“Of course not,” Lauren replied.
“I didn’t think you would, so I packed your things,” Diane said simply. “You’re leaving.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I told you that if you aren’t going to listen to me, you’re not living in my house. You’ll have to find somewhere else. You’ll have no contact with me or your sister,” Diane stated emotionlessly.
“No Jessica?”
“No Jessica,” Diane answered. “Or you can break up with the pop star. Take your pick.”
“I’ll move out,” she replied strongly, determined not to cry. She marched up the stairs to her room to find Jessica bawling on her bed.
“Lauren, I’m sorry. I tried to talk her out of it, but she wouldn’t listen!” Jessica cried.
Lauren pulled the younger girl into a hug and patted her back. “How could I ever leave you, Jess?”
“You have to,” Jessica replied.
“I have to choose between my best friend and my boyfriend-”
Jessica interrupted. “And you’re choosing your boyfriend.”
A few moments passed, and Lauren made a firm decision. “I’m choosing my best friend.”
Pulling away, Jessica made eye contact with her sister. “I have never seen you as happy as I’ve seen you with Nick. You’re choosing him. You two are a match made in heaven, Lauren.”
“I’ll never get to see you, though!”
“Lauren, you have found the man of your dreams. Mom can’t make you give that up.”
Sighing, Lauren gave in. “All right.” She paused briefly to gather her thoughts. “In case we don’t see each other again, Jess, remember that you’ll always be my best friend. I love you lots, sis. Keep your head up and never let them see you sweat.”
“Goodbye,” Jessica whimpered as Lauren grabbed her suitcases and walked out the door, remaining true to her promise not to cry.
As soon as she got out of the house, Lauren stopped. What was she doing? She had known Nick for all of a month and she was giving up her family for him? Why? A voice in her mind answered the question. “You aren’t going to let her control your life.”
She tapped lightly on Nick’s door, just enough so he could hear her. When he saw the suitcases, he became confused. “I thought you said this would only last a few days.”
Lauren bit her lip as the tears finally began to fall. “She…uh…kicked me out. I hate to ask this, but I need a place to stay.”
“Of course, babe, but tell me exactly what happened,” Nick said, grabbing her things and taking her in his arms.
“She told me that if I wanted to stay with you, I wouldn’t be living with her, and I’d be giving up contact with her and Jess. I chose you, simple as that,” Lauren explained, shaking.
“You’re giving up contact with Jess?” Nick exclaimed. “Go back home, Lauren. I’m not going to do this to you. I can’t.”
“Jessica convinced me to move out. She isn’t going to let me stay,” Lauren replied.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Nick whispered.
“No offense, but it’s not just you. It’s the principle. She can’t do this to me, and I’m not going to let her.”
“Okay, baby. Let’s bring your stuff upstairs. The guest bedroom can be yours,” Nick offered. “Unless you want to stay in my room.”
“I would rather do that,” Lauren said. “I don’t like twin beds.” She had always slept in queen beds. Even when she was little, she had shared one with Jessica, and she didn’t mind sharing now.
Nick’s eyes lit up. “I can sing you to sleep every night, then,” he said softly.
Lauren smiled weakly. “I wouldn’t mind that, Nicky.”
He picked up her suitcases and brought them up to his room. “You can have some closet and dresser space.”
“Thanks, Nick, but I don’t want to get too settled. I’m going to have to find my own place soon.”
“You know, you can just stay here with me. I wouldn’t mind at all.”
“No, I don’t want to impose on you. I’ll find an apartment nearby.”
“You wouldn’t be imposing on me. You have to stay here until I leave to go on tour,” Nick insisted. “Unless you’re uncomfortable with it,” he added quickly. “Not that I would ever try anything unless you were ready, but I can see-”
“No, I’m not uncomfortable with it. I’ll stay if you’re sure it won’t be a problem,” Lauren said.
“When I leave on tour, you can get an apartment in Tampa.”
“I’m going to miss you, baby.”
“I’ll miss you, too.” Suddenly, an idea came to Nick’s mind. “Come with me. You can make up school. I’ll pay for it.”
“I can’t, Nick. I want to finish school as soon as possible. You can come visit me and when you come to Tampa, send me tickets.”
“Are you sure?” Nick pouted.
“Yes, I’m sure. Think, the sooner I’m out of school, the more time I’ll be able to spend with you after that,” Lauren reminded him.
“Okay, then I suppose I can live without you for a few months.”
That night, when Lauren pressed her body to Nick’s, she felt as though everything was perfect, despite her terrible evening. “I promise you, from the bottom of my heart, I will love you ‘til death do us part. I promise you, as a lover and a friend, I will love you like I’ll never love again, with everything I am,” Nick sang into her ear.
“Mmm, I love when you sing to me,” Lauren mumbled as she drifted off to sleep.