College Life: Freshman Year

16

Lauren's POV

It's Spring Break and I'm in Colorado when I should be with Normani, poolside with Normani, poolside with Normani as she wears a really skimpy bikini. I should be rubbing sunscreen all over her body right now and watching the way the sun highlights her beautiful bronze skin. Seriously, Lauren, you need to get laid. It's been a month.

I miss my friends, especially Zendaya. Her perverted fantasies are starting to rub off on me. I've been here for two days and the only thing I've done is fantasize about Naturi and Normani. It would be so hot if they...Wait, Lauren, that's gross! See what this isolation is doing to you?

I want to visit my best friend Sam, but unfortunately our spring breaks don't coincide and he's still in Denver, not this boring town. At least when my little sister Laureen gets home from kindergarten, I'll have someone to talk to other than Lauri ...or mom as I'm supposed to call her. I hear the front door opening. Oh please don't let it be my sister Laura and her arrogant jock boyfriend.

"Sport!" Dad? I run down the stairs as fast as I can.

"Daddy! You're home early!"

"I decided to sneak out so I could spend some time with my favorite girl. Don't tell your sisters I said that."

"I won't. I promise."

"Lauren, honey, you're getting so beautiful. You're practically a woman now. It's scaring me. What happened to that little girl who used to wear a tool belt and help me fix things around the house?"

I start laughing. "She found other things to play with."

"I bet she did. One of those 'things' better not be a pretty girl named Normani," he teases.

My tone becomes serious. "Dad...can we talk about something?"

"Sure, Sport. Grab your glove. I'll meet you outside."

My dad and I always have our best conversations while playing catch. Plus, we're the only two baseball/softball fans in the house, so playing catch with each other while talking also allows us to have some privacy.

"Sport, your throwing is weak now. You better improve if you're going to try out for the softball team. Your school is number one right now. They don't mess around. You have to be serious about it, Sport. I'm looking forward to the day I can turn on ESPN and see my little girl playing in the College Softball World Series."

"Dad, I don't think I'm going to try out for the team."

"Lauren, that's been your dream since you were five. We agreed you'd take freshman year off to focus on school and play your sophomore year."

"Things change, Dad."

I can tell how disappointed he is. "I guess they do. Does this have anything to do with that rock you're wearing on your finger?"

"Normani and I are together. We're getting married this summer."

"I figured that. Lauren, are you sure you want this?"

"I've never been so sure of anything in my life."

"Lauren, you're only 18. You have your whole life ahead of you."

"You and Mom were married at 18 and you're happy, right?"

"Very happy."

"Then why can't Normani and I be happy like that?"

"Trust me, it's different when it's your little girl that's getting married."

Dad and I throw the ball back and forth in silence for what seems like an eternity. This conversation is not going as planned. I expected him to be more supportive of me.

"Sport?"

"Yeah, Dad?"

"I'm not going to tell your mother."

"Thanks, Dad."

"Ever since you were 12 years old, I had a feeling you were going to like girls. Laura was 9 and she was already boy crazy. You were different, Lauren. Or maybe I just wanted you to be different. It'd be one more thing we'd have in common."

My smile is beaming, "You actually wanted me to like girls?"

"I know how teenage boys are, Lauren. I used to be one. I didn't want you changing who you are for a boy and I didn't want any of them thinking anything perverted about my little girl. You're a strong girl, Laur, and you're extremely focused. I didn't want anyone to ruin that. I figured if you were with a girl, the dynamics of the relationship would be different. Plus, a girl couldn't get you pregnant or physically dominate you. But I realized that everything is starting to change and it's scaring me, Lauren."

"What do you mean?"

"I was ready for you to like girls, but nothing could prepare me for how I'd feel when girls started liking you. When we dropped you off on move-in day, I noticed the way some of the girls were eyeing you like a piece of meat. It dawned on me that these girls were thinking of doing the same things to you as the boys wanted to do. I thought 'this is where it's going to happen for her. She's going to grow up too fast.' All I could do was hope that your mother and I raised you with enough morals not to sleep around."

"You did, Dad. I'm not that kind of girl."

"I know you're not and I'm proud of you for that. I always prayed that someday you would find someone like Normani, someone who only had eyes for you and would love you unconditionally. I just didn't want that day to come so soon." I can see a tear roll down his cheek. Never in my life have I seen my dad cry. "I'm just not ready to give my little girl away, Lauren."

"Daddy, I'll always be your little girl."

"Lauren, once you get married, you'll be Normani's woman. She's going to need you."

"Daddy, about Normani. I'm worried about her. Her stepdad-"

"I know. Your brother told me. I love Normani like she were my own daughter. She's a sweet kid. I can't imagine someone doing that to her. I wanted to fly to New York and kill that guy. I could just imagine how you must have felt."

"I wanted to do the same thing. Daddy, how could he do that to her? She's still hurting. She still cries about it. He just left her alone to deal with everything."

"He didn't leave her alone. She has you. It's time for you to man up, Sport."

"How so?"

"She's your woman. She's fragile right now and she's going to look to you for protection. You need to be strong for her."

"I don't know if I can."

"Of course you can. You're a Jauregui. It's in your blood. Do you know why I named you Lauren?"

"Because mom wanted to name me Agatha and you hated it?"

"That's partially why," he teases. "You're actually Lauren Jauregui II. I named you after your great-aunt who was a World War II veteran. The woman was my hero. She's one of the strongest and bravest women I have ever met. That's the blood you have running through your veins, Lauren."

I run over to my dad so I can give him a hug. "Thanks, Dad."

"For what, Sport?"

"For everything you've ever done for me."

I can honestly say I'm glad I came home now.