Annoying the Stubborn

e i g h t e e n

"Basically, you're telling me that you just forgave Rick and made friends with him?" Y/N summarized the informations she got from the two. "Your entire group, agreed to become friends with the person, whom you know is a toxic walking specimen, and literally welcomed him to your circle? Is that what you're telling me?"

"I think Lauren wanted me to do it, to support her in that decision," Normani calmly said in defense. "I saw her eyes and I know that look all too well."

"Not to be dramatic or anything but I feel betrayed," Y/N told them, leaning back on her chair. "I thought you already know who Rick really is. I even put up this entire character of being the Devil. I sacrificed a lot of efforts to make you see what he can do and Jauregui wants you to be friends with that thing?"

"Come on, Y/N, he's a person too," Ally chimed in hesitantly. "He apologized and I'm not his biggest fan but I felt something different. And aren't you tired yet? You should let go of this rivalry going on between you two."

"He just wrecked my car."

"You started that. You did the same thing to his car."

"Yeah, but he could just wash it off? I can't tape all the windows back to my car, can I?"

"Y/N, honey, I'm really cool with you than I am with Rick but—"

"Good. You should be," Y/N cut in.

"—but you should give him a chance."

Y/N's eyes flew up to Normani's scared ones and released a sigh. "You haven't told them, have you?"

Ally's brows furrowed and looked at Normani before throwing a questioning gaze on Y/N. "Tell us what?"

"You can't," Normani quickly said. "I can't risk my family anymore. I can't tell anybody."

"It would change everything," Y/N pushed, leaning her elbows on the table and using her hands to prove her point to Normani. "And it would prove you that he's really changed. If he does something to you again, then, you're losing nothing but he is. I can protect you from him, Normani. I'll make sure your family's safe."

"I know but I don't want to be dependent on you anymore," Normani declined. "You've done so much already for us."

"I am part of the reason why your father got fired. I'm entitled to this fight as you guys are. You don't even deserve this but because of speaking the truth your family gets attacked? Do something while you still can and tell them what happened."

"I'm really thankful for what you've done for us but I'm sorry, Y/N, I can't do what you want me to do," Normani apologized sincerely. "There's got to be another way. They want to give Rick a chance to prove himself too. Maybe it's time to stop fighting it."

"After everything he's done to you? You're accepting him with just one apology?"

Normani and Ally could see the veins popping out of Y/N's neck and temple from refraining her own emotions. Ally was lost and although she felt like she deserved to know what was happening, she gave the two their time to settle the agreement. Normani was scared even if she knew that Y/N wouldn't do anything to hurt her but she realized that she knows her as much as she knows Rick. She wasn't so certain about her capabilities and tried not to show it.

However, the tension was gone the moment Normani's phone rang, an unregistered number showing up on her screen.

"I-I'll just answer this," she excused herself before heading outside the coffee shop. "Hello?"