New Beginnings

Chapter Ten

After their little encounter at the bookstore Normani was acting really weird distancing herself from Lauren the rest of the night. Lauren didn't know if she did something wrong or maybe Normani was about to start her period and was just irritated. Whatever it was she hoped it didn't last very long, she didn't like the awkwardness in the room.

Ever since they got back to the dorm Connor had been texting Lauren. The green eyed girl couldn't stop grinning at her phone when the boy would send a message because Connor really was a charmer. He made lots of jokes but not vulgar or cheesy ones, they were always witty and clever. She could already tell he was an intelligent kid.

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A couple of weeks had passed since the bookstore incident and Normani and Lauren were acting normal again, for the most part. They would watch tv shows and have dance parties in their room together, and sometimes they'd go out for pizza with Dinah and Ally. Things only were weird when Lauren would invite Connor over to hang out. Every time he was there Normani would either find an excuse to leave or would be quiet and give weird looks at him.

It's not like they were even doing anything, just hanging out. Lauren and Connor weren't even dating by any means, they were just friends. Sometimes they did psych homework together, sometimes they listened to music or read poetry (apparently Connor was actually into that stuff) but most of the time they just sat in Lauren's bed and watched Game of Thrones and discussed each episode in great detail.

One night they were hanging out and Normani hadn't left the room, in fact she wasn't even being that weird with him there she was minding her own business but she has very politely greeted him when he walked in before going back to doing her law homework.

Connor and Lauren were sprawled out on the floor with canvases and art supplies painting. Lauren was a really good artist it turns out. Normani was very impressed with the detail she put into her paintings many of which were hanging up around their dorm room now. Connor on the other hand was NOT an artist.

The dark skinned girl looked away from her homework for a minute to admire the work the two were doing before she burst into laughter. Lauren and Connor stopped what they were doing and looked at her confused.

"Oh my god, I'm sorry," Normani said between laughs, "but what the hell is that Connor?"

Connor looked down at his work for a minute and got red in the face. It was pretty awful he had to admit. "It was supposed to be a lake surrounded by a forest," he said tilting his head to the side, "but it kinda looks like someone just threw up in a kiddie pool."

There was a slight pause before all three of them burst out into laughter. Lauren doubled over clutching her stomach cause she was laughing so hard. It really was an awful painting.

"I'm sorry Connor," Lauren said tears now streaming down her cheeks, "but this has to be the worst painting I've ever seen."

Connor stood up acting dramatically offended, "I'm sorry I can't be Michelangelo! But I did not come here to be made fun of!" He exited the room in a dramatic manor leaving Normani and Lauren staring at each other wondering if they really made him mad.

A few seconds later he came back in the door laughing just as hard and the two girls resumed laughing as well.

"Wow it really is awful," he said, "in that case it is my gift to you." He said bowing on one knee handing it to Lauren.

"Oh wow, thanks, I'll just keep this one in my closet I think." She said laughing and wiping off her brushes. She had finished painting and extremely detailed red rose that was almost realistic looking.