Reflection 2:Better Together

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The meeting had been in session for two hours and I felt as if we were getting nowhere. The girls were telling half truths and claiming the couldn't put together any details of what had happened to them now, letting me know that they were almost completely chickening out. The concert and announcement last night went great, and the fans welcomed Lauren and I as if it... Well, I think we all knew it was bound to happen.
"Okay," my lawyer sighed, "so far we have... Little to no information enough to prosecute. So not only are you costing Paige hundreds of dollars, but you're making this harder for yourselves. Think about the consequences, meeting is adjourned."
I rolled my eyes standing, "You can all talk to me when you decide you have something to say that makes sense. Got it?"
"Paige, wait." Normani said, finally, she had been sitting quietly this whole meeting with her head down, "You have to understand, we are afraid."
"Afraid of what?"
"Of the effects this could possibly have on you... We've received threats..."
"What threats?" My lawyer pressed, sitting back down at his legal pad, clicking his pen.
"Nothing..." Mani said quietly. I frowned at her, "I swear, Normani I will put in a court order and when you're sworn in I will force you by law to say it."
"You're inhibiting a legal process, Miss Hamilton. Also, all of you girls are." My lawyer confirmed.
"Listen, girls, everything will be-" I was interrupted by my phone ringing, "I have to take this."
I pressed the talk button, "Paige."
"Yes? Who is this?"
"It's Leigh-Anne. Something happened that I needed to get a new phone." She curly haired brunette explained.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"I'm fine, but you need to get to Los Angeles. Bring the girls, please."
"Why? What's going on?"
The line was dead, "Guys? We need to go right now, something has happened. Christopher, you need to join us."
We rushed into one of the trucks that were on standby, and I instructed the driver to rush to the airport.
"Baby, what is happening?" Lauren asked from the backseat, reaching her hand up to touch my shoulder.
"I wish I knew, Lo. But I got instructions from Leigh to head to the States."
My phone rang again, this time with a news notification: Pop Star Austin Mahone's Body Found Washed up in Pacific Ocean. Foul Play Suspected.
"I think I know why we need to go... Austin is dead."I snorted hard, then started laughing. I know it's cruel, but at certain points I can't stand to be serious for more than ten minutes. I'd been serious and mature about this situation for a little too long, plus, really... Who even likes Austin?
"Oh my god, why are you laughing?" Mani asked in horror.
Dinah giggled, "It's not funny.. But I mean... It's funny."
Ally frowned at the both of us, "Girls, no. Just stop, okay? This is serious, pull over the car please." She instructed Chris.
The forty something year old man rolled his eyes and pulled the car over to the side of the road. I turned in my seat to listen to whatever my adoptive mother had to say.
"Why are WE being called to testify? Something has connected us to this crime. Or rather, someone."
"I'm just going to be the voice of reason and ask. What was he doing in the Pacific? I mean... That sounds incriminating. We're on tour near the Pacific and a few days later he's floating upside down like a goldfish?" Lauren reasoned, nibbling her lips. It was an adorable little habit but this time I could see it was out of nervousness.
"We all have an alibi, Hun. Don't worry about it. But we definitely do need a game plan for this. Do we speak to press? Or...?" I turned to Chris. As head of my legal team, he knew what would be the best course of action.
He shook his head, "Make a simple statement as a group, not saying anything would appear suspicious."
"I can't believe this is happening." Camila said quietly, "I just saw him."
"You didn't still love him did you?" Lauren asked.
"Wait. You saw him last?" I asked, "Mila, why?"
"He came to ask for me back... Said it was something he had to do, I think. We kissed, and um... Yeah. But he left later that night, I swear. After that I didn't hear from him. He seemed like he was in a daze."
"That's important when you testify," Dinah nodded her head, "Are you sure that you didn't hear from him after?"
Camila answered in the affirmative.
"So we get there and speak to the press and police... I need to see my son." Lauren decided.
"I agree," I looked her in the eye, "but not with this craziness. I think you should go to Miami."
"I think you should come with me." The raven haired girl challenged, "This murder has nothing to do with you."
"Yet the man who I think carried it out has a vendetta against me. Lauren, I'm not putting you in danger."
"You already have, just by being with me and by you knowing. I think we've also established that we keep each other safe." She raised her perfectly arched eyebrow, and I knew I should just keep it shut. There was no use in arguing with her, "Alright, fine, we're going to Miami."
"Thank you. I'm just waiting for the day this will all be over, only 6 months left." She sighed, "Can we just go? I miss my kid."
Chris shifted the car gear into drive and we continued to the airport in silence.