Shortcake - A Richpez Story

Chapter 21

Lauren's POV

"Happy birthday to you!" I sing, in chorus with the rest of the cast from Black Friday.

Kendall looks so happy, her cheeks flushed with joy, her eyes sparkling with adoration. She reaches out to hug us all, and I give her a tight squeeze.

I think back to rehearsals, when she started crying and telling us how we changed her life. My heart warmed at that, and I realized that in college, the beginning of StarKid, I thought the same thing. I never knew how far us StarKids would get, never knew all the possibilities that were in store for us, how many people would join the StarKid family. But here we are, singing happy birthday to our youngest StarKid, right before the opening night of our newest show.

The show went by in a blur, me saying my lines, singing in tune, dancing along with the beat of the music. My head seemed to want to explode, my legs wanted to give out, and my throat was raw from coughing and being sick.

All of this sickness among the cast did end up causing us to have to cancel the show, so we're doing this late. At first, I was terrified of the fans' reactions, but they totally understood. Never before had we had to cancel a show, but I guess there's a first time for everything.

I smile as Jeff hugs me, and laugh a little as everyone else hugs me as well. A giant StarKid group hug.

"You guys, that was so fun!" Someone squeals.

I close my eyes for a moment as my head pounds. Someone puts a hand on my shoulder, and I open my eyes to Joey's concerned stare.

"You alright?" He asks.

I nod. "Just tired."

Not completely a lie.

"Are you hungry? When's the last time you ate?"

My mind seems to go blank. "I...don't remember. It's not a big deal, we can just make a pizza or something. And I different one for you."

He smiles a little. "Oh, yeah. You basically just have bread and sauce as a pizza. I feel bad."

I shrug. "You get used to it. But it obviously sucks sometimes, for sure."

He puts an arm around me, and we help the StarKids clean up for the next show, and head back to our semi-permanent homes.

We sit in silence for a little while, waiting for the pizzas, enjoying each others' company. His arm is around my shoulders as I cuddle into him. It's peaceful.

"You know," Joey starts, "I love you too. Whatever we have to go through, whatever troubles we come across, I'll always be your best friend. I'll always love you. No matter what."

"I know, JoJo. You mean the world to me, and I wouldn't have anyone else by my side. You'll always be my best friend, no matter what happens."

He kisses me, slow and sweet. My love for JoJo explodes inside of me, and I hug him tight, ready to never let go.

Except for the fact that the timer for the pizza is going off, and I am absolutely famished. But before I can get up or do anything, Joey kisses my head, jumps up, and gets ready to take out the pizzas.

(I know that gluten free bread is different from regular bread, and plus Joey's pizza actually has cheese and all, but sssshhhh children...never happened...just enjoy the chapter sssshhhhhhh.)

He cuts them and we wait a little bit, until he calls "c'mon, Shortcake, dinner is served."

"Excuse me? Shortcake? First of all, where did that come from? Second, are you calling me short? And third...is that a threat?"

"Uh...Shortcake."

I bounce of the couch and sprint over to him, jumping on his back as he screeches. I slide off, holding onto his sleeve as I fall, bringing him down with me.

"No!" He cries, our laughter filling the room.

He lays on his back, and I sit on top of him. I bend to kiss him, and I feel his smile on his lips, causing a smile to form on my own.

I sit up. "Well, now I get first dibs on the pizza."

"We have different pizzas!" Joey exclaims.

"Doesn't matter, I still call dibs!" I retort, getting off him to run to the pizza.

"Fine, then I'm calling you Shortcake for the rest of your life!"

"As long as I get my pizza."

And him. There's no other person I'd rather spend the rest of my life with than him. I can see us in the future, married, with Diane and our foster pups, our friends around us. When I was in college, I always wondered what my life would become in the future. After Will, I thought I'd never regain my happiness, not even with StarKid. But now, I'll be with Joey, and with him I can face anything that comes our way. Everything that happens, no matter what, he'll be there for me and I'll be there for him.

I am in love with Joey Richter, my best friend. The crazy part? He's in love with me, too.

??? POV

I hate her. I love her. I despise him. It's ok, though. I'll get my goddamn revenge. They screwed up my life, StarKid screwed up my life. She screwed up my life. But it's okay, because now, I'll screw up theirs.

They'll never know what hit them.

A/N: I may or may not have gone ice skating, fell on my stomach, and slid halfway across the freakin arena. I may or may not have gotten into the truck afterwards with tea in my hand and fallen straight backwards into the snow and slush and ice. Hours later, my head still hurts BUT I SAVED MY TEA!!!

I also may or may not be ending the story here. But it's okay because I'll probably make a second book...eventually.

I hope you enjoyed the okay chapters of this book, lol. Sorry not sorry for the cliffhangers.

Bye bye!!!