Yeah, I know.” She said doubtfully,

Yeah, I know.” She said doubtfully, knowing what her body’s previous response in similar situations had been.

“No, I know.” Lauren reassured her. “You’ll be fine. We’re going to do this together aren’t we?” Lauren asked, her hand moving up to sit on the side of Camila’s neck.

“Yes,” Camila informed her. “Ok, yeah, let’s do this.”

“Ok,” Lauren agreed, lifting up the bag which she held in her other hand between them. “Here,” she said. “Miss Lovato asked me to give this to you. It’s the reason that I’m so late actually. I was talking to her and I lost track of the time. I’m sorry.” She apologised.

“What is it?” Camila asked reaching up her other free hand to take the bag from her.

“I don’t know babe,” Lauren laughed. “I haven’t opened it. It’s for you not me.”

Camila frowned at the unexpected gift for a moment and walked in to the living room, Lauren following closely after her. She quickly perched herself on the sofa in front of the coffee table, placing the envelope on top of it out of the way as Lauren descended in to the seat beside her. She settled the bag in her lap and opened it up, reaching inside to extract a parcel, wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. She felt Lauren shuffle closer to her for a better look as she removed a small envelope which had been affixed to the top of it, her name boldly written on the white paper.

Camila opened the envelope with her thumb and withdrew the folded piece of paper from it, unfolding it carefully so as not to tear it.

“Dear Camila,

I hope that this letter finds you well. Lauren tells me that you’ve been doing great since you’ve been home from rehab and I’m pleased to hear that you’ve settled back in to your life so well. I’m grateful that Lauren keeps me up to date with what you’ve been doing. It’s reassuring to know that the self-deprecating and unconfident girl that I was acquainted with at the beginning of the school year has finally realised what the rest of us already knew; that she is in fact strong, smart, intelligent and talented. Lauren tells me that you’ve been writing, she doesn’t say what and I don’t ask for fear of breaching some kind of confidence which you have shared with her but I’m glad because I think that your story is something unique and beautiful. It’s inspiring really, how you’ve struggled through the beginning of this year to blossom into the person that you are now and I wanted to write and tell you how proud I am of you for persevering through what I were some terribly difficult and trying times. Keep writing, even if it’s for yourself and you choose not to follow my sound advice and become a bestselling author. Your words matter, they’re healing and they’re therapeutic. Share them with yourself and put them down on paper where you can refer to them again, at a time when you invariably find yourself in a difficult situation once more.

From our sessions I remember that you enjoy reading, almost, if not equally as much as you enjoy music. All it would take to put a smile on your face or engage you in a conversation was to talk about an artist you admired or a story you loved, it didn’t matter how bad a day you’d had, or how low you were feeling, it worked every time without fail. You’d grow animated and passionate at the mention of Ed Sheeran’s newest single or John Green’s ‘Looking for Alaska’ and your speech would come fluidly, all that enthusiasm rushing out in coherent sentences and elegant prose.

You told me once, during one of these times that after the accident a certain song held particular significance for you, that you drew strength from its lyrics and would put it on if you were having a bad day to help you feel better. I think you know which song I’m referring to and the artist who sings it because you told me how much she’s inspired you in the past and how much you look up to her.

Not once have you ever asked me if the rumours were true, if I was related to her but, between you and me Camila (and Lauren too). They are.

So, as a token of celebration for your strength, your perseverance and your continued recovery I’ve sent you something which I think you’ll enjoy.

Take care of yourself Camila and I’ll see you in the fall.

Best wishes,

Miss Lovato”

Camila looked at Lauren who had been reading the letter over her shoulder.

“Holy shit,” Camila cursed. “Lauren do you know what this means?” she asked, lifting her eyes to meet her girlfriend’s. “Miss Lovato is related to Demi!”

“It also means that Dinah was right.” Lauren laughed, her eyes dropping to the present in Camila’s lap. “Just don’t tell her that I said that.”

Camila placed the letter on the sofa beside her and picked up the parcel, opening it quickly.

“Lauren,” Camila said, removing the book from inside and turning it over in her hands to open it. “You see this right?”

“I see it babe,” Lauren said as her girlfriend stared at a handwritten message on the inside cover of Demi Lovato’s book ‘Staying Strong.’

“Camila,

I understand that this year