By The Ocean;

Chapter 4

The sky was black tranquility married to a poetry of stars. It was the softness that called body and brain to rest and let the heart go to its steady rhythm. Night came as a reward of sorts, a restfulness above to calm the soul. As Normani stopped the car in front of Lauren's house, she looked into her dark eyes and she immediately looked back, probably knowing how Lauren's been feeling the whole day so she used her hand to pat on the seat next to her and smiled softly, which Lauren reciprocated and followed what she just told her to do.

"What's something you have been thinking on your mind lately?" Normani asked worriedly as she leaned back on the car seat.

"I don't know, I've been like this all the time right?" Lauren replied as she looked down while playing with her fingers anxiously.

"I know, but earlier was a little bit different from what I've always witnessed in you. It's like, you were nervous, stubborn, and happy at the same time. Tell me, what is it all about?" Normani held onto Lauren's shoulder as she looked up to stare at her and with tears in her eyes.

"I really don't know, Mani...I think I had mixed emotions today, also. Me and Camila had a get-to-know conversation earlier and I couldn't help but to remember all the traumatic memories that had happened in my life in the past and I never want to feel it again but it just kept on coming back, you know?" Lauren explained as she was tearing up so hard of how she was feeling at that moment.

"Here, come here. Let me hug you tight, Laur." Normani sweetly leaned in to hug her and Lauren shifted from her seat and let her body warm up with Normani's lovely embrace.

"I just don't know how to do this..." Lauren added amidst of tears.

"Shh, we'll figure it out Laur, okay? Why don't you rest for tonight and forget about everything and tomorrow, we'll have a morning talk at 'Mooncean Cafe' and we'll also pick up the information paper that we need for our school year things purposes, yeah?" Normani suggested as she fixed Lauren's hair as it got wet by her tears that was filling her clothes.

"Sure, I will. I guess I'll just have to go and not think about anything for tonight," Lauren replied as she got out of Normani's embrace.

"I'm just so tired..." Lauren added as she was staring ahead of the blank road in front of her and cried a river as she let out a large exhale, Normani looked down as she caressed Lauren's shoulder softly.

"I know, I know. Go get some rest now, okay? Give yourself a well-deserved rest for tonight, I love you, Laur. Please, sleep now. They might be looking for you too." Normani reassured.

"Okay, I will go now. Thank you so much for tonight and forever, Mani. I love you so much, you're the best. Be safe, okay? I love you," Lauren finished off as she leaned in to hug Normani and gave her a quick peck on her cheek and smiled sweetly as she opened the door and closed it when she got out, she blew Normani a kiss and Normani smiled widely and left. Lauren watched how the car go ahead and breathed out heavily as she wiped her tears and decided to go inside her home, as she walked quietly in front of the door, she was met with her father, Mike. Who was still awake and only stared at her, suspicious.

"Where have you been? And didn't you know it's past your curfew? How many times do I have to tell you to not stay out late! You never listen, Lauren Michelle!" Mike argued out and Lauren only stood there, furiously. She was already in a bad state and her father made it more worst, making herself mark on danger.

"I just went out with all of my friends, why is it such a big deal to you all the time?!" Lauren argued back as she crossed her arms together.

"You're always with your friends on your phone, and you still need to hangout with them personally? What kind of sense is that?" Mike replied sarcastically.