you make me sick (for being so perfect)

Six.

"Whatever, Mani. Obviously you don't understand how great this book is." Camila says as she flips to the page she was last at in her book, To Kill A Mockingbird. "I've read it before and all so it's not like it's new to me, but honestly, it's so much better than all of that Nicholas Sparks romance stuff. Especially better than all of those stupid movies that came out of it. Aside from maybe The Notebook, because Ryan Gosling is nice as hell to look at."

Normani rolls her eyes and beams when Dinah walks into the room with Lauren following at her heels. "Dinah, Lo, back me up here – movies are better than books, right?"

"Definitely." Dinah sits down between Normani and Ally, leaving the space next to Camila for Lauren. Camila can't help but think that her choice in seat was intentional. "Reading takes too much time. Movies take like two hours, tops."

Lauren sits down and looks up, tapping her fingers on the desk. "I think that books are better. I like reading."

Camila beams. "Thank you for backing me up, Lo. You're right. Books are way better than movies. You get so much more detail."

"Yes." Lauren nods to herself and rubs her hand along her thigh quickly. "I think you are right. Movies are good too though because you get to see everything properly. Imagining things I don't know is hard sometimes."

Camila catches Dinah and Normani sharing a look and frowns. She doesn't know what they're smirking at – it's not like anything has happened – but she shrugs it off and turns back to her book.

"So, Ralph," Dinah leans across the table with a grin on her face, "have you thought about going to homecoming?"

"I... uh," Lauren looks over to Camila for a split second and shrugs. "I don't know. It's loud there. I don't like it when it's loud because it gives me a headache and I can't concentrate."

"We're all going together if you want to come with, Lo." Ally sends her an understanding smile. "Even Mila might be coming. Right?"

Camila looks up in surprise. "I am? I mean, I wasn't really planning on going, but if we're doing a group thing then I guess I can come for a little while."

"You're going to come to homecoming?" Lauren frowns at her. "Because I have to ask my parents if I can go."

Camila laughs. "I thought you weren't coming? You just said you don't like loud places, and a dance is quite loud."

"I... um, I want to go now." Lauren murmurs, her face turning a bright red colour. Camila catches Dinah and Normani exchange another look, but doesn't question it. "I want to be with my friends because I love them."

"Alright then, Lo," Normani smiles at her, "we might end up ditching the whole group thing if we get dates, so we'll let you know if you're still not sure about coming."

Lauren shakes her head. "I am definitely coming. I need to ask my parents though because sometimes they worry. Also I can't miss family night because it's important and it's part of my routine."

"You should ask your dad," Dinah tells her, "Papa Jauregui is generally pretty chill about stuff. Your mom tends to worry."

"Yes. I will ask my dad." Lauren nods to herself and rubs her hand along her leg. "I am glad we're going to the dance as a group."

Camila smiles. "Me too. You know, until Normani, Ally and Dinah ditch us when they inevitably get dates."

"Hey, how do we know you won't get a date and ditch us too?" Dinah folds her arms across her chest. "Have you seen the way the guys here have been looking at you since you showed up?"