Opposites Attract

chapter 21

The five girls sat in the living room of the Fifth Harmony house, a somber mood settling over them.

Lauren took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the room. "Girls, I think it's time we talked about the future."

Dinah's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

Lauren's voice was gentle. "I think it's time for us to go our separate ways. We've been together for a long time, and we've accomplished so much. But I think we've grown apart."

Normani's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about, Lauren? We're fine."

Lauren shook her head. "We're not fine, Normani. We're fighting all the time, and the tension is killing us. I think it's time for us to pursue our own paths."

Ally's eyes welled up with tears. "But what about Fifth Harmony? What about our music?"

Lauren's smile was sad. "We'll always have our music, Ally. But I think it's time for us to explore new sounds, new styles. We can't stay stagnant forever."

Dinah nodded, her eyes thoughtful. "I think Lauren's right, girls. We've been feeling this way for a while now. It's time for a change."

Normani's face was resistant, but eventually, she nodded too. "Okay, fine. But we're not going to forget where we came from."

Lauren's eyes shone with tears. "We never will, Normani. We'll always be sisters, no matter what."

Normani's voice was cold, her eyes flashing with anger. "You'll never be my sister, Lauren. Not after what you did."

Lauren's brow furrowed, confusion etched on her face. "What are you talking about, Normani? What did I do?"

Normani's laughter was bitter. "You really don't know, do you? You really don't know how I felt."

Lauren's eyes narrowed. "Felt? What are you talking about, Normani?"

Normani's voice dropped to a whisper. "I had a crush on you, Lauren. I was in love with you. And you didn't even see me."

Lauren's eyes widened, shock written across her face. "Normani, I...I had no idea."

Normani's eyes flashed with pain. "You were so blinded by Rhea, you didn't even notice me. And then you went and dated her, and I just...I couldn't handle it."

Lauren's voice was soft. "Normani, I'm so sorry. I had no idea you felt that way."

Normani's laughter was harsh. "You never do, Lauren. You never do."

Just then, Rhea walked into the room, her eyes scanning the tense atmosphere. "What's going on?"

Lauren's voice was barely above a whisper. "Normani just told me she had a crush on me."

Rhea's eyes narrowed, her gaze locking onto Normani. "What?"

The room's tension skyrocketed, the air thickening to the point where it was hard to breathe.

Normani's eyes flashed with defiance. "You didn't know, Rhea. You didn't know how I felt."

Rhea's voice was icy. "No, Normani. I didn't know. But I do know that you've been treating Lauren like dirt, and that needs to stop."

Normani's laughter was harsh. "You're one to talk, Rhea. You're the reason I lost my chance with Lauren."

Rhea's eyes blazed with anger. "I didn't know, Normani. But even if I did, Lauren's happiness is what matters most. And if that's with me, then so be it."

Normani's eyes flashed with anger. "You think you're so special, Rhea? You think you're the only one who deserves Lauren?"

Rhea's voice was icy. "I don't think that at all, Normani. But I do know that Lauren loves me, and that's what matters most."

Normani's fists clenched, her body trembling with rage. "You're going to pay for what you did, Rhea."

Without warning, Normani swung at Rhea, but Rhea ducked just in time. Before Rhea could swing back, Lauren stepped in between them, her hands held out in a calming gesture.

"Stop it, both of you. This isn't solving anything."

Rhea's eyes blazed with anger. "Lauren, move. I need to take care of this."

Lauren's voice was firm. "No, Rhea. I won't let you fight her. This is ridiculous."

Rhea's eyes narrowed. "Lauren, move. Now."

Lauren stood her ground, her eyes locked on Rhea's. "No."

Normani smirked, her eyes glinting with malice. "You need to realize, Rhea, that Lauren actually cares about me more. She's just trying to protect me from you."

Lauren's eyes widened in disbelief. She turned her back to Rhea and looked at Normani like she was stupid. "No, you fucking idiot! I'm stopping her because Rhea is literally a fucking trained professional WWE wrestler! She could break you in half!"

Normani's smirk faltered, her eyes widening in shock. "What?"

Lauren's voice rose to a scream. "You think Rhea would hesitate to take you down? She's been training for years, Normani! You're no match for her!"

Rhea's eyes flashed with anger, but she remained silent, her fists clenched at her sides.

Normani's face paled, her eyes darting between Lauren and Rhea. She realized too late that she had underestimated the situation.

Lauren's voice dropped to a whisper, her eyes blazing with intensity. "So, no, Normani. I won't let Rhea hurt you. But not because I care about you more. Because I care about Rhea, and I won't let her get in trouble for your stupidity.