Richpez: Song Oneshots

Dancing On My Own

Lauren looked over her reflection in the mirror.  She had bought the red dress especially for this occasion. She smiled, checked her makeup one last time and stepped away from the mirror. She grabbed her purse and phone and walked down the corridor to Julia's room.

Lauren knocked, "Jules, you ready to go?"

Moments later, the door opened and Julia stepped out. Lauren smiled at her friend, who gave her a grin in return. "Yeah! Let's go celebrate the new year!"

Lauren laughed as her friend took off down the corridor to their front door. The girls each grabbed a jacket before walking outside and calling a cab to Brian and Meredith's place. The journey didn't take long, and before they knew it, they were standing on the doorstep, ringing the bell.

Brian answered, a drink in his hand, and gave both the girls a hug. They stepped inside, surveying the scene in front of them before deciding to go and get a drink. The atmosphere was great, and everyone seemed to be having a great time.

Lauren stopped to greet her friends as she passed them, telling them she would catch up with them later in the night. Her and Julia grabbed themselves a drink before joining the party and talking to their friends.

"Hey Lo!" A familiar voice said from behind Lauren.

She turned around, already knowing who it was, with a large smile on her face.

"Hey JoJo!" She said, wrapping her arms around Joey in a hug.

He returned the hug, noticing she held on to him a little longer than he usually did. "You ok?" He asked.

Lauren nodded, "yeah. I am. Are you?"

"Yeah, I'm good."

The pair spent a good hour chatting and catching up, enjoying the time they were able to spend together. With Joey living in LA and Lauren in Chicago, it was difficult for them to see each other that often. Which only made the times they were together that more special.

Joey was Lauren's best friend. She told him everything, well, almost everything. The one thing she didn't tell him was that she liked him as more than a friend. Deep down Lauren knew he would never feel the same way about her, but she couldn't help the way she felt.

Hours later, and it was nearing midnight. Lauren had spent the evening with her friends, laughing and dancing the night away. She was stood with some of the girls when she noticed Joey dancing with another girl. She was tall and blonde, the exact opposite of Lauren, and it stung a little as her suspicions were confirmed. Joey would never be interested in her.

Lauren completely zoned out of the conversation and let the others carry on around her. Her eyes were focused on Joey and the girl. The way she laughed and tucked her hair behind her ear, how she battered her eyelids at him and laughed at his jokes.

"Lauren, are you ok?" Jaime's voice said, bringing her out of her trance.

Lauren nodded, willing the tears that were beginning to form in her eyes not to fall. Her friends looked at her skeptically but carried on nonetheless. Julia, however, followed Lauren's eyes to where Joey was stood, his arm wrapping around the girls waist. She understood without Lauren needing to say anything.

As the music began to slow down, Lauren realised which song was playing. She had to laugh at the irony before she was hit with the harsh reality of the chorus.

I'm in the corner, watching you kiss her.
And I'm right over here, why can't you see me?
I'm giving it my all, but I'm not the girl you're taking home.
I keep dancing on my own.

A single tear slipped down Lauren's face as she excused herself and stepped outside. She didn't realise just how much she liked Joey until that moment. It wasn't that she was jealous, it's that she was hurt. It wasn't Joey's fault, Lauren didn't blame him. She blamed herself and her own feelings. Why did she have to fall for someone like Joey? Someone so incredibly kind and sweet. Someone that would never like her back.

Lauren came to a stop outside. She wrapped her jacket around her tighter and looked out into the night. The words of the song were still echoing around in her head as she cried. She wanted to be at home. She wanted to be alone so she could let herself cry as she wanted. Knowing anyone could come out and find her at any moment stopped her from really breaking down.

So far away but still so near.
The lights go on, the music dies.
But you don't see me standing here.
I just came to say goodbye.

Despite being outside, Lauren could still hear the music. But it helped her make up her mind. She needed to go home and get some space. Wiping the tears from her face, and ignoring the fact that she knew her makeup would be a mess, Lauren walked back inside.

She grabbed her bag and made her way over to her friends. She told them she wasn't feeling well, and that she needed to go home. Julia said she would come with her, but Lauren declined, wanting to be alone.

Lauren took a deep breath and walked up to Joey.

"I'm heading home. I guess I'll see you before you fly back to LA," she told him before turning around to leave.

Joey grabbed her hand and pulled her back. "Wait, why are you leaving now? It's not even midnight yet," Joey said, feeling very confused.

Lauren took a deep breath, "I'm just not feeling well."

"You've been crying," Joey said, noticing Lauren's tear stained cheeks. "Lo, I know you better than anyone. What's wrong?"

Lauren shook her head. She didn't want to answer his question, but it still didn't stop the new tears from falling down her face.

"Come on," Joey whispered, taking Lauren's hand and leading her back outside.

When they were alone, Lauren let the tears fall freely once again, and Joey instantly pulled her into a hug. He held onto her so tightly he thought he might break her. But he knew she needed it. She needed comforting. She needed a hug. She needed him.

"Talk to me, Lo. What's up?" Joey prompted when Lauren's cries had subsided.

"I can't," she whispered. Telling him why she was upset would mean her telling him how she felt towards him.

Joey sighed, "I can't help you unless you tell me."

Lauren looked up at him. Her eyes were still watery, and her face was blotchy from crying, but Joey still thought she was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen.

"It's nearly midnight. Shouldn't you get back to the girl you were talking to?" Lauren questioned, her voice breaking and another tear slipping from her eye.

Joey shook his head, "I'm right where I need to be," he told her.

There was a pause. "Is that what this is about?" Joey asked softly.

Lauren didn't know what to say. She stood in silence before nodding subtly. She looked down at her hands and took a deep breath, "I really like you, JoJo. As more than a friend."

It was barely audible, but it was there. And it made Joey's heart miss a beat. He grinned as his hands moved to her waist. "I really like you, too. As more than a friend," he repeated.

Lauren looked up at Joey at smiled. Her eyes filled with tears once again, but this time, they were tears of happiness. Her arms slowly slid up his chest until they settled around his neck. They grinned at each other and Lauren watched as Joey's eyes moved to her lips.

As the clock struck twelve, their lips connected and they started off the New Year in the best way possible. Wrapped up in each other's arms, sharing a kiss that meant so much more than words could say.

••••••••

This is probably one of my favourite one shots I've ever written. This might be the last one for a couple of days as I've got some editing to do, but hopefully I'll have some more writing up soon!

E xo