July 11th 2019



Lauren opened her eyes to the sound of her alarm, the sun streaming through the curtains and an arm wrapped around her waist. Sam's eyes were still closed, and as Lauren reached over to switch off the alarm, she could tell that he was still sleeping.

This was Lauren's favourite sight. She had slept at Sam's that night as she often did, because she loved to wake up to the sight of his sleepy face in the morning. Savouring the sight of Sam sleeping and lightly snoring, she waited a couple of moments before gently shaking him awake.

'Sammy wake up.'

'Shhhh, am still sleeping,' Sam replied, tightening his grip on the girl and pulling her in closer to him.

'Big day today' Lauren said pressed up against his chest. She had been looking forward to this day for weeks, it was the first time she would be able to see him live at the Mouth of the Tyne Festival. They had been together officially for over a month now, and Sam had had a lot of time off after his EU tour which he had spent putting the finishing touches on his debut album. He had played his music for Lauren before, but she was excited to see the home crowd in Newcastle sing along to his songs.

She had expected Sam to just get tickets for herself, Nicola and Dylan to stand in general admission like everyone else, but Sam had told her that he wanted her at the side of the stage so that he would be able to see her, and she happily obliged.

Lauren pulled herself from Sam's bed, having stayed at his the night before rather than in her own flat, and started getting ready for the day. She showered, which Sam may have briefly joined her for, put her makeup on and got dressed from the clothes that had made their way from her own flat to Sam's. The girl now had two drawers full of her clothes at Sam's flat for when she stayed. Somehow, even though they had not been together for long, the two had found themselves in a comfortable rhythm of spending a lot of their time together, staying at each others places. Honestly, the couple acted like they had been together for much longer than just over a month, complimenting each other perfectly.

---

After waking up at Sam's, Lauren had made her way back to her own flat to get ready for Sam's gig with Nicola and Dylan. Her flat was a mere 5 minute walk from the priory where the concert was being held.

The three friends were currently sitting in the Salutation having a quick drink before having to move over to the venue. Lauren was wearing some of Sam's merch she had begged him to give her for the show, he said she didn't have to wear it but she wanted to show her support.

She could see out of the corner of her eye a group of girls staring at her. The bar was packed with what looked to be people waiting to see Sam too, and she had no doubt that the group of girls were megafans of his as they had obviously recognised her. Her mind started to wander- maybe these were the girls who had left negative comments on her Instagram or sent her nasty DMs about her relationship? Maybe they were judging her for the way she looked, dressed or her overall appearance?

'You look uncomfortable' Dylan said to Lauren, noticing the expression had changed on her face.

'I'm fine.' she replied. 'Can we leave? I want to see Sam'

The three got up from the table and made the short walk towards the venue. Tynemouth was absolutely packed, and Lauren felt an overwhelming sense of pride at the idea of all these people coming to see her boyfriend.

The three walked up to the front of the queue, showed their passes, and were shown to the back of the stage by one of the security members.

She quickly locked eyes onto Sam who waved and held his arms out, so she ran up to him. When she reached him he picked her up, span her around and placed a kiss to her forehead.

'Look at you!' he excaimed, pointing to her t-shirt with his own merch designs on.

'I'm your biggest fan' she beamed up at him.

'You two make me sick' Dean shouted from behind Sam, as he pulled his girlfriend into his chest and they stood with their arms wrapped around each other.

'Get a room!' Joe shouted in agreement.

Sam simply replied by flashing the two a finger, and turned to Lauren and said 'I'm so excited to have you here and see me play for the first time.'

...

Lauren, Nicola and Dylan sang along to all of Sam's songs at the top of their voices from the side of the stage, along with Sam's manager Owain who she had been introduced to at the start of the gig.

She now laid in her bed, Sam by her side and her voice ached from all of the singing and cheering she had took part in all night. She had a new admiration for Sam, watching him perform so passionately had made her fall for him even more.

But, the thought of the group of girls in the bar and the irrational thoughts of them judging her had played on her mind all night. The thought of it put a frown on her face, and her attempts to hide it from Sam came a little too late.

'What's wrong?' he asked her.

'Nothing, I'm fine', trying to plaster a smile on her face she replied.

'Clearly something has been bugging you all night Lauren, you know you can tell me anything.' The sad look on his face made her whole body fill with guilt. Sam was her boyfriend, and in that moment she knew that any insecurity or irrational fear she had, she was going to have to own up to it.

'It's stupid, you know I'm so proud of you and I don't want to take anything away from an amazing night. It's just seeing all those beautiful girls who come to see you in the crowd made me a little insecure. Why are you with me when you could be with any of them? And we were in the Sal and there was this group of girls staring at me, they must have recognised me, and it just really freaked me out.' A tear dropped from the girls eye as she looked at Sam. She didn't want to lose the boy over irrational fears, but she did truly feel insecure.

'Hey, come here' Sam said, pulling the girl in for a cuddle.

'Listen, Lauren. You are the most beautiful girl I've ever seen in me whole life, and a wonder every day how ave managed to pull a lass as fit as you. Honestly, a don't want anyone else, only you. You've got nothing to be worried about.'

She cuddled into his side, contempt with his response which had managed to curb her insecurities, and the two lay in comfortable silence.

'A think am fallin in love with you'

Lauren quickly shot her head up to look into Sam's eyes, shocked that that had just came out of his mouth. She sat with her mouth open in shock for a few moments, before melting at the sight of the expression on Sam's face and replying.

'Think am falling in love with you too.'