Four-Part Harmony [RichPez]

•8•

Ever since that much-needed call with Joey two weeks ago, I talked with Brian and we both decided I needed to take a few days off and fly over to LA to spend some time with Joey. I, of course, wanted to wait until we were almost ready for HMB to open, but Brian and Clark forced me to go earlier, seeing as I was getting no where with so much on my mind.

Eventually, the boys and i came to a compromise. I'll be leaving after we've done a full run-through of the show and miss four days (two in LA and two for travel). Since our first run-through was yesterday, I am currently packing my suitcase and making sure I have my ticket bought. The plan is to leave early tomorrow, telling everyone else that I need to go down for an audition. I hate lying to them more, but there's a part of me that just can't tell anyone about Joey and I.

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I land in LA and try to find Joey. I see him with Brosenthal, holding a sign that says 'Draco Malfoy's transportation to Pigfarts'. I run over to the two and hug them both, saint Joey for last so I can kiss him. Damn, I've missed this so much.

"Woah, no PDA!" Brian says to the two of us.

"Shut up, Brian. I know you're secretly wishing it was you I was kissing," Joey says to his best friend. I laugh at the look on Brian's face and follow the two to their car.

"So, Lo," Joey says, "I may or may not have told Corey about us. Mainly cause I knew he wouldn't buy the whole audition thing since you and I will be spending all day for the next two days together,"

I nod at Joey's words. I'm not upset with him for telling Corey, but I'm not exactly happy, either.

"Oh yeah!" I say. "I forgot to tell you two. Dylan asked Jaime out during rehearsal and they'll be going on a date soon!"

"Thank God!" Brian says. "I think we all just need Breredith and Jylan and Richpez right now,"

I smile and spend the rest of the car ride in silence, listening to the boys bicker about who was the better Dumbledore. It's quite amusing, listening to them argue and then get off-topic and say that Dylan wins. I think they also re-casted AVPM during that conversation.

The next thing I know, I'm being shaken awake by a very happy Corey Lubowich. I smile and give Corey a hug and walk inside the boys' apartment, finding my suitcase in the guest bedroom. I also notice a bunch of gluten-free food in their pantry.

"So, what plans does Lauren Elizabeth Lopez have today?" Joey asks me, wrapping his arms around me from behind.

"Sleep," I respond after a yawn. "Also, I really need to talk to you,"

Joey nods and we walk hand-in-hand to the room I'll be staying in, and we both sit on the bed. It takes me a while to start, but when I do, it quickly becomes a rant.

"Look, Joey, I love this relationship. I love you. But it's so hard doing this long-distance in secret. I know it's a good idea to tell everyone, but I just can't right now. It's so nice having something that no one else knows about, something that can be our little secret, not counting the Brians, Mere, Clark, or Corey. And I don't want anyone to know because if they knew that the reason I've been so sad in Chicago is because you're in LA, they'll just tell me to move here and I don't want that. I don't want their sympathy, and Chicago has become my home,"

"Lo, sweetie, it's gonna be okay. We can tell them when you're ready, and until then we still have Skype and texting and phone calls. Remember before we started dating, we had those weekly Skype chats?" I nod. "We can still have those without it being obvious we're dating, okay?"

I shrug my shoulder's at Joey's idea. He kisses me softly on the forehead, and then leaves the room, allowing me to take a nap. After all, jet-lag is going to be a bitch if I don't take care of it soon.

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Ahh!!! Two updates in two days!! I am so sorry for last chapter's ending. Honestly, I didn't expect it being that way until it happened. Anyway, the reason this chapter is so short is because the next one is gonna be a Richpez date and I need time for inspiration and want it to be as fluffy as humanly possible. Love you all!!!

_Elia_