Whatever I Am, I'm Yours.

chapter twenty-three

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

A/N: EXTRAAAAAA long one for you guys ;);) and yes there's smut in this, so you've been warned.

Camila

Something was off about Lauren. I didn't just notice as we spoke before she went to warm-ups, but even during the game I couldn't have been the only one noticing how Lauren was lagging.

Don't get me wrong she was still the MVP, but there were these little things I'd see as I cheered off in the side. Tripping on her own feet, but playing it off really well. Bumping into her teammates, but the opposing team members would bump into her right after so no one noticed. Seeming to lose herself before she'd make shots at the net, like the noise from the stands was throwing her off. There was something going on in that beautiful head and whatever it was was throwing Lauren off.

"Time out," Coach Lovato called and the girls immediately huddled over after losing the ball to the other team. I could see Lauren have her head down as she jogged over, only to have Coach Lovato pat her shoulder before she spoke to the others. She must've seen what I did as well.

"Is Lauren alright," I looked to my side to see Ariana with her brows furrowed, "She seems ten times more exhausted than usual."

Ariana noticed. Which means her teammates did as well, but didn't seem to want to acknowledge it. "Maybe she's jet lagged?" I asked out loud. I didn't believe that's what it was, but I couldn't think of anything else.

I didn't want to believe something else was bothering her.

As time passed Lauren seemed to finally get her mojo back after being pulled off to the side during their break by Normani. The two seemed to be bickering, which was rare for me to see. They're always just buddy-buddy and smiles, never seen them scowl or frown towards each other like the way they did. I definitely didn't expect Lauren to shove Normani's shoulder when the time out was called over. Normani seemed shocked too from the way her jaw dropped.

There was something in her eyes though that made me think she was mad at Lauren, but she was just as worried. She knew something was off too.

Before I knew it the game was over and our team won by six points. Shay and Cara did most of the scores while Lauren maybe had two of them herself. Which left everyone near me and in the stands to be whispering or asking if Lauren was alright. It wasn't just a few people now, but everyone noticed.

The team huddle around each other as Coach Lovato gave them one last good talk, but I noticed Lauren huff before making her way to the locker rooms. None of her teammates seemed to try and stop her. Normani watched her go, but turned back to hear the speech. I could see Dinah biting at her bottom lip and clenching her fists quite tightly, she was holding herself back. My best friend was angry about something and that something had the initials L.J.

"Go," I turned to see Ariana nudging me towards the locker rooms, "Lauren seems like she needs you."

I opened and closed my mouth while shaking my head, "S-She's having an off day. I shouldn't bother her."

"Um bish you should," Ariana scoffed while taking my Pompoms, "Maybe give her some celebratory head." She said while shrugging and I smacked her shoulder.

"I'm being serious-"

"So am I," Ariana looked at me with an expressionless look.

I sighed while shaking my head, "Don't leave without me."

"I'll pack your stuff and wait in my car," Ariana yelled after me as I ran to the locker rooms.

Celebratory head.