One Life

Chapter 5

Justin's POV

We were a week into the tour and were in Glendale, Arizona. The tour was going well and I was enjoying myself. Over the course of the week I'd spoken more to the Fifth Harmony girls and grown closer to them. They were really nice girls and always up for a chat. I talked to Lauren often but I still tried not to get too close even if it was only a little crush.

"Hey Justin what you doing today?" asked Lauren.

"Nothing much really. I was going to chill and watch movies. Why?" I asked.

"The girls have gone for the day, so I was wondering if you wanted to do something" she said.

"Sounds good. Any idea what you want to do?" I asked.

"I was thinking about either going to the Westgate entertainment district or else the Thunderbird conservation park." She replied.

"I really don't mind, but if I'm honest I'd rather go to the conservation park cause there's less of a chance of being mobbed and also I love hiking and the outdoors. But if you want to go to the entertainment district it's cool" I said.

"No hiking sounds good" she said smiling. "I'll just go grab some food and water"

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We got to the conservation park at 1:00 and began the hike. The trail was quiet pretty and there was barely anyone around which was a relief. Lauren and I barely spoke until we got to the top.

"Wow that view is amazing" Lauren said. "I could stay up here all day if I'm honest and just sit and admire the view"

I laughed. "I'd do the same but I'd get hungry pretty quick and want to leave"

She smiled and handed me the sandwiches she made earlier and a bottle of water.

"Thanks" I said.

"Can I ask you something Justin?" Lauren asked. She looked quite nervous asking me and I wondered why.

"Yeah, shoot" I replied.

"How do you deal with all this fame? I've seen it take its toll on you and I was wondering how you dealt with it" she asked.

I sighed. "Honestly I don't think I've handled it well at all. I was thrown into this life and there was no preparing me for it. The reason I haven't gone completely mad is because I've great parents and a manager"

She gave me a sad smile."Must suck having loads of horrible headlines written about you almost everyday" she sympathised.

"That's life. All through my career I've been the most hated artist and I've never understood why. The press absolutely love dragging me down. I've tried to not let it get to me but sometimes it does and it hurts" I sighed.

We began walking back down to the car. We talked about nearly everything. We talked about our families, music, studio life and the goals we wanted to achieve in the next 5 years.

We got into the car and I drove back to the hotel we were staying in. My song 'Confident' started playing on the radio. We started singing to it and Lauren was dancing in her seat and laughing. I stopped singing whilst Lauren continued. She had the most beautiful voice. I just smiled at her and tried to concentrate on the road. Timber came on next and Lauren continued singing.

I kept looking at Lauren and drinking her in. That was when I realised that what I was feeling wasn't a crush. I'd fallen for Lauren Jauregui.