Love with a curse (A Laurex Fanfic)

Chapter one

"Lauren get up, you're going to be late!" Screamed mom from downstairs. I walked slowly down the stairs to see my mom standing straight with a strict look on her face.
"Mom, I don't feel so good," I said, trying to be as convincing as possible.
"Nice try honey. Now get ready, you have fifteen minutes or you're walking to school," Mom said while walking into the kitchen to find a granola bar. I walked into my room to try and find a nice outfit to wear, but failed miserably. I decided to just wear a pink crop with the word "Creative" on it and some ripped leggings. I hurried to brush my teeth, comb my hair, and put my makeup and deodorant on. After my rushed morning schedule, I ran down the stairs, threw my converses on and caught my mom in the living room.
  "Took you long enough. Get in the car." Mom said sternly. My mom was divorced two years ago. My dad walked out on her with another woman. I've always believed that my mom and dad were a happily ever after story but they're the complete opposite. Mom was an emotional wreck, I had to live with my grandparents for a few months while my mom was in rehab. She's doing great now and in a better place but today is her first job interview since she lost hers a couple weeks back, so I see why she's so moody.
   "Mom, are you nervous?" I asked trying to make conversation in the dead silence of the car.
   "A little bit," Mom said keeping her eyes on the road. It's been a while since my mom has looked me directly in the eyes. It might be because she's ashamed, or maybe it's because I look exactly like my dad. When dad left he took my sister, Lilliana, with him. She was the closest thing I had to a best friend but now we don't talk and I have made other friends.
    "Do you want to watch a movie tonight?" I asked. To be honest, I miss spending time with her. We always used to have the best times going and getting ice cream or playing basketball at the nearby park.
   "Not tonight, sweetie. I'll probably be really tired." She sounded nervous but she also didn't sound like herself. Her voice was raspy and she was breathing heavily. It was time for me to end my talk with her. That's what hurts the most. We can't have any long talks anymore without her beginning to break down. The atmosphere had grown a little thick ever since we got in the car. Something is different about today.
   After a ten minute silence period, we hit the school.  I got out of the car and slammed it. Half of me felt bad for doing so but the other half felt she deserved it. When it comes to my mom, a certain darkness lingers inside me that is thirsty for revenge and has no sympathy for everything she's been through.
  "Lauren! Over here!" My best friend Dawn called me over to the benches. I walked over and sat next to her.
"Ooh who's that, Does Dawn have a secret boyfriend I don't know about?" I asked mockingly.
"No, he's just a friend...for now"
"What's his name?"
  "Dylan" Dawn blushed.
   "Aw you really like him" I poked at her cheeks. She showed me more pictures of him and I have to admit, he was pretty hot, but not my type. The bell rang and we went inside and met up at our lockers.
  "Yo Lauren, what are you doing this weekend?" Asked Serena, one of my friends.
"Hoping to get my mom to talk," I put my head down trying to catch my breath.
  "Hey it's okay, just breathe. You'll be fine. Why don't you guys come over this weekend? Well have a movie marathon?" Dawn reassured me as usual.
  "I would love too!" I squealed excited to finally get away.
"Me too. What about Vanessa?" Asked Serena.
"Of course Nessa can come, she's always invited" Dawn exclaimed. Vanessa-or Nessa as we call her-wasn't as close to me as Serena or Dawn but we were good friends and had some good memories.
"Derek approaching in 3,2,1" Dawn whispered. Derek was Serena's ex boyfriend who dumped her for the captain of the cheer squad.
  "Serena, can we talk?" Derek asked.
"What's there to talk about? You left me for a HBIC and then she left you and now you want to make amends," Serena explained angered by his presence. "And now because you can't be with her anymore you are going to the one thing you know best, me. We were together for a year, Derek. But you left and that's not my fault. So go cry in a little corner and don't think about coming back here" Serena turned back towards us and gave the signal to walk off, so we did.
   "Good job Ms. Prescott! Showing him what he deserves," Dawn hissed. I high fived her, not wanting to speak, for I was afraid I would break into a panic attack.
   The day moved by slowly. Everything was forgotten by the end of the day as usual. Serena and I went over to Dawn's house to "study" but we ended up binging a show on Netflix.
   "I better go home or my mom will be worried," I said.
   "Well you have a good night and I'll see you at school tomorrow" Dawn said. Serena got up to hug me and walked me out of the door.
   "Call me if you need anything okay? I'm always here, please know that." Serena said reassuringly.
  "Of course," I smiled and gave her one last hug. I can't imagine my life without these two. They understand me like no one else could. I walked out the door and started on my way home.
    As soon as I reached home I noticed the lights were off.
    "She's asleep" I whispered to myself. I opened the door with my key as quietly as I could to see my mom sitting on the couch with bottles of alcohol surrounding the table. Her eyes looked sad and restless. She had an unreadable expression on.
   "Where have you been?" She asked in a quiet, raspy voice.
  "I texted you saying I'd be at Dawn's," I explained. She sprung off the couch and started walking towards me in little strides.
  "No, you didn't," she said trying her best to be calm. As she was making her way towards me I continuously walked back, afraid of the outcome of her getting too close.
  "I'm sorry mom, I did, just please check your phone" I begged.
  "Honey, don't play games with me. You're just like your father you know that? You disgust me. You disappoint me. I wish I could've had Lilliana instead but I got stuck with you. I could feel tears running down my face. Then she slapped me. With the red hot sensation running across my face, I sat there, shocked, not knowing what to do. Did she really just slap me?
"Mom I-I," then she slapped me again and again. My arms and legs were black and blue by the time I was able to escape to my room. I slammed my door and crashed against it, bawling. Asking what my life has come too. Then I woke up in the morning leaning against my door, mascara stains along my face. Jeans and a long sleeve shirt would be good for today. And a lot of face makeup.
   "Mom, I'm going to walk to school today" I said quieter then I've ever been before. She was sprawled across the sofa, sleeping. I decided to get out while I still could. When I got to school I saw Dawn look at me with a concerned, worried expression.
  "Dawn what's wrong?" I asked.
  "We have to change our plans" she said.
"Oh,why?"
  "Because I forgot that your birthday is this Saturday. In all honesty I completely forgot I'm so sorry. Please, please forgive me." Dawn was practically on her knees begging. But I was so dazed out. My birthday is on Saturday? I must've been so caught up with everything else that I forgot about my sixteenth birthday.
  "It's okay bub. Now get off the ground those are nice clothes" I said laughing. "So why do we have to change plans?"
  "Because I'm throwing you a party, silly" she looked at me like I was an idiot.
"You're joking right?"
"No, you need it. Trust me it will be fun!"
  "Who're you inviting?"
   "The entire sophomore class" Dawn said innocent looking. I sat there with my mouth to the floor.
   "I'm not as popular as you Dawn, that won't work"
   "This is your time to shine. It will be great!!" She was just so convincing sometimes.
  "Okay fine!" I gave in. She bounced back with life and went on and on about party decorations while my real focus was on my mom and her current state. My current state...