Lauren Conrad is not leaving The Hills afterall. Sources say Lauren is in secret negotiations to renew her contract for next season. While Lauren has been telling reporters for months that this season would be her last, it would appear Conrad had second thoughts about being unemployed during this recession.

more Lauren Conrad and Kristin Cavallari photos after the comeback…

Page Six says Lauren wil rejoin her besties, Heidi and Spencer for more fun time, fake drama:

“Insiders tell us she is, indeed, working out her contract. One source said, “She kind of realized, especially in this economy, there’s not much else out there for her. What else can she do that would earn as much?”

This sounds plausible, especially since Lauren’s “booming” clothing line was forced to take a hiatus. On a side note, fans of Laguna Beach will be happy to hear that fame whore extraordinaire Kristin Cavallari will make an appearance on next season’s Hills as well.

Oh, goody!