Don't Forget To Breathe

Chapter 14

After our fight, Lauren and I spent the day without saying more than a couple words to one another. She sat angrily and drew on her architectural sketch pad, while I sat angrily and read my books. Every once in a while, I would play a few chords on my guitar and Lauren would pretend to be annoyed by my playing. She may be upset but she is still a horrible liar.

I wondered how long this would last, we've never argued before. Though I wasn't really angry at her, simply annoyed. I know she's projecting her anger onto the wrong person but no matter how important she is to me I am not about to allow anyone to walk all over me.

Now it was half past seven and the sun has gone home for the day. I hear Lauren stand up from the couch and disappear into her room. She leaves the sketchpad on the couch and my curiosity gets the better of me. I walk over to the couch and open it up revealing her latest drawing.

It was a world away from the buildings I'm used to seeing in her sketches. This was an art piece that really displayed Lauren's God given talent. It is safe to say that I was impressed.

Lauren had drawn lips. Two open mouths about to close on one another in a passionate kiss. I don't know why I assumed it would be passionate, it is just a couple set of lips after all, but the way it is drawn out I can almost see the two women engaging in the passionate kiss in my head.

My ears tuned in to the footsteps coming from the hallway so I quickly set down the sketchpad and made my way back to my guitar. Tomorrow would be my first gig Mr. Hernandez's restaurant so I figured I could use all the practice I could get.

My fingers glide over the strings releasing the soft melody of the song I sang for Lauren on her birthday as I watch her head towards the door with nothing at hand. No purse, no coat, nothing. It may not be winter quite yet but it is not warm enough to be out there without a coat at night.

"Where are you going?" I ask as she opens the door.

"I told you this morning," she says "Sleeping outside"

The door shuts behind her and I stay frozen for a few seconds before springing into action. I didn't think she was serious about that, there was no way I'd allow it. I quickly grabbed the keys from the counter top and chased after her.

"You're not serious," I say as I caught up to her in the hall.

"I told you I was, Cabello"

I knew she was upset, and I knew this was the last thing I should be thinking about right now. But God did I find it sexy when she called me by my last name.

"No, you are not," I said as she entered the elevator, pushing the thought out of my mind.

She scoffed "Why do you think you can tell me what to do?"

"Lauren," I said as calmly as possible trying to talk some sense into her "It isn't safe" I explained.

She remained silent as the elevator continued its descent. I began to rack my brain trying to the think of the correct string of words that would stop her but, nothing came to mind.

The metal doors opened up and Lauren made her way outside into the crowded streets with me close behind. If there was nothing I could say to make her stop then I at least have to take care of her the best I can.

"You need a sleeping bag," I said as she exited the doors to the building

"You didn't have a sleeping bag" she countered

"Yes I did"

She stopped and turned around facing me "Stop," she said "Stop following me, stop telling me how I have to do this. I'm going to do it, and I'll do it alone." she said with emotion dripping from her words. Though, I couldn't tell if it was frustration, or anger or a mix of both.