Our Time Is Here | a Lauren/You Short Story

5 • Reunited

Ever since my 'chat' with Lauren, I had stayed at a coffee shop around the corner from my apartment. I couldn't find it in myself to go back home because one: I knew that that would be the first place Lauren would look for me, and two: I needed time to think and be alone.

At first, I stayed by myself, drinking coffee and acting inanimately as I sipped it and looked out the window. People passed by, people of all ages. I saw old couples, who looked content with their lives. Young people, spending time with their families. Children, making the most of their childhood. And young adults, like me, enjoying their youth as they should be. As cruel and selfish as it is to think, I wondered what my life would have been like if I didn't meet Lauren, or if I didn't have Eddie. I could have been in a successful career right about now.

But then, when I realised how completely selfish I was being, I stopped those thoughts and allowed my mind to wander. I tried to block out the events of today - no more Lauren finding out about Eddie, no more Lauren asking me all those questions, just me.

My phone kept ringing at one point. The texts and calls were mostly from Lauren. So eventually, I turned the device off completely. It helped.

Once the usual busy atmosphere of the coffee shop died down, I decided to turn my phone back on and check the time. It had started to get slightly darker outside, so I knew it must have been late, but by reading the time on my phone as 7:19 pm, I knew it was time for me to leave. As much as I wanted to get away from everything, it wasn't just me anymore. I had a son to take care of, too. It wasn't always like that, I reminded myself, but it was now.

I didn't bother calling Y/BF/N to let her know I was returning home. She would know when I arrived there, anyway. Instead, I walked the fifteen minute journey to my apartment complex and headed to my floor, being wary of recognising any dark-haired Cubans that wanted to find me. Thankfully, I hadn't seen her as I made it to my front door, so I could finally sigh in relief when I pushed it open and stepped inside.

After locking my door, the noise of giggling from Eddie brought my attention to the living room, and that's when my heart practically stopped. The three figures that were seated on the couch looked up at me. Two with smiles on their faces, and the third with a guilty expression.

"Mummy, look!" Eddie shouted excitedly. "It's my friend Lauren from the elevator!"

He was seated on Lauren's knee and she had her arms wrapped around his waist protectively. Just the sight of them together made me angry. How did she have the audacity to sit there and play with my son when she was practically criticising him only hours before?

"Um, sorry," Lauren apologised, gently placing Eddie on the ground and standing up awkwardly. "I didn't mean to intrude. I just wanted to talk."

I clenched my jaw and Y/BF/N also stood up. She looked between Lauren and I, and when she saw the looks on our faces, I think she knew something was up.

"Lauren here was waiting outside your door when I picked Ed up from school," she began to explain, cautiously choosing her words. "I invited her in because she wanted to speak to you and wouldn't leave anyway. I didn't think you would mind, Y/N."

I exhaled heavily, hoping to release my anger. "Not at all. But, do you think you could give us a moment, Y/BF/N?"

Y/BF/N nodded and held out her hand for Eddie to grab. "Come on, little man. Let's go for a walk."

Eddie grabbed her hand and the two of them walked past me to put on their shoes and grab their jackets.

"Call me if you need anything," Y/BF/N said quietly by my ear, before leading Eddie out the door.