Again (Lauren/You)

I

Lauren

I woke up to loud banging. I sat up and rubbed my eye before letting my hand drop.

"Wake up, Lauren! It's Aaron. I forgot to tell you girls last night that we were leaving earlier, I'm sorry, but we've got to catch the plane to London, it's gonna be a long trip." Aaron said loudly through the hotel door.

"No, that's okay. Thank you, Aaron." My raspy morning voice startled me.

"That's alright. I'll collect you in 20 minutes." He replied. I heard footsteps fade down the corridor.

I sat with my head in my hands for a few seconds, trying to harness the will power to move. My phone lit up as I received a text. I reached over and squinted at the brightness of the screen. After for a short second of being partly blind I read the preview. It was an unknown number, I frowned a little then unlocked my phone to read the message.

The message read:

[22:38] Unknown Number: Hey, Lauren. How are you holding up? I know we haven't talked in a long time, it's been a few years. You probably don't even have my number, I understand. I just wanted to hear from you x
Y/N

My jaw dropped a little. I looked at the message intensely. It can't be, I thought to myself. Y/N still had my number? Why would she contact me now after so many years? Then I remembered why we stopped talking. The arguments replayed in my mind, they felt like it was yesterday.

I bit my lip feeling my heart speed up caused by the slight sense of guilt running through me. I shook my head trying to bring my thoughts back to my main objective.

I glanced out the window to see pitch black, then quickly looked for the time: 3:17. I sigh and place my phone down.

I wanted to forget about the text but I couldn't. I'll reply when I figure out what to say and when i'm more awake.

I don't want to do/say something stupid again.

I pealed the warm covers off my body and sat on the hotel bed. There was another knock on the door followed by a thud.

"Ouch?" I heard a recognisable giggle.

"Coming." I grumbled as I pushed myself up off the bed and towards the door. I open the door to come face to face with an-obnoxiously-awake Camila and a-less-so-awake Dinah.

"You've gotta get ready, Lauren!" Camila said rather loudly. I blinked at her as the two pushed pass me and entering my room.

"You, do not tell me to get ready, Camz." I frown as I turn around to see they had already picked out an outfit to travel in. I played a small smile on my lips approving of their consideration. "Thanks." I mumble as Dinah hands me my clothes. I walk into the bathroom, closing the door behind me.

"Lauren?" Camila questioned. I pulled my pj t-shirt off and putting the bra on they had picked out.

"Yes?" I said subconsciously as I looked at my reflection in the hotel mirror and tracing my matchstick size scar on my left ribs with my finger tip.

I feel my heart beat faster again as I fall into a lost memory.

I was looking straight up at the clear blue sky, a bird flew above me, everything was so peaceful. A cool breeze balanced the hot Miami heat only for a short few seconds, before I heard a faint curse and running footsteps. I pushed myself up resting on my elbows, I grunted in pain realising what had happened. I look down to see my t-shirt was ripped then I saw a deep red on my pale stomach.

"Fuck." I mutter, as I sit up.

I like this t-shirt.

"That was a pretty nasty fall, Jauregui." I look up to see a tall girl standing in front of me holding out a hand. I kinked an eyebrow and smirked as I grab her hand and pulling myself up to my feet.

"A lot better than you could ever do, Y/L/N." I teased.

"Um, can you not remember what happened last summer? I nearly broke my leg falling off that wall behind my dad's house." She smiled. The smile that I loved a lot. When her smile is so big you can feel the happiness, and when you can see the tiny wrinkles in the corner of her eyes. She made me feel at ease.

"Why do you have to make everything a competition?" I taunt then remember the bleeding on my torso. I place my hand over the wound and applied pressure. I winced causing me to suck in a breath through my clenched teeth.

"Hey! You started it" She laughed, but suddenly noticed my struggle. "Lauren, are you hurt?"

I look up to meet eye contact with Y/N. Her smile had vanished, now I only saw concern in her eyes. I tried to relax a little and smiled, then placed my other hand on her upper arm. "I'm fine, I just hit a rock, It's only a small gash." I chuckle. "That's what you get for long boarding." I saw her smile and nod. She was beautiful, the concern had washed away from her eyes and replaced with thankfulness

"C'mon, I'll help you get cleaned up." Y/N reached down to grab both our boards then we walked back to our bags.

"Lauren!" Camila shouted. I jumped as I was dragged back to reality. "Will I have to get Dinah to break down this door?"

"Why do I have to?" The other girl moaned.

"No, that's not necessary, thank you guys." I reassure.

"Can you answer me now?" Camila asked curiously. I pulled off my pj shorts and put on underwear and my most comfiest jogging bottoms - those girls really know me. I hum in response to Camila. "Who is Y/N?" My eyes widen.

"Are you looking through my phone?" I insist, quickly picking up my t-shirt and pulling it over my head, I open the bathroom door causing Camila to stumble backwards. I look at her hand containing my phone then her eyes and I frowned. I continue to pull my t-shirt down covering my toned stomach, I watched Camila's eyes avert back up to mine. "An old friend." I kept looking dead straight into her eyes, trying not to show much change in my emotion. Then I knit an eyebrow "Can I have my phone back... please?"

"Here." She said reaching her hand out but not taking a step forward. I take my phone back putting it in the pocket of my joggers. I nod in thanks. I enter back into the bathroom and grab my toothbrush and toothpaste. I finish brushing my teeth and meet the two girls in my room again, joined by Normani and Ally.

"Lauren, i'm surprised." Normani spoke smirking, "I thought Dinah is always the late one." I look around the hotel room, it's full of my mess, clothes everywhere.

I let out a small laugh as Dinah scowls at the smirking girl.

"Can you all help me? Seeing as you guys are here." I ask smiling embarrassingly. They nod and in about a 2 minutes the room was cleared and all my possessions were stuffed in my suit case. Just in time for Aaron to collect us.