Saved By Steven (finished)

16. A Friend and a Promise

While Lauren was asleep in the other room, the band rehearsed in the ballroom and Mick continued setting up for the party that night. He had invited some big names in the music industry, mostly rock bands. Some of them were going to spend the night so he made sure all the rooms were ready.

"Steven? Can I ask you something?" Mick said as he walked on the small stage.

Steven was practicing some moves for the show but stopped when he saw Mick.

"Take a walk with me? I need to ask you something."

Steven told the guys he'd be back, they needed the break anyway.

"So, I wanted to ask you if you wanted to try and talk to Lauren."

"Sure, but I don't think she'll talk to me. I tried that this morning, remember."

"I think she will. She's resting now, so when she wakes up she'll be a bit calmer. And you helped me get Joe away from her."

"What did the doctor say?"

"Well, she needs to detox, that's obvious. Her body has been through so much, and she hasn't given it a change to recover. She's close to a mental breakdown, she's fragile. The doctor gave her a shot to help her calm down and get the rest she needs."

"That's good to hear. You want me to go over to her now?"

"I'll call the doctor first, so just give me a moment."

While Mick called the doctor, Steven told to the band what he was going to do. As expected everybody, except Joe, supported Steven's decision.

With some tips from the doctor and Mick, Steven walked to the bed. Lauren was still asleep, so Steven sat down. He gently touched Lauren. As she was half sitting, half laying down, Lauren woke up. Her eyes were filled with tears, but she wasn't crying.

'You sleep okay?" Steven asked.

"Hmhm." Lauren said, sitting up a bit more.

"So, I just wanted to talk to you about Joe."

Lauren didn't want to talk about him so she got up to get her bag. Steven pulled her back on her arm a little too hard. Lauren fell back on the bed and started crying.

Steven scared himself, he didn't meant for her to cry. "Lauren, I'm so sorry!" Lauren flinched as Steven came closer "Please don't hit me."

"What? No! What are you talking about? I'm sorry you think that. Baby, I just didn't want you to go back to drugs."

"I need them now." Lauren said getting up and taking a few pills.

"You don't. That's what I am trying to tell you."

"I do, I don't want to remember and I don't want to feel, because when I do, I'll die."

"You won't, I'll be here, I'll listen and protect you."

Lauren sat back down, she was getting worked up. Steven told her to calm down. "Baby, your body has been through a lot, please calm down."

"I am calm." Lauren sniped.

"Baby, come on, be honest with yourself."

"No, I'm not worked up. I'm calm."

"You're high, and not calm. But please, do me one favor, don't take anything tonight? Your body can't handle that and neither can you."

"I can't, I'll break."

"You can and if you do, like I said, I'll be there for you."

"Promise?" Lauren asked

"Promise!" Steven told her.