And Then, There Was Fire.

nine.

"Lauren?" April repeated the name to make sure she heard correctly. Lauren smiled shyly, her nerves causing so much anxiety seeing how his mom dropped a whole jar of flour on the floor at the sight of her.

"I'm sorry," April shook her head slightly as she tried to get herself together. "You two just scared me. I thought you were on call today, didn't think you'd be home." She lied, assuming Trey was at work when she knew it was his day off. She then took the broom from Trey after he quickly rushed across the kitchen to grab one for her. She swept the flour in a quick manner, patting her hands on her black slacks that she wore at work as she extended her hand out to Lauren once she got closer into the kitchen.

"Nice to meet you." Lauren smiled, placing her hand into hers.

"Likewise. April, is fine." She recommended. "Friend from school?" April forced an awkward smile and upbeat-tone in her voice, turning around as her back became stiff.

"Yeah." Trey slowly answered, unsure how to take his mom's odd reaction to Lauren; her tone, her body language, and most importantly, the fact that she was asking questions and not rushing her out of the house like she typically would with any other female. "We all hang out together, the guys and her roommates." He added, slowly walking back towards Lauren while his mother's back was turned to them. He flicked the back of his finger at Lauren's nose flirtatiously before his mom was to turn around.

"You're leaving already?" April quickly asked once she spun around. Trey turned to her with a raised eye brow out of suspicion, knowing his mother would rather not have women downstairs in her presence.

"Yeah, I was just showing her out." He answered in a questionable tone.

"Well, you guys hungry? I'm almost done." She asked, glancing from Lauren to Trey.

"Oh it's okay, we just ate earlier-" Lauren began excusing before Trey cut her off.

"Yeah we already ate." Trey finished sternly, staring directly at his mother due to her weird behavior.

"Oh, please. You young people have stomachs for days. Come on, wash your hands and sit at the table. You can always bring whatever's left back home with you," She quickly offered, turning to Lauren at the mention of leftovers. She looked down at the bowl of chicken that she just fried while quickly talking. "Like for your roommates, and stuff." Her words were becoming jumbled, trying to find any excuse to have her stay longer, and to figure out how she's here.

Trey was so taken back by her actions. Never did she offer Alexia to stay and eat, better yet, she would find her own excuses to give Trey to refrain from meeting any of his past girlfriends. She instead would rather hear about the girls from him and not even entertain them.

"Um," Lauren watched Trey for an answer, as it would be disrespectful to Trey to stay there for dinner if he wasn't comfortable with the idea yet. He shrugged at her, feeling bittersweet and unsure of how to take this. It could've been a good thing, that his mother wanted to learn more about her, genuinely, but her sudden change in interest of his female friends was what made him question it.

"I guess. Whatever master wants." He sighed sarcastically, scratching the back of his head. April forced a laugh at his response and hit his back with the kitchen towel that she swung at him.

"She's so nice!" Lauren whispered brightly to Trey once she followed him into the dining room, placing her tote down beside the chair that he pulled out for her.