The Last Time

The Place Where Their Story Began

A/N I'm back again! Wow I wrote this months ago and I just read through it and I absolutely hate it now (not the best way to encourage people to read this I know) but I finished it so I figured I might as well upload it.

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"This is it," I said. "The place where it all began."

Seven years earlier

(Lauren's POV)

"Hey Dylan," I said, putting on my apron as I walked into the ice cream store we worked at.

"What's up, Lauren," he replied.

I smiled at Jaime, who was sitting at the counter eating an ice cream. Sometimes I thought our friends only came to see us at work for the free food.

Just then the bell on the door rang and we all turned to see a tall brunette, who looked to be a few years younger than us, walk through the door. I hadn't seen him around here before.

"Can I help you?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm actually wondering if you could help me with directions to U of M? I've been here for a week and I still can't get my bearings" he said. He smiled awkwardly at us, and I brightened at the fact that he was going to the same university as us.

"Sure, we all go there too," Dylan said.

"I'm heading back there in a few minutes, I can show you the way," chimed in Jaime. I winked at her over conspicuously when the boy wasn't looking, and she rolled her eyes at me imperceptibly.

"That's great. I'm Joey, by the way," the boy said.

"Jaime. And that's Dylan and Lauren," she said, pointing to the two of us in turn. Dylan smiled, and I waved at him. He waved awkwardly back.

"I'll see you guys later then," Jaime called over her shoulder.

It was a very dull shift after they left. Me and Dylan talked for a while about what we thought Joey would be like, and after much pressuring Dylan got me to admit that I thought he was cute.

We had no other customers, so we decided to close up half an hour early and head back to school.

On the way in we ran into Nick, who told us they would be announcing the cast for A Very Potter Musical, the show that we were going to be putting on, that afternoon.

"I really hope they haven't cast me as Hermione," I muttered darkly.

"Who else would you play?" Dylan asked.

"Voldemort, of course," I said, deadpan.

Dylan just laughed at me.

When I walked into the rehearsal space a few hours later to find out the cast, my eyes were immediately drawn to Joey sat in a corner by himself. I hadn't realised he had auditioned, and I was about to go over and strike up a conversation when Nick walked in and asked everyone to settle down. I pulled up a chair opposite him in the circle, and listened as various cast members were announced.

Joe was cast as Voldemort, which was hardly surprising considering he was the most Slytherin out of all of us. Joey was cast as Ron. I was impressed; he clearly hadn't been here very long and he was already playing a main role. Bonnie was going to be Hermione, so at least that one was ruled out. Finally - just when I was beginning to think I might not even have made the cut - they got around to me.

"Lauren will by playing..." Nick paused dramatically. "Draco Malfoy."

I heard a laugh from across the room and saw Joey sniggering at me. I narrowed my eyes at him, and he coughed awkwardly. I decided in that moment that I hated him, even if he was cute. It was one thing my friends laughing at me, but someone who didn't even know me? I would make sure to prove to him that I was the best Draco Malfoy there ever was.

"Do you remember that?" she asked me as we stood in that very same rehearsal room.

"Of course I do," I said, smiling at her fondly. "I was an idiot for thinking you wouldn't make an amazing Draco."

"I probably wouldn't have been as good if you hadn't provoked me you know," she said, giggling. "I only rolled over you guys so obnoxiously because I wanted to get back at you for laughing at me."

"That honestly does not surprise me. You are very stubborn, Lopez."

She gave my arm a playful slap.

"Well I'm glad we're friends now," she said in a soft voice.

"Me too."

We stood for a moment in silence, then Lauren grabbed my hand. 

"Come on, we still have so much of Michigan to see. And you're only here for a few days before you have to go back to LA," she said, dragging me away.

I was going to miss her when I left, but for now I just had to enjoy the time we had together.

A/N I'd like to thank Lauren for her Instagram tour of Michigan ages ago, I had no idea how to start this fic and that gave me the inspiration I needed