Change of Events

Chapter 1

The room was dark, curtains still closed, no sound at all. Lauren sat on the sofa staring blankly at the wall which she had been doing for the past hour. Her eyes occasionally fluttering as tears came, sighing she pushed them back refusing to cry again, refusing to care.

Closing her eyes, the images from the crash flooded her mind. The way she and her cousin lover laughed within each other's company before losing control of the car swerving into the nearest building as it all went dark. Blood dripping down her forehead, Joey holding her close to his body never wanting to let her go, protecting her the best he could.

Opening her eyes up again, her thoughts came to the next part, how he broke her heart after someone for once made it better. Calling their relationship, their love a mistake. Leaving her sobbing in the hospital bed, the old Lauren returning within seconds.

A few days had passed, Lauren hadn't seen Joey since the night at the hospital, if she did her heart would crumble further not knowing if she could actually take any more heart break. Sure she had text him, just wanting an honest answer to why things had turned out this way.

"I don't understand, you promised you wouldn't hurt me" was the first she sent.

NO REPLY

"I just need to know why Joey" sending this one knowing she yet again would get a response. Sending one final text as she began to give up.

"I give up, have it your way" the tears forming in her swollen eyes, the pain of her heart taking over the physical pain.

Standing up from the sofa, she shuffled towards the door, heading up for a hot bath hoping it would soothe the pain or at least numb it.

Joey sighed, reading through the messages Lauren had sent him. His heart breaking as they came one after another, desperate to reply, but desperate to keep her safe. The final one sent him over the edge. She had given up. Running his fingers through his hair, a small tear rolled down his cheek hitting the phone screen where the message read. Never before had he loved someone as much as Lauren, yet here he was unable to be with her. Deciding it was finally time to move on, knowing seeing Lauren around the square each day would kill him, he went to collect the rest of his belongings from number 5, in hope Lauren wasn't there.

Struggling Lauren managed to get herself into the bath, the past two days she had relied on her mum to help her in and out of it, the pain of her ribs being the main problem. The hot bath water washed over her body, she finally felt relaxed and calm, not even letting herself think of Joey. Having enough of the bath she tried lifting herself out but failed miserable, gasping at her ribs. Sitting back down in the bath she sighed, god knows how long she would be there waiting for Tanya.

Hearing the front door unlock, a wash of relief overcome her, she wouldn't be stuck in a cold bath the whole day.

"Mum, is that you? I need help I'm stuck in the bath" laughing slightly at how ridiculous it was.

Hearing no reply from her mum she called out again.

"MUM, please I need help" getting frustrated that her mum couldn't hear her.

Just as she was about to call out again, she heard footsteps approaching the bathroom room, watching as it opened slowly, only to be faced with the person she really didn't want to see.

"Sorry I was just getting my stuff" Joey mumbled, trying not to look her in the eye knowing he would crumble if he did.

Lauren didn't know what to say, desperately searching for words.

"Can you just call my mum to come help me" he decided to skip the pleasantries.

"There's no point I'll help you" he said shutting the bathroom door behind him.

"No no, it's fine I don't need your help" she muttered, trying to cover her naked body with the bubbles in her bath.

"Lauren I'm here I might as well, plus you look cold" motioning to the goosebumps forming on her skin.

"Fine" she snapped, as he approached the bath, placing his hands underneath her wet arms and gently lifting her out, trying not to moan as his eyes grazed down her naked wet frame, her perfect curves and lines, her wet hair trailed down her back. Reaching over he picked up her towel, wrapping around her body, feeling her wince as it tightened over her ribs.

"Sorry" he whispered, feeling her wince.

"It's my ribs" she replied, holding onto his hand, as one foot come in contact with the floor followed by the other. Once she was out, her body wouldn't let her hand realise his, knowing this might be the last time she saw him.

Finally snapping out of her trance she snatched her hand away from his, her eyes catching his for a second before leaving the bathroom and heading to her room. Sitting down on the bed, she run her hand over her face, noticing Joey stood in the door way leaning against the frame.

Silence fell upon them as their eyes just stuck with one and other not being able to break the look.

"Why are you here" she whispered, "Why are you doing this to me" her voice breaking slightly.

"It's the right thing to do" he replied, not wanting his emotions to get the better of him.

"Where are you going to stay?" seeing the bags full of his belongings at his feet.

"Spare room at Poppy's" replying just as blunt as before.

"Oh" she said looking down at her feet, feeling the tears rising again

"I better go" seeing how upset she was becoming not wanting to cause her any more pain.

"See you, thanks again" she said, getting up and walking towards the door and closing it, her body leaning against it as the tears trailed down her pink cheeks. Seeing him was harder than she ever could imagine.

Joey left number 5 heading over to his new home, glancing back at the house, he wished he could run back over, pull Lauren into his arms tell her he was wrong, tell her he loved her. But it was for the best, even if he had to spend every day seeing the women he loved from a distance it was better than her being locked up for a mistake.

This is how it was going to be from now on, slinging his bag over his shoulder and walked away.