Facade (Laurmani)

seven

"Lauren!" Normani hurtled through the crowd of students in the halls to get to the girl. Lauren turned around and smiled slightly, shutting her locker. "Hi. What's up?" "Um, h-hey. Are you okay? Camila said you weren't feeling well yesterday." Lauren shrugged. "I'm alright." "Are you sure?" "Yeah, I'm sorry. Just got some stuff going on." "You can talk to me you know, if anything is going on." Normani said, putting an arm on the girl's shoulder. Lauren smiled shyly. "Thank you. Listen I gotta go, but give me your phone, I'll put my number in and text you later." Normani eagerly handed her the device and watched her type in her number. "Have a good night Normani." Lauren waved before she walked away. Normani looked at the contact name she put in and grinned at it. "Call me, cutie" Normani looked up and saw Lauren looking back at her from the doors. She winked and left. Normani bit her lip as she smiled and held her phone to her chest. That was adorable. "Where have you been?" "Sorry Angela, the bus was late. How's Taylor?" Lauren asked as they walked to her room. "She's good, playing with another girl in her room. She's settling in well." "Yeah? That's good." "And how are you settling in?" Lauren shrugged and put her school bag down. "Fine, I guess. Can I call my Dad?" "Of course. I'll leave you be." The woman gave her a smile and shut the door behind her. Lauren dialled the number and the call was answered almost immediately. "Daddy!" "Lauren! Are you okay sweetie? Is Taylor doing okay?" "We're fine, well as fine as we can be. We miss you." "I miss you too. So much." "When can we see you?" "The day after tomorrow." "Anything from her?" "Nothing from your mother just yet. I think she's playing games." "Hm, that doesn't surprise me." Lauren grumbled. "Anyway, how was school today?" "It was okay." "Good. "Yeah, there's actually this girl.." "Ooooh, Lolo has a cruuush." He teased. Lauren came out to her dad a few months ago, and he accepted her immediately. In fact, Lauren suspected he even knew that she liked girls too. "I don't know. I mean she's cute." "I bet. What's her name?" "Her name is Normani." "That's nice honey. Are you doing your homework?" "I'm gonna." "I'll let you go then." "Do you have to?" "I'm working on some things, court wise to get you girls back." "Oh, okay." "Study hard nena, I love you." "I love you too papi. Wait! Do you want to talk to Taylor?" "Of course!" "Hold on, I'll find her." "Angela?" Lauren called. "Yes?" "Where's Taylor?" "Over there eating cookies." "Taylor come here, Dad's on the phone." Taylor gasped and put her half eaten cookie down. Lauren took her into their room, picked the girl up and sat her down on her lap and put the phone up to Taylor's ear. "Say hi to Daddy." "Hi Daddy!" "Hi baby, are you being good?" "The best!" "Good girl." "I love you. I miss you." Lauren put the phone on speaker. "I love and miss you too Tay. I'll see you both soon, I promise." "Do you criss cross your heart?" "Yes honey, I criss cross my heart." Lauren kissed her little sister's head and pressed her soft lips together to stop herself from crying. It didn't work. "Laury what's wrong?" "Are you okay Lauren?" Her father asked worriedly. "I'm fine Daddy." Lauren's voice cracked. "Don't be sad Lolo, I'll see you very soon." "I know Dad." She whispered. "I have to go, I love you both." "Bye Papi." "Bye bye Daddy." Taylor said, and then the call ended. "Do you want a hug Laury?" Lauren sniffled and nodded, hugging her little sister tight. "I love you Laury." "I love you more monkey." She nestled her face in her neck.