Give Me Love. Sequel to Nobody Compares

24. Coming Clean

LAUREN:

   I know what a jet is, but I was still surprised when we actually got into the jet. It was so spacious, and there was even room to sleep. The boys pilot is so sweet. Camila was fast asleep with a blanket she found on a chair. It had Harry's name etched into it. Chris was taking selfies and snapchatting them to people, and Ally was texting Troy. I was trying to calm my nerves, realizing I was going to LA and I still had no idea what I was going to say to Zayn, or what he was going to say to me, or what our indefinite fate was going to be.

    After a few hours we landed, and were met by Liam. "Great seeing you all again," he greeted us all. After our hugs, we got into the black truck, and the nerves had returned. I felt like I was meeting Zayn for the first time. I was fanning myself, and tuning out the conversation that everyone around me was having.

   After a while; we pulled into the gates of the boys mansion that I'd only ever been in once when it was sparse on furniture. A was jealous of Madison that she'd been here handfuls of time, and even got to sleep wity Zayn in his room. Liam parked his car. "Well, would you look at that, looks like Zayn stepped out for a little." I saw in the driveway that Zayn's car wasn't there, and I was actually thankful.

    "You've gotta be fucking kidding me?!" Chris said in awe once we got inside. The guys families did a great job helping them to pick out furniture, and the interior design. I made a face at Chris. "You guys live here?!" Liam nodded, placing his keys on the keyhook. "Dude! I'd have thee dopest house parties." he said walking into the foyer. "Then you're in luck." Louis said walking in from the living room. He waved hi to everyone. "How am I in luck?" Chris asked.

"We're actually having a party here in three days. How long will you guys be in attendance?" he asked, his eyes on me waiting on an answer. I shrugged, "I don't know."

"Stay as long as you'd like, little Jauregui is attending this party." Louis threw his arm over Chris.

"He's not attending any party where there will be some underage drinking," Chris made a face at my attempts to be a concerned older sister. "Oh come on Lauren, don't act like your halo is shining all that bright," Louis said. Chris nodded.

"Yeah, we're in 2014, who actually waits until they hit the legal drinking age? Not me. And I know you haven't been waiting." he walked away with Louis for what I'm assuming is a tour. I rolled my eyes, and turned back to the girls and Liam. "I guess I'll show you guys to the guest rooms."

**********

   "Are you still freaking out about seeing Zayn? You just saw him the other day," Camila pointed out. We were tanning by the pool, Chris and Louis who instantly hit it off were playing volleyball in the water against Ally and Niall. "I don't know, maybe... do you think I'm weird? I'm just nervous. It's like I had a butterfly jar in my stomach, and someone unscrewed the lid."

"That was beautifully said." Camila said. "But what's the worse that could happen?" I was about to speak until I heard the backdoors slide open.

   I expected to see Liam, but it was Harry. "Camila!" he rushed over to her, and picked her up in his arms. If Harry was here then Zayn was here somewhere. I turned back to the sliding doors expecting to see him walk out the doors, but it didn't happen. "Where's Zayn?" Camila asked once Harry put her back down.

"Liam told him you guys were here and he ran upstairs. I don't know he's weird."

ZAYN:

   Lauren was out back, and I just got back from the gym so I was sweating, and the last thing I wanted to do was say hello Lauren and suffocate her with sweat and body odor. I took a quick shower and threw on clothes, and sprayed cologne on that I knew Lauren loved. I walked out onto my balcony, and peered down. I could see Harry entertaining the girls, Lauren was in a red bikini and I could feel my throat go dry.

    I pulled my phone and text Lauren.

Can you meet me in the cinema whenever you're ready?

   I walked down to the cimena, and sat in the first couch. About ten minutes later there was a knock on the door. I jumped a little in shock. "You can come in." The door slowly opened and in walked Liam in a knotted brown wig that we all used to put on and chase rach other around in back when we lived at the flat. "Hey sugar," he said in a terrifying girls voice.

"What the fuck mate?" I threw the controller at him, and he started laughing. "I thought you were Lauren,"

"Sorry to disappoint. Do you not think I make a lovely lady though?"

"No, you're actually a horrifying sight," I said.

"If it means anything, you look fabulous," I could spot that raspy voice in a crowd. When Liam turned around, I could see Lauren standing there. She was now wearing shorts, and a black tanktop. "Atleast someone appreciates me," he flipped his "hair" and left the cinema.

     "Sorry about that.. he's been drinking," I said. Lauren laughed, and took a seat beside me, indian style, and facing me. We didn't say anything at first. Lauren was distracting herself by tearing the paper off of her water bottle, wrapping it around her finger, and then repeating the process.

     Finally she spoke, "So, what'd you have to tell me? I didn't come to LA to sit in unbareable silence." I did a little chuckle and nodded.

"Well, I don't really know how you're going to take this. It could make you disappointed in me, or maybe it will give you some insight. I don't know, I'm leaning toward the second option obviously," I bit at my bottom lip. "Alright, so you know that I met Madison when we had breakfast, and it was just a breakfast, like I told you before. All she did was talk about her music, and how she's gotten recognition from being "Justin Biebers reason for his break up" and all this stuff, and that's how Madison and I began." Lauren was listening intently, waiting for me to get to the juicy details. "And then came my spazz attack on the paparrazzi when I was with you, and of course the ultimatum that Modest! had given me. You know about all of that.." Lauren nodded.

"This isn't anything new," she stated.

"You didn't let me finish. When we broke up, I only did it because I thought thats what you wanted to make you happy, so I agreed to it. I was beat up about it. Completely out of it, you know and the guys saw it, and of course management took notice, and they gave me a deal to do a publicity stunt witg Madison for a month, she was releasing her ep, and they figured if she's seen around with me then she can boost sales, since we were already rumored to have something going on, and they offered me an added four grand to my paycheck, and I took it. I know, I didn't need that extra cash, but I was really hurt back then, and another thing that Hardwell told me is that not only is it going to benefit Madison, but the paparazzi will stop hounding me about you, and really that's all I wanted at the time. I wanted to stop being reminded of you because it hurt too much," Lauren had shock written across her face. "So you're telling me that you and Madison were purely just a month long buisness deal?" she sounded sort of relieved.

"It started off that way, but she really was a distraction from you, and while things between her and I are now over, she did help me from losing my mind over you. I hope you aren't pissed at me.." I braced myself for Lauren to tell me how stupid I am for doing that, but she didn't.

     "Really?" she asked. I nodded. "It sucks," she suddenly stated. I raised an eyebrow. "What does?"

"This. I know we could've made it if I wasn't so damn insecure."

"Don't blame yourself Lauren. I ruined things too."

"I wish things were the way they were in the beginning of our relationship. I mean obviously we've had tons of goodtimes, but we were so carefree in the beginning. I mean, I literally stole Dinah's aunts car and drove to see you in LA with nothing but my permit," I laughed at Lauren's recklessness. "I don't know when my insecurities hit me ten fold, but I wish they never did. I wish I was able to just be happy with you, and not worry about other girls or distance taking you away. I'm not even the jealous type until I met you."

"My charm put you under a spell," I teased. Lauren nudged me and laughed. "I really miss us Lauren." She looked up at me, a smile on her plump lips, and she nodded. "I miss us too." I took a leap of faith, and reached for her hand. She flinched at first, but then her hand relaxed in mine.