Chapter 30

*****Dinah's POV*****

I was currently drving Lauren to the airport, and I didn't want to do anything but turn the car around. We were currently sitting in silence, and you could feel how thick the tension was in the air. I reached over and grabbed her left hand, holding it with my right. "What's going through your head baby?" I asked. She just shrugged, but I wasn't taking that. I knew that Lauren was going to be gone for a while, and we weren't going out like this. 

"C'mon Lauren, what's going on with you?" She sighed, "I just don't know if I'm ready to be so far away from you. We've never been this far apart". I brought her hand up to my lips, "I know baby. I honestly don't want you to go alone, but you're the only one Mani will talk to". "I'm gonna bring her home, and I will be sure to video chat and text you everday" she said, and kissed my cheek. "If you're going to meet Normani's family, you need to know a few things" I said. "Enlighten me babe".

I started talking about how serious they were about their religion and didn't really like her for some time when I came out. "They like me now, I'm their daughter's best friend after all"  I said. "What else should I know?" she asked. "Unless they know about Arin and Mani's fight, don't say anything about it. They hate Arin and they've hated him ever since he asked her out. He's actually a really nice guy, that's why I am so confused about what happended between him and Mani".

She nodded, "So don't bring up Arin at all unless they do?" "Exactly baby, you pick things up quick" I said. "Well, I'm not an idiot Dinah. I can be smart" she said, pretending to be offended. I leaned over and kissed her cheek, "You know I love you, Lauren". I felt her stroke my cheek, "But how much do you love me?"

"You're my ride or die baby. Meaning that I'm with you till the end and I'll be you until the day death separates us". "Aww, Dinah" she said before kissing my cheek. "I love you too". I really enjoyed just hanging with Lo. It makes me remember why I fell in love with her... she's one cool girl that I get to kiss whenever I want.  But my good moment was ended quickly when I heard the engines of planes revving to take off.  "We're here".

*****Lauren's POV*****

When she said that, I looked up and saw the large airport in front of us. "Here it is babe, LaGuardia Airport" she said, sighing at the end. "I haven't seen this place since I flew here from Miami" I said, thinking about the memory. I remember seeing my little sister and brother cry and refuse to let me go when I was leaving. My parents had to pry them off of me, and I hadn't seen them since. We texted ocassionaly, but I knew that wasn't enough. What kind of big sister was I to leave them on their own like that? They need me.

"Lo" Dinah's voice called, pulling me out of my trance. "Is everything okay Lauren"? I just shook my head out of the trance and nodded, "Yeah....I'm okay. I guess we should get going". She sighed again, 'Yeah, let's get going". We got out the car and the cold fall air of New York was absolutely brutal on my skin. Dinah grabbed my bags, against my protest, but she wouldn't let me roll any. 

"Dinah, I could've grabbed a bag. I'm a big strong girl" I said, flexing the muscles that years of softball brought me. She laughed and kissed my biceps, "I know baby girl, but I just want to". She was so sweet, I couldn't help but blush. "C'mon you big dork. I gotta check my bags". We walked over and I paid for my two bags and then I had them put on the conveyer belt with the other bags for my flight. Once we did that, it was time to go through security and stuff like that. "Dinah, you know you don't have to go through with me" I said, but I'm glad she stayed with me. "I'm sorry baby, but I'm not leaving your side until you are boarding that flight". I just giggled, "Fine, come on". We went through the lines, taking off my shoes and everything out my pocket. She did the same thing never leaving my side. Everything was running smoothly, until we got to the scanners.

I forgot the buttons on my jeans were metal, so the machine went off. This young guy with red was smirking at me as I walked through, "Come forward for me ma'am". I did as I was told, but something didn't feel right about this guy. "Arms extended, legs spread" he said with a little chuckle. I don't like where this is going. I don't like it at all. He ran his hands across my arms and then over my chest, playing a very dangerous game with Dinah around. He got down on his knees in front of me and started to run his hands up the insides of my thighs, groping a lot more than necessary. When he got between my legs, that's when Dinah went off.

"Hey man, what the hell do you think you're doing?" she said, pushing him back and standing in between us. "She set the alarm off so a I gave her a pat down" he smirked, winking at me. I just rolled my eyes and stood behind Dinah. "That was a grope down buddy, and that was just fucking inapropriate the way you were touching her. Apologize" she said. "Excuse me?" "Apologize to her, you prick. And don't ever touch her like that again.

He stood in her face, but he still wasn't as tall as her. "What are you gonna do about it?" he sneered. "Don't push it pal, I'm offering you the easy way out" she growled. I knew she would lose it if he said one more thing, so I had to pull her away. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her back slowly, glaring at the man as we walked away. I held her hand and we walked through the airport to the boarding area.

"I love you baby, but you gotta stop picking fights" I said as we sat in the waiting area. "I know, but I don't like pervs like him that think they can get away with violating woman on a daily basis. Especially not my girl" she said, kissing my cheek. We just sat in silence, cuddling and exchanging kisses from time to time, getting some looks from people. But I didn't care right now, I wanted to savor these moments with the life of my life. And then they called out, "Flight 15 to Houston, now boarding". 

I looked at Dinah, and I saw tears start to stream down her face. "Come here" I said and pulled her into a hug. "I'm going miss you so much, I know it's gonna hurt babe" I said, trying to hold my back my tears. I had to be her rock right now, and I wasn't going to break. I stood I stiil held her in my arms, "Baby? Look at me sweetheart". She lifted her head and looked me in my eyes, "I love you so much Lolo". "I know baby, I love you too" I said, pressing my lips to hers passionately. I put everything I had for her in that kiss, not caring if anyone. They could take pictures for all they want, I don't give a fuck right now. "Final call for flight 15" the speaker said, and I knew I had to go.

I pulled away from Dinah, pressing our foreheads together. "I love you baby, and Ima call every fucking day. Okay?" I said. She nodded, and then pressed her lips to mine again. "I gotta go now baby" I said, her walking me all the way to the gate. "Drive home safe and text me when you get there" I said, and she nodded. "I'll be right here when you get back Lolo" she said, and then let go of me. I started to walk away and then I turned back and waved to her, "Bye". She smiled sadly and waved back, "Bye". 

And just like that, I disappeared onto the plane, where I let a single tear slide down my face.