I Need You Now (Lauren / You)

Chapter 1 / Prologue

Your POV

As humans, we seem to be addicted to the bad things in life. Drugs, alcohol, cigarettes. Why? Because, they make us feel like we're not empty.

And don't forget about people. How we get attached to them and fall in love with them, only for them to run away and never talk to you again.

I don't know who screwed it up. It was either me or her. I'd like to blame myself, but I think we both screwed up.

I hang my leather jacket up on the coat rack. I look around the apartment, my eyebrows scrunched up. Clothes of a man and Lauren are around.

I bite my lip, walking into our bedroom. I push open the door, starring at the two. I don't say anything, I just stare.

"Seriously?" I question, watching as Lauren and Brad break apart. "This is what you do when I'm gone?"

"I-I. Don't guilt trip me - you cheat on me all the time!" Lauren exclaims, untangling herself from Brad.

"Bradley! What the hell? You're my best friend for fuck sakes! You can't go around and screw my fucking girlfriend!" I shout, pushing him to the wall once he has his jeans on.

"Bullshit. You treat her like crap. You're gone 24/7. And she needed some damn attention!" Brad pushes me back.

"If you wanted attention, then you should've told me!" I say, looking at Lauren.

"I did," She scoffs, rolling her eyes. "But you ignored me."

I haven't been able to get over Lauren. Surely, I seem like I have. But let's be honest, I'm not.

Now she's living happily ever after with Brad.

---

"Nope." I sigh out.

"What about him?" Bea asks. We're currently at the mall. Bea is pointing at boys, asking me if I'd date them.

"No. He's cute, but no. I'm lesbian, Bea." I chuckle.

"Okay, last one. What about..oh! Him!" I follow her finger to where a familiar boy stands.

"Brad?" I mummer, squinting my eyes.

"Whose Brad?" I ignore Bea's question, standing up. I walk over to him, but stop once I hear that familiar voice.

"Hey," Lauren smiles at him. "Here's the pizza."

"Thanks babe." Brad takes the pizza, smiling at him. After all this time, they're still together? I go pale, my throat dry.

"Y/N? You okay?" Bea asks, a little too loudly, causing the couple to turn around.

"Y/N?" Lauren and Brad asks in unison. I stand still. I can't seem to move, or speak. Everything is frozen, just me starring at Lauren.

"U-uh," I clear my throat, regaining my posture. "Hey Lauren and Brad." My eyes scan over Lauren's body, taking in how good she looks.

Her hair is now black, and damn, that body. Lauren seems to be scanning over me too, because she hasn't responded.

"It's been awhile," Brad says, breaking the silence.

"Yeah," I hesitantly respond. "It has. Uh, this is Bea. Bea, this is Brad and Lauren."

"You have friends that aren't me?" Bea asks, faking shock.

I chuckle, "Yes. I do."

"Would you like to eat lunch with us?" Lauren blurts out, causing Brad to look at her oddly.

Before we can respond, my phone rings.

"Excuse me," I send them an apologetic smile, then answer the phone. "Hello?"

"Y/N L/N?"

"This is she." I say.

"You're mother is in the hospital. She called 911, since you weren't there."

"What?" I mummer. "Okay, I'm on my way." I hang up. "We have to go, sorry."

"Wait-what's wrong?" Bea asks, not moving.

I look at Lauren, then Bea, "My mother is in the hospital. We need to go, now."