Shortcake - A Richpez Story

Chapter 11

~One Month Later~

Lauren's POV

Things have gotten a lot better lately, and I finally got my stitches out a couple days ago. I know my stomach is gonna have one hell of a scar, but I know I should be grateful I didn't die. I thought I was going to, but I didn't. And I obviously didn't know StarKid as much as I thought I did because despite my own thoughts and opinions, they supported me unconditionaly. Joey and Jaime especially. I was so surprised after all the drama I brought up that Joey didn't leave. It made me question the lengths that I would go to if I were in his position, which I already knew the answer to. Joey's probably the most bestest fwendy wend I've ever had. I never really had that great of friends until I joined StarKid. I met the most amazing people and I know for a fact that I would do anything for any one of them. I can't believe I was OK with accepting death and leaving them. After all we've been through, after everything they've done for me. After everything Joey has done for me. I can't believe it took me a near-death experience to help me remember that again.

Speaking of, Joey walks up to me and whispers something in my ear that shocks me. A blush creeps to my face.

"J-Joey could you repeat that?" I ask, "I don't think I heard that right."

He shakes his head, gives me his signature goofy, crooked-jawed smile, and presses his lips to mine. My eyes are widened in shock, but I feel myself melt into it, my eyes closing, hoping this moment never ends.

And then I wake up.

(A/N: Haha, you thought I was gonna be that nice? It's a slow burn, not even on the eleventh chapter will you get a real kiss! At least not yet....)

This time a real blush covers my face as I realize what I was dreaming about. My feelings are getting a little more intense than I'd prefer. The dream was kinda nice, though....

I groan as I lift myself out of one of the chairs. When did I fall asleep, anyways? My neck aches, and no one seems to be on stage. Wait, did everyone leave? No, Jaime is my ride, and I can hear people laughing somewhere off stage.

I drag myself up the small flight of stairs on the side of the stage and head to the dressing room. And there stands Will, laughing with my friends. With Joey. He still has stab wounds, and there are puddles of blood around him. My stomach drops when the laughter stops and everyone turns to look at me, smiles gone.

"Lauren," Joey cooes, stepping closer to me. I'm frozen. "Lauren."

He repeats himself over and over again, walking towards me at an agonizingly slow pace, but much too fast.

My eyes snap open, and I look up at Joey, who stands over me, concern written on his face.

"Lauren, hey, it's okay. It was just a dream," he explains.

A dream inside a dream. Awesome. I meet Joey's eyes, and suddenly feel very emotional. Tears well in my eyes, and I can't stop them from spilling onto my cheeks. I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and love that I can't quite place.

"What did I do to deserve you, JoJo?" I whimper.

"Aw, Lo," he replies, wrapping arms around me.

I feel selfish, embarrassed, and for the first time in a very long time, loved.

I pull away from Joey. "You're a really great person, you know that?"

He offers me a smile just like the one from my dream. "Thanks, Lo. You're pretty amazing, too."

He sits with me until we have to go home.

"You and Joey are getting pretty close, huh?" Jaime points out on the way to our hotel.

I feel heat rising to my face, and I'm lucky it's dark out. Is it that obvious we've been a little closer than usual? I am very aware of every second that I'm close to him now, and I never used to pay attention to that. I cherish every moment we're together together and everything he says seems ten times more interesting than it used to be! I don't know if I like the way he's making me feel, but at the same time whenever he's around I feel high.

"Lauren, did you hear anything I just said?" Jaime scolds.

"Sorry, Jaime, I was just...lost in thought," I explain.

"Yeah, lost in thought about Joey," she grumbles.

"Jaime!" I exclaim, "no! I don't like him! Sh! Stop it!"

"Really, 'cus the reaction you're giving me says otherwise," she giggles.

"Jaime," I groan, dragging out her name.

"Hey, you know what, we should go out tonight," she suggests.

What? Where did this come from. "Uh, since when have you been up for partying, Jaims?"

She shrugs. "I just think there's been a lot of stress lately and we need some time to...unwind. Drink our problems away for a night."

"Uh, what? Drinking? We didn't even drink in college! All we did was listen to Disney songs sung by Darren!"

"Exactly, we need to lose up a bit! Do something spontaneous!"

"Jaime...."

"Lauren!"

"Jaime."

"Lo!"

"Jaims."

"Lopez!"

"Lynie."

"LoLo!"

"Jaimekins."

"Please?"

"Fine."

Jaime let's go of the steering wheel and claps her hands, scaring the shit out of me before I realized we already got to the hotel.

"Let's go get ready! Let's invite some people!" Jaime squeals.

I roll my eyes, but I have a smile on my face. Maybe this will be fun. Maybe.

A/N: Okay, I know this is kinda short, but on the bright side, I'm gonna be releasing a TGWDLM Fanfic soon! So that'll be fun. Anywho, I gave you some fluff to make up for the fake kiss. Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Also, thanks to emzazzy2004 for inspiring me so much! Also also, don't know how much I'll be posting considering I'm sick again, and when I'm sick I don't get over it for at least a couple months. So woo. Lol.

Word Count: 1040