AN: So, I was going to wait until Thursday to post this, buttttt I don't want to wait that long. So. Chapter 4. Here you go!
And please do me a favor, and if you haven't already, go check out Neve Wood's 'I Need Your Love (Calvin Harris)' which is now here on Wattpad! She is going to be featured in 'Our Fake Empire' which I may or may not have a chapter up for tonight!
*warning* this chapter may cause sadness and a bit of crying. You have been warned.
Jealousy And Anger
Lauren's POV
I woke up to a dark, quiet room, a body pressed against my back, and an arm around my waist. Ben's face was nuzzled into my hair, and his breathing was light. I shifted slightly, not being comfortable on the small sofa.
"Ben?" I questioned softly.
"Hmm?" He mumbled in return.
"Either we get up and move to your bed, or I'm going back to my room." I said.
"My bed." He said.
"Then please release me from your grip." I said with a chuckle.
He moved his arm and we both stood from the sofa, slowly and quietly making our way to his bed, trying not to wake Ryan on our way there. There were two rooms off of the lounge, but they were right next to each other and Ryan had left his door open when he went to bed.
When we got to Ben's room, I realized I was still dressed in my clothes from earlier, including a pair of skinny jeans that were entirely too uncomfortable to sleep in.
"Ben?" I questioned again.
"Yeah?" He asked, worry present in his voice.
"My things are all in my room, so could I borrow a shirt to sleep in?" I asked.
"Oh, of course." he replied as he walked over to his bag, pulling out a teeshirt and tossing it to me.
"Thanks." I said.
"Bathroom is right there." He said as he pointed at an ensuite bathroom to the left.
I nodded my head as I walked to the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. I quickly changed and threw my hair up into a bun using the hairtie off my wrist. I then made my way back into the bedroom, dropping my clothes in a pile outside the bathroom door.
Ben was already lying on the bed, changed and ready for bed as well. He looked up at me, scanning over my body before locking eyes.
"Did you just check me out?" I questioned.
"You're wearing my shirt, I have the right." he replied.
I rolled my eyes, a smirk on my lips, as I walked towards the bed.
"Oh and by the way, I guess I'm not the only one who is really cuddly when they sleep." I said with a grin.
"Maybe I just like cuddling with you." He said with a wink.
"Smooth." I said as I crawled under the covers next to him.
"I do try." he said.
I laughed before getting comfortable. Ben turned out the bedside light before wrapping his arm around my waist and nuzzling his face into my hair once again.
"I like cuddling with you too." I said softly a few minutes later.
His grip tightened and pulled me even closer. Soon, we were both asleep again, more comfortable than ever.
Ben's POV
A few hours later as I woke up again, it was still dark in the room, the black out curtains throughout the room to thank for that. Lauren was still asleep, her head now resting on my chest and an arm resting over my stomach. Jet lag was something I'm sure she wasn't used to.
Shortly after waking up, I heard slightly quiet arguing coming from the lounge. It sounded like Ryan and Tricia...
"Tour hasn't even started yet and already he has some girl in his bed!" I heard Tricia yell.
"It's not like she's some random chick he picked up." Ryan retorted.
"I don't care who she is! The papz are already on him enough because of Ali, we don't need this new girl causing more trouble." Tricia said flatly.
"Why do you care so much? It's not like you two are together anymore." Ryan said.
"You and Ali aren't together anymore, but you still care about her." Tricia said.
That was a bit too far...
"Get out." Ryan said.
I could tell just by his voice that he was fuming.
"Ryan, I'm..." Tricia started.
"Get out!" Ryan yelled.
I carefully untangled myself from Lauren, knowing things could be about to go bad. As I stood from the bed, I rushed out of the bedroom and stood at the edge of the lounge. Ryan was standing with his fists clenced to his sides and Tricia was calmly walking out the door.
Once the door was closed, I took my chances at talking to Ryan.
"Ryan?" I questioned, not moving from my spot.
"What?" He asked angrily as he turned to face me.
"You alright man?" I asked.
"No." He responded as he ran a hand through his hair.
"Ignore what Tricia said." I tried.
"It's not that easy Ben." He replied as he dropped down onto the sofa.
"I didn't say it was." I replied.
"I just miss her so much." He said as he put his head in his hands.
"I do too." I said as I sat down next to him, placing my hand on his shoulder and giving it a light squeeze.
"I just don't know if I'll ever be able to move on." He said sadly.
"No one is asking you to." I said.
"I just feel bad. I've been ignoring you, and everyone else. I've been focusing on the music production, but that's all I've been doing. I've hardly spoken a word to you in months. All I can think about is Alison." He said, tears now falling from his eyes.
"Ryan, I told you. No matter what, you will always be my brother. We agreed to get through this together, you just have to let me in. She was my sister, I know how you feel. You can do this. We both can." I said.
He stood up and begin to pace, bringing his hands up to wipe away the tears he had shed. This wasn't the first time I had seen him like this. I felt bad, wishing I could do more. I stood and walked towards him, placing a hand on his shoulder to stop him from pacing.
Once he stopped walking, I pulled him into a tight hug. He was my best friend, basically my brother, and he needed my help just as much as I needed his to get through this.
He hugged me back loosely at first, but then tightly. This was the first time since the day Alison passed that we had done this, and right now, it felt like it was helping. In time, we would both be okay. Ryan may not move on, but at least he would become happier. All in good time.
Or so I hoped...
