Rivals // Norminah

5

I decided to not go to school today. I'm just not in the mood to see Dinah, nor argue with her so it seemed like the smartest choice. Everyone has been blowing up my phone but I haven't even glanced at any of the texts. I was just currently laying in bed staring at the ceiling in my own thoughts.

I glance at my clock and it says 1:07 PM. I lay my head back on my pillow and relax. I wish I could stay in this position for the rest of my life.

I finally decide to look at my phone so I grab it off the bed stand unlocking it to see four new messages.

Zendaya:
where the hell are you? Lauren got sent home for trying to fight Dinah! she said something about her bringing up your dad... what happened?

Zayn:
where yo ass at?

China:
hey, why are you not here today? I miss your beautiful face!!☺️ Dinah told me what happened at your house yesterday... she feels really bad ya'know??

Alessia:
hey Mani! im gonna guess your sick since you're not here at school... do you want me to bring your homework by later after school?

I shake my head lightly and begin typing a response to Alessia.

Normani:
hey Les! that would be great! im home so you can just come right over after school 👍

I place my phone on the bed stand and look down towards the end of my bed where Aspen is laying down looking at me. I pat the spot next to me and he quickly begins wagging his tail and plops down in the spot next to me.

I begin scratching behind his ear and he falls on his back cuddling into my side. I smile as he begins to lick my hand.

"Me and you against the world, huh bud?" Aspen flips over and crouches forward while wagging his tail. "Going to say that's a yes" I hear my door bell ring and groan.

I throw the sheets off me and make my way downstairs in my pajama shorts and sports bra. I open the door to Lauren who walks in almost immediately without me inviting her to.

"Yes. Come in. Make yourself at home" I say sarcastically as I shut the door. Lauren rolls her eyes. I close the door and look at her. "Why are you here exactly?"

"Well you were a crying mess yesterday, so I wanted to come and make sure you were okay" I roll my eyes and walk past her into the kitchen with her following close behind.

"I'm fine. Nothing to worry about" I pull out a bowl from one of the top cabinets and grab a box of cereal. "Now explain to me why you got sent home, Zendaya texted me" Lauren took a seat on one of the stools next to the island counter.

"She brought up your dad Mani, she deserved to be put in her place" I pull out the milk from the fridge and walk back to my bowl of cereal.

"She didn't know" I pour my cereal into my bowl, then my milk. Anyone who does the opposite is weird.

"What?" Lauren asks confused. I walk over to the fridge putting the milk back and grab a spoon from a drawer.

"She didn't know he's not here Lauren. It's not her fault" Lauren scoffs and looks at me weird.

"Why the hell are you defending her?" I shake my head.

"I'm not, I'm just not in the mood to have my dad on my mind so I'm putting the whole situation behind me" I take a bit of my cereal leaning on the counter.

"So noble of you" I flick her off making her laugh a little bit. She stands up and looks at me. "Well I am happy you're okay" I smile at her and she walks over to me pulling me into a hug.