Who am I to stand in your way?

Part IV

Laurens POV

I watch as she walks away from me and into the bathroom. I have to stop myself from chasing after her by forcing my legs to turn the oppsite way. I lean on her bed to grab my phone before I head to the door. Walking outside the room I see a very wet Normani walk towards me. I quirk my eyebrow at her and laugh.

"What the hell happened to you?" I shove my phone in my pocket before I run a hand through my hair.

"Camila happened." She says laughing. "She just pulled me into the water without any warning." I smile warmily at Normani but I cant help the jealousy I feel. Camila can act like that around her, but why not me anymore?

"Did you figure out whats wrong with her?" I ask, trying not to pressue her for information.

Normani shakes her head and frowns a little. "Sorry. Not much luck in that department but I made her smile so thats a start." Normani gently rests her hand on my arm and strokes it gently. "I'll let you know when I find out okay." I nod my head and she smiles before walking down the hallway again. Sighing loudly I walk towards the kitchen downstairs.

"Lauren." I hear someone call. I stop halfway down the stairs and turn around to see the beautiful brunette at the top of the steps. "Do you know where my black sweater with the british flag on it is?"

I shake my head. "Sorry Camz. No idea, maybe its in the laundry room?" She nods her head and turns away from me. I wait till she disappears from my view fully before walking down the stairs and into the kitchen.

Of course I know where the sweater is. She had let me borrow it a few days ago because I was freezing cold. but I am afaird if I give it back - that it would be the last time I had anything of hers. I just couldnt.

--

Camilas POV

I walked back towards the room and shook my head. I know she has the sweater because I let her borrow it before, but I guess it doesnt matter if she has it now right? She'll give it back soon. As I am about to enter my room I see Normani peeking her head out her door.

"Camila." She says calling me. I shut back my door before walking towards her. "Miss me already?" I say winking towards her. She rolls her eyes and pulls me in.

As I regain my balance I turn to see a half dressed Normani in front of me. "I hope you know that what happened on the beach was just me needing a friend," I laugh and point to her body. "I never meant that I needed a replacement." She laughs at me and hits my arm. "I wouldnt say no to it though." She rolls her eyes and grabs her shirt.

"This is not why I called you in here." I laugh loudly and jump on her bed. "I know." I wink at her and put my hands behind my neck. "I mean you probably just want some alone time with me because I am that amazing." I say laughing again.

"Okay. Why are you in such a flirty mood right now?" She says coming to sit in front of me. "Just moments ago on the beach you were crying and emotional."

I shrug my shoulders. "I cant be sad forever, right?"

She nods her head and laughs. "Agreed. But I have a question, what do I tell Lauren?"

I quirk my eyebrows at her, "tell Lauren?"

Normani nods her head. "yeah, she wants to know whats up with you. And obviously she knows you'll tell me so-" I quickly cut her off. "You tell her nothing."

She shakes her head. "I cant do that. Shes just as much as my friend as you are mine."

I nod my head and sigh in response. "Just say that the pressure of the x factor is getting to me okay?" I look at Normani. "Tell her I'm just having a lot of self doubt or something."

Normani nods her head. "And what do I say when she asks why you are ignoring her?"

I shrug my shoulders. "Just say you dont know because there is no right answer to that." She nods her head and I grab her arms pulling her down to lay with me.

"So what is the plan for today wifey?" I say laughing. Normani bites my arm slightly but still holds me. "Whatever you want. I just want stupid Camila back."

I laugh and push her away before getting up. "Well then." I grab my hand out for her to take. "Seems like we need our other partner in crime." Normani raises her eyebrow. "Dinah of couse." I let go of her hands and clap mine together. "Lets go pull some pranks." I say winking before grabbing her hand again and running out the door.

As I run out the door my body collides with another and we tumble towards the ground. Our laughter can be heard echoing off the walls. I eventually push myself off of her. "Sorry." I say reigning my balance and standing up.

"It's okay."CeCe says as she stands up readjusting her top. My eyes Automatically glue to her shirt.

"See something you like?" She says laughing. I quickly avert my eyes in embarrassment. "No- I-" I feel my cheeks turn red and I go to turn around.

"I'm kidding." she says grabbing my arm. "Big Ed Sheeran fan?" She says pulling at her shirt a little as I stare at it again.

"I'm practically in love with him." I stumble out. "He's a lyric god."

I hear her laugh loudly again, and I look back up at her. "Agreed. He's a genius." She says smiling towards me. I automatically smile back at her but soon my cheeks feel tired of smiling so I look away.

"Well, sorry to keep you away from whatever you were rushing to." She says suddenly as she walks past me.

I oddly grab her hand, causing her to turn toward me. "You wasn't. Actually-" I smile deviously at her. "Want to have a little fun?" I say with a little more confidence.

She arches her eyebrow at me. "Pranks?" I say suddenly realizing how that could have sounded.

"Hell yeah." She says, "on who?"

I smile and look down the hallway. I feel Normani come up beside me and she rests her hand on my shoulder. "What happened to Dinah?" She says curiously.

I shrug my shoulder. "She's been replaced." I say looking at CeCe. "Well temporarily." I say looking at Normani again.

She looks at me and laughs. "Don't tell me we are pranking her."

I shrug my shoulders. "It'll be a little prank."

"Dinah takes little pranks and turns it into your worst nightmares." Normani says laughing. CeCe nods her head. "Even the boys don't mess with her."

"Well if you guys are too scared..."

They both instantly shake their head. "Alright. Then let's do this."

"We have to get Lauren too." CeCe said not realizing my discomfort at the mention of her name. "She's been playing hard to get." She says winking. I have to suppress the urge to roll my eye. I feel Normani grip my hands.

"Think about it, you can pay her back a little. For everything's she's done." Normani whispers.

I nod my head.

Even though what we are about to do won't be half as bad as the emotional pain she's caused me, at least it'll be worth it.

---

Okay. So I deeply apologize for this. I honestly forgot about this story- (I know how could I) and I forgot I have this chapter already here... So sorry. Please enjoy though.

& I already wrote the next chapter so 5+ for next one.

I love you all so much!! And thank you for always reading <3333