Breaking Walls (Lauren Cimorelli)

Chapter 23

(A/N) No matter what any of them say in this chapter or those to come, I do not believe that the Cimorelli family is like what they are in this book. This is purely fiction, and just for entertainment purposes. Also, I didn't read over this chapter since it's currently 2:42 AM, so sorry for any errors. Enjoy!

Lauren's POV

"Okay, careful, careful... see! You got it," Christina told me as I slowly turned the car into our driveway, smiling as I stopped it and turned off the ignition. "It's like you never stopped driving."

"Feels like forever," I said, "I can't believe I actually just drove. I didn't think I'd ever even want to sit in the driver's side of a car ever again."

"Well, you did," Christina smiled, "and I'm so glad you wanted to again." She looked up at the house. "I guess I can thank her, huh?"

I gave her a confused look before looking at what she was referring to, or rather, who. Coley sat on our front porch steps staring at her phone, failing to notice us or hear the car as we pulled up. I looked down at my hands and started to play with my fingers as I felt a smile creep onto my face. "Yeah."

Christina chuckled before unbuckling her seatbelt and opening her car door. "Get out and go talk to her while you can. We have that family dinner tonight, remember?"

I internally groaned. "Yeah, I remember. Do we have to have it though? I don't even remember the last time we all sat down with Mom and Dad and had dinner together-"

"Which is why tonight is important. Don't worry, we'll all be there. If things get out of hand then we'll stand up for you, okay?" She squeezed my shoulder.

I sighed. "Okay." She smiled again as she got out of the car, and I followed suit.

"Hey Coley," Christina greeted her, which made Coley jump.

"Oh, hey Chris. I didn't even notice that you two were back, sorry," she said, quickly putting her phone away and looking over at me, "Hey."

"Hey," I smiled, sitting down next to her and immediately taking her hand in mine. Christina looked at us for a few seconds before walking inside, leaving Coley and I alone.

"How was driving?" she asked.

"Better than I expected," I responded, rubbing her hand with my thumb, "I didn't crash into anything, so, that's good I guess."

She gave me a small smile. "That's great, Laur." I noticed her eyes drift away from mine over to the side where her phone was, and that's when I noticed it light up.

"Someone's popular," I joked. She chuckled before picking it up and looking at it.

"Not really. Just kind of anxious, I guess," she whispered before putting it back down.

I frowned. "Why?" She looked down at our hands and starting to play with my fingers, obviously trying to avoid the question. "Cole..."

"It's nothing, really. My mom just... found out that Jake and I saw our dad, and she isn't that happy that we saw him without telling her. My mom usually doesn't take news about my dad well, so Jake's been giving me updates since I left the house about her... condition." She laughed and ran her free hand through her hair. "I'm sorry, I didn't come here to make it all about me. I just wanted to see you before tonight."

I moved some hair out of her face with my hand and pushed it behind her ear, making her blush. "It's okay," I said, "I'm glad you came over. Don't be afraid to respond to Jake, it won't hurt my feelings or anything."