music - Damiano David

27

After cooling down, Lauren walks back into the Cafeteria, all of the eyes on her as she notices Damianos seat has changed, the boy glaring at her, exactly opposite.

"Lauren! good morning!" TIX shouts to her, sitting on the other side of her, "I SIT THERE WAITING FOR A CALL BACK!"

Lauren laughs at the boy whilst he sings her Lyrics, some of the other contestants laughing too.

"good morning TIX, how are you and Efendi?"

"well, i wrote a song for her, as you probrably know..and, yeah i think she liked it"

"good! i'm very glad" Lauren says, looking at the food all the other contestants had pretty much finished.

"eat lauren, you need the energy" Elena says, waving her fork infront of her face.

"i'm not very hungry" she says, shrugging at the girl.

"can i have your pancake?" TIX asks, taking it off her plate, "i need to know this recipe wowza"

"what did mia say?"

"she didn't say anything, she interrogated me! and him of course"

"i just know that didn't end well" Elena says, rubbing the girls arm, "look, we've got a really fun day today, let's just forget about the whole thing yeah?"

"alright" she says, plates being cleared up by all the staff, "i'm gonna go to the bathroom"

"you want me to come?"

"no i'm okay thanks Elena" Lauren says, exiting the table and walking out of the room and down the corridor towards the toilet block.

She knew no one used these toilets because everyone was always using the ones either in the bubble or by the stage, so she knew she wouldn't be interrupted for a cry.

She walks down the large corridor, four doors unlocked, Lauren walking into the first one as a single tear runs down her cheek.

"look up...no, up. Ethan do you want me to poke you in the eye or not"

Lauren hears several laughs looking around the corner to see Quinn sat up onto the Vanity in-front of Ethan, her hand on his shoulder whilst she applied eyeliner to his under eye.

"cazzo! amore that was the corner" The italian boy says, squirming away.

"i told you! right stay still cause if this goes in then-"

Quinn looks up at the girl for a second, a smile smile spreading onto her lips as she lowers the eyeliner pencil.

"you alright?" she says, Ethan spinning around to look at the girl.

"oh, Lauren, ciao"

"hey, i'll uh, i'll go to the other stall, have fun you two" Lauren says, smiling at the pair, if only she could have something like theirs.

"Wait! Lauren!" She hears, looking around to see Quinn running up to her.

"hey uh, are you okay?"

"i've been better" Lauren sighs, "everything's a bit shit really"

"i thought so, i saw the video, it's nothing to be ashamed of you know"

"it is when our names are trending" Lauren says, "Im happy for you Quinn, you and Ethan seem to be doing so well"

"thanks, Lauren, i just wish you were happy too" Quinn shrugs, "look lauren...i'm uh I'm really sorry for what happened, i don't know what's happening to me at the moment, i- i pushed you away and, god i'm a mess without you"