Chapter 2:

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When Lauren awoke the next morning she sat up with a groan almost knocking her laptop off her bed, as she caught it she automatically looked over to the sleeping girl at the other side of the room. The brown haired girl was sleeping somewhat perfect and only her head poking out of the cover. Lauren pulled herself out of bed and quietly made her way to the bathroom with fresh clothes and make up in hand so she could get ready in peace or so she told herself. Once she was showered and dressed she perfected her make up and hair before heading back into the bedroom putting on her shoes and leaving to go and find coffee. Before leaving she took another look at the sleeping girl and rolled her eyes that the girl was still sleeping at this time in the morning. It was 9.30am. Lauren was the kind of girl that didn't sleep in past 7am and Normani was the kind of girl that would get as much sleep as she could.

After walking off campus for a short while she found a little internet café, tucked away on a quieter street. 'Perfect' she thought. She entered the café hearing the ring of the small bell above the door. She was greeted by a short blonde girl working behind the counter as she took her seat. The same girl quickly approached her at the table Lauren had chosen 'Hi what can I get for you?' Lauren noticed the girls nametag- Ally. 'I'll just take a black coffee and a butter croissant please' Lauren looked up with a tight smile. 'Be right back' the blonde smiled again as she moved back towards the counter. Lauren had a quick scout around taking in the few students either sat with friends or alone and working on their laptops. She pulled out her phone to distract herself while she waited for her order which didn't take long. As she was enjoying her coffee scrolling through her social media she was rudely interrupted by someone sitting across from her. 'Hello there' the dark hair boy smiled. Lauren could tell he was rich just by the way he looked. 'Can I help you with something?' Lauren asked unimpressed. 'A pretty girl sat all alone, I couldn't help but introduce myself. I'm Zayn he held out his hand. Lauren never saw the big deal with boys, she wasn't sure why every other girl her age either was desperate for a boyfriend or a hook up but although she wasn't interested in friends she knew she needed some sort of social circle. She took his hand in a handshake 'Lauren' she gave her best fake smile. He had a glint in his eyes as their hands connected. 'So Lauren may I ask if there's a lucky boy that has your heart?'. The sentence made Lauren uncomfortable although she wasn't sure why. 'No there's not' she answered back. 'Maybe I can change that if you'll give me your number?' he slid his phone across the table, he was forward and confident and Lauren thought why not. Maybe she could see what all the fuss was about. She took his phone typing in her number as the waitress gave her the bill. 'It's on me' Zayn smiled as Lauren handed his phone back. He paid for her coffee and stood 'I'll be in touch' he winked as he left. Lauren  decided to head back to her dorm also hoping normani had left and gone about her day.

As she opened the door to her room Normani wasn't in her bed but there was a boy in a beanie sat on the dark skinned girls bed. Just as Lauren  was about to ask what the boy was doing Normani appeared from the bathroom wrapped in a towel. 'Hello roomie' Normani  rolled her eyes. Lauren had to quickly compose herself seeing Normani that way had made her feel something she didn't recognise. Lauren didn't speak making her way to her side of the room and pretended to busy herself with her phone. 'This is Justin' Normani said, Justin just did a awkward wave at Lauren  'and Justin this is Lauren, don't try to start a conversation though, she doesn't do friends'. Lauren knew sarcasm when she heard it and decided to bring out the side of her that she wanted everyone to know 'I don't associate myself with welfare babies'. She said it with a harsh bite but Normani only laughed. Lauren  wasn't used to that. 'I'm just gonna go to the bathroom to get ready Justin, be careful the dragon lady here doesn't eat you alive' Normani winked at him before returning to the bathroom. It had been ten minutes since Toni had gone into the bathroom. 'So Lauren' Justin said interrupting her thoughts 'what's it like going from your big fancy house to living with a gang member'. 'I'm sorry what?' Justin actually had Lauren's full attention at that but before Justin could say anymore Normani opened the bathroom door 'Ready Justin?'she asked. 'Yeah, see you around Greenie' he shot her a smile as he left.
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Lauren had marched down to the reception as soon as the pair had left the room demanding to the uninterest lady behind the desk that she must be moved and there was no way she was living in the same room as a gang member. The lady only replied that there was nothing she could do to move either girl unless there was an incident which there wasn't. 'Ridiculous' Lauren stormed off. In her rage she bumped straight into someone as she was looking down at her phone. 'Whoaa' he said 'Lauren are you okay?'. Lauren looked up and it was the boy she had met earlier today in the café. 'I'm fine' she said as she was about to step around him. 'Actually' he said grabbing her arm 'I was about to call, I'm heading to meet a couple of pals for lunch, do you want to join?'. Normally Lauren would say no but for the same reason she had gave the boy her number this morning she agreed. 'Great lets go'. As she walked side by side with Zayn they passed by Normani sat on a wall with the boy from this morning and another boy she didn't recognise. They made eye contact but only for a moment before Lauren rolled her eyes and looked away. They arrived at a small restaurant, Zayn held the door open gesturing for the redhead to enter first.

'Zaynie!' Lauren heard a raven hair girl call who was sat with a boy. He gave a little wave as he made his way over with Lauren in tow. 'Nice to see you' he said as he air kissed the girls cheek and shook the red head boys hand. 'This is Lauren' he put his hand on the small of Lauren's back which made her cringe 'Lauren this is Selena and Harry'. 'Nice to meet you' Lauren replied with a curt nod. 'Likewise' Selena smiled. They took a seat across from the couple. Lauren wanted to come across confident so she started the conversation. 'So Selena are you attending college here?'. 'I am, Houston college both Harry and I attend there. How about you?' Selena smiled. 'Same' Lauren also mirrored Selena's smile. 'So how do you and Zayn know each other' Selena raised a slight eyebrow. This time Zayn answered 'We met this morning over coffee, I had to introduce myself to the prettiest girl I've ever seen' he turned to smile at Lauren placing his hand on her thigh. Lauren was still uncomfortable but she'd never had a relationship and she wanted to experience it even though something didn't feel quite right. Zayn would be the perfect partner in her parents eyes and although she didn't feel any attraction towards him she still wanted to impress her parents no matter how cruel they were to her. She wasn't clueless though she knew what a lot of college boys wanted and usually it was no strings attached. Maybe it was the perfect situation for her to gain some experience in the boys department. She raised her eyes to Zayn and smiled at him as sweetly as she could manage. They ate their meals enjoying a light conversation. 'I'm in the mood for a little hellraising' Selena looked at Harry as they finished their meals 'how does everyone feel about heading to a party I heard is happening?'. 'I'm in' Zayn and Harry said in unison. They all looked at Lauren 'I'm definitely in the mood for chaos' she smirked. Although Lauren wasn't looking for friends she and Selena got on seemingly well. 'I just need to go to little girls room before we leave, come on Lauren,  be back soon boys' she winked at Harry.

Lauren followed Selena into the restroom. 'So you and Zayn looked a little cosy, I saw his hand on your thigh' she smiled. Lauren got her game face on 'I guess he has a little crush on me' she said as she headed to the mirror. 'So what are you looking for, are you into him?'. 'I'm just looking for some fun but we'll see what happens' Lauren lied. 'Zaynie will most definitely show you a good time. So how have your first few days been?'. The raven haired  saw no reason to lie 'apart from my gang member roommate it's been fine'. 'I'm sorry? Gang member?' Selena's head shot up in shock. 'Unfortunately so' Lauren said touching up her face. 'I don't envy you girl'. They exited the restroom back to the boys on a mission to find the party.

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