Loving the Real E

Lauren POV (5.)

Today, watching my best friend having an anxiety attack, I felt so helpless. I wanted to have her back and not tell Erik what was going on but it was really killing me. If anything happened to Shon that I could have prevented, I would lose it. But also, as my best friend, and someone who never went against me, I kept my word and didn't plan on telling E anything. It didn't feel right though, like I knew something would go wrong.

I tried to ignore my gut instincts and went on throughout the day at the hospital. Around 12 pm Shon and I were both getting a quick bite together.

"How you feeling Princess?" I asked as we sat down at the table in the lunch room.

"Still gotta major headache but pushing through it...thanks sis" she replied playing with her food.

"I thought you were gonna go file the restraining order" I questioned.

She put her head in her hands and shook it lightly.

"I was..." she said. "But I got called in to assist Dr. Malcolm during her surgery. I literally have a minute to finish this, then I'll be in surgery until five...and you know what it'll be like after that."

"I don't like it Shon...something doesn't feel right about this." I said to her worryingly.

"I know Laur....I'm working on another option though." she said to me. Before she could even explain it, I cut her off.

"What other option is there Shon?!"

I couldn't fathom or understand what "other option" Shon was referring to. At the end of the day, she needed to tell Erik what the hell was going on. With all the shit the crew gets into on a regular basis, this was a matter that could be settled in less than a day. I know she's scared but shes better off telling E, then just waiting for that fool Shaun to pop up again and do much worse.

Plus, Nick told me they'd be going away for a little while and who knows what could happen with them gone.

"Look can we please just talk about something else right now....please?" she asked trying to change the subject.

"Fine" I said, defeated once again.

"Your birthday is in few weeks, what do you want to do?" I asked her inquisitively.

"Honestly, I have no clue what I want to do, I do want another Tattoo though so, we'll see" she said lightly. She already had a big ass lion going down her right thigh which was for the Leo in her, and we both had matching tattoos on the left side of our ribs that say "Through thick and thin, No matter what" in cursive writing with a heart at the end. We got those together when we were 16 without our parents knowing. Momma Laila and my Mother Charlene were FURIOUS, but they eventually forgave us and grew to love our tattoos that represented our sisterly bond.

"Ok well I'll figure something out for you as always, and I'll make sure to schedule your lap dance from "E-Nasty" later that night" I said to her jokingly hoping to get a smile out of her.

"I hate you so much!" She laughed lightly.

I mentally patted myself on the back.

"Listen, we goin make sure you get some Dick for your birthday Ok! " I said to her matter-of-factly. "You are 27 this year and haven't gotten any since you stopped giving E some for sleeping with Tiffany.....FOUR years ago!" I exclaimed.

Princess shook her head in disgust and gave me an evil look for even bringing up the girls name. The two had beef since we were in high school. Tiffany violated Shon by posting a naked pic of her from the locker room and sending it around school. At the time, her and her friends thought it was funny, but Ashante and the rest of us did not! She was so embarrassed but she beat that bitch's ass in the cafeteria that day. I remember E and I having to pull her off of the girl, and E literally carrying her out of the school. Then Momma Laila found out about it, and went to beat Tiffany's mom's ass too!The thought of the events from that day made me laugh a little bit to myself.

"He could sleep with anyone he wants, but he slept with that hoe...he's never getting this again as long as he still messing with her!" Ashante said, certain she was not sharing her cookie with the cookie monster himself.

I was not so certain. The many nights we've talked on the phone about how much she still loved him, and how she wanted him back but was waiting for him to come to his senses, bla bla bla....that girl would take his dick any time he offered it. According to her though, he hasn't offered it.

"I really think the two of you need to just talk to each other. Its obvious you both still want each other and you're letting every other circumstance hold you back" I said, hoping her stubborn ass was listening to me.

I laughed at my sis as she threw her head onto the table, after receiving a page from Dr. Malcolm.

"Time to go?" I asked. She nodded while beginning to stuff her face with her salad. "Just make sure you're careful with your sleeves" I said while fixing her up. Neither one of us wanted anyone at the job asking why Princess had hand marks and bruises on her wrist.

"I'll see you after" she said as she rushed away with her mouth full, wrapping her hair into a ponytail. I was free for another half an hour so I texted Steelo.

"Lauren:

Just thinking about you, hope your day is going better than mine ❤

Steelo:

I miss you too babe, When I see you tonight I'll make it all better 😉😘"

He made me blush and he wasn't even around. I cant believe Nick and I have actually been secretly dating for the past 3 months. We've crushed on and flirted with each other for years but I always thought he just looked at me like the homie. I'm not quite sure why we haven't told Princess and E yet, but I was enjoying our little bubble that we were in.

I continued to eat and enjoyed my break until they needed a group of us on the ER floor. Remaining there for the rest of the day, Shon and I reunited with each other around 9:45 pm and she helped me with my last two intakes that came in before we walked out of the hospital together.

"Do you need me to bring you home?"

"Nope" she said calmly, as she nodded over to the street where Erik had been waiting.

"Well look at that!, Your man came and picked you up today?" I said to her sarcastically.

"Mmmhm, he probably just left your man" she mocked back.

"I dont know whatchu talkin bout"

We laughed at each other and then I hugged her. "Just think about what I said ok?" I whispered in her ear. She nodded and we began to go our separate ways. Before leaving, I waved to E and he honked back at me, while watching me pull out of the hospital. I quickly sped off and headed home to go meet "my man" as Princess put it.

There I go blushing again.