Viridescent Flares

2

"Today, I'll need a few time with Ms. Jauregui and you're all good to go," Halsey announced, opening a folder and examining it for a moment.

"Is it that important?" I interrupted. "I mean, I want to play and do we really need to listen to this?"

"Y/n," Dinah warned, looking at me dead in the eye.

"What," I returned uninterestedly, finishing my soda. "I think I already know what you need to know—I don't have to listen to what she has to say."

"Yes, you may go," Halsey exhaled, her voice nasally. "But you have to hang out with them at the mansion, okay? There are no excuses for that."

"Yeah, whatever," I said before standing up from my seat, crushing the soda can in my hand and throwing it to the trash bin.

If it was a basketball, that'd be three points and I'd hear the crowd cheering my name-but it wasn't. That's not my life anymore. I have moved on from that.

L A U R E N

"Sorry for that," Halsey apologized, scratching her forehead in stress. "I thought you guys have fixed her attitude?" She turned to Dinah, and my heart broke when she looked at me. I know she didn't mean to but I felt like she's saying that it was my fault.

"Well, it's going in circles," Dinah shrugged. "It's like pulling a trigger on a gun and the bullet comes back to the magazine."

"I haven't done anything, have I?" Halsey questioned. "What's triggering her to do that?"

I can see Dinah struggling from her questions and Camila came right to the rescue. "Something we'll find out at the mansion."

"I hope you guys do," Halsey said. "You should fix this or it will ruin the band entirely."

No one said anything after that and Halsey went on asking me a few questions related to my skills. She also oriented me about the tour and some interviews that will be coming when they announce about me—the new bassist of Midnight Iridescence. Halsey knew about us being friends before but the girls haven't told her about our previous relationship. I'm glad that they kept it from their manager, knowing that it's too personal for them to talk about.

The interview finished after an hour or so. We ended up laughing like the old times, avoiding y/n to be the topic of course. The girls have forgiven me a long time ago, and I'm still thankful that they understood. On the other hand, I didn't understand why y/n is acting like this. I thought we're okay, but she seemed to start thinking the wrong way that's why she turned into something I haven't seen her potential to be. I shouldn't be flattered or anything else because she's doing these because of me. This isn't the effect I want to have on her. This shouldn't be happening to y/n. She doesn't deserve any of these.

"Hello, Lauren. Earth to Lauren." I shook my head and saw Normani snapping her fingers in front of me.