. I wanted to tell you that in person, not while I was wasted over text."

"..."

"Camz?"

"I'm here."

[pause]

"I meant it, you know. I really do think you're beautiful, and.. and I really do like you. Like, a lot."

"Lauren-"

"And it's totally okay if you don't feel the same. I get it."

"Laur-"

"We can just be friends. I'll find a way to get over it, eventually-"

"Lauren! Stop talking, that's not what I want."

"What?"

"I don't want you to find a way to move on. I don't want to be your friend."

"I'm.. I'm confused."

"I like you too."

"For real?"

"For real."

"..."

"Lo?"

"I.. This still wasn't how I wanted to tell you."

"Me neither."

"You really feel the same?"

(chuckles) "Yes, Lo. I'm surprised you couldn't tell after all the times I got jealous in the group chat."

"Honestly, I thought you were humoring Dinah."

"I most certainly would never humor her for anything."

(Lauren's laugh echoes through the phone)

"With all the times she's made fun of me, she doesn't deserve it."

"Fair enough."

"But I do really like you, Lo. I would never lie to you about that. Or anything."

"I really like you, too." (shuffling) "Hey, Camz? I gotta go help my dad, but promise me that when you and the girls come down you'll let me take you on a date?"

"I would love that. The girls wouldn't be coming too, would they?"

"No, duh. Just me and you."

"I thought it was 'you and i'?"

"Not the time, Cabello." (quiet laughter) "I'll text you later."

"Bye Lo."

"Bye Camz."

***