Scenes of Disharmony (Laurmani)

Act II: Scene V

I rise in the morning expecting Normani to be by my side, but she isn't here. I shower, dress, and head out to where our bus is parked. I see Normani and Ally standing by it chatting.

Lauren: Hey, Ally. Hey, Normani.

Ally: Good morning, Lauren.

Normani: Good morning.

Lauren: Ally, do you mind if I steal Normani for a second?

Ally: No. Go ahead. I was about to go see what my dad was doing anyway. (Ally walks away.)

Lauren: I was kind of disappointed that you weren't in bed with me this morning.

Normani: Sorry. I woke up early and went to a donut shop with Ally.

Lauren: (pouting) You didn't bring me back a jelly doughnut?

Normani: I'm sorry. The doughnuts were so hot and delicious, I wasn't sure if you would want it cold.

Lauren: It's alright. It's almost lunch time. We can go and grab something.

Normani: Uh. I kind of promised Dinah I would go shopping with her in about 30 minutes. We might be gone for a few hours. You know how Dinah gets when she spots a thrift store.

Lauren: That sucks. I really wanted to spend the day with you.

Normani: We'll have dinner today. Okay?

Lauren: Okay.

I pass time in the hotel room by calling my family, texting my friends, listening to music, and writing in my journal. A few hours later, I hear the doorknob turn and Normani walks in.

Lauren: Hey, babe. (Walks up to Normani and attempts to kiss her, but Normani leans back.) What's wrong? Does my breath stink?

Normani: No. Your breath is fine.

Lauren: Then, what's wrong?

Normani: Uh. I'll just come out and say it. What happened last night was a mistake.

Lauren: What do you mean?

Normani: I'm not gay.

Lauren: (chuckles) I'm not gay either.

Normani: But, you're bisexual.

Lauren: I don't identify as bisexual. I like guys for the most part. You're just...special.

Normani: After what happened with Camila, it's a pattern; but, it doesn't matter. I'm not into girls. Can we just go back to the way we were?

Lauren: How can you say that? Are you saying that everything that happened last night was a lie?

Normani: I was confused and vulnerable.

Lauren: Vulnerable? You say that like I took advantage of you. (Normani stays quiet.) You're such a fucking liar. You were in to it.

Normani: I can't help how my body reacts to touch, but, to be honest, it kind of disgusted me. That's why I asked you to stop.

Lauren: Now you're saying I'm disgusting?

Normani: You're not disgusting. Being with a girl is disgusting. It's not natural.

Lauren: I get it. This really isn't about you not wanting to be with me. This is about your religious beliefs.

Normani: It's wrong, Lauren. God made women for men.

Lauren: You're going to deny your feelings for me because of what your priest says?

Normani: This is not the type of life I want to live. I want to get married and have kids with my husband. Why continue this when we know it's not going to go anywhere?

Lauren: (starts crying) You're unbelievable. After all those nights I stayed up and held you while you cried, you treat me like this. Is this how you're going to return my love?

Normani: I will always love you, Lauren....as a sister.

I don't care to say anything else. I climb into my bed and pull the covers over my head. I hear Normani leave out the room. I feel like she just ripped my heart out of my chest and left it hollow. This is the worst day ever. I can't stop crying. I feel so empty.