A/N: Alright so here's the next chapter and I hope you guys like it. Sorry it took a while to put up. Thank you for taking the time to write such sweet reviews :) xoxo
Chapter Two: Coffee Date
Lauren and Darren were the first ones out of the classroom when the class was dismissed at 10:15. They had a routine that after every early and boring English class they would head towards a local Starbucks on campus to wake themselves up. Darren opened the door for Lauren and Lauren felt the cold Michigan air bite her cheeks as she walked outside. She rubbed her hands together in an attempt to get warm. At least she was wearing Darren's hoodie. They made their way to the Starbucks.
"So tell me Darren", Lauren started. "What were you doing up so late that caused you to oversleep and almost miss English class this morning?" Darren laughed at her sassiness. He knew when he was rushing this morning that Lauren was probably worried out of her mind. In fact, it was Lauren that stayed in his brain that entire time. Knowing that she was counting on him to be there. It was Lauren that gave him the energy he needed to make it on time, but he wouldn't let her know that.
"Oh, nothing" he said casually as if his tardiness was no big deal. But Lauren wouldn't have any of it.
"Oh yeah right! Like I'm supposed to believe you overslept because you stayed up too late doing absolutely nothing." Lauren smirked picturing a wide eyed Darren staring at a wall with a blank expression, letting the hours pass while doing so.
"I was just messing around with my guitar, and I guess I got a little carried away. Like I said, it's nothing." he responded.
This was an answer Lauren could believe. she knew that when Darren was with his guitar he could let go of everyone and everything that surrounded him. When he was with his guitar, he was in another world and the only thing that was present was his music.
"Come up with anything new?" Lauren asked.
"Just the usual fooling around and a few covers here and there." Darren replied. Lauren smiled to herself, but Darren noticed.
"What?" Darren asked.
"Hmm?" Lauren looked up and realized Darren saw her smiling. "Oh, nothing." Lauren said in the same tone Darren did a couple of seconds ago
"You think I'm wasting my time, don't you.?" Darren guessed disappointedly. Lauren frowned.
"What? No! Darren, no I don't think that." Lauren told him seriously.
"It's okay Lo, you wouldn't be the first to think that, it's just that-" Darren started but Lauren cut him off.
"Darren Everett Criss don't ever think you're wasting your time doing what you love. I've seen how passionate you are with your music and it gives me chills. The good kind. Your desire for your dreams inspire me to work harder for mine. I've seen what you can do, Darren. Your talent blows me away and I know that you're going to make it big someday." Lauren then looked him straight in eye and added, "And when you do, you better dedicate a song to me." She then turned back and continued to walk.
Darren smirked and rolled his eyes before jogging to catch up with her.
They arrived at the coffee shop a few minutes later. Lauren was relived when she walked in to feel the warmth of the cozy building. She loved inhaling the strong scent of fresh coffee beans. Her body felt instantly warmer due to the environment and she felt a grin spread across her face.
"So what song do you have in mind?" Darren asked, snapping Lauren back to reality.
"Huh?" She replied confused.
"The song you would like me to dedicate to you if i ever get noticed."
"Oh." Darren saw that this question had stumped her by the way she bit her lip. She obviously hadn't thought about that. But then her face lit up and she faced Darren. "Good Ol Moon" she replied looking satisfied by her answer. This didn't surprise Darren, for Lauren always requested that song whenever he sang at cafes or restaurants. She was actually the first one he sang the song to, and she fell in love with it the second he finished. In a way it was their song. Darren smiled inwardly, but outside he groaned.
"Here we go again." He said trying to sound annoyed. Lauren punched him playfully. Of course she knew that she requested that song frequently, but she didn't mind. Something about that song always brought her a sense of happiness that she loved.
"Hey Lo, do you mind finding a seat while I order the drinks?" Darren asked. The place was starting to get crowded and he didn't want to risk the chance of missing a good spot to sit.
"Yeah, sure." Lauren turned the opposite direction. She scanned the room filled with chatty college students until she found a perfect spot by the window. Lauren plopped herself down and looked outside. She watched students hurrying by to get out of the cold Michigan weather. By the looks of it, it seemed that the wind picked up speed since she had last been out there.
"Here you go." Darren's voice spoke from behind, making Lauren jump slightly. He placed the two drinks on the table.
"Thanks Dare, how much do I owe?" Lauren asked while digging in her backpack for her wallet.
"No, this one's on me as an apology for almost making you have class alone." Darren told her.
"Darren…"
"No, Lo I insist, I know you were probably very worried and I hate that I caused that." he told her. Lauren studied him. He looked very sincere, but she still wasn't completely bought. "Please…" he batted his eyelashes and pouted his lower lip.
Lauren giggled and then sighed. "Fine Darren, you win this time." Darren grinned obviously pleased with himself.
He took a sip of his coffee. "So do you have work today?"
Lauren worked at a local movie theatre on campus. Darren occasionally stopped by to say "hi" to Lauren if he didn't have any plans. Lauren was always touched that he did that for her. It showed her that he really cared about her and that he enjoyed her company as much as she enjoyed his. "Yup. Five-thirty till seven."
"Awesome. I was thinking about stopping by with Joey since he's been dying to see Jaime again." The two shared a laugh. Jaime was Lauren's close friend, who worked with her at the theatre, and Joey was Darren's roommate and best friend, next to Lauren. Lauren and Darren knew that Joey and Jaime were head over heels for each other, but neither Jaime nor Joey knew of the other's feelings for each other. Both Darren and Lauren tried reassuring their friend how the other felt the same way, but both were stubborn in believing so.
"Gosh, when are they going to give up the act and realize they're perfect for each other?" Lauren asked.
"Not anytime soon, that's for sure." Darren answered.
"Tell me about it. Did you see how bad Jaime was blushing the last time Joey came with you to the theatre?"
"At least she wasn't making a fool of herself, unlike Joey. He kept stuttering and choking on his own spit. I felt pretty bad for him." Darren shuddered remembering the embarrising moment for his friend.
Lauren shrugged. "I guess that's just a side effect of love."
Lauren and Darren then spent the rest of the time taking about their favorite TV shows, and debating what was going to happen next. They shared laughs and updated each other on how their classes were going. It wasn't until Lauren looked at her watch that it ended.
"Oh shit Darren it's 11:00! I have a dance class at 11:30 that I need to get ready for. I'm so sorry Darren, but I have to go."
"It's okay. Here, I'll walk you too your dorm."
And so Darren and Lauren headed back into the frigid Ann Arbor weather, towards Lauren's dorm. Lauren guessed correct in thinking that it had gotten colder outside. Her teeth began to chatter rapidly. This didn't go unnoticed by Darren, and he started to take off his coat.
"No, Darren you'll freeze! I'm fine, really." Lauren tried.
"Lauren, your lips are blue and you're shaking. Don't worry about me." And he wrapped his oversized coat securely around Lauren. "Besides, I wouldn't want my favorite girl to get cold now, would I?" Darren stated and winked at her. Lauren prayed that he would think that her cheeks' shade of red was from the weather. She felt instantly warmer with the extra layer on top of her and the intoxicating smell of Darren flowing in her senses. She could feel the blood circulate back to her fingertips.
"I'm going to have to start a collection of all the jackets you lend me." Lauren joked and Darren just laughed. She looked up at him thoughtfully. "But seriously Dare, thank you."
Darren looked down at her and gave her a soft smile.
"Anytime, Lo."
