catching feelings..

five.

Mackenzie just spent what felt like 2 hours talking to Johnny. Her name came up at some point, she got a little nervous but she liked what he said.

Her phone rang, it read "Dyl 🥰"

"Hey Dylan, what's up" she said picking up the phone.
"We've been at Nicks waiting for you for LITERALLY YEARS NOW." Dylan said slightly yelling into the phone towards the end.
"Oh shit, I forgot" she paused, while Dylan face palmed her face in frustration. "Don't worry, Ill be there in 10 to 15 minutes." Mackenzie said hanging up the phone and hurrying out the door.

"Hey, how was your job interview?" Hayden asked as Mackenzie sat down next to him in the booth.
"Job interview?" Mackenzie stupidly asked.
"Yea.. with Krispy Kreme?" Devenity asked suspiciously from across the booth.
"Oh yea! Sorry there's a lot on my mind, but it went okay i guess." Mackenzie said remembering the lie she told earlier.

"So how's things with Johnny?" Landon asked genuinely curious as to how Mackenzie's 'random hookup' went.
"C'mon Landon. You know it was a one night thing." Mackenzie said nervously laughing and calling for a waiter after.

"What would you like, Kenzie?" The waiter asked walking over.
"Hey Lauren, a cesar salad is good"
"K, anyone else want something?" Lauren said faking enthusiasm.
"What's the matter?" Mackenzie asked genuinely concerned since Lauren Orlando was the most enthusiastic person she had ever met.
"I got that part that I wanted on Broadway.." Lauren said as she sat down in the booth next to Mackenzie.

The group was now paying attention.
"So why do you sound like that." Hayden blurted out.
"Because I still have to work here." she said sounding dissatisfied adding, "No offense Kenz."
"None taken!" Mackenzie said putting up her hands in a 'it's alright' way.
"But why?" Dylan asked still confused.
"Why what?" Lauren asked snapping out of her daydream.
"Why do you still have to work here duh" Landon added, and in return being hit in the arm by Devenity.
"Ouch" Landon let out almost silently holding his arm.
"Oh, because they don't pay until after the first show and that's like weeks from now."
"So." Hayden said which led him to also be slapped by Devenity.
"What?" Hayden almost yelled, "She should be happy, hundreds of people tried out and you got it. You should be proud. If you think about it, it'll be worth it in the end."

Everyone looked at Hayden in shock. Lauren finally spoke, "Wow, Hayden. That was actually the smartest thing I've ever heard you say."
Hayden prided himself in that statement.
"Well I'm gonna put your orders in." Lauren said walking away, still a little bummed out.

Mackenzie had been thinking about Lauren's situation to herself. What felt like the greatest idea she thought of in a long time popped in her head..

"Hey Lauren!" Mackenzie began to call out.

Lauren turned around and started walking back towards the booth the group had been sitting at.

"Yea?" Lauren asked twiddling the notepad in her hands.
"Why don't you stay with me?" Mackenzie offered, "I have no roommates and it'll be fun. Plus it'll save you money, My parents pay the rent because they feel bad that I payed for college on my own." she added to convince Lauren further.
"Really?" Lauren asked in disbelief.
"Of course! You're practically my cousin." Mackenzie said reassuringly.

Lauren gave Mackenzie a huge hug saying 'thank you' repeatedly with an added 'ugh i love you so much' every few seconds.

Basically, Lauren was in foster care for most of her life. When she was 15, she ran away from what was her last foster home. Nick found her in the streets and took her in. He let her come and go as she pleased as long as she promised to stay in school. Mackenzie and Lauren were introduced to each other in hopes that Mackenzie would be a good influence on her. They hit it off well and saw each other at family functions like twice a year. They had each other's numbers but didn't see each other often due to Mackenzie living in Pittsburgh. That was until Mackenzie finished college and her grandmother passed away and left her the apartment she had in New York, causing them to be closer. Lauren had been trying to be an actress since she was 18 and still doesn't know what happened to her parents all she knows is their last name due to it being hers too.

(a.n. if you didn't know by now Mackenzies uncle is Nick.)

"Well I'm gonna actually put in your orders this time." Lauren said finally letting go of Mackenzie.

_____

(a.n. i actually kinda like how this is going 😐)