Chapter 3
A/N: Sorry I really haven't really been updating this story. I got major writer's block and my laptop hasn't liked me very much but I'm almost home! And I wrote a whole chapter and a half of this one, a chapter of another, and finished a different chapter on the plane! YAY(: Okay enjoy (: This one is kinda happier!
Joey’s POV
I walked up to the door of the apartment I shared with Brian and unlocked it, my mind still somewhere else. My bag felt like the heaviest thing in the world as I dragged it behind me. Brian sat in on the couch in the living room watching TV. He looked up and saw the still sorrowful expression laid out on my face.
“Hey Joey. What’s up?” he asked following me back to my room. I dropped my suitcase and threw my backpack on my bed. Sitting down, I looked up at Brian leaning in the doorway.
“I’m the world’s biggest asshole,” I told him with a straight face. And it was true. I should have never done that to Lo.
“And why is that?” Brian’s eyes shone with curiosity.
“I left her man. I just up and left. I don’t know why I did it. I couldn’t bear to face her about having to leave,” I lied. He must have seen the lie as my face betrayed me.
“Okay, that’s the biggest load of bullshit and you know it. Now tell me the real reason,” he said harshly as he walked over to my bed and sat down next to me. Sometimes, it really was nice to have a best friend like Brian.
“Fine. I was scared Bri. I – I told her I love her and… and she said it back. You know that has never happened before. Anytime I would tell a girl I loved her, they would always run and shatter my heart. But not this time. And I was scared. But what do I do now? How do I get her back?” I looked up at Brian to see him not mad, but understanding.
“Well, you’re going to first need to gain back her trust. That’s the biggest thing in a relationship is trust. If neither of you trust each other, then the whole thing will just crumble. And Lauren obviously doesn’t trust you right now.”
“Obviously,” I over exaggerated. “I don’t blame her either…”
Brian lightly patted my back quietly. The look on his face shone with sympathy for me. I really was that pathetic. To walk out on someone like that. But as defeated as I felt, I was still determined to find a way to win her back. The two of us sat there in silence for a moment before I finally took a deep breath.
“You know, the cab driver on the way here told me something. And I don’t know how it’s going to work out, but I think I’m gonna need your help man.” I looked back up at Brian who only nodded. A small smile crept across my face. I told him about my phone call to Lauren and what the cab driver had told me to do.
“Joey, we will figure something out. And as soon as we do, we are booking the first flight back to Chicago,” he said with an encouraging smile. I nodded quietly.
“Thanks Bri,” I said quietly. Everything would be okay. We were going to fix this. But how?
Lauren’s POV
“Thanks Juls,” I said as Julia placed a large plate of gluten free pancakes in front of me. I hungrily dug into them and smiled. Although I was still the best cook in the apartment, Julia was still pretty good as well. Meredith, Denise, and Jaime all sat around the table with me quietly on their phones. Julia came back in and sat down right next to me.
“Feeling better?” she asked. I nodded contently and took another bite of the fluffy pancakes. “Good. So what do you want to do today? We can do anything you want!”
“Fowever Tweny Won,” I mumbled through a mouthful of food. She looked at me confused and everyone burst into a fit of giggles. I swallowed my food and spoke again. “Forever Twenty One.”
Julia nodded in understanding and slid open her phone. I continued to eat my pancakes in the comfortable silence that ensued. I looked around the table and realized how lucky I was to have such amazing friends by my side. I would get through this. With them here for me every step of the way. But what was I supposed to do? Get over him and move on? I couldn’t just do that. I mean, I love him. I finished my food and stood up with my plate. Walking over to the sink, I washed off my dish and put it in the dishwasher before walking back to the table.
“So Mere, how is Brian?” I asked lightly with a smile.
“He’s good. He texted me earlier asking where I had run off to so I explained things to him. I hope you don’t mind,” she finished softly. I shook my head.
“How many people actually know?” I asked them all. Every girl looked up at me with almost regretful expressions.
“Well, I only told Brian,” Meredith said. And I was perfectly okay with that. Brian was like a brother to me.
“I kinda told Jeff. He did the same thing earlier and asked where I had gone at one in the morning,” Denise piped up. I nodded understandingly. Jeff and I had gotten closer since Holy Musical B@tman so I knew he would be fine.
“Um, Dylan knows,” Jaime said hesitantly. She would tell him. At least Dylan was a sweetheart and would understand.
“And I may have told Walker.” My heart sunk at Julia’s words. Walker. He would surely tell more people. I groaned slightly. Julia looked at me with a face that said “I’m so sorry.” I shook it off and kept thinking.
“Well by now Rosenthal should know. And I’m sure Walker would have told at least Darren and the Lang brothers. Maybe that shopping trip really will do me some good,” I said with a swallow. I got up quietly and walked back to my room to get dressed. On the way I noticed my phone still on the coffee table. Picking it up, I continued on my journey back to my room. I pressed the button to unlock it and saw a multitude of message from various people. I scrolled through them and saw both Brians, Nick, Matt, Jeff, Walker, Dylan, Darren, and Joey. Everyone I would have expected. Opening them all, they were all very similar with the question of “Are you alright?” But the one that was different was Joey’s.
“Lauren Elizabeth Lopez,” it began, “I know that sorry will never excuse what I did to you. I was an idiot. I couldn’t bear to face you trying to say I had to leave. And even still I don’t have a good reason of why I left. It’s quite ridiculous. But I can’t tell you now. It’s something I will have to tell you in person. But I want you to know, I am still here for you. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if you moved on and found somebody else. Before you decide whether you are going to forget me or not, just let me explain my reasons to you and make it up to you. I was wrong, stupid, and an asshole. If you still want to dump me after we talk, I understand why. But please, just let me explain. I’ve booked a flight for tomorrow to come back to Chicago. I arrive at 9:30 am and I’ll be over there as fast as the traffic will allow. I just hope you’ll be able to somehow forgive me. I’ll always love you. ~Joey”
I couldn’t bring myself to reply. Instead, I dialed a number and held my breath as it rung.
“Hello?” the voice asked from the other end. “Lauren?”
“Hey are you still in Chicago?” I asked. I really prayed he hadn’t gone back to New York yet.
“Yeah, why? Do you need something?” he questioned with a concerned tone.
“Yeah, I need someone to talk to. Meet me at the Starbucks near my apartment at say 3?”
“Of course Lo. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” A smile began to creep back up on my face.
“Thanks. I’ll see you then!” I said almost cheerfully.
“See ya!” he replied and hung up. Still smiling, I grabbed clothes and threw them on quickly. I quickly did my hair and makeup making sure I looked presentable and not like I had been crying all night long. I was positive this shopping trip and coffee “date” would be good for me. A little mind clearing isn’t bad right?
