*****Ally's POV*****
"What do you mean Normani's been arrested?" I just got a call from a very distressed Lauren, saying the cops had came for her girlfriend. "Lauren, where are you" I yell into the phone, grabbing my keys. "I-I'm at the park. I'll send you the address. Please hurry." "Already pulling down the street, Lo. I'll be there in five." So here I am now, speeding because these two can't just talk out their issues. I love Lauren and Normani, but I feel like they are really bringing each other down. I know they love each other, but their relationship has proven to be a struggle since day one. Maybe now just isn't the best time for them.
When I pulled up to the park, Lauren was crying on the swing. I was planning on getting out the car to get her, but she ran and got in before I even opened my door. "I know we're going, but I need you to tell me something. What happened?" She just cried, with her head in her hands. "Lauren, look at me please" I pleaded, grabbing her hand. When she looked up, I gasped at her face. She looked like she got pushed face first. Her nose was red, but not bleeding; and her right eye was bruised.
"Lord Jesus, what did she do to you?" "She didn't mean it, Ally. She didn't try to hurt me." Now, I could see why Normani got arrested. If the cops saw what I'm seeing now, they would have thought they were in a violent relationship. "Ally" she cried, "You have to believe that Normani wouldn't do this to me." I wanted to believe it, but the evidence was all over her face. I love Normani. I really do, but things just weren't adding up with me.
"Lauren. You have to tell me exactly what happened?" She took a deep breath and calmed her tears enough to speak. "Normani dragged me to the park. Yes, she was hurting my arm a little bit but she didn't realize it. Anyway, we came here and continued arguing about her hiding her feelings from me. Turns out, Mani was hiding it because she knew Dinah was sick but Dinah didn't want anyone to know. We kept arguing, and I was standing really close when she turned around kind of quick. Her arm hit me, but she didn't mean to hit me. She never lifted her hand to hit me, Ally. She's not like that."
"Okay Lo. Just calm down, okay?" She nodded, but still continued to cry. I know this had to be hard on her. TMZ would know about Normani's incarceration by the end of the day. Even if it was for false charges. That would look really bad for her, her family, and the group. And it was just tearing poor Lauren apart. It seemed like their relationship consisted of a lot of crying. Maybe they really shouldn't be together. I needed to tell them that, but probably together.
*****Normani's POV*****
I sat in the holding cell with several others, waiting for their family members or friends to bail them out. I still can't believe that I hurt her, emotionally and physically. My baby girl didn't deserve that. I should be giving that girl the world on a silver platter. I know we've had our ups and downs, but I wanted to make this work. After all we went through just to have this relationship, I wanna nourish it and only make it better from here. I love her. I'm in love with her. I need her in my life, for the rest of my life.
"Hamilton" an officer yelled, getting my attention. "You've been bailed out." He unlocked the gate and let me walk free, returning all of my belongings to me. When I walked to the front of the station, I saw Lauren there with Ally. I couldn't compose myself. I ran over to Lauren and she jumped into my arms, wrapping hers around my neck as we hugged. I just cried as I held her, all my emotions coming out at once. "I'm sorry" I cried, and she kissed my neck softly. "I'm not even mad, baby."
We probably would've stayed there all day if Ally hadn't called us to leave. When we got in the car, we sat together in the back. I held her hand the entire time, occasionally places kisses on top of it. It was silent for most of the time. I knew we needed to talk, but I wanted to do it privately. Don't get me wrong though, Ally is the real MVP. I just think Lauren and I should do this on our own.
"I'm glad you're both here. I want to talk to you." Lauren and I just looked at each other, but let Ally talk. "I've seen your relationship come together over our time on Xfactor, all the way to now. It's really a beautiful thing. On the other hand, I've seen and heard arguments between you two that are ultimately destructive. I'm just worried that it's breaking you two down." I grabbed Lauren's hand a little tighter, "What are you trying to say, Ally?" "I think you two should maybe take a break."
"What" we both yelled at the same time. "Ally" Lauren started, "That's ridiculous". I laughed sarcastically and Lauren leaned her head against me. "This girl is my world, okay? I love her with everything that I have." "I know you too love each other" Ally said, "But it's a toxic relationship". I really didn't want to hear this right now. I just wanted to be with my girlfriend. "Ally, can we not talk about this? I love Normani and she loves me. Please just accept that?"
"She hit you and you still love her?" Ally cut deep. I realize that the situation looked bad, but I didn't mean to hurt her. I really didn't try to hurt Lauren. "I didn't mean to hurt her. It wasn't intentional, Allyson." She knew when I used her full name, I was usually upset. I didn't like people questioning my love for Lauren. I had got that from my parents, my friends, and even her parents when we told them. I didn't want to hear it anymore. "Can we please just turn on the radio and stop talking?" So that's what we did. And the song that came on was just perfect.
If I got locked away
And we lost it all today...
Tell me honestly...
Would you still love me the same?
I felt Lauren lay her head in the crook of my neck, cuddling into me even more. I held her, knowing that this song was really what we just went through. I knew people were going to talk about us after this, but it wouldn't make me love her any less. This girl means everything to me.
If I showed you my flaws
If I couldn't be strong
Tell me honestly
Would you still love me the same?
"Hey Mani?" I looked down at Lauren, admiring those beautiful green eyes that have captivated me since day one. "What's up, babe?" She looked towards Ally, and then leaned up to whisper in my ear.
"I would still love you the same."
