Student Exchange

VI

"I told you they wouldn't notice if Normani was there," Lauren said, lowering the music. Tonight, we planned to have a sleepover the five of us but Lauren and Normani ended up coming over at lunch, therefore giving us a lot more time together.

The five of us spent most of the day baking, well watching Ally bake. When Lauren pulled me away, we had two dozen cookies and a plate of brownies in the oven. Lauren excused us and asked me to follow her. Next thing you know, we were driving away from the house.

"I guarantee you that they noticed we left and they're going to make fun of us when we get back." I looked over at Lauren with my brows raised.

"Okay," She chuckled. "Maybe they did notice and they're definitely going to pick on us but we'll be gone an hour max."

"Where are we going?"

"You ask too many questions, Cabello." I looked over at her, unimpressed. "Where do you think we're going?"

"If I knew I wouldn't be asking, Jauregui,"

"Didn't I tell you calling people by their last names was my thing?" She looked over to me as we stopped at a red light.

"Didn't you say you liked Camila better? Or were you just hitting on me?"

"Actually, I prefer 'babe' and did it work?" She asked.

"Maybe," I shrugged and turned my head back to the road. I saw a smile form on her lips. "You know, I still don't have your phone number."

"Oh," She scoffed. "Look who's hitting on who,"

"Shut up," We pulled into a familiar neighbourhood. "We're going to the levy?"

"Bingo," She said.

She reached over and I assumed it was for my hand but her hand landed on my thigh.

"Left hand on the steering wheel," Lauren began.

"Right hand gripping your thigh." I finished for her, laughing. "Do you use that line on all your girls?"

"You make it sound like I have a ton of girls," She chuckled, putting the car in park.

"I wouldn't be surprised," I told her honestly, getting out of the car. She met me on the other side and laced our fingers together. We made it to the train tracks before she answered.

"I don't really have an extensive dating history," She revealed.

"Go on," I encouraged and she laughed.

"I mean I've only really dated one person, this guy Brad because him and I were friends and he'd liked me since grade seven so at the beginning of this year, I said 'fuck it, why not' since I hadn't really dated."

"What happened with you two?"

"I felt less than nothing for him," She laughed nervously. "So I broke up with him. Other than that I had a thing with my friend Lucy last year but that kind of just faded, we were better as friends. She's with Vero now. Then, of course, I've hooked up with a handful of people, more girls than guys since they're mt preferance, but that's about it."

"And me," I added.

"And you," Lauren repeated.

"But why go for someone who has to leave in a month instead of one of the many available people here?" I asked her.

"Because I didn't see half of what I saw in you, in them." Wow.

"You make me feel a lot more special than I am, Lauren."

"No," She shook her head.

"No?" I asked.

"No, I'm just making you realise how special you are." At this point, Lauren could cough and I would think it was romantic.