A/N: Warning! This chapter is extremely long!
Just Be My Valentine
Lauren never expected to end up in a relationship with Dante. But after the club, neither of them could really help themselves. She had opened up to him more than she thought she would allow herself to, and he was proving to be a great guy so far. It was Valentines Day now, and Lauren had just finished up with all of her classes. She was in Madison's room studying for a math test when she heard Madison giggle. Madison hung up and then looked at Lauren with a big smile on her face.
"Let me guess, Jack?" Lauren rolled her eyes but on the inside she was more than happy for her best friend. She just hoped that Jack wouldn't hurt her again.
"He said he's definitely coming to see me today!" Madison squealed, "I've really missed him."
Lauren smiled, "That's great."
"So..." Madison had a little smirk on her face and Lauren already knew what she was going to talk about, but she just played along.
"So what?"
"You and Dante huh?"
Lauren laughed, "You're still on that?"
"What he's hot! I mean of course I love Jack but I mean you really know how to pick 'em!"
"I didn't really pick him," Lauren laughed.
"So what are you guys going to do?"
"For what?" Lauren asked.
Madison gave her a knowing look, "For Valentines Day duh!"
"Oh right. Well actually, he didn't really mention it in class today," Lauren shrugged. Valentines Day had never really been that much of a big deal to her.
Madison looked at Lauren in shock, "What! How could he not mention Valentines Day! It's like the most romantic holiday. Aside from Christmas 'cause you know, the mistletoe and everything."
Lauren laughed, "You're such a hopeless romantic Madison!"
"I can't help it...Jack better bring me some flowers or something! But anyway, you're really not worried about Dante not wanting to do anything for Valentines Day?" Madison eyed Lauren suspiciously.
Lauren shook her head, "Why should I be?"
"Well I mean...didn't you tell me that he told you he used to be a player?"
Lauren nodded. Dante had opened up to her and told her about how he was in high-school. At first she was disgusted by his behavior. He seemed like an old Ricky, but when he told her that she changed him, she couldn't help but feel happy about that. Dante had even told her about one of his most current girls, and Lauren was more than surprised to find out that he had been with Adrian. At first she was hesitant about continuing their relationship, but she wouldn't let his past ruin their relationship now.
"Well yeah but I mean...I trust him."
"Well you're much better than I am. I mean I'm constantly worried about Jack and..."
Madison was rambling on and on, but Lauren wasn't listening at the moment. Now she was wondering if Dante really was cheating on her. He had been sincere, or at least she thought he was being sincere, but what if he wasn't? What if he was like Jesse and he was just playing nice so that he could get what he needed from her?
"Lauren? Did you hear me?"
Lauren shot her head up, "Sorry what?"
"I said I'm going to call Amy. You want me to put her on speaker?"
"Oh, yeah sure."
Dante was in his dorm room when his phone rang. He picked it up and saw that it was Omar calling and he answered it quickly, "What up bro?"
"Hey! I just wanted to share some news with you."
"Alright, spit it out."
"Are you in a rush?"
Dante was fixing some flowers that were in a vase in his room, "No, I'm just preparing this meal and stuff for Valentines Day."
"Oh cool well...Wait, you're making a meal for yourself on Valentines Day? That's pathetic man."
Dante chuckled, "No, Omar it's for a girl...Or my girlfriend I should say."
"Your girlfriend! Congrats bro! But wait you don't usually have girlfriends...I mean is she just a regular sex buddy or what?"
Dante scoffed at this, but then he knew that he probably shouldn't have gotten angry. Omar knew Dante more than anyone in his family, and he knew that Dante didn't have the best history with girls.
Dante sighed as he continued looking over at everything. He had already prepared a meal, and now he was just cleaning up, "No, she's not a sex buddy. She's not like that...She's one of those girls that you respect you know? Wifey material."
Omar was surprised to say the least, "Wow Dante, I'm really proud of you. I want to meet this girl though. I mean she must be some type of girl to have you feeling this way. You never get like this."
"I know dude, which is why I feel like I'm going to screw everything up. She already has trust issues because of her last boyfriend. What if I blow things with her too?"
"Alright listen, just take a deep breath alright...If you're doing everything you can to be the best boyfriend to her, then she'll appreciate that. Just don't screw it up by going for some girl who's easy. No matter who offers, just focus on the prize alright?"
Dante drew in a deep breath and nodded, "Yeah...Yeah I guess you're right. So what did you call to tell me?"
"Oh right, well Adrian and I are getting married!" Omar said in an excited tone.
Dante paused for a moment. He still didn't know how he felt about Omar and Adrian being together, but whenever Omar talked about her he was truly happy, and he would never deprive his brother of happiness, "Wow...So soon?"
"Yeah...I know it's fast, and I know she's young but we're in love. It's going to be a really long engagement. I want her to figure out what she wants to do about college. I don't want to interfere with that but I just...I really love her Dante. I know it's kind of awkward considering..."
"Hey, I have someone now. I can't really complain. And I mean if you would have never gotten with Adrian, who knows? I probably would have never found Lauren..."
"I was waiting for you to tell me her name! Lauren hmm, she sounds like a nice girl."
"She is...Almost too nice. I don't know if I deserve it."
"You can't think like that. If she's with you, it's for a reason. You're not worthless bro. You were just a typical pig in high-school," Omar joked.
Dante laughed, "Gee thanks. Well listen I have to go."
"Alright, it was good talking to you. Keep in touch and focus on your studies out there."
"For sure."
After Dante hung up his phone beeped and he saw that it was a text message from an unknown number. He opened it curiously. There was a picture of a girl wearing practically nothing and under it there was a small message.
Hey...I don't know if you remember me. Does Regina ring a bell? Well either way it doesn't matter. I met you a few months ago at a club and I was thinking that we should meet up again. No strings attached ;) XOXO - Regina
Dante bit his lip as he looked at the picture. If it had been just a month ago, he would have taken this girl up on her offer, but he knew that this time it was different. He thought of Lauren and then he closed his phone and continued cleaning up his room.
"So how is it in New York?" Madison asked Amy eagerly.
"Oh my gosh! It's so great! Of course I miss John though...Every time I hear his voice on the phone I think about turning back and leaving Hudson, but I'm finally following my dreams. It was immature of me to play so many games with Ricky and I realize that now. But I couldn't be happier in New York. I think I'm really learning something out here. I'm really focusing on my studies and making great friends. I think I'll be a great teacher one day."
Lauren and Madison smiled as they heard this. Amy sounded like she was maturing.
Lauren would never admit it to Amy but she felt bad about creating so much distance from her when she was pregnant. At the same time it was hard for her to deal with. Amy had gotten so moody after she had John, and Lauren was just a typical teenager. She didn't understand it, but she was just happy that the three of them were friends still. Lauren knew that she would never be as close to Amy as she was to Madison, but it was nice to hear from her.
"So Amy what about Ben?"
"Ben? Well I know that he loves me...And I think I could love him too. But I told him that I don't want to rush into a relationship. I really want to focus on the real reason I came here. Everyone thinks that it's for Ben, but in reality it was never for Ben. I needed to do something for me for once."
"Well we're really proud of you Amy," Lauren said.
"Thanks, and I hope you guys are learning something out in Berkeley too."
"Oh we are," Lauren said, "I've been pretty good with all of my classes, but I'm still not really sure what I'm going to major in."
"Well hey, you have all the time in the world to figure that out...I heard studying isn't the only thing you've been doing," Amy giggled.
Lauren gave Madison a knowing look, "You told her about Dante didn't you?"
"I'm sorry I just couldn't resist!"
"No, I'm happy for you. You definitely deserve someone after all of the crap Jesse put you through," Amy said in a sincere tone.
"Thanks Amy."
"No problem."
"Well Amy, we'll talk to you later. I think Jack's going to be here soon."
"Aha, Lauren you better keep an eye on Madison and Jack."
"You know I will," Lauren chuckled.
And with that Madison hung up.
Before Madison could say anything to Lauren, Lauren's phone rang. She picked it up without checking the caller ID.
"Hello?"
"Aye, what are you doing today?"
Lauren tried to stop the grin that was on her face, but she couldn't. Madison chuckled, "I'm going to go freshen up." Lauren nodded and then focused her attention back on Dante, "Um, not much why?"
"Well I was wondering if you wanted to come over to my dorm for a bit."
"Umm...Yeah sure. What time?"
"Can you come now?"
Lauren chuckled, "Seriously? Didn't you see enough of me today?"
"Not even a little bit babe."
Lauren felt the butterflies in her stomach flutter when he said this, "...Yeah sure. I'll be over there in ten."
"Alright bye."
Dante was pacing around and checking on the food when he heard a knock on his door. He didn't know why he suddenly felt nervous. This wasn't like him at all, but he was starting to accept the fact that he wasn't the Dante that he knew when he was around Lauren. He drew in a deep breath, and made his way towards the door. He opened it and smiled when he saw Lauren. She was wearing a beige blouse and a pair of black leggings and Dante couldn't stop his mind from wandering. He leaned towards her for a kiss but she moved away, "Do I smell ribs?" She pushed her way past him, and made her way inside.
Dante chuckled as he followed her, "Uh yeah I made ribs, mashed potatoes, and green beans."
"Oh my gosh it smells amazing Dante!"
He chuckled again, "Is my cooking that good that I can't even get a hello?"
She giggled at this and she turned around to face him, "Aha! Sorry."
He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her in for a kiss and the butterflies started fluttering all over again. He pulled away from her and smiled. She was flushed.
He grabbed her hand, "Come on I'll make you a plate."
...
Meanwhile, Madison was just throwing on some earrings when she heard a knock on her door. She walked over towards the door eagerly and when she opened it she squealed.
Of course it was Jack.
And even better, he was holding a dozen roses in his hand. She pulled him into a hug before he could even say anything and Jack laughed. Being with Madison was so different than being with Grace. Madison never had a problem with expressing how she felt towards him, and because of that he always felt like she loved him. And now it was his turn to prove that he loved her too, "Happy Valentines Day Madison."
"Happy Valentines Day! I really missed you."
He chuckled, "Yeah, I missed you too."
"Oh I'm sorry, come in!" Madison smiled.
She let him inside and he smiled as he set the flowers on the counter.
"I just really wanted to come up here to tell you how much I love you Madison. I know that we've had our issues...And I know that I've hurt you a lot. And admitting all of this isn't easy for any guy, but I really am sorry. I was acting like a deuce bag when I toyed with your emotions like that. But I'm happy that you forgave me."
Madison smiled as she stood on her tiptoes and pulled him into a kiss, "Thank you Jack...But can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
"Are you sure that you're fully over Grace?"
...
Dante was really blowing Lauren away. The meal was just amazing, not even Lauren could cook so well. And aside from that he knew how to hold a conversation, which was something that a lot of guys didn't do that well.
"I'm surprised you haven't said the V word yet?" Dante muttered as he bit into his rib.
"What do you mean?" Lauren asked, as she took a sip of her water.
"Well you know, since it's Valentines Day and all..."
"Oh...Well yeah, I guess I've just never been that big a fan of Valentines Day," Lauren shrugged, "Wait is all of this for Valentines Day?"
Dante looked down at his plate as he chuckled, "Uh yeah...I figured I'd stop being lazy and attempt to do something romantic."
Lauren chuckled, "Aha! This is so cute..."
"That's because I'm cute," Dante teased.
"We're cute," she joked. He leaned over the table and kissed her again and she giggled. She'd never been so giddy before, but she decided to make an exception.
"So why don't you like Valentines Day?"
"I don't know I mean...It just seems like half of the things couples do on Valentines Day are things that they should have already done. I mean I'm not saying you should shower your partner with gifts every day, but you guys should be able to go out and do stuff together without it being for some special occasion."
"Hmm, I really never thought of it before."
"Yeah well, I tend to over analyze stuff so."
Before they could say anything more, Dante felt his phone beep and he looked at Lauren apologetically, "Sorry."
"Oh, no it's fine really."
He looked down at the text message and saw that it was Regina again. He rolled his eyes, but chuckled at her pictures. This girl was desperate, Dante thought.
"What's so funny?" Lauren asked curiously.
"What? Oh, nothing."
Lauren raised an eyebrow, "You were laughing over nothing?"
"Well it was something but it's just, just forget about it. Did you want some more water?"
"No, I'm good." Lauren was tempted to ask him about the text message again but she didn't want to seem like one of "those" girlfriends. So she let it go.
...
Madison was waiting patiently for an answer, but Jack seemed to be deep in thought.
"Jack? Did you hear me?"
Jack sighed as he took a seat on the small couch in the dorm, "Yeah. I was just trying to figure out how to explain it...You see with Grace we just have this history together. When I first got with her it was for all of the wrong reasons. My father pushed it on me so that they could keep coming to our church, which is just wrong, especially as a Christian, to manipulate people like that. But once I got to know her I really liked her...It was just that I hadn't really figured out what I wanted when it came to sex and being a Christian. And so that's how our relationship got so screwed up. So yes, she will always be my first love Madison...But you're the woman that I want to be with right now. I'm not going to go back to Grace. There were a lot of reasons why we just never worked out."
Madison had to admit that she wasn't that happy hearing that Grace was Jack's first love, but she could understand it. She took a seat next to Jack on the couch, "What are the reasons exactly?"
"Well for one, neither of us really knew what we wanted. We were together because we thought it was the right thing to do. She was the cheerleader, I was the football player. We were the devout Christians at our church. Everything seemed right. But as much as I love Grace, I don't think I ever truly loved her the way I should have loved her if I wanted to be with her. She will always be my friend. I'll always care about her and if she needs me I'll be there for her. But being with her relationship-wise, I just don't want that for us. You know why you're the one for me Madison?"
Madison sighed, "No, I really don't...And to be honest a lot of times I felt like I was your booty call. And if that's all you want right now Jack then...Then I can't do this. I love you, but I want respect too. I want you to love me and be there for me, and treat me like I'm your girlfriend."
Jack was surprised to hear Madison say all of this. Of course he thought it was right, but Madison never really stood up for herself. He admired it, "The reason I know that you're the one for me Madison, is because I don't have to try and pretend to be something that I'm not with you. When I was with Grace, I felt like there was always this pressure on me to be the type of man that she wanted, instead of just being the man that I always have been. I'm really sorry for hurting you Madison. I'm not perfect, and there's going to be ups and downs with me, but I promise you, I won't put any other girl before you."
Madison couldn't help but smile when she heard this. Jack sounded so sincere. And she had never heard him say these things about her, "I love you Jack."
He held her hand and smiled, "I love you too...There's something else we need to talk about too."
"Ok, what is it?"
"...Sex."
Madison felt her face go pale. She honestly wasn't sure about having sex with Jack again. She didn't know what she wanted, "Oh...What about it?"
"I realized that when I was with Grace there was always this pressure about sex. When to have sex, when not to have sex. It got really tiring and I think that's why I constantly went to other girls. I'm not saying it's her fault completely, it's my fault too. I should have figured out what I wanted. And I realize that I still don't know what I want. I've been looking more into my faith because I want to be a minister like my father. A good minister that doesn't try to look good for the church. I want to inspire people. I know in the Bible that it says not to have sex before marriage, I just need to read more about it, and why it's important. And because of this Madison, I don't really think now is the best time for us to have sex."
"Oh thank goodness! Jack...I really don't know what I want either. I mean I liked having sex with you, but I felt like every time I did it I was trying to distract you from Grace. I was never really that into the whole Catholic thing, but I do want to figure out what I believe in. I know there's a God out there, but I haven't really taken the time to study the Bible. I just really want to get my life together."
Jack smiled, "Well then I guess we're on the same page."
She smiled as she pulled him into a kiss, "But we can still make out right?"
Jack chuckled, "How could I even say no to that?"
...
They had finished up the meal and now Dante was taking Lauren into his bedroom. He said that he wanted to show her something, and she was really anxious to see what it was. Sitting in his bedroom there was an beautiful looking guitar and a few sheets of paper.
"You play the guitar?" Lauren asked.
"Yeah, a little bit." He smiled, "I've actually been working on this song, that I want you to help me with."
"Me?" Lauren looked at him nervously and he laughed and gave her a kiss on the cheek, "Yeah...Madison told me that you were a good singer."
"Since when do you talk to Madison?"
He laughed, "She answered your phone a few days ago and we just started talking. She's definitely something..."
"Yeah, she can be a little crazy sometimes. It just takes some time to warm up to her. So what song is it?"
"I wrote it a few days ago, it's called Like You."
Lauren smirked, "I wonder where you got your inspiration from?"
Dante playfully rolled his eyes, "Yeah I wonder. So I'll play the first chorus for you and you tell me what you think."
They were sitting on his bed and he was just about to start playing the song when his phone beeped again. He checked the text message and he rolled his eyes. This girl was really starting to get on his nerves. His eyes widened at the picture that he sent her. This was getting out of hand.
"...Who is it?" Lauren asked.
"Uh...I-It's no one really. Sorry I'll just turn it off-" But before he could do that Lauren reached over and grabbed his phone.
She looked at the message and her eyes widened and shock. She couldn't even speak for a minute.
"Lauren ok I know this looks bad but it's not what it looks like-"
"Really? Because it looks like some girl is sending you a bunch of naked pictures!"
"Ok well it's kind of what it looks like, but wait I can explain-"
"You know what, you really don't need to. I should have known that I was your side girl this whole time."
"What? No, Lauren I would never-"
"I should go. Maybe you could call that girl up and she could sing with you," Lauren spat. She knew that she wasn't really being rational. She hadn't even heard his side of the story. But the insecurity was getting to her. She didn't even feel like they were supposed to be together. He was too good of a guy for her, and in the back of her mind she knew that she was just looking for excuses. She kept walking though, and Dante chased after her.
Before she could get to the door he was blocking it, and she crossed her arms over her chest, "Would you move?"
"No...Not until we talk this out. If we're going to be together, you have to trust me Lauren."
"And how do you expect me to do that? You basically lied to me the entire time I was over here. You said it was nothing. What I saw on your phone wasn't nothing Dante!"
"Yes, it was! Ok, you can go through all the text messages she sent me. I didn't send her anything back. I'm not even talking to her. She's just some girl that I slept with a long time ago, and now she's trying to hit me up. It doesn't matter."
"It matters to me! You might not have sent her anything, but you didn't exactly tell her to stop."
Dante sighed, "Alright look. I screwed up ok? I never claimed to be perfect but Lauren seriously...I'm not going to cheat on you for some girl. Especially not this one. I didn't just get with you to hook up. I respect you Lauren, and that's more than your ex-boyfriend ever did."
She didn't say anything for a moment. She wasn't sure of what to say.
"Ok look...I get that your mad, but would you at least listen to the song before you storm out of here?"
Lauren sighed, "...Fine."
...
"Wait so Lauren's going out with one of Adrian's old boyfriends?" Jack asked. Madison was currently catching him up on everything that had happened so far. She just couldn't keep her mouth shut about any of it, but that's how she had always been.
"Well I wouldn't really call him a boyfriend. They kind of just slept together and then he took off. But you should see them! They're so cute together!" Madison said.
Jack chuckled at her energy. Madison could be really excited for no reason some times, "That's great."
"So what have you been up to?"
Jack sighed as he ran a hand through his hair, "I'm not gonna lie. Football is hard. It was way easier in high-school...I thought I could just walk in there and be the star of the show like I was at Grant, but this thing is no joke. I have bruises everywhere."
Madison pouted, "That doesn't sound pretty."
Jack chuckled, "I'll be alright, it's a part of the sport."
"So have you made any friends?"
Jack laughed, "Well that's the last thing that's on my mind to be honest. I mean there's a few of them that I talk to, but for the most part everyone's focused on training. We're a really strong team though. Our game is in a few weeks, do you think you can make it?"
"Of course! But you'll have to explain what happened to me when you're done playing. Football is just way too confusing."
Jack smiled, "I can do that."
...
[I couldn't really find an acoustic version of this so I would recommend just playing the regular version. The song is called Like You by Bow Wow and Ciara. I didn't write all of the lyrics though.]
I ain't neva had nobody show me all the things that you done showed me
And the special way I feel when you hold me
We gone always be together baby that's what you told me
And I believe it (Cause I ain't neva had nobody do me like u)
It was almost impossible to be mad at Dante when he was singing. His voice was just extraordinary and Lauren couldn't help but smile. She knew that the song was for her, but she didn't want to believe it.
Now I done been with different kind of girls
Like I done seen em all but ain't none of them at all (like u)
And I done seen the best of the best
Baby still I ain't impressed cause ain't none of them at all (like u)
If you know how I feel when I chill
If I'm seen with a girl then she gotta be just (like u)
And baby that's the way I feel
And I got no choice but for me to keep it real
Cause when we first got together started hanging out you was
Skeptical at first had to figure out if
I was the kind of guy to try to dog you out but
I ain't that kind of guy you tried to make me out
You found out when you turned into my baby
I showed them other brothers how to treat a lady
I let you drive when I ride that Mercedes
And I ain't trippin or actin shady cause baby you know
She was surprised to say the least. The lyrics were pretty good for only working on it for a few days. Yet, she couldn't help but feel nervous under his gaze. He was staring straight at her. Dante was practically talking to Lauren when he sang to her. Everything that he wrote was true about her. He had never met someone like Lauren. He had never truly had a challenge like her. When he first saw her, he thought that he would win her over easily, and then move on to the next girl, but she totally surprised him. And that was something that confused him and made him smile all at the same time.
Lauren was singing the next part now, their argument long forgotten. She wondered if he could read minds or something, because everything that she was singing, was exactly what she was thinking about Dante.
And every time I think about you (I cry)
When you ride when you call when you come (around)
Your love is a-mazing to me
Can't wait til I see you (I wanna be with you again)
And every time you're out on the road (I make a trip)
And whenever I'm doing a show (Don't you forget)
That I'm your (main chick)
Who got that (game chick)
One and the (same chick)
The one you can hang with
I ain't neva had nobody show me all the things that you done showed me
And the special way I feel when you hold me
We gone always be together baby that's what you told me
And I believe it (Cause I ain't neva had nobody do me like u)
When they finished the song, the two of them were looking at each other with intense eyes. The song basically spoke everything that they wanted to say to each other, but didn't actually have the guts to just come out and say. Without warning, the two of them leaned in for a kiss, and Lauren couldn't help but think that this was the best Valentines Day she had ever experienced.
A/N: And bam! There it goes. Hopefully you guys enjoyed it. This is like a really late Valentines Day chapter ahaha.