Lauren Jauregui Imagines

Optimistic

"Try me Lauren."

"Fine. I woke up this morning and found that mother nature decided to pay me an untimely visit. My sheets are ruined now. Then I discovered that I didn't set my alarm last night and wound up late to work. After I got here and tried to go to my car for break, I realized that I locked my keys inside my shitty car, and my windows are all rolled up. What smart ass comment do you have for all of that?"

"I can't say that my day has gone that rough, but I've had similar days. And whether you believe ms or not, I'm here for you. Anything you need, don't hesitate to ask me." She looked down at my hand that was placed on top of hers and gave me a genuine smile.

"I can ask you for ANYTHING?" Lauren asked. I nodded and pushed my food to the side for emphasis.

"The last thing I would normally do is ask a stranger for money but - "

"You insult me babe. We've known each other for almost a week now. We're anything but strangers. And just name the price you need. I'll have it for you if I don't have it on me right now."

"All of this just to make me go out with you?" Lauren asked in disbelief.

"Lauren, I don't just want to get inside your pants for one night. I want to get to know you. What you like, don't like, what excites you, what scares you, I just want a chance to get myself beyond those fifty feet tall walls you've built around your heart."

Lauren softly laughed in confirmation and relented. "I called a guy - my ex boyfriend who's now the reason I'm playing for the same field to see if he could get inside my car without busting out the windows, and he told me he needed two hundred and fifty dollars to do it. And if I don't find some way to get that money, I might as well sleep here tonight and tomorrow."

"Well you're in luck. I just happen to have that desired amount on my person. Consider it a gracious tip. Oh, and your ex boyfriend is a dick. But you didn't hear that from me."

"Y/N, thank you. I'll pay you back - "

"No you won't. You don't pay back tips Lauren. I'll see you tomorrow beautiful."

Day Six

"Hey beautiful. You look mighty happy today. Did you get everything taken care of with your car?" I asked as Lauren served me my usual breakfast with a smile.

"Yes I did, and I can't thank you enough. Maybe you aren't such a bad person after all. But you're still annoying."

I laughed and agreed. "Maybe you can do me a solid though. I'm opening a new store in San Diego tomorrow, and I need a plus one. If you don't want to go with me, do you maybe have any friends as beautiful as you that'll accept my offer?"

"Since you did come to my rescue yesterday, I guess I can extend the same attitude. What time should I be ready?"

I couldn't believe my ears. Lauren Jauregui was FINALLY accepting my date proposal. And all it took was a week of pestering her.

"You'll go with me? Are you serious?" I asked in disbelief.

"Yes. I owe you one. But this is NOT a date Y/L/N."

"It could be. You wouldn't regret it."

"I'm sure I would."

"Not trying to ruin my chances with you or anything, but why won't you open up your heart and give me a chance? Do you not like women like me? Do I come onto you too strong?"

"Well I'm a lesbian, so yes I do like women like you. And at times you do come on too strong. But I've been hurt BAD in the past. And it started out just like this. She chased after me, I fell for her charm, she cheated on me and then told me I was completely worthless to her. It almost broke me. I don't do relationships that well. They only end in heartbreak."

Now I could understand her hesitance to trust me. Why she was always on edge and hated when I flirted with her despite the fact that she was warming up to me. Why it took this long to weasel my way into her heart.

"Well, I can't guarantee that I won't break your heart like you can't guarantee that you won't break mine, but I just want to know you. Start as friends and let you control the pace of how our relationship works. You've challenged, insulted, almost crucified me for the past six days, and I feel that deserves a chance at happiness. Deal?" I extended my hand again. This time she accepted it without scrunching her face up.

"Deal." I kissed the back of her hand and laughed as she swatted my head with the back of her notepad with a surprising laugh herself.

"You have a beautiful laugh babe. And you look so much better when you smile. Here," I wrote my number down on another napkin knowing she'd thrown away the others I'd given her. "Now if you'd be so kind as to reciprocate..."

Lauren shook her head and scribbled her number down on a sheet of paper from her notebook and took my napkin. "Be ready by six. The opening starts at seven and we have to go to San Diego. Until tonight gorgeous." I kissed her cheek and did a little happy dance when she blushed and touched her cheek.