Dark Before Dawn

B e l i e v e I t

I thought I'd give you guys another update 'cause y'all are awesome and 'cause my last update was kinda short...
Also, how's your summer going? I hope everyone's cherishing their time away from pens and exams 👍
I know I am 🙌
XOXX
-JJ 💜
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Lauren's POV

I felt so bad. I wish I could've helped her more. She seemed so heart broken after I told her that I couldn't let her stay overnight.

As soon as I dropped Sonia back at her house, I decided I would call Taylor to check in. She answered almost right away.

"Hello?" She answered, worry burning through her voice.

"Hey baby, are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine. When are you coming back? I don't like being here alone..." She said, causing my heart to crack a bit.

"I'm on my way right now. I'll be there soon, mi amor," I replied. "Hang in there, çi hermosa?"

She sighed, "Okay. Just get here as soon as you can, okay?"

She hung up and I stepped on the gas.

When I finally got home, I race into the house knowing exactly what my baby sister would do to herself if I didn't get to her fast enough.

F l a s h b a c k

The girls and I were at a rehearsal for our Calabasas show when Janelle pulled me backstage to our dressing room.

"Lauren... Something's happened..." She breathed out after a deafening silence.

My eyes grew and heart raced.

She took my hands as we sat down. Her hesitation was killing me inside and out.

"Nelle, just spit it out... I really need to get back to rehears..."

"Baby girl, Taylor's missing..." She interrupted.

My heart stopped before taking off like a nascar race. My throat closed and I felt myself slipping into yet another panic attack. I got up and started running.

I dashed through the front doors of the theatre and ran into a nearby alley. My legs gave out and I collapsed onto the floor. Janelle, big Rob and the girls found me a moment later. I cried into Dinah's chest as Ally rubbed my back.

M y b a b y s i s t e r w a s m i s s i n g a n d I w a s h e r m o t i v e f o r
r u n n i n g a w a y . . .

I cried for what seemed like an eternity. I couldn't fathom that my happy-go-lucky Taylor was out in the world. Alone.

As soon as I got to my house, I dashed inside and up to Taylor's room. I found her in the corner, about to do the unthinkable.

"TAYLOR!!!!" I screamed, sliding into the corner. I grabbed the blade from her and threw it, not caring where it landed.

"WHAT THE FUCK LAUREN!!!" She screamed, searching for the blade.

I held her in a number seven hold. "I WANT OUT... I CANT DO IT ANYMORE!!" She sobbed, continuing to flail in my arms.

When I knew that it was safe for me to do so, I pulled her into my lap and held her tightly. She screamed, flailed and punched me until I was ripe; Nothing made me loosen my grip.

After about twenty minutes, she started to copy my breathing and her attack subsided. I gently combed her long brown hair out of her face and planted kisses on her forehead.

Soon, she was fast asleep in my arms. I carried her into my room and tucked her in before climbing in beside her.

The police found her two days later sitting on the edge of a bridge just off of Judd Ave. in North Beach. Scars lined her arms and tears stained her cheeks. That wasn't the Taylor Jauregui I know and love.

My parents didn't hesitate to send her off to rehab.

I didn't take any time off and worked myself harder than ever. After doing that for about six months, I took a hiatus.

Tay had relapsed countless times and none of the treatment programs that we put her in seemed to be working.

That's when I decided that what she really needed was her older sister. I told my parents that I wanted Taylor to come and live with me. My plan was that she would come and live with me for five months while attending an outpatient treatment program at North Beach Children's. It took a lot of convincing but eventually, my parents agreed.

She relapses every once in a while but that's said to be expected.

S h e k n o w s t h a t s h e ' s b e a u t i f u l

S h e k n o w s t h a t s h e ' s s t r o n g

S h e j u s t n e e d s t o b e l i e v e i t
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2:59 AM

W h y i s m y p h o n e r i n g i n g ?

I reluctantly roll over onto my stomach.

"Sorry babe," I whisper to my sleeping baby sister before flicking on the bedside lamp and swiping my phone.

"Hello?"

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Ooooo cliffhangerrrrr...

Sorry guys... I gotta keep ya wantin' more

XOXX
-JJ💜