38 - You have to choose

“Wait what?” Rachel was shocked by the confession.

“I don't get it. If he is a parent then why is he sending you gifts? Is this like a perverted situation, because if it is, you have to report it to the school,” Rachel responded, with a concerned look on her face.

“No, it's not that at all.”

“Don't worry, you can tell me if it is. We could let his wife know what he is up to. And who knows, she could compensate us with a large check,” Rachel went on and on, letting her unfiltered thoughts out.

“It's none of that. Tyler isn't a pervert or anything. And he is divorced of course,” Lauren defended.

“Then why is he sending you a bouquet of flowers?” Rachel pointed out. “And booking private trips to France when clearly you said no,” she added.

“That's the issue there,” Lauren started, pulling Rachel to sit down on the couch.

“I don't understand,” Rachel replied, urging Lauren to throw more light on the whole thing.

“If you just let me speak for a second. So…he didn't just send me these things. It isn't like he is trying to get me to like him or anything. Tyler and I kind of had something.”

“Unbelievable,” Rachel cut in, unable to hide the wide grin plastered on her face. “You spoiled little brat.”

“What are you calling me spoiled for? I haven't even finished.” Lauren said, smacking her on her arm.

“Oh please. I don't need you to finish. It's written all over your face that you like him.”

“I don't like him. It's more of an attraction.” Lauren defended.

“Oh so you're attracted to him?” Rachel asked.

“Yes. An attraction that I'm obviously not going to act on.” Lauren responded.

“Well, fill me in on every detail, because I'm not sure I follow. I'm aware of the whole jacket thing at the OG lounge, but when did it all start?” Rachel asked.

“I remember that day he pulled you by the hand out of the club and you didn't say a word.” she added.

“Of course I did. I asked him why he wanted us to leave together,” Lauren said.

“I’m sure you did. And after that, you still proceeded to leave with him without telling your friend who took you to the party. And I just remembered, I called and texted the next day but you left me hanging.”

“Shhh. We're not talking about that now,” Lauren said, knowing fully well she aired Rachel's texts that day.

“Let's focus on this Tyler thing. Apart from that day, he was at the fundraiser. He took me home and that was it,” she lied through her teeth.”

“Why did he take you home in the first place?” Rachel asked, raising one eyebrow.

“That's another story for another day, but long story short, my dress was ruined, I couldn't find a cab so he dropped me off.” Lauren explained. Making sure to leave out all the details that would make her friend judge her.

“I still don't get why you don't want to go. You said, and it's obvious that you like him. You are attracted to the man for goodness sake. The ticket and flowers show he is into you,” Rachel added, wrapping her both hands on her friend's arm.

“I literally teach his daughter Rachel, it's not going to work. It's so unprofessional of me.”

“Of course it will. Definitely. I have seen it happen in so many movies,” Rachel backed her point up.

“Can you hear yourself? Movies girl, not real life,” Lauren fired back.

“And real life too. Just think about it. He is divorced for crying out loud. And from what I got a glimpse of that night, a divorced handsome billionaire. It wouldn't hurt to see where this goes,” Rachel suggested.

“Yes it will. My job.”

“And your pussy,” Rachel teased.

“You're unbelievable,” Lauren said.

“Okay, forget I said that. I'm sorry, but in my opinion, you wouldn't even need a job if you date him.” Rachel replied.

“Who said anything about dating?

I don't remember telling you he asked me out.”

“But he literally just asked you to go on a private trip with him. So…”

“So…It's not the same thing,” Lauren responded, angrily.

“Okay fine. It's not the same thing. But I'm being serious now. I think you should go on the trip.”

“Please,” Rachel squealed.

Was Lauren really going to let her convince her to go on this trip? Maybe Rachel was right. What's the worst that could happen?

Besides, it was somewhere far far away in another country entirely. She would be safe out of the judging eyes of Hartley High staff and students.

Should she be reconsidering seeing Tyler, after he disappeared on her two times in a row?

“Do you know what? I think I would...”

Ding dong.

Rachel sprung up before Lauren could even complete her statement. “Yay! More presents.”

“Hey is Lauren in?” Jacob asked Rachel, coming face to face with her at the door.

“Speaking of bad timing,” Rachel muttered under her breath, but loud enough for Lauren to hear from behind her.

“Yes I'm here,” Lauren voiced out, pushing past Rachel to get a clearer view of him.

Rachel went straight to the couch like it was nothing.

“What's up?” Lauren asked Jacob, still holding the door.

“I just wanted to bring this for you,” he said, stretching a bowl of ice cream.

Lauren smiled at the gesture and received the ceramic bowl.

“Thanks,” she responded.

“How is Elsa?” She asked.

“She's better now. Her temperature is back to normal. I think it was just a scare.” Jacob responded.

“Alright, that's good to know. I hope she feels better in no time”

“Uhm… I wanted to talk to you about something,” Jacob said. His mannerisms were slightly awkward now.

Lauren, already halfway shutting the door, paused.

“I am listening.”

“About the auction at the art gallery, I was wondering if you would like to be my plus one?” Jacob blurted out.

Lauren’s thoughts drifted back to what Elsa said earlier. Maybe this was the perfect opportunity for her to find out if Jacob really liked her.

Rachel clearing her throat could not be more rude. Then again they were having a really serious conversation before Jacob got here.

“Alright. I would love to,” Lauren responded.

“I'll send you the details of the event. I should head back,” he added, pointing towards his door.

Lauren shut the door behind her rushing back to her gist starved friend.

“You and your neighbor boyfriend are beginning to piss me off,” Rachel teased.

“He is not my neighbor boyfriend,” Lauren fired back.

“Just finish what you were saying about the trip thing. Are you going or not?” she asked.

“I won't lie. I want to go. Not for anything, but to see what Tyler really wants from me.” Lauren answered.

“I'm sure that's the reason,” Rachel chuckled. “Well I'm glad you have agreed to go.”

“So I'll be away till Sunday I guess. That's like 6 days,” Lauren said, staring at the tickets one more time.

“Hold up!” Lauren exclaimed, focusing on her phone. “Jacob just texted me the details for the event.”

“Didn't he say it's for Friday?” Rachel asked.

“No he didn't.”

“I'm pretty sure he did. Come on, read it out,” Rachel said, shifting closer to Lauren.

“Oh no! It's this Friday. By 5 pm,” Lauren said, panicking.

“You are not going to be in the country. You have to tell him,” Rachel advised.

“I literally just agreed to go with him. I can't blow him off just like that. I'll sound mean,” Lauren responded.

“But you have to. It’s better than just disappearing on him. You have to pick. It's either him or Mr Gray.