Saved By Steven (finished)

34. The end is near

In the elevator Lauren kept falling in and out of consciousness. By the time the elevator hit the penthouse Steven had to carry her inside. He put her on the couch, where she almost immediately passed out. With a sigh of relieve the boys sat down and watched her sleep.

"Well, that was something." Steven sighed.

"Are you sure that going on tour with you is good for her. She is still knee deep in her addiction and from experience I can say that being on the road while fragile, isn't really a great thing." Mick said. He was worried.

"Well, it will be a short leg across America before we are on summer break. I will be staying in Maui for two months. She can stay with me." Steven said.

"And you are going to take care of her on your own?"

"Sure. I can take her anywhere with me, besides I've got a lot of friends on the island. It will be fine. I'll fly you out if you want."

"Yeah. Thanks."

"Guys, I think she's out for the count. What do you want to do? We have to be downstairs in three hours.

"What time is it?" Mick asked.

"Already 4." Joe said, while he lit another cigarette. He sat next to a sleeping Lauren, he'd put his jacket over her to keep her warm.

"Shit, I'll get some of her things from her house." Mick said.

"Okay, see you later!" Steven said.

With Mick gone, Steven and Joe took turns looking after Lauren. While one sat watch, the other went to pack. Lauren was passed out good. She didn't wake up until Joe shook her arm at 6. He wanted her to take a shower, if that was possible, before they went on the plane.

Lauren shook her arm and pushed Joe away. He poured two coffees and tried again. This time Lauren opened her eyes. They were still very red from the booze and drugs.

"Morning baby, it's time to go."

"Hm?"

"We are leaving for our tour, baby. You're coming remember?"

"No." Laurens' voice was nothing more but a whisper. Her clothes were crumbled and smelled of booze.

More reaction Joe couldn't get out of Lauren. He got fed up about it and got Steven. Steven had a lot more patience with Lauren. He helped her sit up, gave her coffee and talked to her. She didn't have to say anything back, he just needed her to be awake and somewhat alert. Lauren looked at him with her makeup smeared eyes and messy hair.

"So, if you want to take a shower now is the time."

"But my clothes?"

"Mick is getting some for you. He'll be here any moment."

"Okay."

Steven helped Lauren to the bathroom where he left her alone to get freshened up. While Lauren was in the shower, Steven called Mick to tell him Lauren was up.

The warm water streaming out of the shower head ached on Lauren's flesh. The water massaged her sensitive skin. The burst of water on her neck made her feel sick. She turned so the water hit her face and could wash of the rest of the makeup. After only ten minutes Lauren decided it was enough. The water didn't make her feel any better, in fact, she felt worse. Dressed in a towel and her hair combed and put back in a pony tail, she walked back into the room and she sat down on the couch.

"Hello baby, you good?" It was Mick.

"I feel sick." Lauren said. Her eyes were still red, her speech slow and tears were close to her eyes.

"I got you some clothes. Here. Some comfortable stuff."

Lauren took it from him and got dressed.

At 7:15 the group was ready to go downstairs. Lauren was dressed in a loose fitting hoodie with jeans. She wore loafers on her feet and a scarf around her neck. She had put her hair back in a high ponytail and put sunglasses on her eyes, which were still red and puffy. The hangover started to come on and the coffee didn't help. Before the group could leave they had to checkout, something the boys took care of.