It's YOUR fault-(Cimorelli story)

Chapter 38- Flames.

Katherine's POV

It had been 3 days since Lauren had spoken up about what had happened to her. And I've hardly spoken to her, none of us have. Its been made quite clear that she's avoiding us. She's distracting herself from talking to us by going out with Kyle everyday and it seems to be working because she has been so much happier. I just can't believe I didn't notice she was this hurt until now, I mean I witnessed her panic attack that one night. I saw how bad her eye bags were getting from lack of sleep. Surely, she didn't have that panic attack just because she got mugged. I wished I would've looked into the situation further. My thoughts were cut off by the front door opening and Lauren's laugh rung out followed by Kyle's. I turned from the sofa in the living room to face them as they entered further into the house. I caught Lauren's eye and she quickly lowered her gaze to the floor, her smile slowly fading.

"Oh hey Katherine," Kyle called out, I pulled my gaze away from Lauren and smiled warmly at him returning his greeting. It was silent for a moment and my eyes were still fixed on Lauren who was refusing to look up from her feet. Kyle noticed the awkwardness in the room and rubbed the back of his neck.

"I think I'm gonna go," He said and I nodded at him gratefully, "Bye Kath, Bye Laur." He pecked Lauren's cheek and then left the house. The sound of the closing door echoing throughout the house. Lauren turned on her heels attempting to head up the stairs but I stopped her.

"Lauren," I said, she stopped, one hand on the railing but didn't turn around, "Come on Laur look at me," I said exasperated. She finally turned around and walked over to join me on the couch, I reached out and touched her hand.

"Why are you avoiding us?" I said softly, "Talk to me." Out of the corner of my eye I see Christina and Amy enter the room and stop at the doorway behind Lauren so I could see them but Lauren didn't know they were in the room yet. It was silent for what seemed like a long time but she finally spoke up.

"I'm sorry," her voice broke, "I couldn't muster the courage to speak to any of you guys once I'd told you, I thought you hated me."

"No, no Lauren we could never hate you," I reprimanded.
"Yeah Laur how could you think we could hate you?" Amy jumped in, slightly startling Lauren as her and Christina came to join us on the couch. She shrugged her shoulders.

"I mean I wouldn't blame you. I hate myself." she mumbled. We all gasped slightly at the comment and Amy instantly brought Lauren into a side hug. Lauren finally let go and began crying heavily. Amy rubbed her hand up and down Lauren's arms.

"He made me feel so d-disgusting, so ashamed." she stuttered out.

"I know honey, I know but you're going to be okay, all right?" I reassured her. We comfort Lauren some more and talk on a deeper level and the conversation eventually ends in smiles and laughs. The air had completely been cleared between all of us. But then Christina said something which made Lauren silent again.

"Lauren I really think you should go to the police about this," Christina spoke carefully, "I mean you can give a description of him and Dani, Lexie and Sofia knew him too so they could help catch him. Come on, don't you want him behind bars?" Lauren remained mute, staring at her lap.

"Chris is right," Amy agreed, "If you speak up, you'll give other girls the courage to speak up too. You can save others from that monster. God knows how many girls he's put through hell." Lauren nodded her head meekly.

"I-I'll think about it," she whispered. That was good enough for me and by the looks of it Amy and Christina were satisfied with her response too. Christina and Amy then got up to go shopping after saying goodbye to us.

"Ok, I'm going to go over to Max's," I said, "Will you be okay at home alone?" She nodded her head.

"Of course, I uh I have to head to therapy soon anyway," she said quietly.