Oneshots and Other Assortments

Laurmani

Babybear: He's pissed again.

Babybear: Is it okay if I come over?

Manibear: Of course. I have a bit of homework to do, but it's fine.

Babybear: Oh, nevermind. I don't want to bother you.

Manibear: No, Lauren, I promise it's okay.

Babybear: Are you sure? I don't want to seem clingy or keep you from getting your homework done.

Manibear: It's fine, babygirl. I'm almost done for the night anyways.

Babybear: .... And you're 100% sure?

Manibear: Yes. Get over here. I know you're upset and I want you here.

Babybear: Okay, I'll be there in a bit. Love you, Mani.

Manibear: Love you too, Lo. Drive safe and I'll see you soon.

Lauren sighed as she set her phone on her bed. It had been a relatively peaceful Thursday night until her dad got a work call, which set him off into a raging, bitter mood and grumbled swears (and sometimes even yelling, which really upset her).

She hated when he was like this. It would be one thing if it was just grumbling. But there was also yelling, slammed doors and desks, and just a general feeling of having to walk on eggshells around the house.

There were some nights Lauren spent cooped up in her room, hiding underneath her blankets with her Nala clutched tightly to her chest and her headphones blasting music in her ears to drown out the sound of her dad's anger.

Her mom wasn't much help, most of the time too incoherent from migraines that kept her passed out in bed, and her siblings didn't know how to deal with it, either. Things with her mom were getting better, but today was one of the bad days.

She didn't want to bother Normani, but she needed out of the house and thought her girlfriend's house would be a good place to go for a little bit.

She stood up from her bed and grabbed her backpack from the floor. She checked to make sure she had her keys and wallet before she slid her phone into the front pocket. She grabbed a pair of jeans, underwear, and a shirt, not planning to stay the night but knowing Normani would let her borrow some clothes to sleep in and a sweatshirt for the next day if she did. She also grabbed Nala and tucked her under her arm.

She carefully opened her bedroom door, checking to make sure her dad wasn't in the vicinity of her room. Seeing no one, she made her way to the front of the house, finding her siblings in the living room as she passed.

"Hey, I'm going to go to Mani's for a bit," she told them quietly, checking once again to make sure her dad wasn't around. "Are you guys okay here?" she asked, looking between the two. "I can take you somewhere, or, or I can stay if, if you need me to."

Taylor gave a small smile and shook her head. "We're fine, Lauren. Don't worry."

Lauren bit her lip anxiously, wanting to leave but not wanting to leave her siblings if they needed her. "Are you sure? Because I'll stay if you need me."

"Lauren, we'll be fine," Chris promised, giving an encouraging smile.

The oldest Jauregui sibling exhaled deeply, nodding. "Okay. But call or text if you need me," she said, earning nods from her siblings. "I don't know if I'll be back tonight, but I have my house key."

"Just text and let us know," Taylor replied.

Lauren nodded, and with one last check to make sure her siblings would be fine on her own, headed out the front door and to her car.