Dawn in Vancouver

Chapter 43: "Past"

"I wish I knew then what I know now wouldn't dive in, wouldn't bow down"

"Wide Awake" by Katy Perry

1/3 OF THE WEEKEND MARATHON

AT THE SKATING RINK:

"Do you think it was a good idea to leave them alone?" Dinah said, circling around Normani as she fixed her hair, looking at herself in one of the glass panes of the rink.

"What could they do? They know they're in a public place."

"Do you have any idea what those two look like? If it were up to them I'm sure they'd just hang out in the bedroom. Did you see them in the Jacuzzi last night?"

"I'm not in the habit of spying on couples while they're doing their business," Normani said softly, making Dinah start to laugh.

"Camila is very passionate," Dinah said laughing, "She doesn't leave her alone. Between kisses and hugs the two seem to get along very well."

"I think they have a very serious problem Dinah," Normani said softly and looked at her friend. "They are in love."

"Yes," Dinah said affirmatively. "They are" Dinah's eyes traveled over Normani's figure without her noticing and then drifted away as she sighed.

"If so, they're in serious trouble," Normani said. "Because they're going to have to start making decisions. It pains me very much, but I think it would be best if Lauren divorced Ryan."

"Do you think she will?" Dinah asked softly, moving a little closer to her friend as Normani began to skate softly.

"If they really love each other I guess they will any day now," Normani sighed. "I hope this is more than just a vacation romance."

"Of course it's more than a romance," Dinah said, defending them. "I've never seen couples look at each other the way they do. Love is recognized."

"If Lauren wants to leave Ryan who she's known for years and stay with her then that's her decision."

"What's going on is that you still can't quite accept that Lauren is with a woman and not Ryan," Dinah said softly. "And I'd like to know why."

Normani just stared at Dinah for a moment and sighed, looking at the rink where some people were skating in the distance. Dinah knew absolutely nothing about what had happened between her and Lauren years ago. And if she did know she didn't know the whole story.

Her gaze turned sad as she remembered that horrible time in her past. She had suffered so much trying to kick a vice that had arisen out of simple insecurity. A vice that she had shared with Lauren and that together they had overcome with Ryan's help. Everyone knew she had had a vice. But no one except Lauren, knew the dark secret Normani kept.

FLASHBACK:

TWO YEARS AGO:

NORMANI'S POV

Cigarette smoke and the smell of beer filled the "Secret" bar as I waited in my dressing room looking at myself in a mirror. I desperately needed to consume more dope to bring my number for the day. Unfortunately, we needed money at our house that day and I had already spent part of the tips I was putting towards buying the dope. I heard the three knocks on my door indicating that I should leave to do my show. My mind was already a little foggy from the drugs but it was the only way I could stand up in front of all those men and women and strip for money while I danced.

My eyes wandered from the mirror and I headed for the door. I started walking awkwardly and on my way out I ran into Steven who was the right hand man of the owner of the place.