A Week Could Change Everything.

New 7 chapter story. Joey & Lauren always. I'm really looking forward to the Lauren & Jake (Jamie Lomas' Character) romance though. It's going to be soooooo good! That spoiler is in this! Enjoy

#Day1

When Lauren Branning woke one November morning, she turned and checked the date. It was the 22nd November. Something about the date rung familiar with her. She decided to forget it for now. She knew she also had a college assignment due. She sighed and got out of bed, showering and got changed going downstairs.

"Lauren, Could you get me your passport when you have a moment? It needs updating. Your mum has kindly reminded me" Max told Lauren as she walked into the kitchen. She rolled her eyes, heading back to her room, to her box of important stuff and was rooting through it when she found the reason why the days date rung so familiar with her.

She held her discharge forms from the year previous from her car crash with Joey. It was dated 23rd November 2012. Today was the 22nd November meaning it was a exactly a year since her Uncle Derek had scared the living daylights out of her, resulting in her and Joey trying to flee the square. Lauren took a big breath, pushing the box aside, feeling wheezy and short of breath, not sure what to make of it all. So much had happened in a year. She couldn't believe it had only been a year. She gasped as the day opened.

"You alright?" Abi asked, sitting next to her. Lauren passed her the forms and Abi made a oh sound, placing a comforting arm around her.

•••

"Whitney" Lauren said as she walked into the cafe, seeing the other girl. Things still wasn't good between them.

"Lauren" Whitney mirrored as Lauren walked passed her and sat next to her boyfriend, Jake Stone.

"You okay? That looked a little tense" He asked, smiling as she looked at the menu.

"Yep, I'm fine. She's been through alot during the summer but she still didn't say sorry for what she did. I don't even care she did it, but she could say sorry, it's the principle of the thing. I did the same with her" She replied, sighing.

"I know. I wish I could tell you something to make you happier but I can't" He said, sighing.

"Oh?" She rose an eyebrow at him.

"I have to go and look after my niece and nephew. Her mum's been in an accident and my brother is looking after her and no one to look after the kids. I said I'd go" He told her. She nodded.

"Of course. You need to go. Where and how long for?" Lauren questioned, smiling a little.

"It's Manchester, babe and should be about a week. That's how long they are keeping her in for" Jake replied. She nodded before ordering some breakfast.

•••

"I have to go and finish this assignment and hand it in. Will I see you before you have to go?" She asked, once finishing her breakfast.

"I need to go before 2. I'll text you?" He replied, raising an eyebrow.

"Sure sounds good. I'll see you later" She said, standing up, giving him a quick kiss. She wasn't aware about 2 seconds previously that Joey had walked in to the sight of her kissing her new boyfriend, causing his stomach to turn. She sighed when she turned and saw him, walking past him, ignoring him, leaving the cafe.

"Hey, mate. A word please" Jake said, calling him over.

"I'm not your mate but I'm listening" Joey replied, walking over to him.

"Whatever. I'm going away for a week so that doesn't mean go and harass Lauren. She'll tell me then we'll have to sort that out won't we?" Jake questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"You think she'll tell you but when you realise she's just using you to get back at me and she still loves me, you realise she won't tell you a thing" Joey told him, smirking. Jake stood up, crossing his arms.

"The last time I checked, it's me she is with, my bed she is sleeping in, it's me. If she wanted you, she would of said but no, you lost, now leave her alone" He replied, raising an eyebrow.

"Ha. If you two are so close, did she tell you what today is?" Joey questioned, crossing his arms.

"No but her sister contacted me to tell me that a year ago you two crashed her dad's car but isn't it also a year since you broke her heart, leaving her in hospital crying. Not such a man, are you?" Jake replied, smirking a little.

"You're trending a fine line, don't cross it" Joey said, walking closer to him.

"Can you take this outside please? I have customers to serve" Ian said, walking towards them.

"It's okay. I was just leaving. Sorry about the bother, Ian" Jake replied, glancing at Joey before leaving.

•••

"Jake? I'm here? What is it?" Lauren called through his flat as she walked in and found him in the kitchen.

"I want you to stay here whilst I'm away. It will make me feel better if you're here" He replied, holding up his key. She sighed, knowing it was best not to argue and took it.

"Okay. I will. I wish you didn't have to leave" She told him, sighing.

"I know, babe, me too but I really need to go now. I'll ring you when I'm up there. See you soon, I promise" He said, kissing her before picking up his bag and left.

•••

Lauren was flicking through the channels when there was a long knock on the door. She stood up quickly, going to the phone to see who it is.

"Who it is?" She asked, not expecting anyone.

"It's Joey. Let me up please" He replied.

"Why? What's it gonna achieve? You need to leave now" She questioned, rubbing her temples.

"Please. I know what today is. Please. It won't take long" He said. She sighed and buzzed him up, walking back into the living room, after opening the door for him. He was up within a few seconds, when she heard a crash. She turned around and he had walked straight into the table in the hallway. She gasped, narrowing her eyes.

"Are you drunk?!" She proclaimed, shocked, walking towards him.

"Maybe. Just a little" He replied, laughing. She slapped him across the face.

"Get out, now" She said, quietly, angry with him.

"No, Lauren. Let me talk please" He told her, holding his cheek.

"No, you need to get out. Jake, he'll be home soon" She replied quickly.

"I know he went away. Abi told me. She likes me that one. Shame you don't anymore. Why don't you, Lauren? Why don't you love me anymore?" He questioned, his eyes sad, looking at her.

"You're drunk, Joey. You need to sober up" She sighed, helping him into the living room, sitting him down before walking into the kitchen, making a cup of coffee for him and brought him it.

"You didn't answer my question. Why don't you love me anymore?" He asked, looking at her.

"I'm not getting into this now, Joey. Just focus on getting sober" She replied, sitting opposite him.

"Please, Lauren. I love you. Just give me a second chance" He begged, reaching across and taking her hand.

"Joey, you're drunk. Please. I don't wanna get into this right now" She told him, standing up, moving away.

"You're breaking my heart, Lauren. With him. I know you love me, not him!" He proclaimed, standing up.

"Like you broke my heart? I just needed you, Joey. To hold me when I cried myself to sleep and tell me it was going to be okay but no, you stay away but despite that yes, I do still love you but I can't go back there, I'm not letting myself get hurt again. I have move on" Lauren replied, sighing. He stood up, stumbling across to her, taking her hand.

"Take me back, baby. Please. I'll prove myself I will. I just need to be with you" Joey told her, smiling weakly.

"No, I can't. Sit down. I'll get you a blanket" She said, moving away.

"You know what I've done these past few months? I've stayed away from girls. Not slept with anyone since Whitney. I have wanted to, for comfort, to try and get rid of what I'm feeling right now but I didn't because I wanted to prove myself to you" He proclaimed, nearly shouting.

"Just stop talking, please, Joey" She sighed, walking away.

"You'd like that wouldn't you? Then you won't have to admit it. But I know, Lauren. You have just told me and I won't stop until I have you back because you're mine" He told her, his eyes not leaving hers.

"Not anymore, I'm not" She said, sighing.

"You're just jealous I can get drunk and you can't" He muttered, sitting down. She gasped, knowing it was the alcohol speaking but it still upset her, tears fell, his words stinging deep.

"Joey, I could die. You know that" She replied, wiping her tears.

"Maybe you should then you'll know how you're making me feel" He told her, coldly, taking off his shoes. She didn't reply, moving to the air cupboard and got him a thick blanket , walking back to him.

"You know I promised myself I would never cry over you again and guess what? I failed. That's why I'm with Jake. He doesn't make me cry like you do time and time again" She said to him, throwing the blanket at him and ran from the room, in tears.