New Beginnings

Chapter Twenty-One

It had been a couple of weeks since Lauren broke up with Connor and her and Normani were sticking to their word and taking things slow to let their relationship develop naturally. They spent a lot of time together, which wasn't that weird considering they lived in the same room, but even when they were away they were always texting or snapchatting each other. You would think they would run out of things to say but the conversation was non-stop and any time there was a silence it was never awkward it was peaceful.

Lauren was really pleased with how it was going but she was still hesitant to put any labels on their relationship. Even though they were constantly flirting they refrained from any form of intimacy. Besides Dinah, Ally, and Connor no one else knew they were a thing, or even that either of them was into women too. Neither Normani or Lauren wanted to put any labels on their sexuality, partly because this was all new to both of them and also because neither of them knew how their parents would feel about the idea of their daughters with a woman. Normani's family was very religious and Lauren's dad was an extremely old fashion, conservative Cuban. They didn't worry about what their parents would think too much since they were thousands of miles away but it did play in the back of their minds a little bit.

One afternoon in early spring the two roommates were laying on Normani's bed watching old episodes of Say Yes to the Dress like when they would plan their weddings as a kid.

<Normani POV>

"I can't believe some people pay $13,000 just for a wedding dress," Lauren said grabbing some popcorn from the bowl that was the only thing blocking the girls from touching.

"I can," Normani said looking at the green-eyed girl, "you only get married one time you might as well go all out. I want the perfect dress, no price tag can stop me."

Lauren let out one of her signature chuckles and rolled her eyes, "for the record a lot of people get married more than once. And lord help the man that marries you."

Normani cringed at that last part. She knew they didn't have a label on whatever their relationship was but why did Lauren make it sound like whatever it was wouldn't last. Maybe Normani was overreacting but it made her feel like they could never have a serious romantic relationship that might lead to even more.

"What exactly did you mean by that?" Normani questioned.

The Latina sat up on the bed and crossed her legs facing Normani, "Well statistically 50% of all marriages end in divorce, so really—"

"Not that Lauren," Normani quickly cut her off, "I mean why did you make it sound like whatever this is, isn't anything serious? I know we don't have labels but do you not think this could turn into a real relationship?"

Lauren looked really confused, "Mani, when the hell did I say that?"

Normani sat up now and got off the bed, "you said 'Lord help the man that marries you' just assuming I'm going to be married to someone else years from now. Be honest is this something you don't take seriously because I really don't want to waste my time if there's no shot at us being real."

"It was just a joke Mani, why are you thinking about it this deeply?" Lauren said sounding slightly irritated.

"What so I'm crazy for thinking that you might have subconsciously said that because you don't think our relationship will ever be serious?" Normani spat back. "I'm not trying to overreact here but Lauren what exactly are we doing? I know you don't want to rush or label things but we flirt like people who like each other we talk about things on a deep level, I really really like you and you dumped your boyfriend to test things out for Christ sake. So, excuse me for being confused by your joke."