Normani walked in the venue, her large black suitcase rolling behind her. She walked down the hallway to the dressing room and hesitated.
All eyes were glued on her once she entered.
"Mani I-" Dinah started.
Normani put her hand up to stop her.
"I um, I'm actually going back to the states today. In a few minutes actually and I just wanted to say I know...well actually, I'm not really sure who feels what about me leaving but I just wanted to say I'm sorry if this is a selfish decision but I'm scared. I'm honestly scared being on the stage, walking in and out of hotels I'm...I'm afraid and I just need time to myself and I really hope that you all as my girls, my bandmates and my family can respect that. I uh, I'll see you whenever I guess." She gave a small wave before walking out.
She didn't tell them but she really wasn't sure she'd be back.
--
"I paid over 200 dollars to see and meet FIFTH Harmony not FOURTH Harmony wtf!"
"@NormaniKordei do 5H a favor and KYS please and thank you"
"@NormaniKordei :( I was really hoping to see you"
"@NormaniKordei stop acting like the victim and say sorry to Mila!"
"Finally Normani is gone! I hope she leaves for good! #H4rmony"
Those were only some that Normani read. She knew there was probably ones that were a 1000 times worse. She closed her phone and tried to close her eyes to sleep for the next 12 hours.
--
Normani placed her oversized sunglasses on her head and walked out of LAX. She was greeted by a swarm of paparazzi so she kept her head down as she entered the town car.
"Normani are you leaving Fifth Harmony?"
"Normani do you hate Camila? Why do you hate Camila?"
"Can you take me to Hotel Bel Air?" Normani asked.
"Of course Ms. Kordei." the driver nodded politely.
--
Normani walked the hallways of the grand hotel until she stopped in front of her room. She entered and slipped her shoes off. She sat on the bed and pulled out her phone before dialing her mother's number.
"Normani! Baby wher-"
Just the sound of her mother's voice brought on another wave of tears.
"Mommy," she wept. "I don't wanna come home right now. I just need to be away from people." she explained.
"No, Mani baby just come home right now." Andrea pleaded. "I see what they're saying on the internet Mani you need to come home."
Normani muffled a sob as she heard her mother crying on the other end.
"Mommy I need you to trust me." she sniffled.
"Normani I am begging you! Just tell me where you are I'll come see you, you nee-"
"I'll call twice a day ok? I just I need to figure things out."
"Baby this ain't right! Come home please come home. We -"
"I love you." Normani whispered before hanging up the phone. She knew this hurt her mother and felt extremely selfish but Normani felt weak. She couldn't show her face in front of her parents.
She laid back and closed her eyes. "It's only for a few days. Just a few days." she whispered to herself.
--
Normani wandered around a local park until she found a secluded area. She dialed a number and plaid with a blade of glass as she waited.
"Um hello?" the familiar voice answered.
"Choie!" she smiled.
"Mani? Uh uh bitch what the fuck is good with you? Who's number is this?" Choie rambled.
"I got a new phone today and changed my number. I needed to talk to you." She explained.
"Damn it Mani, you have everyone worried sick! Your mom thinks you're gonna kill yourself, Jesus why aren't you home."
"Cho," Normani started. "It's like I don't know anything anymore. I don't know how to feel, who to trust, I don't even know if I wanna go back to the group or even sing anymo-"
"Nope. I don't wanna hear that. You're going back. You worked too damn hard for this Normani. This is what you are meant to do. No comment by some fake ass country bitch and that attention whore and her snake fans are gonna run you out of what God put you on the Earth to do." she ranted.
"Be nice." Normani mumbled softly. "She's my friend."
"Ni-Nice?!?! Did you not see what they were saying about you Normani? Camila basically told you that your feelings don't matter and that you're the weakest one in the group. She's not your friend Normani and I know you're not dumb enough to believe that shit either." Choie sucked her teeth. "I knew she was trouble when I found out she was calling you a nigger on the low. Ooo lemme see this bitch in public."
"You know Dinah agreed with her?"
"HELL NAH!" Choie yelled on the other end. "This trick just called me on some 'I'm really worried about Normani' and this bitch is apart of the problem?!?!? Fuck that Mani go solo drop them, I only fucks with two of them. Nope I'm not here for the snakes."
Normani sighed and looked around at her surroundings. "You know, I'm gonna stay in LA for a while. Yeah I'm gonna clear my thoughts here and when I'm good and ready, I'll come home."
Normani heard Choie sigh on the other end. "Ok. I don't like you doing this but if this is what you need to feel better and come back stronger, than I'll support you. Just, please Mani be careful and think about things thoroughly."
"I will Cho. I'll talk to you later. Love you." Normani said before hanging up.
The twenty year old flipped through her screens on her phone. She paused before deleting all her social media apps. It was too tempting and she really didn't need to she people commenting on how much they hated her.
She sat on the grass for a while longer enjoying the slight breeze and the soft silence of nature. She hated feeling like this. This wasn't her character at all, but she was ready to change all of this. She vowed to herself that she was going to get out of this funk.
She decided to treat herself and get a massage. This was going to be her first step in letting Normani 2.0 rise.
