Always Be Here

Chap 8

I grabbed the phone book from downstairs and found Jauregui and dialed the number. I fidgeted with the end of my hair, waiting for a answer. When it picked up, a girls raspy voice answered, but it wasn't Lauren's.

"H-hi is Lauren in?" I asked.

"Yeah. May I ask who's calling?" The girl asked.

"M-my name is Lauren Cimorelli." I said, angry at my stuttering.

"Okay, one second. I'll go get her for you." The girl said. I heard her set the phone down then yell for Lauren. About a minute later she answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey Lo. Its Lauren."

"Hey Princess. What's up? How did you get my number?"

"The phone book. Look, I was wondering if I could come see you. I gotta discuss something with you."

"Uh... Yeah sure. I live on Escape Drive, the big white house with blue trimming. There's a red Mustang in the driveway, you can't miss it."

"Okay great. I'll be over soon."

"Alright. See you soon Princess." She said before hanging up. I huffed and and threw on some black leggings, a black tshirt and a red and blue flannel and my red Converse. Having to tell her about what happened after we parted ways yesterday was going to be extremely difficult. I liked her and didn't want things to be this way. But I had to end it if I wanted to keep myself safe... Ish. Maybe they'd leave me alone for good finally if I just stop talking to Lo. I grabbed my phone and jogged down the stairs, grabbing my keys and leaving the house. I walked in the direction of her house, which was actually about a 30 to 40 minute walk from mine. I started to feel my arms itching, most likely healing themselves. I gotta give it to Normani, I hadn't cut since she popped up.

"Its not all on me." I heard that soft voice and yelped a little, startled. Normani was walking right next to me.

"Who are you really? What are you?" I asked her. She just kept looking forward, hands in her pockets.

"Don't break this off Lauren. You'll regret it." Normani said. I scoffed.

"Tell me who you are and what you want with me." I said, putting my hand out so she'd stop walking.

"Now isn't the time." She said.

"Why shouldn't I break it off? Before I get too involved I need to. Or Dinah will keep beating the shit outta me every time she sees me! No girl is worth that!" I said, practically yelling.

"I'll make sure you're safe Lauren. I promise you."

"Well where were you yesterday then Normani, huh? When I was getting winded by my own skateboard?" I said angrily.

"I had to let you take your own path. All I can do is-"

"Save it. Just leave me alone okay? Don't come near me anymore or I'll call the cops." I said, wanting to cry. She still had that calm look on her face.

"I'll never really leave your side Lauren. I'm sorry about yesterday. Bad things happen, but something even better is coming your way. But you'll only sabotage your own happiness if you go through with your plan." She said, turning to walk away.

"Whatever! Just stay away from me!" I yelled to her. She turned back around and smiled.

"Don't sabotage your own happiness Lauren." She said, then turned back around. Hot tears ran down my face as I watched the angelic woman walk away. I felt like a piece of me was walking away with her. I don't know why or how but, the strange woman had a hold on me. A special affect on me that no one else had. I shook off my bad feeling and continued on to Lauren's house.

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I walked up to her house and rang the door bell. I heard feet coming toward the door and the door swung open. A tall, pale girl with long black hair and light green eyes was staring back at me. She was pretty as hell, but who is she?

"Hey. I'm Dani. What's up?" She asked me. She's the girl I was on the phone with. Lauren pushed Dani out of the door way.

"Keep your eyes in your head sis. She's mine." She said, grabbing my arm and making me come in the house.

"You're sisters?" I asked. Dani shook her head yes.

"I just moved here with them. I lived with my dad." She said. I shook my head okay and she smiled at me. I blushed as Lauren shot Dani a death glare and dragged me upstairs with her. We went to her bedroom and she let go of my hand. The walls were painted light blue and she had pictures of Lana Del Ray and Rihanna everywhere.

"Come sit Princess." She said, smiling. I nervously sat down on the bed next to her. She was wearing an oversize green hoodie and black joggers. Her hair was up in a messy bun and she was smiling at me, like she wanted nothing more than to kiss me, right then and there.

"I have to tell you about something." I said, turning my attention to her fuzzy black rug in front or her bed..

"Okay. What's up?" She said.

"I didn't want to do this over the phone. I like you. I do. But, Dinah-"

"Fuck Dinah." Lauren said.

"No just listen. Her and her friends... Beat me up yesterday after we left the park. She said if she couldn't have you then I can't either. I damn near blacked out from getting hit with my own skateboard, which they broke. I really like you but, nothing is worth my safety. She won't stop. So I have to. We can't be friends." I said. Lauren stopped smiling and I sensed rage in her stare.

"I can't... I can't believe she did that. Well I guess I can but... I don't want her to stop us from being... Close. She's just a hater, mad because I don't want her. It burns her that I want you."

"I'm not going to keep getting harassed by her over this."

"I'm sorry Princess. Look, I'll talk to her. And Tori and Demi. I'll make sure they leave you the fuck alone. I got friends too. Zendaya and Troye and I will-"

"I can't Lauren! My life is complicated enough as it is! I can't keep doing this. I have to stop it before I end up in the damn hospital." I said angrily.

"They bullied you before we spoke. What makes you think they're going to stop if we stop hanging out?" She snapped.

"I...I don't know. I just... I have to try something. I can't deal with this. Its too much." I said, standing up.

"I'm sorry Lo. I'm going to go. See you around." I said.

"Wait!" She said. I turned and looked at her to see her eyes glossing over.

"Can I put my number in your phone? Just in case you need someone to talk to?" She said, her voice shaking. I nodded yes and unlocked my phone, throwing it to her. She quickly put her number in and threw it back. I did a little wave and turned to leave.

"Bye Princess," I heard her say softly when I closed her door.

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