The Girl With The Dying Heart•Laurmani[COMPLETED]

Seven

Normani

Today was Friday, and like all Fridays, I was at the shop waiting for someone to come in. We had stayed rather late last night because my parents seemed to really hit it off with Lauren's which was not a problem at all. Today, my grandma was flying in so I got to leave work early but I intended to see Lauren today first. I knew that her parents were taking her to look for an apartment and it almost made me wonder if it was time for me to move out too. I honestly didn't. I wanted to stay home till college started.

I was helping a customer out in an aisle when she came in, her smile seeming to light up the entire room as I looked at her. I took the young boy up to the counter and he paid for his things before I sent him out with a receipt and the bottles of water.

"Hey Lauren," I greeted as she approached the counter, smiling as she leaned across and pecked my lips.

"Hello," she replied and came behind the counter, sitting down on the stool next to mine. She had her bathing suit on with some basketball shorts over her bottoms, she must've been surfing.

"Where were you?" I asked as I pushed some of her wet locks from her face.

"Surfing."

"I didn't see you. Were you up west?" I asked and she nodded.

"Yeah, sorry. I would've been down here if you wanted to see me."

"Oh it's fine. I guess I just got used to seeing you down here. When are you going to go looking for apartments?"

"Today at eleven."

"But it's already ten thirty." I frowned, wishing I could hang out with her for longer.

"I'm sorry babe. I promise I'll make it up to you." That made me feel a little better as she leaned her head against my shoulder. I nodded and she smiled, lacing her fingers with mine. "What are you doing tonight?"

"Having dinner with my grandma tonight. She's flying in this afternoon."

"That's cool."

"Yeah, maybe you can meet her. She would love you."

Lauren smiled as I kissed her forehead and a woman came in, her expression full of panic. "I'm so sorry to be a bother but have you seen my son? He's four and ran off and I don't know where he is!" She spoke, her British accent making it known that they were visitors.

"We haven't but we'll definitely help look. Come on Mani," Lauren answered, grabbing my hand to pull me around the counter. "When did he go missing?"

"Just a few minutes ago. He was building a sand castle and I told him to wait while I got the sunblock from the car and when I turned around, he was gone."

"Okay. Hey, it's gonna be okay," I comforted, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We'll find him."

"Yes we will. How about you go that way. My friend and I will go this way on the beach to find him. Is that okay?" Lauren asked, frowning as the mother started to cry.

"Yes, yes. Thank you so much." She turned and started walking, calling the name Joey as she walked. Lauren and I started to jog down the other way, gradually getting closer to where people went cliff jumping.

"Joey!" Lauren shouted, running faster as she looked around frantically. I felt worried too as we got to the large hill that teens climbed up to jump into the ocean.

"Do you think he's up there?" I asked.

"Only one way to find out." She started climbing, the sand on our wet feet was making it hard to get up the rock but we managed to do it. Lauren climbed much faster, and by the time she was up there, I was only three quarters of the way.