Hot and Humid (Laurmani)

Chapter 7

It was New Year's Eve, and happy Lauren was back. Happy Lauren is annoying Lauren. One of my uncles was throwing a huge party at his house. He lives in a rural part of the Houston area and has several acres of land. It's the perfect place to set off fireworks. Both sides of my family and my friends were all going to be there. I absolutely, positively did not want Lauren there. Sure, she got me that autographed picture and I was grateful, but I was tired of sharing my family with her. It was almost like she was trying to replace me.

I was in my bathroom getting ready when Lauren peaked her head in. "So, when's the party?"

"There is no party," I lied.

"Normani, stop playing. What time should I be ready?"

"In about an hour." I lied again. I was leaving as soon as my makeup was done. When I finished, I peaked in to Lauren's bedroom to see her going through an assortment of outfits. This was my chance to escape. I grabbed my purse and my keys and ran out the door. Since my uncle's house was out in the boonies, there was no way she could get out there without paying a good chunk of change for a taxi. I was free!

I blasted Chris Brown the whole drive singing at the top of lungs. When I arrived, I headed straight out to the field behind my uncle's house. They had the grill going. It smelled so good. One of my cousins was DJing. This party was going to be turnt. I spotted Brandee sitting in a lawn chair and walked over to her. "Hey, girl!"

"Hey!" she greeted. "Where's your lov...where's Lauren?"

I swear I'm going to fuck this bitch up one day. "My ROOMMATE is not feeling well."

She smirked, "You should be at home taking care of her."

I grimaced, "She can take care of herself. I am not letting her ruin my New Year's."

"You're such a bad girlfriend," Brandee jested.

Before I could say something back, my parents walked up to me. I stood up to hug them, and my mother inquired, "I thought Lauren was going to be here."

"She's sick," I responded. "It was probably some bad sushi."

"Aw. I'm going to call her to see how she's doing."

I blurted out, "No! I mean, you don't have to do that. She was resting in bed when I left. You wouldn't want to wake her."

My mother had already pulled out her phone and looked to be reading something. "Lauren just texted me. She said you left the apartment without her. Is that true?"

I looked down in shame not knowing how to respond. My mother scolded me, "Child, what is wrong with you? Why would you do that?"

"She gets on my nerves," I complained.

My father was getting visibly angry. "You know what, Normani? Sometimes I think you don't deserve a girl like Lauren. She does nothing but care for you, and you just mistreat her."

My mother placed a hand on my father's shoulder. "I'm going to go pick her up."

He rejected, "I'll go get her even though it should be Mani doing it." He gave me a disapproving look before he left.

My mom asked me, "Do you know Yolanda from church?"

"Yes."

"Well, she's a licensed marriage and family therapist. She does couples counseling. I can give you her number."

"Mom!" I howled. "We are NOT a couple."

She took my hand in hers. "I'm sure whatever it is, you two will work it out." Grrrr! Why is everyone so delusional?