La Douleur Exquise

Chapter 7

A/N #BuyBottledUpOnItunes

Three months later I was standing on the side of the stage, watching Normani for the umpteenth time kill it on stage. It was her last show in Canada before we all had a couple of days off before going into her Mexican leg.

I didn't hear a phone ring but I felt one vibrate in my pocket. I assumed it was Normani's phone since people are usually always trying to reach her when she's busy. Shockingly it was mine but I smiled instantly when I saw who was FaceTiming me.

I answered it, having headphones in and backing up so I was standing behind the small crowd of people watching Normani.

"Hey Ally."

"Hey. You're not busy right? I figured Mani would still be on stage."

"Which she is. Plus even if she wasn't I still would've answered for you. You're an exception."

"The only exception?"

She raised her eyebrows making me smile.

"Aw you wish."

"Whatever."

She rolled her eyes before adjusting her position on the bed she was laying on and continuing.

"Anyways... I called because girl. College life is ah-mazing."

"What? Really? I heard it's stressful."

"Oh. I mean the classes are yeah. But I'm talking about the parties."

My face dropped at what she said even though she had no shame in any of it.

"You've barely been in there a month and you've been to more than one party already?"

"Yeah. The school week is for class. The weekends though? These people are crazy."

"I believe it. I don't have to make any last minute trips do I?"

She let out a fake laugh before rolling her eyes again.

"No mom. The boys here are so immature. I mean, they're gorgeous... but I don't get why they wasted their money here."

"Ally."

"What? I'm just saying. Some of them are like... ehh in the head."

I laughed genuinely at what she said, shaking my head as I aimlessly walked around.

"My god. I miss you. After the North American leg of this tour you're coming back to see me before I go to Europe."

"Yeah right. All your attention'll probably be wrapped up in Normani."

I laughed but it came out drier than I intended. Ally looked at me confused before she connected her own dots and sighed.

"You still can't do it?"

I let out a deep breath, walking further away from everyone and eventually leaning against a random wall across the way.

"How can I? There's something that makes it so I can't shake Jillyan. I don't see what she swears she saw between us because my mind is always on her."