One

Chapter Twenty

Early morning light seeped through the curtains as Dianne sat up in bed. She hadn't slept at all, the only thing she could think about when her eyes closed was the look on Ethan's face when he eventually realised she wasn't there. It scared her more than she cared to admit. Over the past month, Ethan had changed from the loving and caring person Dianne had loved, to a lying and untrustworthy shell of who he once was. Dianne could no longer predict what he would do next and, now knowing he had a key, she didn't dare go back home to her apartment. Ethan just wasn't the same person anymore and, even though she really wanted to hate him, she found herself hating her own being more than him.

Beside her, Joe turned over to face her in his sleep and reached out for her, almost like he knew she was upset. Placing his arm over her thighs- the only bit he could reach laid down- Joe drew shapeless patterns onto her soft skin and cuddled into her side as he slowly woke up.
"Morning," he said, his voice cracking as he spoke for the first time.
Dianne ran her hands through his hair, "Good morning."
"Your voice sounds far away. What am I hugging right now?" Joe asked, his eyes still shut tight.
"My legs," Dianne giggled.
Rolling onto his back, Joe held his arm out and nodded to Dianne to get her to move back down the bed, wrapping his arm around her shoulders when they were level. "You look.."
"Knackered?" Kissing Joe's cheek, Dianne held onto his arm, stroking her thumb over it.
"Yeh. Have you not slept much?"
Dianne shook her head against her pillow. "Not at all."
"What?!" Joe gasped as his eyes shot open. "Why didn't you wake me up?"
"Because you need to sleep," Dianne said.
"And you don't?" His voice was thick with sarcasm as he pulled back to look at her. "You need to sleep as well, you weirdo."
Shrugging her shoulders, Dianne kissed his forehead. "Don't worry about me, I'll be okay. I'm going to get a coffee. Want one?"
"Alright, please. I'll be down in a minute." Joe smiled and pouted his lips, asking for a kiss. Reaching across, Dianne pecked his lips and climbed off the bed. She pulled on Joe's hoodie from last night, slipped her phone into the front pocket and traipsed downstairs into the kitchen.

Coffee in hand, Joe's steaming mug on the side, Dianne walked over to the sofa and sat down staring into space, sipping on the bitter liquid. Sighing as the hot drink travelled down her throat, Dianne leaned back and found her emotions slipping far too easily into her sleep-deprived brain. Tears sprang to her eyes and fell down her face, dripping into her mug as they shed quickly.
You're such an idiot.
It ran around her mind endlessly with no sign of stopping, a repetitive chant of self-hate. No longer wanting her much-needed coffee, Dianne leant forward and left it on the coffee table, noticing how her hands shook steadily as she placed it down carefully to avoid spilling anything onto Joe's floor. Hearing Joe's footsteps from above her head, Dianne wiped the tears away as quickly as she could with her sleeve and grabbed her phone, hoping Joe wouldn't notice her reddened cheeks and puffy eyes. He walked into the kitchen, humming the tune to their showdance as he picked up his cup and carried it over to where Dianne was sat. Joe didn't even have to look at her to know she was upset. He could tell by her almost-full mug.
"Dianne, look at me," Joe said softly, placing his drink down next to hers. "Dianne."
"Yeh?" She croaked through the lump in her throat.
"Look at me."
Slowly and cautiously, Dianne lifted her head and met his gaze for a few seconds before ripping her eyes away and staring at the floor.
Joe felt his heart plummet, dropping into his stomach. Leaning forwards, he wrapped his arms around her body and held her tight, frowning as he felt her body shake with her silent sobs. He shifted and sat down next to her still with his arms holding her. "What's going on?" He asked gently, pulling away and using his finger to tilt her chin to face him.
"Uh- nothing. I'm just being stupid," Dianne stuttered quickly, her words merging together as they rushed out of her mouth. "I'm fine."
"Okay, now tell me the truth."
Dianne slumped her shoulders and stared at Joe, hoping he'd somehow be able to read her mind so she wouldn't have to voice her concerns. She knew by the imploring look on his face that he hadn't suddenly developed a new skill. "It's uh, hard to explain?"
"Okay," Joe said gently, "don't rush. We've got all day." He reached forwards and held her hand.
"I hate my-," Dianne whispered, almost fearful of the words. They seemed to confirm her worst fears as she heard them settle into the air around her. There was no going back. "I hate myself for trusting.. him."
Joe squeezed her hand as he watched the unshed tears glisten in her eyes. "But why?"
"Because, he was a liar and I was stupid enough to believe it." A strangled sob sounded in her throat as she rested the side of her body against the back of the sofa.
"You're not stupid," Joe said, his heart wrenching as he watched her close up, back into her shell. "You're so far from it. Please believe me, gorgeous. You're not stupid, you are amazing and I love you more than anything."
"But why did I believe him?" Dianne met Joe's gaze and bit her lip subconsciously.
"Because you're a good person. You want to see the good in everyone, but sometimes people aren't worth it. And Ethan is one of those people. He didn't deserve you."
Dianne couldn't control the feeble smile spreading on her face. "He hurt me," she mumbled.
"I know he did, and I promise I will do everything I can to help you."
Her heart fluttered as his other hand found hers. "I'm sorry for always bringing it up. It's just, I need to get i-"
"Get it off your chest. I know, I understand and I don't mind. I want to be here for you and if that means comforting you all night long then I'll do it. I'll do anything to get my happy Dianne back." Bringing her hand to his lips, Joe kissed her delicate skin and pulled her forwards towards him. He kissed her forehead before snaking his arms around her back. "I love you."
"I love you too," Dianne mumbled into his neck.

Music sounded through Joe's speakers, bringing Dianne out of her trance. Joe appeared and walked over to her, holding his hand out. "Can I have this dance m'lady?" He asked, putting on a very posh persona.
Tears still glistened on her cheeks as she giggled and let him pull her off the sofa. "Always." Joe held her close, holding her hand and rubbing her back as they swayed. Dianne let her head drop onto Joe's shoulder, her arm around his neck, letting him control their movements as they danced to a slow melody.
The music came to a stop and Dianne pulled away. "I'm tired," she said, suppressing a yawn.
Joe smiled. "I'm not surprised. Why don't you go back to bed for a bit?"
"I'd rather stay with you," Dianne admitted quietly, meeting his gaze with a slight blush on her cheeks.
"Well, how about you have a nap on the sofa and I'll sit with you?"
Dianne nodded and pulled Joe back towards the cushions. "Good idea." She dropped down, waiting for Joe to follow, and cuddled into his side happily, a smile on her face as she felt his arm on her back. The desperate need for sleep hit her immediately, forcing her eyes closed as she drifted into dreamland.

With a sleeping Dianne pressed against his side, Joe sat back in the silence of his apartment, the only noise being that of his girls soft breathing. He was at a loss. Dianne was struggling but Joe didn't know what to do. Having someone else to look out for was not something he was used to, and now that Dianne needed his support most, Joe wasn't sure how to show her how much she meant to him. Joe looked down at her as he suddenly had a thought. He had never asked her to be his girlfriend. Maybe that would help, he thought.

•••

Dianne came home from the Here Come the Girls meeting to find a bunch of sunflowers and a box of her favourite chocolates on the breakfast bar. A white envelope propped up against the chocolate box caught Dianne's attention as she moved closer, reaching out to take it. She slit the paper open and pulled the card out, a polaroid of her and Joe falling out of the middle. It was a cute photo, one of her favourites. Dianne smiled and put it down on the counter as she read through the envelope.
Dear Dianne,
I love you so much and I want to be able to show you how much you mean to me.
I realised yesterday that I never officially asked you to be my girlfriend.
So, will you be mine?
Love, Joseph x
The smile already on Dianne's face widened as she scanned over his words, feeling different emotions, all good ones, hit her at once. Tears pooling in her eyes, Dianne walked through to Joe's office and pushed the door open to find him sat at his desk doing some work. Moving closer, Dianne used her hand to turn his chair around until he was facing her.
"Oh hi, I didn't hear you come in. Sorry. Are you alright?"
Dianne leaned forward and pressed a passionate kiss to Joe's lips. "Of course I'll be your girlfriend."
Pulling back, Joe smiled. "I love you, gorgeous. And I want to be here for you." Joe patted his lap, signalling Dianne to join him on the chair. "I promise to try my hardest at this boyfriend thing," he whispered into her ear. "I can't promise I'll be any good, but I'll try my best."
Dianne turned her head and caught Joe's lips in a gentle kiss. "You're already perfect."