New Beginnings

Chapter Seventeen

After that day things went mostly back to normal. Lauren had apologized to Connor and told him she freaked out because she had never been told someone loved her before and didn't know what to think. He said he forgave her, even though it obviously upset him, he was okay if she didn't say it back as long as she knew he loved her and cared about her.

Normani and Lauren still acted like they did before, best friends, nothing changed. Each day that went by Normani became slightly more discouraged. It fell like she had fallen right back into that best friend role so easily after getting her hopes up. But Lauren said she needed time so there was still a chance.

<Normani POV>

The new semester had started and Normani was full swing into her classes again always studying for a test or prepping for a mock trial. Lauren was always doing something whether it be studying or painting or hanging out with Connor.

Normani hung out with Ally and Dinah a lot in her free time. She felt a lot closer to them after the big conversation they had before winter break. Of course, she told them everything that happened with Kevin and with Lauren and they were both proud of her and super supportive.

One day early in the semester Normani got back from class to see Lauren on her bed reading a book. As soon as Lauren noticed Normani was in the room she jumped up from the bed and waived a piece of paper in her face. "Mani look! Mani look! My photography got selected to be used in a local art show in a few weeks!!"

"Oh my god Lauren that's amazing!!" she said hugging the excited girl tightly feeling overjoyed that her roommate was finally recognized for her amazing work.

Their successes feel like your own successes.

Lauren broke away from the hug and smiled widely, "now find your sexiest dress and pumps and come on. We are celebrating tonight!"

Normani stopped for a second. Tonight? She had a mock trial to prep for next week she couldn't go out tonight. "Lauren, I can't I ha-"

"Don't you dare 'Lauren I can't' me! We are going out! Unless someone in the family is dying you have no decent excuse. I know you don't have any tests this week and your mock trial thingy is next week you have plenty of time to prep. PWEEEEEAAAASEE!" Lauren gave Normani the biggest puppy dog face she could and boy did she know how to get her.

"Fine. But you have to come watch my mock trial next week" she said reluctantly as Lauren squealed and clapped her hands together. "You didn't want to celebrate with Connor?" Normani questioned considering she usually always did things with him first.

Lauren rolled her eyes, "he has an accounting test tomorrow and besides I wanted to go with you anyway! We haven't had a girl's night in a while. I was trying to tell you all day but you didn't come back to the dorm. I wanted you to know first since you always praise my photography."

They're the first person you want to tell good news to.

Normani dug through her closet looking for the perfect thing to wear before finally coming across the sexiest dress she owned. She grabbed her things and went to the bathroom to take a shower and get ready.

<Lauren POV>

Lauren was glad Normani agreed to come out with her, she thought she would have to talk her into it more. They had both dressed to the tens and she had to say they probably looked like the hottest girls on campus, but she was humble so she decided not to brag. She was in a tight red dress that stopped just above the knees with a deep plunging v-cut with some cheetah print pumps. Normani was wearing a black dress with the sides and back cut out showing off her flawless skin and perfect curves and some black stilettos.