Cake?
Chapter 37
Morning came early after Lauren fell asleep. Her plan to get to the bottom of things started once she got to school. Since she had to meet with her secret inquirer in fifteen minutes, She quickly got dressed, careful not to wake Amy, and made her way to school earlier than usual, in order to meet her helper.
"So, are you gonna tell me why the devil herself texted me at midnight last night?" Shane asked. Although the pair didn't get along, Lauren needed someone's help, and he's the only person that knows of Lauren and Amy.
"Shane, I've had a hard night." She sighed. "Please don't act like an asshole yet."
"This is important to you, isn't it?" Shane asked, intrigued.
"It's about Amy. Of course it's important."
"Okay, what is it?"
"Amy snuck off last night. She said she was at the library doing research for a project." Lauren explained. Shane couldn't help but feel a small bit confused.
"If she told you where she was and what she was doing, doesn't that mean she wasn't sneaking?"
"She lied about it." Lauren pointed out. "That new girl, Autumn, texted her last night, and said she did great last night. That she did well enough for someone who doesn't get physical much." Lauren sniffed, trying hard to hold back her tears. She didn't want to cry in front of Shane, she had a reputation to uphold.
"So, you think Amy's cheating on you with Autumn?" Lauren nodded. "That brunette with the pretty eyes, the one that's related to Angela?" Lauren nodded again. "Why would she do that?" Shane asked. Although all signs pointed to Amy cheating, Shane couldn't wrap his head around as to why Amy would cheat.
"Cause I'm her fucking step sister, Shane." Lauren exploded. She was tired of being so insecure. She had no choice but show that part of her to Shane. The only other person who got through was Amy. What was happening to Lauren?
"I know, but it's Amy. She wouldn't do that to you." Shane advised. He knew deep down it was true.
"Why not? We can't do anything in public, and when our parents are home we have to be really quiet." She explained. "We have to keep quiet. We have to keep everything quiet."
"What are you trying to get at?" Shane asked, starting to understand Lauren's frustration.
"She has so many more options, and so much love to give." She shook her head. "But she chose me, and I know how hard it is to love but not be able to express it."
"I get it." Shane said. "That's why I don't date closet cases." Shane weakly smiled.
"I understand the struggle now."
"I know it might be hard, and it might hurt a little, but that just proves that it's worth it." Shane rubbed Lauren's back. "Amy wouldn't cheat on you, and you wouldn't do that to Amy. That's what makes you guys such a great couple. You're loyal to each other. You love each other. Personally I don't see why Amy chose you, but she did." Shane smiled, trying to lighten the conversation.
"I don't know why she stuck with you." Lauren smiled back. She'd never admit, but she took a liking to Shane. She admired his positive attitude, his drive for success, and his kind heart. She could never thank Amy enough that she stuck the two together.
"Thanks, Shane." She wiped her eyes. "But tell anyone about this and I will kill you."
"Are you ashamed of me, Ms. Lauren?" He teased.
"Yes." She got up to get her belongings, she didn't want to be late for homeroom. "And by the way, it's Cooper. Lauren Cooper." She finished and walked off towards her class, leaving Shane to admire the blonde.
Amy felt her phone vibrate against her skin, and groaned when didn't feel the tiny blonde beside her. She looked at the time, and quickly got ready. She made her way downstairs, and realized she was home alone. Her mom had an early shift at the station, and Bruce took her to work. She wondered why Lauren left so early as she slowly walked to the bus stop. She decided to text her girlfriend to make sure she was okay. She quickly typed away, but her body collided with another.
"Why does this always happen." Amy heard the familiar voice.
"Maybe cause you're the one that always causes it." Amy teased, and helped Autumn up.
"What were you in such a hurry for?" Amy asked.
"The bus, Amy." Autumn pointed to their bus stop.
"Oh yeah, I forgot you take the bus."
"You forgot, but I didn't forget you ignoring me for the past few weeks." Autumn nudged Amy.
"I'm sorry." Amy apologized. "I wasn't really myself and-"
"It's alright, Amy. Just don't do it again." She warned. "You had me and your girlfriend worried."
"Did she talk to you?" Amy asked, taken back.
"Yeah." Autumn shrugged. "She wanted to know if I had talked to you..." Her voice trailed. "Sh-she told me, Amy."
"About Karma?" Amy put her head in her hands.
"Yeah. If she hadn't told me I would've found out at school. It's fine." She got Amy's hand and squeezed it.
A comfortable silence fell over the two until the bus pulled up, and briefly stopped in front of them.
"Promise to sit by me?" Autumn chanced. She knew everything about Amy from the faking it, to where her and Lauren stood. Lauren didn't have to go into detail about them, but Autumn knew. She could see it in her eyes. She only hoped that wouldn't change things for the two.
"Sure. As long as I get the outside seat." Amy gave her an ultimatum, but Autumn nodded her head.
"I personally like the window seat better." Amy shrugged. The pair made small conversation, and got to know each other a little better. They parted ways, and made their way to homeroom before the bell.
The first half of the day went by dreadfully slow, Amy watched the clock and waited til' lunch time.
Amy tapped her pencil on her desk, and waited for the lunch time bell to ring. Ms. Jones, her English teacher, dismissed them early to ease Amy's nerve. She was Amy's favorite teacher, and took a liking to Amy. She was happy to see Amy finally get back into the groove of things. Luckily, Autumn was in the same class as her, and she had been keeping Amy company; something Ms. Jones was ecstatic about.
The two girls got their food, and sat at the table Amy usually sat at with Shane. The boy wasn't there yet, but Amy was happy to spend time with Autumn before Shane interrupted with his sarcastic attitude Amy admired.
"Hello there." Shane sat, and was followed by Lauren. "How's my favorite lesbian?". He asked Amy. "And this must be Autumn." He held his hand out for the brunette to shake, earning an eye roll from Lauren. The two girls forgot about the other two, and got lost in each other's eyes.
"Hey." Amy whispered.
"Hey." Lauren whispered back. They wanted to quickly peck their lips, but couldn't. They were step sisters at this school, and nothing else. They had to keep making it seem that way. So, they held it down, and decided to make conversation.
"Where did you run off to this morning?" Amy asked. She had been waiting for the answer all day.
"I had some research I had to do." Lauren gave a tight lipped smile, knowing Amy would pick up on the lie.
"Okay." Amy's eyes bored into Lauren's, and searched. She knew she was lying. She directed her words somewhere else.
"So, Bruce and my mom have to work late tonight.." Amy trailed.
"And your point is..." Lauren tried to hurry the conversation, lunch was almost over. She cursed waiting for Shane, he took forever in the bathroom.
"We have the house to ourselves." Amy waited for Lauren's response. Lauren glanced at Autumn and nodded. She wanted to know what the brunette was up to, but for the sake of trusting Amy she decided to give the brunette a small chance.
"That's cool." Lauren shrugged.
"Lauren, is it?" Autumn decided to clear up the tension. "I know about you and Amy, you don't have to worry. You can freak out if you want."
She stole a glance between the other three. "Oh, thank god." She smiled. "I can't wait." She said before sipping her water.
"Neither can I. Do you have plans tomorrow? I want to do something." Amy gave Autumn a knowing smile.
"Hmm..." Lauren thought. "No, I'm all yours." She smiled.
"That's the way I like it. I can't wait." Amy rubbed Lauren's leg under the table.
"Neither can I." Lauren smiled.
Author's Note: You can guess what's to come ;)