Annoying the Stubborn

f o u r

After classes, Lauren knew she needed some time alone with someone who knew the most about the current dilemma she's having, which happened to be Normani. When she found the girl at the parking lot, she sprinted to her best friend as if someone was about to murder her and most likely surprised the shit out of the dark-toned girl when she accidentally slammed her entire body on the side of Normani's car.

"Holy shit, Lauren!" Normani exclaimed, clutching her hand on her chest. "What the hell?"

"I-I need to talk to y-you," Lauren said breathlessly, scanning the area to make sure no one was eavesdropping on them. "I already talked to Rick."

"What?!" Normani whisper-yelled, clicking her tongue before practically shoving her pale best friend in the passenger seat. "I'm driving you home."

Lauren's breathing finally went back to normal as she watched Normani frantically move around her car—from backing up from her space to driving away to the school.

"Why didn't you tell me first before talking to him?" Normani asked right away, figuring that beating around the bush wouldn't make much sense if the girl in her passenger seat deserved to know the truth. "And when did you talk to him? Actually, I'm surprised that you're still in one piece."

"I told you, he's not going to hurt me," Lauren said, catching Normani's reluctant glances at her. "And I talked to him about it when I checked up on him after their fight in the cafeteria."

"Did he suspect anything?"

"I can be a good pretender." Lauren shrugged nonchalantly. "I think I acted pretty well back there."

"What did he say, then?"

Lauren filled her best friend in the entire way to her house and just as Normani expected, all she heard was nothing but pure bullshit. A few were accurate but the entire story Lauren gave her almost made her laugh.

"Lauren," Normani called sternly, stopping in front of the green-eyed girl's house, "I never thought that I'd ever make you choose and trust me, I don't want this either but I want to know if you trust us more than you do with Rick."

Lauren was stunned for a moment, not thinking that they'd come to this state either but she knew she had to make a choice—for the sake of accepting the truth—but it wasn't as easy as she thought.

"Mani . . . "

"It's all on you, Laur. If you want to believe us, go, but if you're going to take Rick's side, that's okay too. We just don't want you getting hurt and I know that I'm telling you the truth," Normani said, her eyes flickering to the wide two-story house of the Jaureguis. "Daddy still ain't coming home every night?"

Lauren followed her friend's gaze and sighed. "Yeah. It's the only way to keep us alive, I guess." Green eyes turned back to Normani and flashed her a smile. "Thanks for driving me, Mani and . . . you know, listening. I'll try to sort out my mind tonight."

"You promise to call me whenever it gets too much?"

Lauren nodded appreciatively, reaching over the console to engulf Normani in a hug. "Thanks, mama."

"You're welcome," Normani retorted just as warmly, reciprocating the genuine hug.

Lauren always gave the best hugs.