If This All Works Out (Norminah)

Speaking of...

Lauren crept back into the house around 2 am. She closed the door quietly and quickly turned the key.
As she made her way to her room she slipped out of her shoes and began to remove her clothes. Almost-fully naked is when Lauren was nearly scared to death by the anxious faces she thought were sleeping. "So!" "How'd it go?!" They shouted.
"What the—I thought you girls were sleep!" Lauren said, startled.
"No we were waiting up for you." Normani said.
"And to see what you did on your date."
"AND to see if you made it home safe." Normani nudged Dinah.
"Oww!"
Lauren searched for something to sleep in.
"I liked the date." Lauren seemed at a loss for words.
"And do you like the girl?" Dinah asked.
"I really do." Lauren responded.
"And she likes you right?" Normani felt the urge to ask.
"I hope she does, she kissed me."
"WOAH BABYYY!" Dinah boasted, "You got some didn't you?"
"Don't be a pig." Normani said to Dinah.
"Unfortunately no. But I'm okay with it." Lauren answered.
"You need to go out with her again." Dinah said. Normani nodded in agreement.
"Should I take her out again wait until she me offers to take me out?"
"Wait a little. She's probably sleeping now...maybe tomorrow she'll tell you how much of a good time she had and then she'll wanna return the favor." Normani responded. "Sounds about right." Lauren admitted.
"I'm tired, I'm never waiting up for you again." Dinah yawned.
"You girls get some sleep."
Normani shook her head and she and Dinah returned the the room. Lauren had changed her clothes and finally got into bed.
Later, everyone woke at a reasonable time. "I don't wanna cook." Lauren yawned. "Y'all already know not to look at me." Dinah said to a half-woke Lauren and Normani.
"Just no." Normani passed.
"It's settled. IHOP FOR BREAKFAST!" Lauren shouted with her last burst of energy while grabbing her keys.
The three of them left the house without even looking in the mirror.
Luckily they all looked very cute.

Ally was really coming to grips with what she had done. Normani hadn't reached out to her once. She didn't want to lose the girl she'd sworn on her life was her best friend. She thought; "Did she replace me?" , "Does she not want me in her life anymore?"
The thoughts were too much. On impulse, Ally drove to Lauren's house. When she realized no one was there she thought about leaving, instead she stayed and waited for them on the stoop.

"Red velvet pancakes. I need those." Normani made clear. "Chocolate chip is way better." Dinah challenged. "Can you both put away your sweet tooth and just get plain pancakes." Lauren laughed, seeming she was the only mature or "normal" one of the crowd. "I think not." Dinah stuck her tongue out. They each ordered their different pancakes, Dinah got scrambled eggs and grits with hers, Lauren got an omelette and so did Normani. Normani ordered a country fried steak with her meal, Dinah got sausages and Lauren did the same. "Mani have you spoken to Ally yet?" Dinah asked. Lauren turned her head. "No. I just don't know when I'll be ready, to be honest I had given up trying to be." Normani sighed. "It'll be okay." Lauren rubbed Normani's shoulder.
The food arrived.
"Lo, this is Mani's favorite place." Dinah nudged her.
"Aww mama you're a kid at heart." Lauren gushed.
"Guilty as charged." Normani smiles cutely.
"Hey Lauren," Normani said after.
"Hmm?"
"I wanted to say thanks."
"For the food? I told you I'd take us here." Lauren replied and continued eating.
"No, I mean just for everything. For Dinah and I, and for letting me stay with you and just not making me feel awkward in any way." Normani said genuinely.
"You don't have to thank me for that, I love you the same way I love Dinah and you're always welcome with us." Lauren smiled.
"Lo..." Dinah called.
"Yeah Día?" she turned her head.
"I really love Mani." she said.
"I know mama."
"And that's all because of you, I'd never know how to give love if I hadn't got any from you. I love you so much." Dinah hugged Lauren and kissed Normani's cheek.
"You wanna make cry don't you?" Lauren's eyes watered.
"Sorry, we should finish eating." Dinah laughed. So they did.
Dinah paid and Normani left a tip.
When they got home the girls were all smiles. That was until they saw who'd be waiting for them on the stoop.
"What's she doing here?" Normani thought aloud.
"I don't know but I have nothing to say to her."