When they finally arrived at the Restaurant,they were seated as soon as they got there. The waiter took down their preferred drinks and walked off. They silently took in the life around them. Live piano music was playing, sweeping drapes hung about the windows,and Chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, "Such a beautiful place," Mrs. Knight said as she took a seat by her son at the round table.
Kendall looked at Lauren from across the table."Well, I know how much Lauren loves the opera and this was the one place I could find that resembled one," Kendall revealed. Lauren smiled at him softly, and thanked him. "Just wanted to make your 17 B-day one to remember." he smiled back.
"The Chandeliers are truly something to admire," Mrs. Knight said as she craned her neck up to look at them. They all took to their menu's and it wasn't long after that when the the waiter returned with their drinks.
"Are we all set to order?" he asked politely.
"Birthday girl first!" Carlos said. Lauren chuckled. She looked up at the waiter and asked for Caesar salad. James was next and he ordered Beef Carpaccio. Carlos got the Mozzarella Caprese, Mrs. Knight got the Soup & Salad Combo. Kendall was next and got the same as James. Logan ended up getting the Caesar Salad as well.
There was only one small interruption when 3 girls approached the table with camera's. They wanted their pictures with Carlos, Kendall, and James. Logan sat their feeling a little stupid and slightly offended when he wasn't asked to join. Other than that,t he celebrating was going great. After the Entree, Kendall pulled out something small and box shaped from his coat pocket. "So since I put this amazing b-day together, I think it's only fair that I am the first to give you your gift," He said holding it out before her. Lauren knew very week it was jewelery. Possibly a ring. Her eyes had weld up a bit. As she reached for it her elbow ended up hitting her glass cup. Which spilled all over her. She dropped the gift in reaction and pulled back out the sit.
"Dammnit!" she said getting to her feet. The others did as well. Kendall was trying to pick up the glass. They were in as much shock her as her. Naturally, there were onlookers. Lauren looked upset and spoke. "Ill be right back," She said and walked away. The waiter came rushing over.
"Is everyone okay?" He asked.
"James go check on her," Mrs. Knight said. James didn't hesitate to run after a distraught Lauren.
"We're just going to get the check," Kendall said.
When James found the ladies bathroom he slowly walked in. Before her could call for Lauren he heard a harsh coughing which sounded a bit like someone was choking. "Lauren?" he asked. James saw the heels from the first stall. He knew it was Lauren. He walked over and tapped on it. "Lauren are you okay?"
"I'm fine!" She snapped then cleared her throat.
"Are you throwing up?" James asked. Suddenly the door swung open banging against the side. Lauren pushed past him but ended up stumbling. James was quick to catch her before she could fall.
"Let me go," Lauren said trying to regain her balance. James helped her over tot he sinks. James was in speechless. He didn't know what was going on.
"Must be my nerves," she laughed uncomfortably. She turned the sink on and dispense soap into her hand. James slowly walked over to her. "I'm fine, just a little embarrassed is all," She said in what sounded like a convincing tone. James saw a few stray strands of hair that had had gotten loose from the hairsprays hold. He gently pushed it back but it was ineffective. Lauren stood up straight, turning off the faucet.
"It's okay, we can pick up some extra food so you don't have to go all day without eating," James said. Lauren turned away and grabbed a paper towel for the weird looking contraption that held them.
"That won't be necessary. Besides, Kendall has spent enough money on me today,"
"I'm sure he won't mind," James said.
"God. Can you just let it go?" Lauren asked rudely.
"What is your problem lately?" James bit back. "All I am is nice to you and you're always biting my head off," James said.
"Maybe if you weren't so damn annoying-" she stopped mid-sentence to see that she had hurt him.
"Or maybe if I was tall and blond and my name was Kendall maybe you wouldn't be so apt to bite my head off," He began to walk away but stopped at her side. "News flash: He has a girlfriend," James said and stormed out. Lauren closed her eyes and turned back to the sink.
When James got back to the table a tall dark man wearing shades, and was dressed up was their. He spotted James and opened his arms. "Speak of the talented handsome devil!" he said.
Normally, James would have lit up like a Christmas tree at a high compliment like this but he remained grim.
"Why so serious?" He laughed. James looked at Kendall.
"Can we leave?" he asked solemnly.
"Where's Lauren?" Kendall asked.
"Oh, you mean your girlfriend?" James asked.
"Girlfriend?" Logan and Carlos repeated simultaneously.
Kendall furrowed his eyebrows. "Girl-" but stopped short when Lauren was making her way back over to the table. Lauren stopped in her tracks staring at Hawk. Her mouth had dropped. A satisfied smile curved James lips.
Lauren looked at the others who were staring back at her. "Hey, Lauren. Yeah, guess what? We know who you are," James said making a big joke out of this.
"I can explain," Lauren urged. Lauren looked at Kendall frightened.
Hawk looked at James. "Of course you know who she is. She-"
"Writes for "The Choir Infantry," James said wanting to be the one to out her. "We read your notebook. Betrayal must come so easily too you," James said nastily.
"Wr-" Hawk began slightly confused but Lauren stepped in front of him cutting him off.
"That's right," Lauren said. "I write for "The Choir Infantry"" she said her voice cracking, on the verge of tears.
"James..."Kendall put a hand to his forehead.
"Don't defend her. But why wouldn't you? I mean, you obviously love her... More than Jo from what I can see," They all looked at Kendall. Kendall's cheeks flushed red. He looked so uncomfortable and fled under pressure.
Mrs. Knight soon followed after her hurt son. Logan and Carlos felt bad for their friend and ended up running after him as well.
Hawk picked up a danish from a deserted plate. He took a bite of it and looked at Lauren . "You better not have eaten any of this. Last thing I need is you to become a fat cow," he said rudely and walked away. Lauren's right eye twitched. She looked so hurt as she stood there tears falling from her eyes, her fist clenched, and her eyes looking straight ahead but not seeming to looking at anything. She looked lost in thought. James expression turn suspicious then his eye brows lifted as if he had figured something out.
James got up from his seat. He wanted to say something to her but she brought her eyes to his and he swallowed hard. "You're going to pay for how you've hurt me today," she threatened.
James didn't say anything and walked away.
That evening, around 7:45p, Lauren found herself at the boys apartment. Again she was worry stricken. This time about Kendall and not some measly notebook that could have very well destroyed her relationship with him. Though, really it was her irresponsibility that landed her in this situation. She wished to hell she could blame James but she knew it wasn't not his fault.
She knocked but no one answered. She got restless and touched the doorknob. She hesitated for a moment trying to prepare herself for the bomb that could go off again. She took in a deep breath and turned the knob. The door opened to reveal a quiet , seemingly empty apartment. She cautiously walked in, not hearing the slightest noise of life in the house. But a light from the bathroom was on and she tip toed over to it.
Light emitted from the partially cracked door. "Gah!" a familiar voice came from inside. Lauren knew which boy it was. Logan. He sounded like he was in pain. Lauren slightly pushed the door in and sure enough, Logan stood there. His hands gripping the sink. She took a couple of steps in to get a better look at him. His face turned white when he saw her.
Lo..." her eyes had fallen on his hands that were dripping red. Her mouth had dropped and fear and shock took over her body. Logan ran at her, grabbing her violently into the bath room, slamming the door shut and throwing her against the bathroom door. His hands were tight around her small arms, holding her against the door. Lauren had turned her head and closed her eyes tightly. Logan could feel her shaking under his hands. She was shaking so bad that he could even see her tremor. And then it hit him. Her father. Logan let go, ashamed. He laced his fingers together, pressing his clasped hands to his forehead. stepping back. Lauren fell to her knees, continuing to shake.
"Lauren. Lauren. Lauren. Lauren. Lauren," Logan repeated quickly squeezing his eyes tight. He could feel a migraine coming on. "Are you out of your mind!" he asked.
Lauren was breathing heavily and fast."What...are...you doing!" her voice trembled.
Logan opened his eyes to see Lauren curled up in the feedle position. Logan cautiously walked over to her and knelt beside her. He tried his best to not make her jump but when he placed a hand on her knee she jumped. "it's okay. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm sorry. I panicked." Logan explained. "I should have never touched you like that," he said sympathetically. He went to touch her cheek but she turned her head. Her eyes had opened and she was staring at blood bleeding from his wrist.
"oh my God. Logan what are you doing to yourself," She asked. A hint of disgust and pain in her voice.
"You don't understand. No one does. Not James, not Carlos, especially not Kendall. Everybody loves them. You can't quiet grasp the stress I'm under being as famous as I am. And how stressful it is to stay this famous. You saw those girls. They didn't care about me. It's like I'm not good enough. It's the only way I can deal with it. You just don't understand,"
Lauren dragged herself to the corner of the bathroom, not far from where she collapsed. With all her strength she pushed herself up to her feet. She stumbled a bit but kept a dead lock on Logan until she bumped into the sink. She pulled open the drawer and pulled out a blue makeup bag. She dumped the bag in the sink. She was still shaking violently. Logan stood up watching her. She rummaged through the make up paraphernalia till she grabbed a eye liner. She pulled down at her under eye and began to rub the eye liner on the bottom. She then did the top. Lauren dropped into back into the sink and picked up the eye shadow. With shaking hands and began to apply the black with the wand.
"What are you doing?" When she finished the other eye, she looked up into the mirror. Logan raised an eyebrow.
"I understand exactly what you're going through," She pivoted. "So!"she yelled. "Don't make excused for yourself," she said going right in his face.
"Just because you're a girl doesn't mean,"
"I'm not just any girl. Come on think here, Logan. You're the one with the brains. Think." She said. "I know you know I'm not just the writer for "The Choir Infantry"
Logan pulled the head band from her head and her bangs fell forward. "You are her," Logan finally answered.