Saved By Steven (finished)

22. Staying over

That night Steven came over to Laurens' apartment to have dinner. They went out but started with drinks, non alcoholic of course. Eventhough Lauren did keep liquor at her apartment.

"So, I haven't asked how you've been." Steven said.
"Well, I've been hanging on by a thread." Lauren replied.
"Recovery's hard. I know."
"It's not so much recovery as it is going back to that place. Faceing those people, and do the same god damn thing every day for the rest of my life." Lauren said, lighting another cigarette.
"So why don't you get out?"
"I don't have another job. And maybe you haven't noticed but jobs are pretty hard to come by these days."
"We'll figure something out. Don't worry."
"We? "
"Yes, we. Did you really think I'm leaving you to your faith after what you've been through?"

Dinner was low key. Steven had picked a restaurant where he knew the staff and they wouldn't be harassed by fans . Steven wanted Lauren to enjoy a meal without having to worry about anything.

After dinner Steven took Lauren back to her apartment. When he was about to leave Lauren stopped him.

"Steven. Would you mind staying over? I don't feel like being alone tonight."
"Sure."

Steven and Lauren sat watching TV before she went to her bedroom. Steven slept on the couch. When Lauren closed the door, she went straight to the bathroom and did a few lines of coke. It felt good and soon after she passed out on the bed.

In the middle of the night Steven was awoken by the sound of screaming. It took him a few moments to locate the sound but when he heard them coming from Laurens' room he walked in. She was screaming, telling somebody to stop.

Steven grabbed her hands and tried to wake her up. When she finally did she was out of breath.

"It's okay. Nobody's here." Steven said.
Lauren looked at him, a bit dazed.
"You had a nightmare darling." Steven said, handing Lauren a bottle of water she kept next to her bed.
"I'm sorry to have woken you up." She said.
"Don't worry about it." Steven said. "You try to sleep okay. I'll be in the other room."
"No, Steven, can you stay with me, here?"

Sure darling. Whatever makes you feel save. Steven got in the bed next to Lauren. She laid down against him and fell asleep. Steven stayed awake, his arm around Lauren. What did you do. Have you been using again? I've got to get you out of this town.