Whatever I Am, I'm Yours.

chapter thirty-four

Lauren

"I just wanna congratulate my star," Larry said as he brought up his champagne glass as he stood on the stage of the prestige club he rented out for my album release party, "Lauren Jauregui. For putting in all the work she's been doing and while I know that it's been rough, she's been able to stick through it and make it here."

I was at the balcony at the back sitting in a booth with other artists that Larry had invited to up my popularity through their shared pictures of us together on social media, along with Lucy who was smiling at me proudly. Ty Dolla $ign sitting next to her smoking away at a blunt as he lifted his glass as well. Everyone followed Larry and cheered to me before drinking.

I didn't pick up my glass. My mind was already haze enough as it was as I sat down in this club in downtown Miami. I'd started drinking the minute I woke up, thinking pre-gaming before this would shut out my thoughts, but alas they only got louder. I had to stop drinking if I didn't want to end up passed out on the floor.

I smiled and waved to everyone, mouthing a thank you here and there before Larry told everyone to continue on with the party, I could already see him making his way to other artists, probably readying himself to get me another thing to work on after busting my ass off for the past two months since I'd been thrown out of my home. At first I went along with it all because I owed him for finding me a condo in downtown to stay in without having to pay for it, but eventually I realized that didn't matter. Now I was completely bound to this man and the music.

I had nowhere else to go and nothing to do.

After finally coming to my senses I did agree to just finish high school through online classes, but it didn't hit me how lonely that would be until I saw the snaps of Normani and Dinah celebrating their win in lacrosse meaning the team was going to be area champions. Meaning they were going to go to state. They were even close into getting into the colleges of their dreams. I was more than sure that the seniors were ecstatic about their last year being so memorable.

"Here you go, slugger," I turned only to see Lucy now sitting next to me with a glass of whiskey, "You looked parched." I smiled weakling while taking the glass from her and down it all too quickly. She whistled while taking the now empty glass from my hand, "Didn't think you'd do that though."

"Y-You getting pretty friendly with Ty over there," I said as I leaned back into the seat and Lucy laughed lightly.

"He's trying to fuck me," she said and I cocked my eyebrows from her vulgarness, "But sadly that won't happen unless he spikes my drink, which honestly I think is what he's thinking because every time he wants to get me a drink he gets this weird smirk."

I groaned while furrowing my brows and wrapping an arm around her, "If he tries anything I'll kick his ass. I don't care how much money his collab has made me, p-pigs get kicked in the dick." I slurred while leaning into her side as she laughed at me.

"How sweet," she cooed while pushing some hair back behind my ear, "But honestly I think I should get you back to the condo." She said as she cupped my cheeks and I closed my eyes from her warm touch.

She wasn't as warm as her though.

I miss her.

"This is my album release party," I pouted while Lucy continued to giggle.

"Yes and while 7/27 is charting on the pop charts at number three right now," she said as she held my arm over her shoulder and slowly picked me up, "Still wanna know why you picked that date-you are close to passing out or throwing up, so better we get you some rest." She said as she talked to someone who walked up next to us, but my head was ducked so I didn't see who exactly it was. I didn't care. I didn't recognize the voice.