Every Single Way (Laurinah)

Chapter 8 Pt. 2

When I first saw Lauren's name appear on my phone, a little smile crept across my face.

"Ohhhhh, what you smliling at girl?" Normani said with a little push on my shoulder.

"Nothing!" I said in a hurried tone, and locked my phone back.

I looked over to Camila who was looking at me with a really funny look, knowing that I'd just received a text.

"I'm going to meet Lauren at the gate, she said that she was parking." Camila said as she got up to leave.

"She's really sweet." I heard Normani say to me as we watched Camila walk away.

"Yeah, she's cool." I replied.

"Dinah, what's up? Is there something wrong?" Normani asked me. Her tone caused me to look up at her and I saw a really worried expression.

With a sad smile, I said "Nothing."

It must have been really unconvincing. Her face did not change, and she closed the gap between the two of us on the bleachers.

"Dinah.." she started.

"No, Normani, I really have something to tell you." I said to her as I weighed the option of telling her about Lauren or not. Camila had put the thought in my head now that if Lauren was a boy then Normani would know. I hated that double standard.

In a way, I felt a little bit like Lauren did. I didn't want to tell anybody else about what was going on with us. I didn't even want people to know. For me it was so private.

"I'm waiting," She looked. "Dinah, you can tell me anything."

I looked up and gave her the same sad smile I'd just given her. "Yeah I know. Just ... not here, okay?"

"Come on Dinah, you're scaring me." She told me.

"I'm sorry."

"Hey guys, party's here." Camila said pointing to Lauren as the pair walked up together..

I hadn't even noticed that Lauren had walked up with Camila.

"Later, okay?" Normani gestured towards me with a cute smile which I returned.

"So, I heard Chris scored a touchdown!" Lauren said sounding excited. "Hey Normani."

"Wow, now I feel terrible." Normani said, placing a hand on her chest and laughing.

"Why?" Lauren asked looking between the two of us.

"I didn't even remember your name." Normani admitted.

I looked at Lauren for her response, "Yeah, you probably wouldn't, I'm just good with names." She said.

I looked at her for a moment confused. If I was her, then I'd want the best friend of the girl that I was with to know my name. My unsure look and posture must have gave Lauren a bad impression. When Normani looked away to the field, she mouthed "It's okay."

I looked down at my phone, to see that I had another text from Lauren. I read it and smiled. She was so cute.

'Hey babe, Camz told me about Normani. Its totally cool, tell her when you're ready. Come over tonight though? I have something to show you.'

She was so understanding of everything. It made me want to tell Normani even more about Lauren and I. If Normani didn't like Lauren for me then she was crazy.

"This game is in the bag! Right Lauren?" I heard Camila ask. I'm sure she had no clue about what was going on, but she was adorable jumping all around like she was.

"Right Camz."

"Right DJ?" Normani mimicked, causing the two of them to look at her.

"Right Mani!" I said in an over exaggerated tone to annoy Camila and Lauren.

"And you were hanging out with these two?" Lauren teased.

"Yes, I forgive you for making me go through that. You've done worse." She said, and the two of them began to laugh.

"She had fun Mani, she know's it." I said looking at Mani, but speaking in general.

The game ended and we won. I was beyond ready to go and so was Mani. I'm sure Mani was just ready to go spend her Friday night some where else, I just wanted to get home to Lauren.

"Where are you two going?" Normani asked Camila and Lauren as we walked down the bleachers.

"Well, I'm sure Chris has an interview. I'll be here for another 30 minutes." Lauren complained.

"So will I, by default." Camila said raising her hand.

"Does not sound like fun," I added. "See you guys later." I said giving the both of them hugs.

"Bye guys!" Normani did the same and waved good bye to them.

"See you!" Camila said, and Lauren winked at me and mouthed "Call me."

I nodded and Normani and I were on our way.

I dropped Normani off and went to my apartment. I looked at my phone to see if I had a message from Lauren, but I didn't so I decided to go and take a quick shower.

"Dinah, do you really feel like being bothered?" I asked myself. "No, you don't." I answered.

I threw my phone on the couch and went to my bathroom with my laptop, and turned on Spotify. Shower was much needed.

I went to my room and threw on some sweatpants so that I would be comfortable. Lauren was probably waiting for me. That thought crossing my mind made me so happy. The fact that someone was finally out there thinking of me the same exact way that I was thinking about them.

Sitting on the couch, I picked up my phone to see if she'd called or texted. When I saw that I had notifications from what seemed like everybody but her, I frowned. Maybe she was still was around family or something, I don't know. Whatever I'll just call Normani.

"Hey!" I heard a voice say on my phone.

"Hey Mani."

"You still wanted to talk about earlier?" she asked me.

I'd completely forgotten that I had to tell her about Lauren. It shouldn't take that long to go over to Normani's house and tell her about everything. Lauren was really patient and I think she'd understand waiting another 30 minutes or so.

"Yeah, can I come over? It's nothing really, so it wont take that long." I told her.

"Sure, yeah, I'll tell my mom that you're coming." She said.

"Okay, see you in like 10." I said as I hung up the phone.

I picked up my keys and walked out of the door to get in my car. Walking down the stairs I sent Lauren a text asking what she was doing and explaining that I was going to go and talk to Normani about our relationship.