Beginning

Lauren Jauregui's Point of View

The cold breeze that night made all the hairs on my body stand on end. I rubbed my hands on my arms covered by the thick black jacket for warmth. It was already late and I was still stuck to that police station. I shook my head and took the gloves off my hands to capture my little box where I had my cigarettes. I needed that to end my anxiety.

It was Winter, New York was COvered by a thick and cold layer of snow. I particularly loved this time of year. I still could see some young kids playing war in the midst of all that ice in the next door neighbor's house. Peter, the little one, saw me from afar and waved excitedly.

-Hi, Lauren! - the blond boy shouted.

I smiled at him and waved. The boy turned his attention back to his friendsband to what he was doing. I grabbed a cigarette to put it between my lips, capturing my small lighter drawn with the flag of the United States. I saw the spark light up when I pressed the small button, until seeing fire wholly.

As soon as the cigarette lit, I put the lighter back in my pocket. I pulled the smoke into my mouth in an intense way, automatically feeling my body get better.

Damn addiction.

I released the smoke that faded away in the cold air of that night. I needed to get out of there. I had an extremely exhaustive day at the precinct. In that moment I had a stack of papers with numerous cases to solve. Robberies, murders, aggressions, all too little and nothing satisfactory. I was a deputy in Mount Vernon, a small town in the Westchester County in New York State. I loved what I did, but in these last few years all the cases seemed too small. I loved to be challenged, I loved to chase situations that seemed to be impossible to solve and that wasn't happening, not in my hands.

-Deputy Jauregui?

-Yes, Iglesias?

-I left all the archived cases on your desk, the young woman of earlier today is here again and wants to drop the charges against her husband.

-You are joking, right? -I asked staring at her.

Veronica Iglesias shook her head, shrugging.

-That woman likes to be beaten up, next time she comes here to file a complaint about her husband, I'll personally take care of beating her instead. - I grumbled irritated, making the officer laugh.

-I'll back you up, Lauren.

I smiled at her and pulled a little smoke into my mouth again. Handing it to her so that she would do the same. She approached and leaned against the cold wall where I was, grabbing the small cigarette from my hand to put it between her lips. She didn't take long to let out the smoke screen betvween her lips. Veronica Iglesias or simply Vero was my best friend, she worked with me as a clerk and investigator, she was like a sister to me since high school when we met. We were always on together for everything that happened in this life.

-What happened? - she asked staring at me with raised eyebrows.

-I sent our files to New York today, I'm a bit anxious to know if we will or not be called.

-You and your thirst for big cases. - she whispered with the cigarette still in her mouth.

-I'm glad you know, I can't stand this here anymore.

-I like it here, Laur. - she said staring at nothing.

I sighed, grabbing the cigarette from her hand to take another drag.

-I like it here too, but I want to grow as a deputy. And in this town I won't be able to do that, I need something big! It might be hard, but I'm sure I can do it.

And you too, Vero., - I said sincerely.

She shrugged and nodded.

-Look, have you ever stopped to think about us living in New York City? It will be incredible!

Iglesia's got somewhat thoughtful and smiled.

-It will be awesome, Jauregui! Can't wait for it! - she spoke excitedly, leaving me relieved.

It would be weird to go somewhere else if Vero wasn't with me. I knew that we wouldn't stay together forever, but in our history as friends and police officers we were always a duo.

-Important cases, new places, new people. -I said mischievously.

-New women, you mean. - she spoke amid an amused laugh.

-Exactly.

-It will be incredible! I really want to go. - she spoke confidently.

-We will, I'm pretty sure. - I spoke looking into her eyes.

-I trust you!

I smiled giving one last drag on the cigarette, to throw what was left of it on the ground, stepping it with the tip of my shoe, which made it sink in the snow.

-It's already pretty late, what do you think of us going to Jared's bar to celebrate our future plans? - she asked.

-It's a great idea, I need tWo things to keep me relaxed tonight. The day in this precinct wasn't one of the best. - I huffed angrily.

Vero let out a laugh and climbed the stairs to the door of the police station, opening it to enter the warmer and illuminated environment.

-Drinks and sex. Did I get it right? - she asked looking at me over her shoulder.

-Spot on! - I said as I walked into my office.

Receiving a curious look from the rookie cop who was in the reception desk. It hasn't been not even two weeks since she started working there. She was very pretty, she hada small body, and even under her uniform I could easily notice that her body was defined.

She had light eyes, a striking and probably very tasty mouth.

-Iglesias?

Vero turned towards me as she organized her desk.

-Yes?

-What's the name of the girl that's in the reception desk? -I asked as if I didn't want anything.

-The rookie cop?

-Yes.

She seemed to think for a few seconds, when she finally answered:

-I think her name is Keana, at least that was how Otavio called her earlier today. - she spoke in a relaxed way as she straightened her clothes. She paused for a moment and looked at me.

- Why, Jauregui?

She asked knowing exactly my answer.

-Oh, nothing! Curiosity! We could invite her to go with us to Jared's bar, what do you think?

Veronica rolled her eyes and let out a laugh.

-You are hopeless. - she exclaimed as she threw her hands up.

-What have I done this time? - I asked pretending to not understand her.

-What you want and will do, Lauren. She hardly arrived and you already want to fuck her?

I let out a loud laugh and sat on my overstuffed chair, spinning a few times until stopping facing Vero, who was standing staring at me with her hands on her waist.

-She's hot, and she keeps checking me out.

-That she's hot I noticed since she set foot in this police station. But don't you think you should back off?

-I won't deceive the girl, it's just sex. -I spoke as I played with the rubber of the pencil.

-You said that about Vivian last month, and nowadays she fills your phone with text messages and calls.

-Not anymore, I changed my number. - I said shaking my phone.

-You are a womanizer, Lauren. - Vero spoke between an amused laugh.

-I'm not, I just don't see any reason to get involved with someone. Sex without commitment is the best thing in the world. You fuck for an entire night, you get satisfied and on the next day you don't have to deal with anyone nor have to cuddle. - I spoke calmly, getting up from the chair where I was sitting - It's perfect.

-I know that very well, but I am determined to get a girlfriend. I need someone who will always be there for me.

I rolled my eyes in an impatient way.