outed [laucy]

outed

When Lauren awakes from her slumber the first thing she does is plant a gentle kiss on her girlfriend's bare shoulder, the second is check her phone. And god does she wish she hadn't. Her Twitter and Instagram notifications are always off yet still her lockscreen is filled with other notifications: texts, missed calls, emails. It's like they don't end. Her vision starts to blur and her heart rate shoots up as soon she catches a glimpse of their content.

Several from Dinah [3:41 am]:
pics of u and lucy kissing leaked??!!

was this planned?

are u ok?

One from Normani [8:11 am]:
Girl have you seen? Call me when you can please I love you

Two from Ally [9:03 am]:
I'm so so sorry honey. I know this isn't what you wanted but it'll turn out okay. I'm praying for you.

Keep me updated?

And tons more like this from other friends, plus a long paragraph from her mom in the family groupchat filled with words of love and comfort.

Then there's an email that's been filtered into her important inbox from Maverick that's filled with formalities but basically tells her to keep her mouth shut until they've discussed it further.

She locks her phone without responding to anyone, tears welling up at a rapid speed. She shakes her girlfriend as calmly as she can, "Luce."

The girl murmurs something Lauren can't understand.

"Baby."

"Five more minutes mama."

"Luciaaa! Despiértate, mamita!! Ahora!"

At Lauren's impression of her mom Lucy jumps up immediately, eyes wide and alert. "Why would you do that." She asks dramatically, hand on her chest. It immmediately drops to touch Lauren when she sees the way the girl's looking at her, eyes full of anxiety, lip trembling.

"Baby what's wrong?" Lucy scoots as close to Lauren as she can, wrapping her arms around the shaking body.

"There's picures. O-of us kissing." Lauren manages to utter in between sobs, "I'm not ready for this. I wasn't ready yet. Why is this happening now?" she pressed the palms of her hands against her eyes.

"Oh." Lucy pauses, repressing a shiver that's ready to make its way through her body. "It's okay. We'll figure it out." she says despite her own fear, eyes staring at nothing in particular as her mind races.

"No, no it's not okay. I'm not- I don't."

Lucy presses Lauren's head against her chest and instinctively starts running her fingers through girl's brown locks.

Slowly the girl's breathing regulates as she cries, Lucy whispering words of comfort into her ear.

After an hour Lucy breaks the somber silence, "What do you want me to do? I'll do anything to help you, okay? I'll handle everything."

"I love you." Lauren breathes out, "but this is my responsibilty." she grabs her phone and responds to a few texts from her friends in LA. She then calls her parents' home number, her little sister picking up:

"Hi." The brunette's voice is still shaky despite her attempt at repressing it.

"Lo." The tone in Taylor's voice speaks a thousand words. "I'll let you talk to dad."

"Thank you, Tay." After some shuffling her dad greets her lovingly. "Hola papi." Is all she can get out as a response before breaking down again. She hears her father start crying too. He's always been emotional.