Always and Forever (Lauren/You)

Chapter 1

Friday 17th January (5 months later):

It was midday and you were currently in your bedroom, lying on your stomach, body propped up by your elbows as you looked at your best friend, Natalia, who was standing in front of your mirror, half-naked.

"Tala. Stop. You looked fine in what you were first wearing, didn't she, Coco?" You said, stroking your dog's head. She barked in agreement. "See?"

"Fine? Fine isn't good enough. Not when we're meeting Fifth Harmony. I need to look stunning." She said exasperated, grabbing another shirt from your closet.

"Why? You planning to get with one of them?" You teased.

"Hey, you never know." She responded, pulling a khaki coloured crop top over her head.

"Oh, really? And what would your boyfriend have to say about that?" You laughed.

"Oh, please, Elijah wouldn't mind. He loves me. Besides," she turned around to face you, now fully dressed, "weren't you the one who practically fell head over heels for the Lauren Jauregui?"

You sat up, "Um, excuse you. I fell on her, not for her. And I had no idea who she was at the time, you know that." You said, defending yourself.

"Yeah, yeah. I've heard this story 10 times already. You're just slow as shit."

She rebutted making you laugh to yourself as you remembered when you lay in bed that night five months ago. You had dreamt about that green-eyed beauty then woke up in the middle of the night, having realised that she was Lauren Jauregui and that you had met the Fifth Harmony.

"Hey," You started, then shrugged, "That's fair."

"Doofus, help me. Does this look okay?"

Tala lifted her arms to show you her outfit. She was wearing a cuffed pair of black trousers with your army style crop top, her hair was up in a ponytail.

"Oh, so 'okay' is acceptable, but 'fine' isn't?"

She narrowed her eyes in playful anger.

"You look great, Tala. But if you change your, no, my clothes again, I'm going to make you go in your apron." You warned.

Both you and Natalia worked in a cosy little café called "Mocha Aroma". Imagine "Karen's Café" from One Tree Hill, it was definitely like that.
The café was where you first met actually.

You both began working there to earn some extra spending money because you both had already got into University on scholarships. You were pre-law, wanting to be just like your Mum, and Natalia was training to be a Vet.
You hadn't known Natalia for long, but she needed a friend, as did you. And now, she was your best friend, whom you told almost everything to.

Hell, she even knew about your family.
And Jake.

You shook your head. No, you wouldn't think of that dickhead. Not today or any other day. The day you decided to move back home to Miami from California was the day you said good riddance to him.

"One of us has to wear your clothes. You're not even dressed yet. You can't go looking like that!" Tala brought you back to reality and you looked down at your oversized GoT shirt.

"You leave the Mother of Dragons out of this"

"Yeah, yeah. Just get changed."

You hopped off the bed, careful not to move Coco, and grabbed a hanger from your closet which held the outfit you planned to wear later today.

When you changed, you looked in the mirror at your outfit. You were wearing a plain black bra that was covered by a sheer, opaque black top that had a few red roses stitched on it, ripped blue shorts and long black boots that came up to your knees. You pulled your hair out of the bun you had put it in after your shower this morning, and let it flow down to your shoulders, still slightly damp, but very wavy.

You put your generic black choker on around your neck, then your black, agate beaded bracelet and finally, your usual 2 rings, one with a peace symbol and one with your Mother's birthstone, a blue topaz, traditionally a symbol of good fortune and success, you wore it because it's thought to protect its wearer from harm.
But also to feel close to your mother.

"There, all done." You said to your best friend.

"Make up." She stated, matter-of-factly.

"Ugh." You didn't mind wearing makeup, but you preferred not to wear any, it felt more natural. Some people wear shit loads because it makes them comfortable, a.k.a Tala, but some, like you, preferred minimal makeup.
But, hey, to each their own.

You sat on the floor in front of your mirror and put a light layer of mascara on, some highlight and deep red lipstick that complemented your skin tone.
Thanks Mama.
You blinked, the sudden rush of tears unexpectedly filling your eyes.

"A, you okay?" Tala asked worryingly, having noticed one of the tears which spilled down your cheek.

You held up the lipstick in response.

"Oh." She instantly recognised it as your mother's. You felt her hand on your shoulder. "She loves you, Alyssa. With all her heart."

You met Tala's eyes, which had also filled with tears, through the mirror and smiled sadly. "Thanks."

You cleared your throat, stood up and grabbed your bag and leather jacket which hung over your desk chair.

"No more tears. The next time we cry is when we see Fifth Harmony." You joked.

"Yeah, tears of joy!" Tala exclaimed, making you smile. You brought her in for a quick but meaningful hug.

"Thanks, Tala. We better go if we wanna get there before everyone else."