Page 26 of Loving Lauren
That was the first night they laughed without hesitation again. Something uncurled. It wasn’t perfect, but it was real and growing.
Movie night rolled around again. Sierra called Lauren that afternoon.
“You’re coming to movie night, right?” Sierra held her breath.
“Of course. I can’t risk being kicked out of the coven. Plus, I miss you.”
Sierra’s heart swelled. “I know it’s rough going back home so late. You’re welcome to stay. You can even have my bed, and I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“I’ll think about it.” Lauren’s mind was racing.
“See you soon.”
The night was full of chaos and comfort. Calliope arrived with a tray of cupcakes. Raven made drinks labeled “emotional support beverages,” and Jett, still glowing, walked in humming and clutching a matcha latte like it was sacred.
This time, the movie was a coming-of-age indie with too much voiceover and not enough plot. No aliens. Just angsty bike rides, metaphors, and lingering shots of raindrops on windshields.
Sierra claimed the corner of the couch again, and Lauren settled in beside her without hesitation. Their legs found each other, as always. Easy. Familiar.
Calliope tossed a pillow at Sierra halfway through the film. “Okay, but the real question is, how was the trip? You vanished.”
Sierra looked sheepish. “It was amazing. Exhausting. Beautiful. Jonas is still a menace, but I learned so much. I missed you guys.”
“And we missed you.” Jett bit into a cupcake. “But I also got distracted by a certain someone named Ellis.”
Raven perked up. “Hot Ellis?”
Jett grinned. “White-boy name. Latin-boy moves. Absolute menace on the dance floor.”
“Ohhh, so that’s why you were MIA in the group chat.” Lauren poked him.
“I was hydrating.” Jett wiggled his eyebrows.
Sierra laughed and leaned her head against Lauren’s shoulder, the weight of the past few weeks settling into something soft.
When the credits finally rolled, Raven stood and stretched. “So was that a film or an extended perfume commercial?”
Calliope nodded. “Very vibes over plot. But honestly? Sierra and Lauren were the real feature.”
Jett raised his matcha. “Gorgeous, you two are giving me all the rom-com feels again.”
Sierra groaned. “You guys are impossible.”
Lauren smiled and bumped her shoulder lightly. “They’re not wrong.”
The room buzzed with laughter and warmth, the kind that only comes from people who know each other’s stories and keep showing up to hear more.
Sierra carried the empty chip bowl into the kitchen, weaving around scattered blankets and half-empty soda cans. Raven trailed after her, with a hesitant look on her face. Sierra pulled open the cabinet for more snacks, and that’s when Raven spoke up, voice low.
“Hey Sierra, can I ask you something kind of personal?”
Sierra glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “Always.”
Raven shifted her weight, fingers fiddling with the hem of her sleeve. “How did you know? That you were pansexual, I mean. I keep thinking I’m bisexual or pansexual, but mostly I just feel... confused.”
Sierra set the new bag of pretzels on the counter and stepped closer, wrapping Raven in a quick, reassuring hug. “I don’t think there’s a neat answer. For me, it wasn’t some lightning bolt moment. It was looking back and realizing my crushes never cared about gender. It was about how someone made me feel. Hearts, not parts.”
Raven let out a shaky laugh, like she’d been holding her breath. “That actually makes sense. I still feel lost at times.”
