Shortcake - A Richpez Story

Chapter 19

Lauren's POV

It's been exactly one week. Joey called me more than twenty times. He called me three times tonight. Three times. I didn't pick up. I couldn't bring myself to. Not when Will called me eight times. Jaime was concerned, but I didn't tell her. I'm not ready to say anything yet. Plus, who wants to be burdened by me right now? I've already caused everyone enough drama for a lifetime. I don't need pity or comfort.

We have no rehearsal today, as everyone has been working extremely hard to make sure we're ready in time. October is just around the corner, and with a month and a half to get everything together, everyone is terribly stressed. But sometimes breaks are better than pushing yourself all the way to hell, because in the end, it's better for everyone.

Julia would have to disagree. Hah, we'd tell her to rest for one hour and she'd either sneak off to go work or think of work and plan things the entire time. I miss Julia, and I miss my Diane, my sweet baby. What I would give to be able to snuggle her right now, in this time of need.

I am upset we don't have work, because now I'll have to face my feelings. All week I've been diving into work and acting. So. Much. Acting. On stage, off stage, around one person, by myself. Lying. I am a liar. I don't know of Joey has told anyone, because I haven't. We do not need any more tension between us, because if someone else knows, the pressure is on to keep acting. That is, if that person doesn't share with anyone else, which would be bad, because then we wouldn't have to act, and I would break and there would be tremendous amount of guilt and pain and more tension and a lot of bad things that would add to the stress, and no one needs that right now.

So now I bury myself in blankets, but not because my fever, which is pretty much gone now, is trying to kill me. Because sometimes I forget that tears just like to appear and I don't want to cry in front of Jaime.

So, here I lay, wallowing in my own self pity. Sure, I could just call him, but that would probably end badly, considering I've missed more than twenty calls from him. I don't know how to face him right now, and I don't know if I want to.

"Hey, Lo, pancakes sound good?" Jaime asks, and I hear her yawn.

"That sounds great, Jaims," I reply, trying to sound enthusiastic. I don't know if it worked. I don't know if I care.

"You sound...weird," she comments.

"Didn't sleep well," I explain truthfully, "I'll probably sleep a lot today."

"Alright, but when were you planning on telling me what's up?" She queries.

"What?"

A sigh. "Lo, I can tell. I know when something's wrong. You realize you can tell me things, right?

I poke my head out from the blankets and meet her sympathetic yet hurt gaze. "I know. Joey and I...split."

Jaime's eyes quickly change and in them I see a mixture of shock, anger, and sadness. She immediately comes over to wrap her arms around me and squeeze me. 

"I'm sorry, Lo, I'm so sorry," she murmurs into my hair. "When did it happen?"

"First of all, don't apologize, I didn't wanna tell anyone. Saves us all from the drama. Second, it happened last week," I reply, trying to keep my voice strong.

"A week?" She exclaims. "How have you kept this all to yourself?"

I shrug, finally letting tears cascade down my face. I try and stay quiet, but I sniffle to avoid getting gross snot all over Jaime's nice pink shirt, which alerts her to my current state.

"Oh, Lauren," she whispers, letting me cry in her arms, once again. "You want me to make those pancakes?"

I pull away from her and smile a little,  "you know it." It comes out a strangled croak.

She chuckles softly and slides off the coach to go make some awesome pancakes.

And then he calls. Not Joey, no. Will. Fucking Will.

I ignore his call again. No way am I talking to a dead person. I mean, not that that's him on the other end, it's probably a family member, even though most of Will's family doesn't give two shits about him after he constantly begged them for money.

~Time Skip~

Jaime wanted to know why we broke up. I told her the truth. She didn't seem all that surprised. Who would be at this point? She thought it was stupid, though, that Joey didn't tell me or explain things. I agree, but I suppose I overreacted just a little bit. Still doesn't change the fact that we broke up, though.

Sitting alone on the set of Black Friday is kinda peaceful now that everyone's gone and I have a moment or two to myself. I don't feel like eating, I haven't really all of this week, so while everyone goes on their lunch break, I stay here. I'm finally alone to do whatever the heck I want. But, I'm good just laying on the floor over here.

My phone rings, a new sudden hated thing that I can no longer stand. It's Will again. I answer, finally fed up with with shit, and tell into the phone.

"What do you want from me? What did I do? Why are you still here, leave me alone! Please!" I cry into the phone.

I wait and there's nothing but silence. I end the call and put my face in my heads, taking deep breaths so I don't start hypervenilating.

It doesn't help when Joey shows up.

"Lo, Lauren, are you okay?" He asks.

My head snaps up. "I'm fine."

"Were you talking to Will?" His eyebrows raise slightly.

I look away from him, not wanting to lie, but not ready to let him in again.

"I'm sorry, Lauren, I really am," he replies, his voice breaking a little.

Tears overflow in my eyes and trickle down my flushed cheeks. "Joey, fuck you! I love you, goddammit!"

He doesn't say anything, just squeezes my shoulder as I close my eyes.

A/N: sorry, I'll try and update regularly again.

Word Count! 1065