Ten (Laurmani)

Two

"Well are you going to text her?" I looked up from my bed towards the source of the unnecessary question and glared. It was my roommate and best friend Ally. I'm pretty sure she's supposed to be studying right now. "Don't give me that face. Lauren, you've been staring at that crumpled piece of paper since yesterday. Either text her or throw it out."

"I have not!" I countered crossing my arms. "I wasn't looking when I was sleeping." She laughed loudly shaking her head.

"That doesn't count. Either way, you clearly like her. So why not text her? I doubt she'll turn you down because she's the one who gave you the number." She moved to my bed and handed me my phone. "Text. Her."

In my defense, I wasn't waiting for anything. I just wasn't sure if I wanted to do this. I didn't even know this girl and my past relationships went south fairly quickly. I didn't need to go through that again. I refused.

"Well, are you texting her or am I throwing this away?" Ally asked grabbing the paper. I snatched it away glaring. "That's my girl. Lemme know what she says. I need to study." She patted my thigh then got up and moved back over to her side of the room.

I breathed deeply to calm my nerves and texted her. What's the worst that can happen..right?

To Normani: hi. This is Lauren. The girl from the coffee shop? I know it hasn't been that long and I don't want to seem clingy but you told me to text when I wasn't busy and well I'm not.

I read it over a few times and shook my head. That makes me sound weird. I backspaced it and tried again.

To Normani: hey Normani, it's Lauren from the coffee shop.

This is good enough right? It's short and to the point. Maybe I should try again. I went to retype it but I was cut off by a laugh.

"Just send it, Jauregui."

"I thought you were studying?" I asked sharply, turning back to glare at Ally. She raised her hands in mock surrender and went back to reading. I decided to just take her advice and send it. If I didn't do it now I'd be stuck obsessing over it all night.

The reply came in fast so I waited a few minutes before opening it.

From Normani: Lauren hey! I'm glad you found time out of your busy schedule to text me. How are you?

To Normanti: I'm fine but I wasn't busy. I was just simply contemplating whether or not it'll be worth the trouble to text you..

From Normani: wooooow. That's rude. But since you're here, you've obviously decided that it was. So, how about you and I meet up? Same place?

Well, that escalated quickly. I've never been asked out over text before but I guess I'll make an exception. She seems like a nice girl.

To Normani: sure, what time?

From Normani: I'll be there in 15, hope to see you there.

15 minutes?! Is she fucking insane? I'm literally in sweatpants and a tank top. When I get there I'm going to kill her.

-
I walked into the familiar shop smiling when the smell of coffee beans reached my nose. It was relaxing so I guess it might be a good thing she asked to meet here. My nerves were almost non-existent.

"Hey, Lauren!" i looked towards the voice smiling wider when I saw Normani waving me over from the booth I was at just days before. I walked over hugging her quickly when she stood up. She was so warm, and she smelled amazing.

"I love your perfume, what is it?" i asked sitting across from her. She giggled and pulled out a small bottle from her bag.

"Keep it, i have another back at my dorm." Okay she's already making a great impression. I took the bottle and thanked her. "It's nothing, like I said, I have another. But anyway, I'm glad you agreed to meet me. I'm very excited to get to know you better."

"As am I, Ms. Normani. I wanted to text you before honestly, but school has been kicking my ass. I didn't need any distractions." I replied resting my chin on my hand. She slightly widened her eyes and nodded.

"Tell me about it! I don't understand how I am a junior and still can't seem to get at least a B on my work. I thought I was certain about my major but now I'm not so sure. It's kind of bullshit." I couldn't help letting out a small giggle.

"It's the same with me too. What's your major?"

"Pre-law...I know, I don't know what I was thinking." She sighed shaking her head. I smiled sympathetically but gasped softly when what she said fully processed.

"oh! Me too!...I mean um, that's my major too. I'm trying to get into Harvard after this."

"Really? I was thinking Stanford. Why Harvard?" She asked playing with the straw to her drink. I only shrugged. "You don't know? There has to be some kind of reason, Lauren."

"Well...both of my parents went there- my grandfather too. I guess it's just family tradition..."

"But you want to go?"

"Oh, yeah. Definitely. I want to go into Family law. It's always been interesting to me. I take the LSAT in December. I'm excited." I gushed smiling widely. For once I really was looking forward to my future.

"You're cute when you talk about things you like." She complimented easily making me blush.

"You aren't so bad yourself, Normani."

"I know." She smiled, batting her long eyelashes. I couldn't help smiling at her too.

"Confidence. I like it. Very attractive."

"My confidence isn't the only thing you'll find attractive," She leaned closer with a light smile on her face. "Trust me." I was frozen in place at the close proximity of our faces. I didn't even think to move away when she placed her soft lips on mine. In fact, I sort of enjoyed it. I tried to savor the feeling but as quickly as they were there, they were gone.

I moved my mouth to speak but still, no sound came out. She sent me a smirk then grabbed her cup.

"I have a...prior engagement to attend to. I'll see you around, Lauren." I watched silently as she stood and made her way out of the increasingly busy café leaving me alone and confused in the empty booth.

Question: are y'all willingly calling yourselves jaguars?

Also, hi I hope everyone is having a good day or at least that your day gets better. Listen to music, eat some candy, love yourself