Viridescent Flares

42

After driving for a while and jamming to The 1975's new album, Lauren parked the car in front of a mall. She let go of my hand before circling the car and opening my door.

"My love," she said, offering her hand to me as she smiled adorably.

"Thank you," I said in my British accent, taking her hand. I hopped off of the jeep and she laughed, pushing the door closed for me as she kept our hands together. "What are we doing here?"

"Oh, you know, I'm going to let you sign some contracts because I bought you this whole mall in Hawaii," she said as she lifted her arm to place around my shoulders, keeping our fingers hooked in front of my chest.

"Lauren!" I scolded, looking at her dead in the eye as I tried to figure if she was kidding or what. "Tell me you're joking."

"Yes, I am," she said, laughing in amusent. We continued walking towards the entrance of the mall, our bodies not once losing contact. "What the fuck are you even going to do with a mall?"

"I don't know," I said, shrugging as my feet matched her pace, walking stepping on my left and right at the same time. "You might think that it's sweet to buy your girlfriend a mall."

"That's a waste of money," she scoffed. "I mean, it's good for investment but I want to buy you something that you'd enjoy."

"Are you going to buy me a vibrator?" I asked bluntly but playfully, causing a fetching laugh from the girl. "What? You're the master in masturbation. I thought it would be something you'd like to introduce to me."

"Can't you think of anything but sex?" She asked, still giggling softly.

I wasn't able to answer though—a group of fans came to us with excited smiles on their beautiful faces. My girlfriend glanced hesitantly at me as if she was trying to ask if it was okay. Lauren seemed to be bothered about this at first, knowing that it should be some time alone to ourselves to do whatever we want peacefully but I didn't mind meeting the fans at all. Noticing the green-eyed girl's slight discomfort, I swiftly took her hand in mine as we were both engaged in a conversation with different fans. She was a little tensed and I gave her hand a squeeze, earning her attention. Once I glanced at her, she was already looking at me and I smiled reassuringly at her, wanting to tell her that it was fine.

The fans were apparently aware of my birthday and they came to bear gifts for me. One even said that they would give us a break for taking pictures—which pacified Lauren almost immediately. It didn't show though. She didn't want to be rude—she just simply wants to enjoy her time with me and I already know before she even says it. After a few minutes, we were saying goodbye to our fans.

"Take care, lovelies!" I called one more time, finally turning to my girlfriend as she held my hand. "Well, someone seems a little impatient."

She sighed, her obvious worry showing out. She pulled me carefully towards her before brushing a loose strand of hair from my face. "I just really want to make you feel like—you know—normal today," she said, her eyes keeping set on her own finger as she traced down to the side of my face, "without having to care about paparazzi or anyone following you around." She captured my cheek in her warm palm, her emerald eyes now boring into mine. "Just you and me—savoring this simple day like normal girlfriends celebrating a birthday . . . undisturbed."