Fragile Heart, Fragile Mind

All because of headphones and raindrops

We pulled up to our house and I got out, setting Lauren down and letting her walk, she took a gentle hold of my hand and Camila, Lauren, and I walked inside. "We're baaaack!" Camila called, shutting the door. "Oh my goodness..." Ally gasped when she saw Lauren.

"Where's Mani?" I asked. "Upstairs watching the ring." I giggled and rolled my eyes at that. Camila went and sat by Ally while I stayed standing with Lauren since we were soaking wet. "So who is she?" Ally asked. "All I know is her name is Lauren and she's 18." "18?!"

"Yup, but I'm gonna take her upstairs and I'm gonna let her shower, get her something to eat, and then let her rest because she seemed sleepy. Then we can this discuss further if that's okay." Ally and Camila both nodded, "Yea." "That's okay."

"Thanks guys, also, can you two tell Mani while I'm getting her situated when she comes back down?" Ally nodded, "I'll tell her." She said kindly. "Thanks." She gave me a friendly smile, which I returned. Lauren was zoned out with a couple of her fingers in her mouth; I tapped her gently, "C'mon Laur, let's go upstairs." She nodded and took hold of my hand, letting me lead her upstairs.

Once we got to the top I took her into my room. She shivered as I picked her up, setting her down on my bed, not really minding that she was wet. "Let's get you something warm." I looked through my drawers, looking for something to fit her, which was nearly impossible before I remembered I had some stuff for when my family comes over.

I opened up a pack of kids underwear and got her out a pair along with some socks, a long sleeve shirt, and leggings. I went to go and get her a towel before coming back to get her and leading her to my bathroom.

I set the clothes and towel on the counter before going over and adjusting the temperature of the water and running her a bath. I got her a wash cloth from under the sink and her own toothbrush.

Honestly I was a little worried about leaving her alone since she seemed to be a little bit delayed. I didn't want to underestimate what she could and couldn't do in any way, but I didn't want her to get hurt either. "Wanna take a nice warm bath Lauren?" She nodded, rubbing her hands on her pants. "Can you do it by yourself?" She didn't answer.

I didn't know how to ask if she needed help or not, maybe English wasn't her first language. "Lauren do you speak Spanish more?" She didn't respond. "Just English?" She nodded slowly. "Do you need help sweetie?" I asked after she stood there for a moment. Lauren nodded, so I carefully took off her clothes, noticing the scars and bruises on her, before helping her into the bath.

I helped her bathe and washed her hair for her. She cutely shook her head when I poured water in her hair to rinse the 2 in 1 out. I giggled at her before helping her out and getting her dried off.

Once I got her into the clothes, I helped her brush her teeth. "You hungry Laur?" She pointed at her stomach. I giggled a little, "Yea, are you hungry?" She nodded, letting me lead her back downstairs and into the kitchen. I opened up the refrigerator for her, "Pick which food and drink you want hun."

She pointed at a yogurt cup and apple juice. "Good choice Laur." I told her with a smile, getting it out. I got her a spoon and a water bottle with a sports top, filling it halfway with apple juice. I led her to the table and sat her down, giving her the juice and opening the yogurt for her.

Lauren tried to pick up the spoon, but was having trouble holding it, she got frustrated and started to whine a little, so I pulled up a chair beside her. "It's okay, hold it like this." I said calmly, taking her smaller hand in mine and wrapping it around the spoon, "Just like that, good job!" This made her giggle, and let me tell you it was probably the cutest thing I've ever heard.

She was able to finish the yogurt mostly by herself, even if she did get a decent amount on her cheeks. I got a damp paper towel and wiped her face before she drank her juice. "Good job sweetie, now how about we go watch a movie and you can get some rest, yea?" She yawned and reached for my hand, which I happily offered up to her, leading her back up to my room.

I shut my door behind us and lifted Lauren onto my bed. She smiled at me, tilting her head a little to the side in the most adorable way. I smiled back at her, "You are seriously the cutest thing I have ever seen." Lauren giggled cutely as I picked her up, bringing her to the middle of my bed so she could lay down.

"Lets seee, what to watch." I said, thinking out loud. I stumbled across Lilo and stitch, instantly giving in and selecting it. I sat up with my back against the headboard as the movie started with Lauren sitting next to me, intently watching the characters moving around on the screen.

I smiled down at her as she yawned again, laying her head on my lap. I had to resist the urge to coo at her because I wanted her to get some rest. Not even halfway into the movie I heard little snoring, causing me to go look down at Lauren, who had fallen asleep. I carefully moved her off of my lap, only for her to turn over and cuddle the stuffed animal next to her that I kept on my bed.

I quietly got out of the bed and left the room, knowing that I needed to talk to the girls. I knocked on Mani's room to see her, Camila, and Ally in there talking. Mani smiled at me and I returned the favor.

"I figured I would tell you guys what I've been thinking about Lauren.." I started. "She can stay. Mani, Ally, and I already talked about it. If she adjusts well, which hopefully she will, the sooner the better." Camila told me.

I smiled happily, "Thank you guys so much, it means the world. I was thinking we could take her to get some clothes and stuff she might need or want tomorrow. Would you all be down for that?" They all nodded.

"Okay, that's great, but um.. the poor kid she... she has all of these bruises and scars on her body, like multiple.. I'm worried someone hurt her, because she couldn't do that to herself, they're on her back too." I rambled. "Oh my goodness.. did you ask her about them..?" Normani asked worriedly.

I shook my head, "No I didn't ask her, if she did I don't want her to be thinking about it at the moment because I want her to feel safe here and free from those memories if that's what happened." I told them. "Well, if it is, she can't avoid the trauma, it would make dealing with it harder." Ally mentioned. I sighed, "I know, but Im just not gonna rush her to tell me ya know?" They nodded understandingly.

"Also, I don't wanna jump to any conclusions, but just judging by the short amount of time she's been here... I think she might be kinda delayed.. I'm not sure though, and I don't want to underestimate her at all, but I want her to be safe. Like I'm not gonna leave her home alone though." I said, starting to ramble again.

"If she is, then she's gonna be okay, we've got her. We'll all help, it's not like we'll just up and leave." Camila said with a genuine smile, the others nodding in agreement. "Thanks girls, she's asleep right now. I'm gonna go back in there and if you two wanna finish up Lilo and stitch with me you can."

They both nodded and we all went into my room. The girls and I all got onto my bed and I laid down, Lauren immediately snuggling into me and holding onto my shirt loosely. I closed my eyes, forgetting the girls were there for a moment, and falling asleep with a smile on my face.