The Bad Girl ➳ Lauren Jauregui

thirty-seven (alternate ending)

9:02 PM
Y/N: baby, are you okay?

9:10 PM
Y/N: Laur, stop playing games.

9:23 PM
Y/N: if you dont answer soon, I'm calling your parents

After I sent the last text there was a knock on my bedroom window that startled me. Lauren had a beanie and black hoodie on. Normally, I'd expect to see that famous leather jacket, but she seemed to have forgotten it.

I unlocked the window and let her climb in with a black duffle hanging by a strap across her chest.

Lauren grabbed me by my waist to pull me into a deep kiss. Her warm lips massaged mine for a few measily moments before she pulled away to talk to me, "Did you miss me?"

I pushed her off and lightly smacked her arm, but Lauren quickly pulled me back in by my hips, "You worried me, Fucker." I scolded her.

"Well, I'm glad to know you care." Lauren pecked my lips once more before pulling away to grab my hand and yank me further into my room towards my bed. She took a seat on an empty spot beside a stack of papers, and I took a seat beside her. "But we need to talk because the news I have isn't the best." My heart fell into my stomach when I heard Lauren say that. I didn't want to overthink or ask questions, so I nodded to allow her to tell me what she needed to say. Even though every nerve inside of my body was making me stress out. Lauren took a deep breath and grabbed my hand, "Well, I had it completely wrong. Apparently, education shouldn't matter for his 'best dealer'."

"So, what does that mean?"

Lauren looked down at our hands and smiled, "Do you remember when I said I would go anywhere in the world if it meant that I could escape with you?"

"Yes."

"Do you love me?"

"Of course I do."

She licked over her bottom lip, "Do you trust me?"

I used my free hand to push her chin up so that her eyes would meet mine, "More than anything, but what are you getting at?"

"Let's leave Miami. Let's go to Australia or Chile. Maybe even London. Let's just get out of here and never come back."

Lately, when I stare into my girlfriend's eyes, I'm easily able to read her and at the moment she seems serious and worried all wrapped up into one. I know this is a big deal to runaway, especially since I only have one year of school left, but I love Lauren and there's obviously something she wants to run away from. And she wants to runaway from it with me.

"Okay, I'm in, but how can we get money for the tickets?"

Lauren gave me this mischevious smile and got up to fetch her duffle bag. She brought it over to sit it down on the spot of my bed she was just at. She unzipped it and pushed a few shirts around to expose the stacks of cash she had hidden underneath the fabric. "You seem to forget that I previously sold drugs." I couldn't help but smile down at all of that money. "So, when do you wanna leave?" She asked me.

I turned my head to look at the clock by my trophy case to see that it said 9:36 PM. "I'll be able to get my passport from the safe when my family goes to bed at 11."

Lauren leaned in to kiss my lips, "Then we will leave this place by 11:30. Deal?" I nodded, "Pack light and I'll be back with a uber. I have to take my motorcycle back and say goodbye to Chris and Taylor while my parents are asleep."

And just like that, Lauren crawled back out of my window with her duffle on her shoulder, ready to leave all of this behind.

--

After getting my passport and putting it into the packed duffle filled with clothes and underwear that I'd need, a thought came into my mind that I should write a letter.

See, I know my family is going to be worried if I just go missing. Police will be called and areas will be combed to look for my body. This way, if I write a letter, I'm just thought of as a runaway case rather than a homicide or sex trafficking victim.

I went to my desk to pull out a piece of paper and a pen to start writing.

Dear Mom, Dad, Grayson, and Dylan,

I know it's strange that I'm not at home and I have a good explanation for that. Although, none of you are happy that I've run off, I can promise you that I'm fine. Lauren is in trouble and I love her too much to let her go off and deal with this herself. As soon as I can, I will contact you to let you know that I'm safe. Please don't let Nonna worry too much, and just know that I will try to be back as soon as I can. I love you all.

Signed,
Y/F/N

P.S. TO GRAYSON AND DYLAN. DONT TOUCH MY STUFF, PRICKS.

I folded the paper long ways, and pulled out an old envelope from one of the drawers on my desk. I wrote Mom's name on the outside and slipped the folded paper into the container before closing the seal.

11: 37 PM

Lauren knocked on my window and waved at me to tell me it was time to go. I got up and grabbed my duffle, then I looked back at the room that I had created so many good memories in. I sat my phone on the desk beside the letter and hurried to open my window. After crawling out, I slid the frame back down in place and began shimmying down the drainpipe to get onto the ground.

I saw a running car parked about 100 feet away with Lauren standing outside of it. I began sprinting as fast as I could and once I made it, Lauren opened the back door and let me scoot in before taking her seat inside. She took a deep breath and smiled to me, "You ready?" I nodded, "Then lets leave this hell hole."

And with that, the driver started to pull away and drive Lauren and I to the airport to start our new lives together. But it took every fiber in my being to not take one last look at what I would be leaving behind for love.