Something's Gotta Give

CHAPTER EIGHT - BELLA

𝐵𝑒𝓁𝓁𝒶

I, along with everyone else on the tour -well in the world really- was counting down the days until Christmas.

Currently, I was laying on the floor of the tour bus, on my stomach, my phone propped up across from me. Camila was laying right next to me, one of her arms draped around my shoulders, Dinah was beside her, her head resting in the middle of Camila's back and Normani beside her, typing something out on her phone. Ally and Demi had both retired to their bunks, Demi on the phone with her older sister while Ally was simply tired from performing.

"What are we watching again?" Normani asked me, turning her phone off and setting it down.

"A Nanny for Christmas," I responded, glancing between the musician and my phone, not that I needed to see the screen to know what was going on. I had seen the movie at least a dozen, half of those times being with my mom. "It's got little Jared S. Gilmore in it from Once Upon a Time."

Normani nodded, focusing on the movie as I rolled over to see my best friend walking over, her hair braided courtesy of the one and only Lauren Jauregui.

"Adelaidelaide!" I screamed, jumping up and into her arms, almost knocking the girl over in the process. "I missed youuuuuuu!"

"I was literally on the other side of the room you idiot," Addie chuckled, wrapping her arms tighter around me so that neither of us fell.

"But I missed youuuuuu!"

"I missed you too," Addie rolled her eyes at me with a small smile. "But what exactly did you call me?"

"Adelaidelaide!" I giggled, my head resting on her shoulder as I finally untangled my arms from around the brunette.

"You are actually insane."

"I know."

"Hey guys," Lauren cut off whatever Adelaide was gonna say next. "Who's up for some last-minute midnight Christmas shopping?"

♡♡♡♡

As we trekked the thirty-minute walk to the nearest mall, Addie and I held hands and walked on the furthest end of the street, joking with the rest of the group while simultaneously whispering about the most random things. Like Tako. And the tour. And Christmas. Lots about Christmas.

Arriving at the mall in what felt like almost no time at all, it was almost empty. . . although that's not too surprising for almost 4 AM.

"Bells, I gotta go shop for you and I don't want you to know what I got you. So I'm gonna go get your presents first and then I'll message you to find out where you are." I looked up from my phone at Addie's announcement, give the brunette girl a small smile before noticing just how stressed out my best friend looked.

"Don't stress Addie," I stated softly, running my hand along the sleeve of her coat. "Go do what you gotta do."

"I just don't wanna go and shop alone, that's all. It might get really busy and loud and -"

"There you are," Lauren came over behind Addie, interrupting whatever she had been about to say.

"Hey Lauren, can you go shopping with Addie for me?" I questioned, feeling like a genius as I suddenly got an idea to put Addie's fears to rest.

"You don't have to. I just -" Addie began to protest before immediately being cut off my Lauren who waved her hands nonchalantly before I got a chance to interrupt my best friend.

"Of course I'll go with you, babe."

"Look after her. Please," I told Lauren with a tone of finality, the protective side that I had (very very hidden under lots of goofiness) showing through.