Smile for me(Laurinah Fanfic)

Chapter 11 {Carry the Weight}

*****Lauren's POV*****

I had started to try and continue life as it was before Dinah, but the smallest things reminded me of her. I missed her so much, but I couldn't get back to someone who tried to hurt me. I do want us to try again though, after her anger is controlled and I'm ready.

I was wiping tables when I saw somebody walk in and takes seat at the booth. It was a cute teenage girl who reminded me of Dinah. "Hey sweetheart, what can I get you?" I asked sweetly. "I was wondering if you guys could do a special order. I need heart-shaped grilled cheese sandwiches". She looked at me, unsure of what my response would be. "Don't worry sweetie, I'll have that done for you real quick".

She smiled at me with a cute little gap in her teeth. "What's your name?" "I'm Jordan, and I'm trying to do something a little special for my girlfriend" she replied. Aww...this girl is so sweet, just like Dinah was with me. "I'll be right back with your order" I said, and then went in the kitchen to make the sandwiches myself.

When they were done, I took them back out to Jordan. "Here you go sweetheart, is there anything else I can get you?" She smiled at me, "No thank you, this is fantastic. I hope Andrea likes it". She was about to hand me the money, but I stopped her. "On the house Jordan, now go and get your girl" I said. She giggled and then walked towards the door, "Thank you".

Then I heard my boss yell from behind me, "LAUREN! MY OFFICE NOW!" I cringed, not liking where this was heading. I walked into his office slowly, "Have a seat Lauren". I sat across from him, hating the fact that I had to be so close to him. He was disgusting, from his crooked toes to his greasy combover.

"Did you give that girl a meal on the house Lauren?" I looked at my feet and nodded, "Yes sir, and it won't happen again". He chuckled, "You're right, it won't happen again....because you're fired. Get out and don't come back". I took off my apron, put it on his desk, and walked out.

I was aimlessly walking around New York, looking for a new job. I had to find one so we wouldn't lose the house. I tried a flower shop, bakery, many pizzerias. And still nothing....there was only one thing I still qualified at, but it wasn't really my ideal profession. I walked over to a place I remembered all too well. But I needed to run home and get my disguise first.

******Dinah's POV******

"89! 90! 91!" Arin yelled as I continued to do the push-ups. "C'mon Dinah, you're nearly there!" I was so tired and my arms were aching, and I still didn't understand how this would get me Lauren back. I made it through the last few push-ups and collapsed face first. I was tired, frustrated, and angry. I growled to myself, and then I felt a gentle hand on my back.

I turned around to see Normani smiling sadly at me, and I saw she was holding something in her hands. I sat up and saw what she was holding in her hand, "Boxing gloves?" She nodded happily and then had me sit on a bench with her. "You're gonna box, not against an opponent, but to release your anger .....and gain a little muscle too!" she said.

I laughed a little and then got serious, "How will teaching me how to hit things teach me to control my anger". She handed me the gloves, "This is the physical therapy, but I also have you signed up for anger management. It's private, so there'll be no press involved". I started to feel tears stinging my eyes, and then I jumped to Normani and grabbed her in a hug. "Thank you so much Manibear, I love you!" She was shocked at first, but then I hugged me back. "I love you too Mufasa, now put your gloves on and follow me".

I put on the black gloves, and the feeling was odd and hot. It made me feel like my hands were being put in a straight jacket, unable to hurt anyone. I guess mani had a point when she did the boxing thing. She walked me into a different section of the gym, where there were lots of punching bags and a sparing ring in the middle. Arin was standing there with a couple of the other guards, smiles plastered on all of their faces. "Welcome to Physical Therapy. We all know what happened and we want to get you and Lauren back together, cause we love you and Lauren together. She's good for you".

"Okay guys, let's get started" I asked. "Take the gloves off, cause you won't be hitting anything. We need to start with conditioning" said Arin. He took me over to the bench press. "I'm pretty sure you know how this works, you're a smart girl. I'll spot you while you do this. By the way, how much does Lauren weigh?" I thought for a moment, "115 pounds". He nodded, and then let me start a few reps. It was heavy, but I was able to do it.

Then he added more weight, making it 70 pounds. "What's wrong Dinah? Can't handle the weight of a relationship?" he yelled. I was on my 20th rep, and he added another 10 pounds...and I almost dropped it on myself. "Don't quit now Dinah, Lauren held the same amount waiting for you to wake up at the hospital. Are you gonna quit Dinah!" he yelled. I was sweating so hard now,and my arms were aching. I started to shake on the 30th rep, and he added 20 more pounds.

I started groaning from the pain, struggling to do reps. "C'mon Dinah, your still not holding it all" said Arin. I made it to 40, and then he added more to give me a total of 115 pounds. "This is Lauren, and your job is to hold her up like a good partner in the relationship. This is the weight of your relationship. Are you strong enough to handle it Dinah?!" I was on the verge of tears from physical and mental pain. I made it to 50 and stopped, Arin took the weight and put it back on the rack.

I was crying on the bench and then I felt Arin put his hand on my back. "I'm so pathetic, I just realized everything I put her through, and how ungrateful I was". "You did very well Dinah, I know grown men who can't lift that much....I promise you will get her back". I looked at him with teary eyes, "Thank you Arin, you've got patience and a big heart if you can put up with me". "You're like my sister, I love ya. Now go get your sweats back on, Mani is in the car ready to go home". I got my stuff back on, said bye to Arin and the others, and went out to the car.

Normani was ready to pull off as soon as I got into the car. We talked while she drove us home, "How was your first day". "I'm tired and want to do nothing but sleep until next week". She laughed, "You have an early start tommorow at 5 to work out around New York, then we go to anger managment therapy at 10 o'clock. Then you have physical with Arin at 1". I just sighed and looked out my window, I just need to get my Lauren back. I miss her.