chapter 1; Lauren and harry
Lauren wandered slowly back to her apartment. Just an apartment....I can't have a house. she thought All my life, I wanted to own a house. Now I can't have the house of my dreams because I alos wanted to be a teacher. Is this job worth giving up my dream?
Harry was waiting for her on the couch. "Well?" he asked as she walked in.
"I went. He....he opened the door armed with a load of Shakespeare books. He only wanted to work. I think it really is over between them."
"Thank you so much, Lauren. I know you were worried about doing this. I guess I shouldn't have asked you, but I just had to know. I love you, Lauren."
"It's ok, you're welcome. Just stop bothering Milton about this. He still loves her, I can tell. Bringing it up would only make it harder for him to resist her."
Lauren hated lying, especially to Harry, but Milton...seeing how much he loved Lisa made her realize that something was missing from her relationship with Harry. She'd never noticed it before, but there was definitely something missing. She thought she loved him, but she wasn't sure. And she didn't know if he loved her. But she certainly couldn't say anything to him, nor to Marilyn or anyone else at work. News spread quickly at Winslow High.
"Lauren, I've been thinking. I know you want that house, and I think it's wonderful...I think that we can get it together, Lauren. Between the two of us, we have enough for it! It's a great house, Lauren. I'd love to own it with you. If you want to, that is."
Lauren sat down, shocked. She wanted that house more than anything. But Harry....how could she say yes to him? She didn't want to be so committed to him. And she loved him, but maybe not enough for this. Owning a house together. It was a big step. One she wasn't completely sure about.
Before she could catch herself, she opened her mouth to say no. But what came out was not a soft, gentle no, it was an emphatic yes! Lauren clapped a hand over her mouth in a gesture which Harry mistakenly percieved as a happy one. He leaned over and hugged her. Lauren sat, scared and confused, then let herself get lost in his arms. They slept there peacefully. Lauren dreamt of running away. At the same moment, Harry dreamed of dying this close to Lauren, and never leaving her.