Lauren had had enough. Just of it all. Trying to act like everything was normal, well to be honest, her life was far from normal. Her dad was married to some trampy bitch, which they only found out about her on her parent's wedding day for Christ's sake and to top it all off, she was in love with her cousin. Not lust, not confused feelings, in love. In love with the cousin who broke her heart, because he ultimately hated his father, more than he loved her. The same father he's currently mourned, the same man who is to blame for it all. Joey breaking her heart, her mum lying to her dad and bringing Kirsty to Walford.

Lauren was in a foul mood, everyone now knew about her & Joey and he thinks everything's going to be fine. She loves him, she does but if he thinks the worse is over, he's insane. They are Branning's, the drama never ends. Lauren dealt with the aftermath in the same way Lauren deals with every aftermath, her dad & Stacey, her mum & Jack, Bradley dying, her dad leaving, Billie dying, her mum's cancer, Joey breaking up with her, by getting off her face drunk. Doesn't usually help that much but it means the pain is blocked out for a while and most of the time that's good enough for Lauren.

Joey tried to come after her when she stormed out of the family dinner they were surprised with, when everyone decided to discuss the future of their relationship without actually asking them anything. Her mum, Nan, Carol, Grandma Dot, all with the stupid opinions Lauren doesn't want or need to hear. She had enough doubts about their relationship as it is, but she loved him, really loved him and that was enough for her. She wasn't going to allow her family to ruin it. He tried to come after her, always wanting to protect her but thankfully her Dad stopped him. He knew if Joey caught up with Lauren in this mood, she end up letting the hurt built up over years, spill out and she'd say things he regrets. Last thing Lauren heard before she left was them arguing over who knew her reactions better; the two most important men in her life, both trying to protect her in their own way.

She ends up in the Vic like usual; Lucy over with her Dad, glaring at her. All over a boy. But he's not just a boy to Lauren, and if Lucy could just realise that he was the boy, maybe things could be different, not that Lauren was holding her breath. Kirsty looking over before disappearing, most likely to text her Dad. Pretending she cares, but just trying to get her claws in deeper, well Lauren's not going to let her if it's the last thing she does. FatBoy being concerned, but still bringing drinks over, not wanting to face her anger.

A couple of drinks and half a dozen shots later, the majority of Lauren's anger is done. She knows she shouldn't turn to alcohol every time something goes wrong but hey, alcohol's always been there when things go bad and it's never let her down yet and actually she's not drunk, just buzzed. It takes a lot to get her drunk these days. Her phone buzzed again, she really should answer it but she still wasn't ready to confront everyone. She knew it would most likely be her mum or Abi, or actually Joey. She's somewhat surprised she's been out for so long and he hasn't fought her dad to come after her. Not that she's ready to talk to him either, but it's nice to have someone fighting for her for once, instead of against her. Even though a few weeks ago, he was fighting her to stay away from him. She understands why, she really does but her heart's still bruised by his actions, even if he had good intentions.

"Lauren?"

"Go to hell."

"No need to be like that, I've just come to check on you. Wouldn't want your Dad to worry" Kirsty said with a fake smile on her face.

"Well he's supposed to worry about his kids, that's what parents do sweetheart. I'm sure my mum will manage to calm him down if he worries too much. Now seriously, stay away from me, stay away from my family and more important STAY AWAY FROM MY DAD! Just back to wherever you came from. FATBOY, another drink!"

Lauren was fuming; she knows full well the bitch is only trying to get her on side, to win her Dad over. Well it's not going to happen. Lauren's seen this too many times, her Dad finding some chick he couldn't resist, breaking her mum's heart before they ultimately patch things up, not before everyone gets hurt though. Okay, her dad's never actually married one of his tarts before, but after Stacey, nothing he does surprises her. For a little while, after Stacey, she really thought he'd learnt his lesson. Obviously getting run over by his eldest daughter, being buried alive and watching Bradley die wasn't enough for him.

And that hurts, he's her Dad. He loves her, always tries to do best by her and she does love him, she does. She just hates him a lot of the time too, and some times, not very often, but sometimes that hate, it outweighs the love. And whilst she loves her Dad, she's tired of picking up the pieces when he fucks up, she has her own drama to deal with, and she doesn't want to deal with his anymore.

"Loz my babygirl, like I get that you are stewing yeah? Doing your thing, pretty miss thang? But Jack's on the phone to Roxie looking for ya, and my boy Joey, he's like blowing my phone up baby girl. He's worrying, you're gonna have a grey haired lover at this rate" FatBoy said with a laugh, putting a drink down in front of her but still watching her warily in case she blew up at him.

He did make her laugh though, trying to imagine Joey with grey hair but still with his gorgeous body and at the fact everyone's looking for her but hasn't yet found her in the most obvious place. "There we go. Call the Express, baby girl's smiling." His comment reminded of Joey –

*flash back* "You should do that more often." "What?" "Smile." "Shut up"

- *end flashback*

"Thanks Fats. Just tell him; um tell him, I'm fine yeah? Well I will be. I'll find him later okay?" Lauren told him, as he pulled out his phone. "Ight, baby girl. Will do. You want anything else?" After reassuring FatBoy she was fine, Lauren allowed herself to take a deep breath and try and calm herself down so she could go home.

When she heard two voices at once; "Lauren, darling. Thank God you're okay, you can't just go storming off like that" and "See Max, I told you I was keeping an eye on her"