Notes: S02E13: Future Tense (Spoiler alert, but drifting into own story)

After the recent episode I had the urgent need to write a fanfiction. Cooperfeld, to be exactly, because of the huge lack of it. (Not that I hate Karmy or Anthony, or Reagan, but my heart belongs to crack-pairings.)

So, this is my first fanfiction and I'm obviously no native speaker BUT I hope you have fun and I'm looking forward to feedback :)

Disclaimer: I don't owe Faking It nor the characters.
Title: "Beneath your beautiful" by Labyrinth (and Emeli Sandé)

.

.

„Why do you like me?" Her hands on her hips, her glare was questioning. Lauren didn't know why she was asking Theo – Anthony – Whatthefuckhisnamewas. But… she needed an answer. "Ouhh… what?" God, this guy was really an idiot. A simple question, why does she have to explain it at all? "You claim your feelings for me are real? You say you want me back? Tell me why! … And don't you dare say it's because I'm pretty! … … … Though they can be one of the reasons…" To be honest, sometimes, when she was alone, she doubted if she has something else to offer than her beauty. Or, since latest, the fact, that she was intersex. But this is nothing she would EVER admit to anyone. Which leads back to the current situation.

The look on his face, his smile, his eyes, gave her goosebumps. But not in the good way. Not anymore. Though she tried to suppress these feelings, her weakness, she felt her heart ache. This man caused her so damn much trouble and so many tears. Not to forget the fuckin extra calories because of the cookie dough – ice cream and the tons of donuts Amy offered to her.

At the thought of her blonde stepsister she frowned. Just for a second the image of the smiling Donutface popped up in her mind, making her heart beat faster, but she tried to shake it off immediately and concentrate on the cute compliments this guy, she thought she knew, offering her hurt and confused soul.

Lauren tilted her head to one side, glaring at Anthony. His words were right, but… why didn't they feel 'right'? Because this damn motherfucker lied to you, betrayed you and now he's coming back and tries to win your heart, which he has broken into thousand pieces not too long ago! She know her mind was right, but she didn't want to think about that. Not now, when she felt, like she was nothing more, than an intersex class president and needed comfort, though she didn't want to admit. She didn't even care about who was comforting her, did she?

Suddenly she had the image of Amy in her head, again, but before she could think about the meaning of it she leaned in, pushed her soft lips on Anthony's, who was clearly surprised, but responded intensively. The last time she kissed him seemed to be ages ago, though it were only a few weeks. Where was the warm she felt in those days? Where was the electricity in their touches? It didn't feel like before. Not good, not comforting, not safe. Her body wanted to resist, making her heart ache like the day she found out, that he was a fucking narc, tears burning in her eyes, ready to flow.

I can't do this. I can't do this anymore. The thoughts are screaming in her head as she released herself from their kiss and she didn't even know, if he noticed Laurens watering eyes. "Okay… what else?" She asked with an almost convincing smile, "Keep them coming."

The hope the blonde girl saw in Anthony's eyes making her cringe and regretting her last words. This wasn't the right thing to do. Okay, she doesn't really care what was the 'right thing to do' or some of this bullshit, and she knew this guy deserved every pain he could get, for sure, but in this moment Lauren realized that maybe – MAYBE! – she was making a mistake by letting her comfort by the guy, who made her cry like a little child. Biting her lip she stepped back, glaring at him, not sure, what he was going to do. "…Lauren." He said in a tender voice. "Lauren, I know I was a fool by lying to you, but… this kiss! You did feel it, didn't you?" He raised from the chair he was pushed into a few minutes ago. "I know you hate the lies, but this kiss… was the truth! You did feel these emotions between us!" If you mean disgust and regret, then I have to agree… The petite girl sighed and crossed her arms across her chest, like a defense, slowly shaking her head. "…I…"She didn't know what to say, because she didn't know what she did neither. "… I have to go. Now." Her voice was choked but shaking and she didn't dare to glance back at the man behind her, as she left the room in a hurry. A tear was escaping from her eye. I need someone… someone to talk… This time she didn't wondered why she immediately thought of her stepsister. Just the fluttering in her stomach didn't make any sense to her.

.

Amy had cried so much, her stomach wanted to fight back, and she felt suddenly sick. But vomiting was no option, also because her dinner was delicious. But actually because her best friend was lying next to her. Karma was comforting her, gently touching her arm, mumbling consoling words. It was a strange intimacy after the emotional rollercoaster they've been through the last months, but she was more relieved than maybe ever before to call the brunette her best friend. The last time she was so glad to have Karma by her side was, when she destroyed this croquem… this CAKE, and her mother made Lauren her maid of honor.

Lauren.

Amy frowned suddenly and shook her head. She didn't quite understand her stepsister, who could be the devil in person, most of the time. But when she's actually showing feelings, and her big blue eyes are watering, Amy couldn't stand it, she felt the need to be there for Lauren. Like dressing up as a pirate… It was so called family bonding, wasn't it? "Don't you think, that I looked really handsome with mustache?" Amy suddenly giggled, holding her index finger like a mustache under her nose. She looked at Karma with her tear-swollen face, but suddenly a spark in the eyes. "Reaaallyyy?" Karma asked confused, but with a small smile on her red lips. She didn't sound really convinced.

Indignantly Amy sat up, pouting a little bit. "You don't think?" She held dramatically a hand to her heart. "That hurts." Now Karma giggled slightly and Amy grinned in response. "You know this evening you worked with…" Amy's voice broke a little, but she cleared her throat, and proceed: "Shane, Lauren and I were on an undercover-mission to reveal Theo's true identity to everyone at a new school. And I was the heroic pirate! And I was reeeeaaally handsome." Amy said with something like proud in her voice. Now Karma was really laughing. "And Lauren was the damsel in distress?" She asked in unbelief. Smirking Amy leaned back again and looked at her best friend. "Rather the cheerleader in distress, but you've got the idea!"

Something in Amy's voice was irritating, but Karma couldn't figure out what it was. "How is she doing with Theo popping up at Hester, again?" She quietly asked Amy. It's not like she actually cared about Lauren, but the change in the topic also seemed to changed Amy's mood. The blonde shrugged. She remembered Lauren's puffy face, her shaking voice and hands at the pep-really, the pain in her eyes, when the three of them sat together, eating ice-cream. Not even when she dumped Thommy, or when the rumor about the pills were spread in school she seemed so hurt. And to be honest, she wanted to kick Theo in his damn balls! … Family bonding, remember?

Think it once again, maybe you'll believe it someday, Amy. She swallowed quietly, biting her lip at her thought. Where did that come from? Amy was confused. But she remembered she had the thought not too long ago. Damsel in distress? And you're her hero? Doesn't sound like a story about two stepSISTERS, does it? Amy gasped softly, cuddling up at Karmas side. She needed distraction. And her best friend was the best distraction in this world. She sighed and noticed she didn't answer the question. "I think she is really lovesick." Karma looked in Amy's eyes with an encouragingly smile. "So… maybe you can help her?" Again Amy bit her lip, slowly nodding. She wrapped her arms around Karma. It was not like she forgot Reagan, but she felt like she had no tears left in this moment. "How about ice-cream and netflixing?"

.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Lauren threw her bag at the floor. It was already late in the evening and she knew Farrah and Bruce wouldn't appreciate her lack of punctuality. Fortunately today was the "weekly date-evening" and Lauren expected the scolding not until tomorrow.

She didn't know what she did this whole afternoon. She knew she was in the dance studio for practice and drank lots of coffee and tea in this shady coffee shop down the road, but her head felt empty and her body was still shaking hours later after this… accident with the fuckin idiot.

Her eyes were still puffy, when the blonde headed to the freezer to got herself some of the ice-cream she really needed right now. Sighing she looked into, to find… nothing. "Where the fuck is …" Her angry voice was louder than expected.

"Well, well, well, Banzai, what have we got here?" Lauren heard a quite familiar voice behind her, making her heart skipping a beat. She took a deep breath before turning around. "You did not just really quoted 'The Lion King', did you?" Lauren asked her stepsister in front of her, her voice still angry. Her frown was clearly visible, even deeper when she noticed Karma next to Amy, holding HER ice cream in the hands. "This is mine." With her chin pointing to the said candy she crossed her arms over her chest. Amy was just lifting an eyebrow, Karma was giggling. "I thought you hated that 'disgusting unhealthy trash with way too many calories'?" Amy tilted her head to one side, with a small smile on her face. Lauren could see that Amy had cried lately, but she was also sure, that both of them noticed her own tear-swollen face as well. It was unsettling. "I want it anyway." With another deep breathe she glanced at Karma with an expression of disgust. "What does she do here at all?" The mentioned girl rolled her eyes. "She's my best friend, idi…" Amy swallowed the insult and smiled sweetly at her. She could tell that Lauren needed a friend rather than harsh words right now. She remembered Karmas words and added slowly: "We're going to eat junk food and watch documentaries. … Wanna join us?"

The shocked look on both of the other girls' faces was priceless. Amy waited for Lauren's answer. I'm wondering why she was crying. Though she is an evil bitch –most of the time at least - I don't approve the thought of her crying because of… of her crying. Her thoughts were surprising her again. "We can … also talk, if you want to." Lauren's angry look switched to an incredibly soft expression, before turning back. "Talk? About what?"

"Maybe about Theo?" Karma interfered.

Karma, I love you… But you're an idiot. A noticeably tension built up when Lauren put on her fakest smile ever. "No. I don't want to talk about fucking Anthony. Understood?!" Her voice lowered to a growl as the pushed Karma aside, walking to her bag, which was still lying on the floor. Lauren felt the tears burning again in her eyes. Grabbing it she stormed away to her room, slamming her door.

"Wow…" Karma said, a touch of guilt in her voice. She swallowed hard. Lauren needed someone to talk to, for sure, before she was burning the city, or something similar devilish; but Karma was obviously not her first choice. But she knew who it could be. "… Maybe you should look after her…" She whispered to Amy and handed her the ice-cream. Amy looked puzzled, before her lips twitched and formed a smile, nodding.

.

Her heart was racing when she slammed her door throwing her bag back at the ground. Her hands began to shake again slightly. This stupid bitches! Interfering in everything! Why can't they leave me alone?! Why do I have to live here anyways?! Lauren let herself fall on her bed frustrated, grabbing a pillow, she screamed her anger and frustration in it. She didn't know how long she was lying like that, when she heard a weak know on her door. "Get lost!" She didn't feel like talking with Donutface and Hippiegirl. It's not that she hated Karma. But she couldn't understand why Amy was forgiving her so fast, after all she had done. And she knew how hurt Amy had been. She was a mess on this wedding and days after that. I've never seen her like that before, though I'm enjoying to torture her. A smile crept onto her lips. Torturing Amy (and Karma) had become her favorite hobby lately.

Amy did help you after all, after all the bullshit you've dragged her through. A sudden thought in her head popped up. Probably she is the only real friend you've got in this crazy place. Slightly grimacing she sat up. Where did that came from? Cuddling her pillow she stared at her door. She didn't even like Amy, did she? Again, she heard a knock. Immediately her stomach responded with an awkward fluttering. What the fuck. What does that supposed to mean?! Lauren had no time thinking about it, because said stepsister stand in her room just one moment later. "Are you deaf?! Is this your new way becoming famous? Because I said: GET LOST." She glared at Amy, still holding the light blue pillow, which had stains of her make-up on it. To be honest… Amy looked like shit, too. Her hair was completely messed up, and she wore that 'comfy clothes', which Lauren hated. Amy could look so beautiful, if she tried but… Wait. Did you just call her beautiful? A weak blush crept onto Laurens face as well as a disapproving frown. "What do you want, Raudenfeld?"

Amy raised one hand, a smile on her face. She knew Laurens attitude too well, to be intimidated. "I come in peace!" She declared, showing her stepsister the ice-cream. "And this is my… peace offering." With a gracious gesture she stepped to Laurens bed, waiting for her response. Again this 'damsel-in-distress'-thing? It gets old, don't you think? Amy wanted to shake this quite ridiculous thought off, when she noticed how her stepsister relaxed. At least a little bit. Sometimes she seemed to be stiff like a doll. But now Amy saw a nearly soft expression in Lauren's face, her eyes sparkling. She knew that Lauren didn't know how predictable she could be. It filled her stomach with an awkward feeling, that she ignored most of the time. "Where is Karma?" Husky of screaming in her pillow, Lauren's voice sent a shiver through Amy's spine.

Slowly Amy headed to Lauren's bed, sat down very carefully, looking at the other blonde. "She had to go home. Some… smoothie-disaster she said." Amy was biting her lower lip thoughtful and Lauren's eyes widened at her next words: "Just the two of us tonight, okay?"