if i knew what safety looked like

i would have spent less time

falling into arms that were not

-rupi kaur

As much as Laurielle attempted to not think of August, she did— even while working at the pharmacy preparing and dispensing prescriptions, he stayed on her mental.

She hadn't made use of the number that was given either, when would the appropriate time be? Sure he stated that he'd answer morning or night, but she still was a bit uncertain.

"Cousin," she had been greeted by family, Andrea

"How many times do I have to tell you, no pop ups please— there's only so much of you I can handle in a day." Laurielle teased as Andrea playfully rolled her eyes "What brings you by?"

"I can't check on my favorite person in the entire world? You look so beautiful today, did you do something different to your hair?"

"Drea," she replied sternly "What do you want?"

"Remember Kevin, the lawyer guy I'm temporarily dating? He invited me to go out with him and a couple of his friends, he mentioned something about his buddy who happens to be single and... well you're single, so I thought..."

"You thought what? That I'd be interested— Jesus Christ I wish you hadn't set me up like that, do you even know what this 'buddy' even looks like, or what he does for a living?"

"All I know is he's a lawyer as well, Kevin says he's a really great guy Lauri. Besides, you need to venture out into the dating world again. Ever since you and what's his face called off the engagement, you haven't been the same."

"It's not your decision to make though, I'll move on once I'm ready. I just finished up the healing process and the rest still takes some time, so therefore I'm not interested in going out with some fancy pants lawyer. I've already met someone else anyways..." she mumbled the last part

"Wait a minute now, don't try to scurry past that ma'am. What do you mean you've met somebody else? When did this happen? Who is he?"

"The day you dropped me off at the library, I met him there, and it's like no matter how hard I try— I can't get him off of my mind, it's trippy. I don't want to make myself too available, but I won't shy away from showing interest either. August is definitely unique..."

Andrea furrowed her eyebrows as a puzzled expression displayed across her face "His name is August? Like the month? Lauri what the hell girl, yeah that makes him soooo unique, pffft please."

"I happen to like his name, don't be a hater."

"What does he do for a living?"

"We're still on the surface as of right now so I don't know yet, I've only been out with him once and that was to get coffee. The timing was terrible so I couldn't get a sufficient amount of information out of him."

"Mhmm, well is he cute at least?"

"He's very handsome, probably one of the most attractive men I've seen in a while."

"Starstruck is what you are, and I agree with you as far as your availability. Does August think and feel the same way about you?"

"Hopefully, I don't know." she shrugged before sighing "You're not judging me are you Drea?"

"No sweetie, I'm just being overprotective because if another man thinks he's going to come in, waste your time, and break your heart— then he's going to be in for a rude awakening. You're such a hopeless romantic Lauri, and I think that's beautiful... but it can be a scary thing as well, promise me you'll be careful?"

"I promise, and thank you."

"You're good cousin, and I'll just tell Kevin to let his friend know you're straight on that— oouu, maybe you could bring August out with us instead?"

"Ehhh, I'll have a talk with him about it."

"Okay great I'm done bothering you for the day, call me later."

After saying their farewells, Laurielle went back to work; She already knew what August's answer would be to that invitation. The last thing she would want to do is put him in an uncomfortable environment, she was taking baby steps with him.

The hands on the clock spun around and around until her shift ended, she dreaded going home now because although she and her fiancé had called off their engagement, the two of them still lived together.

He was in the process of finding an apartment, and decided to leave her the condo—

Usually when she entered the house in the past, she'd let her presence be known, but none of that mattered anymore since they had demoted their relationship status.

Keeping tabs, communicating, and activities together were non-existent now. He had broken her trust, her spirit... her heart.

She lazily tossed her keys onto the kitchen counter, and set down her tote before going into the refrigerator, "I didn't hear you come in." his voice traveled across the room as she shivered

"Yep, I'm here." was the response she had given, her focus was mainly on trying to figure out what to cook for dinner "Are you hungry?"

"No I'm not actually, I just made it back from having dinner with Chanel—" he tucked his lips before apologizing "I'm sorry..."

"You don't have to apologize Cameron, you don't have to sympathize with me, or any of that alright? I've told you this a million times like... I'm over it. I really don't understand why you even bother to converse with me still. I'm content with the silent treatment, trust me."

"It's difficult to walk around this house, and not speak to one another due to the fact I'm still under this roof with you, that's not normal Laurielle."

"Then leave, get out."

"I'm working on it, hell if I could speed up the process I would."

"Whatever you say Cameron, all I'm hearing is a bunch of excuses— matter of fact, why hasn't Chanel allowed you to move in with her? You spend the night over there every other goddamn weekend, might as well."

"I didn't come in here to argue with you."

"But that's exactly what this is turning into so, get out of my kitchen."

"Really?"

"If I could physically remove your ass from inside of this house then I would, but since that's not the best option I've just decided to dismiss you from the kitchen, ." she said now pointing in the opposite direction

Doing as told he slowly began to back away until vanishing from her sight, in that moment she had lost her appetite— whether she wanted to admit it or not, their separation still affected her.

Laurielle had been completely blindsided, unaware, and unprepared; He failed her.

No she wasn't a saint, she had her fair share of short comings in the relationship as well, but honesty meant everything to her, so did loyalty and commitment, the deal breaker for her had always been, and would always be .

She didn't believe in second chances, to her that was settling... and having a piece of man than no man at all was definitely not her motto. Cameron didn't make a mistake, it was a choice— he chose wrong and shattered the possibilities of what could have been a great life, a happy home, a happy wife.

"God has other plans," Laurielle sighed while going upstairs, and closing herself up in the room

She felt a little stressed but that was nothing a nice warm bubble bath couldn't solve,

In the bath she had extended moments to reconnect to her true emotions, how did she feel deep within? She removed each layer of pity— sorrow would not reside in her soul much longer.

Washing away the pain, she became more relaxed now sinking deeper into the water, this is overcoming.

With closed eyes her mind began to wander, drifting towards August as she smiled at the thought of him,

Her fascination with him increased rapidly, and if she could slow down the pace she would but, she needed to know more, she wanted more.

Laurielle soon reached over to grab her phone from the sink counter, nervously biting down onto her lip she went to her contacts finding August's number— her thumb hovered over the call icon for several minutes until she finally pressed it.

The ringing began for a short moment until she heard, "Alsina Residence."

Unable to speak she just remained silent, August then sighed with frustration "Lauri, it's very rude to play on people's phones."

"H-How'd you know it was me? I'm sorry I didn't mean to not say anything, I just didn't expect you to answer so suddenly..."

"I've got caller I.d, Ms.Erves."

"Right, that slipped my mind." she responded with a nervous laugh "Um I was just calling to— to say hi."

"Why do you sound like that? There's a difference in your tone,"

She shrugged as if he could see her, "I don't know I mean I don't really have alot of energy right now, had a long day at work so maybe that's—"

"No, that's not it... you sound unhappy."

"I'm fine I promise, how has your day been?"

"Peaceful, it may have gone a little better if you had called me sooner, why wait until it's close to 9 o'clock?"

She began smiling from ear to ear while sitting up in the tub, "I didn't know you were so eager to hear from me August."

"..... Well."

"Well what?"

"What's all that splashing I keep hearing? Are you in the bathtub or something?"

"Yes, I'll try to keep my splashes to a minimum then if it's bothering you." she teased

"Soaking all that beauty huh,"

"I sure am soaking all this booty," she continued to tease him before laughing out loud due to him freaking out over the phone

"T-That's not what I said! Laurielle! I said BEAUTY, stop laughing!"

"Okay okay I'm done, forgive me August?"

"Forgiven, and I hope you can forgive me for rushing off on our 'date'. I've been thinking—" he cleared his throat "Or more like planning, how would you feel about coming to Idyllwild?"

"I'd love to come, I've never been so I'm sure it'd be a fun adventure. Is this you asking me out on a date this time?"

"Call it what you want, I just have to get you out here. There's so much to see..."

She silently screamed to herself while kicking her feet as bubbles flew in every direction, "That sounds great, how soon are we talking?"

"As soon as possible, I want to see you and give you a glimpse of who I am, because you do deserve that for being so patient with me. At times I can be a jerk or just a handful..."

"I don't think that, and things take time. We're still figuring each other out so there's that."

"I'm glad you understand Lauri."

"And I'm glad that you're giving me a chance."