Remember Love {{{On Hiatus}}}

Chapter 3

-Demi's POV-

To say that I was shocked by Lauren's call last night would be an understatement. I wasn't sure what to make of it, especially since she was drunk and probably wouldn't even remember talking to me at all. Going against my better judgement, I decided to go with my heart and meet up with her. I still loved her and the time that we have spent apart was slowly killing me.

When I arrived at her gate, there was no reply so I called her but her phone went straight to voicemail. I should have known better. Cursing myself, I slammed my car into reverse as I started backing away from her gate but another car pulled up behind me before I could. I recognized the driver and rolled down my window as Steph leaned out of hers and shouted to me.

"Hey Dem! I didn't expect to see you here. Is Lauren not home?"

"I don't know!" I screamed back, acutely aware of a neighbor walking by. I lifted my hand in greeting and they nodded back before carrying on down the road.

"Well use your clicker to open the gate!" Steph continued to yell.

I was so caught up in leaving that I had completely forgotten that I had my own set of keys to Lauren's place, just like she had for mine. Digging through my glove compartment, I retrieved her set and pressed the button to open the gate. I drove up the driveway, closely followed by Steph.

Once we got out of our cars, Steph pulled me into a hug. I was taken aback considering the last time she saw me, Lauren had accused me of cheating. That wasn't completely true. I had gotten a friend of mine to pretend that we were hooking up because I thought it was the only way that Lauren would stop coming around to my house. I had to keep her safe.

"I knew you'd be back for our girl" Steph said with a bright smile. "Come on, I'll just stick around for a couple of minutes and then give you two time to talk."

I mumbled a shy thanks and we headed up the path to the front door. As we got closer, we noticed the door was already open. Giving each other a puzzled look, we stepped into the house. Music was blasting through the speakers as Steph called out to Lauren.

"Ohmygod! Ohmygod Lauren!" Steph's screams cut through the loud music as my heart dropped when I saw Lauren lying motionless on the ground in a pool of her own blood. Steph shook her slightly as I remained frozen to the spot. This can't be happening. My entire world came crashing down around me as Steph's screams rang in my ears.

"Demi! Demi for fucks sake! Snap out of it and call 911... Demi!"

I'm only vaguely aware of Steph screaming at me as my eyes remain glued on Lauren. Steph yanks my arm so that I fall to my knees next to them. I feel a sting across my cheek as I realize Steph slapped me. Suddenly I'm thrown back into reality.

"She's still breathing. Keep pressure on the wound while I call for help."

I can only manage to nod as I place my hands over the gunshot wounds on Lauren's abdomen and chest. My hands are immediately covered in her blood as I silently pray that she makes it through this.

"Please Lauren, please don't give up." I murmur more to myself than to her. I notice the music is off now as I hear Steph on the line with the paramedics.

"Demi?"

My eyes snap up to Lauren's face, her eyes meeting mine.

"Yeah, Lauren. It's me. I'm here, you're gonna be okay." I don't know what to say but she gives me a weak smile and I try to return it even though my tears are running freely down my cheeks.

"I thought... I told you to... call me baby" she says in a croaky voice. This time I do manage to smile back at her. Trust her to be able to make me smile while she's bleeding out on the floor. She's lost a lot of blood or at least a lot from what I can tell from all of my expertise from watching all my crime shows.