Never Let Me Go: A StarKid Fanfic

Chapter 15

BERNADETTE'S POV

"Rise and shine, booze for brains!"

I groaned angrily as a shooting pain electrified through my head. If my hangover wasn't enough for me to want to die, Natalie's overly peppy voice certainly was. I had drowned myself in so much alcohol that it was a wonder how I even made it home the previous night.

"How drunk was I last night?" I said, wrapping myself in a blanket. I wiped my eyeliner-smudged lids and sighed.

"Very," Natalie said matter-of-factly, "But don't worry, Joey brought you home safe and sound." As my eyes still adjusted to the light, I recalled vague memories before my drunken stupor.

"Right...Joey..." I said, sitting up, my body still wrapped in a blanket.

"He's a great guy," Natalie stated from the kitchen, turning her attention to finding the orange juice in the refrigerator.

"Yeah," I agreed, "Yeah, he is a great guy." I exhaled heavily, trying to piece together what happened the night before.

"You could even say he's...kissable?" she replied. I could here her sly grin even though I was facing the other way.

"Um, I guess?" I said, making my way to the kitchen. "Probably not for me, but..."

"Oh cut the crap, B, I know you two kissed last night."

"What?" I questioned, feeling my stomach drop.

"I mean, honestly, I thought you and Darren were gonna be like, a thing. But hey, if you're into Joey, that's totally cool too-"

"Natalie!" I exclaimed, cutting into her babbling, "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Wait, you don't remember?"

"Oh yeah, I definitely remember kissing my maybe-boyfriend's best friend," I said, my tone dripping with sarcasm, "I totally forgot to mention that." Natalie rolled her eyes. I continued, "When did it happen?"

"When he brought you home," she said, all nonchalant. As if her best friend hasn't thoroughly embarrassed herself. I saw more images flash into my mind.

"Wait, I kissed him right in front of you?!" I asked, horrified.

"Oh please, we have a peephole, remember?" she said sassily, "I was spying." I comically slapped my hand to my forehead, a thousand consequences for my actions racing through my mind.

"Oh, stop being dramatic," Natalie added nonchalantly.

"Stop being dramatic?!" I sputtered, utterly befuddled by how calm she was acting, "I like Darren, not Joey! And-"

"Are you sure about that, oh bestie of mine?" she cut me off, batting her baby blues.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, is it possible that you have a crush on Joey?" I opened up my mouth to object, but no sound came out. A part of me wanted to blow off Natalie's crazy theory and tell her she was psychotic for even suggesting that she liked Joey.

"No, of course not," I said a little too quickly, "Let's just not talk about this right now, okay? I need to get back to sleep." Natalie crossed her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow.

"Alright," she said, not willing to fight me on the issue, "I need to go get some breakfast. Don't kiss any boys while I'm out, okay?" I nodded.

"I'm sure I can control myself," I said with a smirk. On the outside, I was cool, calm, and collected. But on the inside, I was at war with myself. The last thing I wanted was for Joey to show up. So, of course, he did.

JOEY'S POV

"So wait, wait," Lauren said to me the afternoon after the cast party, "Bernadette made out with you when you dropped her off?!"

"Well, she just kissed me," I replied anxiously, clutching my tea. We were at a dinky little diner a few blocks from the apartment that I shared with Rosenthal.

"But it wasn't like, real," I continued, "at least I don't think it was...what do you think?" She shrugged and took a sip of coffee.

"Honestly, I think she's just confused," she said, "It seems clear to me that her and Darren are a thing. And if they aren't now, they will be soon." I felt my spirits droop slightly and took another sip of tea. However, I forced a smile to Lauren.

"Yeah, you're probably right," I stated, "She was just drunk. I guess I'm just looking too far into things."

"Don't we all, Richter," she said with a smile as she threw down her money to pay the bill, "Still, you should go over to her place and talk to her about it. The poor girl probably doesn't even know what happened last night." We departed the diner into the chilly early March air.

"Lo-" I began, trying to find some way to put my feelings into words as the cold air nipped at my exposed face.

"You like her, don't you?" she said, cutting me off. That was the thing about Lauren; she was kinda psychic. I nodded my head slightly.

"I mean, at least I think I do," I replied sheepishly, "Lo, what should I do?" We stopped in front of her apartment building.

"Go talk to the girl, Richter," she said, looking me dead in the eye, "You really need to resolve this before someone ends up getting hurt." I exhaled deeply and pulled my jacket closer to my body.

"Okay."

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So I realize it's been a long time since I've updated. Well that's because of this place called hell aka high school.

With finals and the musical, writing over the past few months has been really difficult.

But never fear! The school year is nearly over, which means a whole summer of updates.

I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and like and comment on it!

A few questions though:

1. Do you agree with Natalie about Bernadette being "overdramatic"?

2. Why do you think Bernadette is reacting so strongly to her drunken kiss with Joey?

3. JOEY OR DARREN???

Natalie if you don't answer these questions I will personally come to Cleveland and beat you.

(Jk I'd probably like hug you and stuff.)

Okay bye everyone!!!!

AND THANKS FOR 2,000 READS!!!

-Maria