Facade (Laurmani)

nine

Lauren was walking to Starbucks, sleep still in her eyes. It was close to 11, when she was going to meet Normani. But Taylor had gotten lonely and crawled into her bed last night. Taylor..she wasn't the easiest person to sleep in bed with. She tossed and turned in the bed constantly and at random times in the night mumbled odd incomprehensible things. Lauren ordered an espresso to wake her up and waited patiently for Normani to arrive. "Hi Lauren." Lauren looked up and smiled. "Hi, you look nice." This isn't a date Lauren. Or is it..? "Thanks. You do too." "I woke up late, that's why I look like a bit like a hobo. Apologies." Normani giggled. She was stood in a light grey cropped hoodie and leggings. "I'm sorry I ordered first. I've been up all night with my little sister." "Oh is she okay?" "Yeah, she's fine. She just tosses and turns all night." Lauren huffed. "I'm just gonna order a coffee. You want anything to eat?" "Uh, yeah, a blueberry muffin would be great. Hold on I'll get my purse-" "It's fine, it's on me." "Oh no it's okay." Lauren objected. "Don't argue with me girl." Lauren pouted. "Fine. Just this once. But I'll definitely buy you something next time." Normani's eyes brightened. Next time? "Sure." When Normani returned to the table she put Lauren's muffin down in front of her. "So.." "So.." Lauren followed awkwardly. "So how's-" "What do you-" The girls both spoke at the same time. "Okay, let's start again. You first." Lauren chuckled. "How was your Friday night? Mine was so boring." "I feel you. I just did my math homework and when I was done I drew imaginary things with my little sister?" "That's so sweet of you! What's her name?" "Her name is Taylor, she's 4." Lauren smiled. "That's so cute. I'd love to meet her one day." "Maybe. Circumstances are a bit difficult right now." "I won't ask if you don't want to divulge." "Thank you Normani." Lauren's phone rang and she frowned, it was from her current care home. "Sorry Normani, I gotta take this real quick. It won't take long. Hello?" "Lauren? Taylor just threw a tantrum and I don't know what to do. Will you come back?" Lauren sighed. "What happened?" "Your mother snuck in somehow, Taylor saw her and your mother refused to take Taylor with her. She did the right thing but of course Taylor isn't happy." Lauren let out a deep sigh. "I hate her so much. Okay, I'm coming back." Lauren hung up and looked at the girl incredibly apologetically. "Huh? You're leaving already?" Lauren bit her lip. "I'm sorry. It's an emergency." Normani sighed. "Sure it is. I knew this would go bad. It's just my fucking luck." "I'm really sorry Mani." Lauren leaned in and kissed the girl's cheek. "I'll text you later." Normani was frozen at the action and watched Lauren leave the coffee shop. Lauren hurried back and picked up her little sister and glared at the girl. "Taylor Jauregui, be quiet now or no seeing Papi tomorrow." As she expected, Taylor immediately shut up. "Good girl. So what went on while I was out? Did you see Mami?" Taylor nodded. "You can talk, but no more tantrums." Taylor nodded again and opened her mouth to speak. "She came but she wouldn't let me live with her yet." "Tay we're not living with her at all. Daddy's taking us home soon." "But I'll still see Mommy?" Lauren clenched her jaw. She didn't want Taylor to have anything to do with such a horrible person. "I don't know." Lauren sighed. I hope not. "Hey, sorry." Lauren called someone over. "Yes?" "Can I take Taylor out?" "Sure." Lauren smiled and took Taylor's hand. "Put your coat on little one. We're going out." "Where?" "To see a new friend of mine." "Is she nice?" "Yes, she's very nice." Lauren smiled and texted Normani.

Lauren: meet me in the main park in 20 minutes
Normani; i'll be there :)

Lauren had to pick Taylor up as after about five minutes, she refused to walk any further. "Hey, you came." Lauren smiled. "Well I said I would didn't I? Who's this cutie?" "This is Taylor, my little sister I was telling you about earlier this morning." Lauren said as she hoisted her up a little. "Tay, say hi to Mani." "Mami!" "No, I said Mani." "No Laury, Mami! She's gonna hurt Papi!" Lauren turned her head and saw her mother approaching her father looking very angry. "Oh my god! Normani will you take Taylor?" "Yeah of course." Lauren hurriedly headed her to parents and stood in front of her father. "Stop! You're really going to do this in a public place? Just stop this fucking fighting, please. I came to take Taylor to the park to have some fun and I see you looking ready to throttle Dad? In fact I didn't see you, Taylor saw you." "Where is she?" Clara asked. "Leave the girls alone, Clara. This is not the time, nor the place." Mike said firmly. "They're both my daughters Micheal." "And mine. Let's do this the right way." Lauren pushed against her mother as she lunged forward to hit her Dad and instead she got the punch to her face. Lauren gasped in pain and groaned. "Clara!" "Laury!" Taylor screamed as she ran up to her. "I'm okay Taylor, I just hit my head." On that bitch's fist. "Lauren?" Normani questioned shakily. "I'm fine. Dad?" "I've got this honey. Go home, get cleaned up. I'll deal with this." Mike kissed Lauren's other cheek and Taylor's forehead. "Daddy come with us!" "I'll see you soon, I'll see you tomorrow little one." Mike reassured his youngest. "Come on Tay." "Can I come?" Normani asked. Lauren sighed. But it seemed her Dad answered for her. "Look after my girls.." "Oh, Normani." Normani realised he was waiting for her name. "Normani, right. See you tomorrow girls, it was nice to meet you Normani." "You too sir." Normani said politely. "Laury your nose is bleeding." Taylor gasped. "I'm fine Taylor." Lauren lied. It hurt so much. "It looks broken." Normani said warily. "Ugh, great." Lauren huffed. "It's fine. We'll take Taylor back and then I'll take you to the hospital." "Oh no you don't have to I'm sure I can pop it make myself. I've done it before." Normani's eyes narrows suspiciously. "Oh no it's fine, I used to play softball." Lauren said, though she'd never broken her nose by softball before. "Are you sure?" "I'm sure. You can go, really. We'll be fine." "But I like Normani. She's pretty." Normani blushed at the young girl's comment. "Thank you Taylor." "Yes she is. But no Taylor, we've really gotta go." Lauren picked her up and held her close. "See you tomorrow in school?" Normani asked hopefully. "Yeah." Lauren winced, God her nose hurt, she could taste the blood on her lips, and she was pretty sure her top lip may have been split too. "Bye Lauren. Text me you got back safe," "Laury your face-" "is going to be fine. You look sleepy Taylor, get some rest baby girl." Lauren said as she stroked the hair out of her sister's face. "I love you." "I love you Laury." Taylor muttered and rested her head on her shoulder, falling asleep almost immediately. The heat probably made her tired too. When Lauren opened the door someone rushed over. "Lauren? Oh your nose! Find the first aider!" "Shh." Lauren said harshly, referring to Taylor sleeping in her arms. "Sorry. Take her to bed, I'll send in the first aider." Lauren nodded begrudgingly and went to the bedroom to tuck Taylor in.

Camila: normani said your mom hit you, are you okay???
Lauren: i'm fine camz. just a broken nose and maybe a split lip. i haven't looked in a mirror.
Camila: do you want me to come over?
Lauren: i'll see you tomorrow, it's just too much right now.
Camila: ok, i love you lo. please be safe!
Lauren: i love you more x

Is there such a thing as safe anymore?