Again (Lauren/You)

II

You

"I don't want you going anywhere near that family ever again! Especially Lauren!" Dad bellowed from the top of the stairs. He looked more than angry that I had completely disobeyed him.

"But she's my best friend! You can't stop me from seeing her at school! Dad, I miss her!" I shouted back, this foreign feeling of arguing with my dad scared me. We are so close and we never clash but when it comes to my best friend, things had changed.

"We are not talking about this anymore. If I catch you or find out you've been spending time with Lauren, God help me, Y/N-"

"But dad, why should I have to suffer! This is your issue with Lauren's paren-" I say loudly.

"END of conversation." His sudden deep shout shook me, I winced as I jumped taking a small step back. I looked up at his eyes but he had turned into his room already. Finally a tear ran down my hot check, more began to cascade onto Lauren's grey oversized jumper I had borrowed.

Quickly running up the stairs, I went straight towards my room before slamming the door and throwing myself onto the bed. I hugged and held on tightly to Lauren's jumper as I quietly cried myself to sleep.

My eyes flutter open but I quickly squint as the sun pours into my dad's London apartment bedroom and directly into my eyes. I deeply inhale the morning vibe suddenly feeling a lot better from my flashback, soaking in the slightly bitter spring sun that still warmed my heart.

Timidly, I brush a hand through my long
locks. I pulled off the covers and stepped out the bed and onto the smooth wooden floorboards. Reaching over I picked up my hoodie off the arm of the chair and pulled it over my head and down my body. My feet padding against the floor as I walked towards the en suit.

I showered and cleaned my teeth before entering back into the bedroom and getting dressed. I pulled on some socks, black ripped skinny jeans, a white and grey patterned short sleeve t-shirt, and my pale blue hoodie.

Then I left the bedroom, walking to the kitchen where I made myself breakfast of avocado on toast and a banana before collecting my bag and keys then leaving the apartment.

I keep thinking about the awful flashback, it's all because I messaged Lauren last night. I'm not expecting a reply, she's probably changed her number. Several years on you would think i'd be over what happened but I couldn't have been more wrong.

Obviously I had to carry on with my life as I heard what Lauren was was doing, auditioning for the X Factor, getting so far through the X Factor in a girl group, then not hearing about them for a few months. Her girl group, Fifth Harmony, released a single, followed by so many EPs. They were getting huge. They released their debut album that was a big success. Then a tour, then another single, then another album, and another tour.

I had watched Lauren, grow and develop into a better person, through interviews if they were on TV talk shows. It was crushing to watch. So many year we didn't talk for because of my dad.

Although despite my dad's loath for Lauren and her family, I still tried my best to see Lauren as much as I could, for the brief time I had. But dad found out and went ballistic that I had disobeyed him again, that was the last time though. He had sent me to live with my oldest brother in Ohio.

"Lauren, i'm leaving in the morning. Dad made his decision, you know how persisted he is." I said quietly looking down at my shoes.

Lauren stayed silent, she blames herself for everything that has happened.

I looked up to meet her beautiful green eyes, the ones I loved, and will miss so so much. "I know you blame yourself but you shouldn't. I pushed my luck, so i'm facing the consciences."

"I'll message you! I'll visit! Please Y/N, I'm going to miss you so much." A tear ran down her face, I wiped it away with my thumb keeping my hand on her cheek.

"I would love that but my brother will grasp me up, I don't want to be in any more trouble, dad is still paying half for me to go to college at the moment." I sigh.

"I- I..." She couldn't speak, but there wasn't anything to say. I couldn't do anything but the one thing I have wanted to do for a few years now.

I leaned in, our lips touched for only a second but it was the best second of my life. I felt like for that second every worry had completely disappeared. I felt warm inside, I felt like I was home. It was something i've never felt before and sadly probably something i'll never feel again.

I pulled away slowly, Lauren's eyes were still closed, she was so beautiful. I was mesmerised by her.

But I left quietly before she realised. Goodbyes were too painful, I couldn't say it, I just had to leave.

Before I knew it I was at my favourite coffee shop. Reminded of the flashback, It felt like I could feel Lauren's lips on mine again. I frowned at how sad I was beginning to feel. But I carried on heading into the coffee shop.

It was a small cosy coffee shop, looked like only a few people knew about it. The staff were welcoming and were all family. They paid a lot of attention to detail, that's what I loved. The interior design was beautiful, a mixture of different warm coffee coloured walls, that hung interesting complimentary paintings and drawings. The chairs looks and felt like they were made from the finest leather and the tables were forged together with reused different pieces of wood from old boats. But the coffee was what I was most looked forward to, although the huge range of infused coffees and teas, I only wanted a black coffee. Plain and simple, I know, but it was the best coffee i've ever tasted.

I took a sit by the left window of the shop and placed my coffee on the table. Pulling out my phone I saw a message from... holy shit, she actually replied.

Lauren texted me back.

[10:58] Lauren: Hey, sorry for the late reply, I just got off a plane. I think i'm doing okay thanks :) We haven't spoken in years x

I was so happy she replied and really shocked she still has the same number, but that's not important.

Me: I would love to meet up, if you would like and you're not busy?