it girl // milo manheim ✰

jitterbug.

lauren's pov

"Hey Lanie. I've been done with rehearsal and I know you're at the studio but I'm waiting in the lounge. Don't worry about me, I'll probably Uber home. Love you b, stay safe." I said into my phone sending the voicemail. I sat on the couch and went to the Uber app beginning to schedule a ride.
"Hey, rehearsals ended like 30 minutes ago. What are you still doing here?" I looked up to see Alan heading out. I locked my phone and sighed.
"Lanie was supposed to pick me up and give me a ride home but I think she's stuck at the studio finalizing details for her album release party. I would call my brother but he doesn't know I'm here." I said down.
"Come on, I can give you a ride home." He told me.
"No, it's okay. I don't want to be a burden." I explained refusing the offer.
"It's fine. Lauren, come on. You literally live across from me. It's not a big deal. And I'd rather you get a ride from someone you know. And plus you wouldn't have to waste your money on an Uber." He said making a good point.
"Fine." I smiled accepting defeat. I picked up my things and followed him out to his car. I put my bag in the back seat and climbed into the passenger's side. "So, tell me about yourself. I mean I don't know a lot about the other troupe members and I'd like some friends other than Lanie and Milo." I said curious about him.
"Well, I'm from Minnetonka, Minnesota. I've been dancing ever since I was young and I was on So You Think You Can Dance." He said giving me the oversight. "What about you? My stuff you can search about. I want to know about this girl right next to me!" He stated excitedly.
"Well, me and Lanie have been friends since she first came down to LA. I love to dance and it's honestly surreal that I'm even in LA to have a chance to pursue my dreams." I told him.
"What's your favorite style?" He asked me.
"Well, I like all of them equally. It's so hard to choose. I think the only thing that could break the tie between them has to be the partner." I said honestly.
"I'm assuming you know what happened to Lanie? With her ex?" He said switching the subject to a more serious tone.
"Uh, Yeah." I said looking down.
"What's wrong? She's doing okay now! She's getting better." He said comforting me.
"Yeah, I'm proud of her." I said bluntly.
"So what's wrong?" He pried.
"It's just. I was the one who introduced her to Derek. I feel like if I didn't push her to date him she wouldn't have even been in the position to go through that whole relationship." I confided in him.
"Hey, Hey, Hey. Don't beat yourself up for something you have no control over." He said comforting me. "Everything happens for a reason. Everyone has their trials and tribulations. Some are just more difficult than others." He told me making me feel better and less guilty.
"Thanks Alan. I'm glad I met you." I said looking at him and giving him a smile.
"Always." He said pulling up next to the house. "Here's my number. Text me when you're in the house and in your room. And let Lanie know I gave you a ride home so she doesn't worry." He said handing me an old receipt with his number scribbled across the back.
"I will, if I ever find out what these numbers are." I laughed.
"Well, Milo should already be inside unless he's at his house. You can always ask him for my number too." He said. I grabbed my dance bag from the back seat and before I left I turned around and said to him, "contemporary. that's my favorite."
"What made you change your mind?" He asked.
"Well, I met my new partner and he taught me a really good contemporary dance so I think that might be my current favorite." I said smiling at him.
"I guess my favorite is contemporary as well. Good night Lauren."
"Good night Alan." I said as he rolled up his window and turned the car to park in his garage. I unlocked the front door and went inside. I closed it and fell to the ground sitting against the door.
"Lanie?" I heard Milo say from the top of the staircase.
"Nope, just Lauren." I said to him.
"Oh hey. What's up? And uh why are you sitting against the door? There are perfectly good couches in the living room." He said with a smile.
"It's hard to move when people make you so happy." I said.
"Sounds like your first rehearsal went well?" He asked leading me to the living room as we sat on the couches.
"It did. I'm having the time of my life." I explained.
"So how's dancing with Alan?" He asked me.
"I know I just showed up after a long time but can I be honest with you?" I asked nervously.
"Of course. You're one of my best friends. Trust and commitment is a rule in this household." He said to me.
"I think I'm falling for Alan." I said as I let out a heavy sigh. "I just- I don't know. Dancing with him makes me feel a certain way but I don't want to rush things. I mean I just moved here and on the first day I'm already falling for someone?" I said confused.
"Hey, there's nothing wrong with that. I mean, that was me with Lanie. And look at where we are now!" He said trying to perk things up.
"I know, but like, you two met each other before she moved here. She wouldn't stop talking about you." I said remembering all the times she'd come back from her trips gushing about how she met Milo. "It's different and plus I'm pretty sure he has a thing for Alexis. I mean they fell for each other once. What if they fall for each other again?" I asked refusing to accept that I developed feelings that quickly.
"Don't push away your feelings. It'll only make it worse. Let them fly. Don't hold them back. You have them for a reason. And Alan's a good guy. He'll be open with you." Milo said as I got up getting ready to go upstairs. "Oh and Lauren?" He added as I turned around to look at him. "Alan and Alexis are just friends. They're really close now. Not really relationship material. Trust me." He said as a smile crept onto my face. I left Milo and went up to my room to shower and change. I dropped my dance bag by my bedroom door as I closed it. I pulled my phone out and texted Alan.

Hey Alan. Just got to my room. Sorry the text is a bit late, ran into Milo and chatted for a bit.

Hey Lauren, it's all good. Just glad you got home safe. I'll see you at rehearsals tomorrow?

Of course. See you tomorrow. Hope you get some rest! xx
delivered 10:41

lanie's pov

"Shit, shit, shit." I said to myself as I dialed Lauren's number. I was supposed to pick her up but my meeting ran late.
"Lauren?! Hi, I'm so sorry I didn't text you! Are you still at the studio?" I asked panicking.
"Lanie! Calm down, I'm okay." I said laughing.
"Did you end up taking an Uber home?" She asked.
"Actually... Alan gave me a ride home." I told her.
"ALAN GAVE YOU A RIDE HOME!!" She squealed.
"Lanie, it's just a ride. He didn't want me riding in a car with a complete stranger so he offered me a ride home and I accepted it. Plus we're neighbors so it's not like it was out of his way." She explained to me.
"Alright. I'll see you in like 20 minutes. Is Milo home?" I asked her.
"Yeah, I think he's eating your leftover pizza." She told me.
"He's going to go down. I told him not to eat my pizza." I said groaning. "Alright, I'll see you soon. Better warn Milo that I'm coming home and that I know he's eating my pizza."
"Will do. See you soon Lan." She said into the phone.
"Bye Laur." I said hanging up the phone. I drove through the LA traffic which was still pretty busy for almost 11 at night. I was ready for a hot shower and some food. I was absolutely starving. I pulled into the driveway and unlocked my front door immediately stepping in and looking for Milo.
"Milo!!" I yelled into the house.
"Bro you better run." I heard Lauren say. I walked into the kitchen and saw Milo throwing away the pizza box.
"Milo! Did you eat my pizza?" I asked.
"No-nope." He said lying through his teeth.
"Milo, that's a lie and you know it. You still have crumbs on your face and all over your shirt you slob." I said laughing at him as I wiped away the crumbs.
"Fine I might have had a slice or maybe three." He said.
"So you finished the box." I said bluntly.
"This is very entertaining to watch but I'm going to head to bed, I have a long ass day of rehearsals tomorrow." Lauren said as she yawned.
"Night jitterbug." I said giving her a hug. "I'm glad my best friend is finally living with me in LA" I said giving her a smile.
"Love you too Lan. Night Milo! You better get ready to sleep in the guest room!" She said running out of the kitchen and up to her bedroom.
"Milo, if you wanted some pizza, you should've just told me!" I said laughing at him.
"I know, but you weren't picking up your phone and I got really hungry." He said giving me a pouty face.
"It's okay I still love you. And you don't have to sleep in the guest room. I mean who would be my teddy bear!" I said joking around with him. "Alright. You mister, are going to stay in the guest room while I shower and get ready for bed. No peeking. I'm locking the bedroom door so you can't get in." I said ushering him into the bedroom followed by me running into my room. I locked the door and headed into the bathroom putting my phone in the dock. I shuffled my playlist and began to get in the shower. After I was all washed up, I blow dried my hair and changed into my pjs. I walked into the bedroom and my balcony door was open. I closed it and made sure it was locked. When I turned around, I saw a note on my desk.

hi lanie. Derek's in jail but I'm not. I'll see you soon babe. I love you! xxx, A.

"This can't be happening. Not again. I can't go through that again." I said to myself dropping the note. I shoved it quickly into one of the desk drawers and then regained my composure. "No Lanie. You've dealt with this long enough. Tomorrow, you go to the police. You are stronger than this. You can do it." I said giving myself a little pep talk before calling Milo to come into the bedroom.

A/N: things are getting a lil spicy!! also, I saw this piece of advice on Twitter the other day. I have struggled with anxiety and depression for a really long time and these past two years have been really stressful for me and it made me think about how grateful I am to have such good role models and people to look up to like my sister, my friends, Milo and Witney. But, the person said "you don't have to be strong. you just have to be stronger than you were yesterday." and honestly it hit home for me. it's okay to not be okay. my messages are always open for people if anyone wants to talk. and if you are reading this and haven't felt like yourself lately, it's okay. your spark will return sooner or later. for some it takes a minute, for some it takes years. but over time, you'll find someone or something that reignites the spark in you. my spark was milo manheim. and I am forever grateful. alright! love you all so much! xoxo, lanie❤️