Dawn in Vancouver

Chapter 3: "Childhood Friend"

"Round my hometown memories are fresh. Round my hometown. Oh, the people I've met are the wonders of my world. Are the wonders now".

"Hometown Glory", Just Me by Lauren Jauregui

Miami, Florida

August 29th, 2015

"Miami," Lauren whispered in the taxi on the way to West High from the airport. Ryan took her hand sweetly.

"Our city," he confirmed, and listened to Lauren's soft sigh.

"It seems like it was yesterday we moved in with my mom, looking for better opportunities and leaving a whole life behind."

"But people remember you, darling." Lauren kept watching outside the window, taking in the sight of the beach of the place she was born.

"I didn't think so many fans were going to wait for me at the airport," she sighed. "I don't understand how they manage to know where I'll be at the exact moment."

"We're being watched," Ryan said, making Lauren giggle.

"Anything's possible," Lauren said with a sigh and Ryan threw his arm around her shoulders, making her cuddle up to him, and gave her a sweet peck on the head. "This brings back so many memories. Being here and knowing everything I've left behind."

"You left a lot of things behind, Laur," Ryan said. "But you won many others. Now, you're a successful woman and have a brilliant future in music. You have a talent many wish they had and, most importantly, you keep being humble and friendly, as you've always been. All you have lived through has changed you for good."

"You think so?" Lauren questioned, eyeing Ryan.

"Of course," Ryan smiled. "You opened new doors and triumphed. Plus, you can't forget you lived the most spectacular moment ever when you moved from Miami."

"Winning a Grammy?" Lauren grinned.

"That was good but there's something better," Ryan winked. Having found such a handsome and charming man like me to share your life with and raise a family." Lauren laughed softly and hugged him, but the sound suddenly died down in her throat.

"We don't have a family, Ryan," Lauren said sadly, and Ryan's eyes showed sorrow.

"Of course we have a family, darling," Ryan kissed her head. "It's you and me. We are a family, the two of us for now."

Lauren sighed, feeling incredibly fond towards the man hugging her in that moment. He had saved her from a deplorable life and a lonely, sad destiny. Ryan filled her life with color. But Lauren knew that deep inside her, there was a part of her life that she'd never shown to anybody. A hidden side she tried not to show. No one had caused that impact inside of her, and that made her feel disloyal to that man that had decided to share his life with her.

"Sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve a man like you by my side."

"You have a lot of good traits within you, darling," Ryan smiled. "I am the one who's lucky of having a green-eyed beauty next to a boring lawyer like me."

"You're not a boring lawyer," Lauren laughed. "I think you're the happiest lawyer I've seen in my life. I've questioned myself how you manage to remain serious on a podium."

"Well, you know I'm a very special man," he smiled. "You're lucky you have me, Lauren Jauregui, if it wasn't for me you wouldn't ever smile. And that makes me the saddest."

"I'm not a person who's into showing their emotions." Ryan took her hand and looked her in the eyes. "I'm going through a rough patch not being able to find the inspiration to write my songs. And I feel so bad, because I have a wonderful life with you."