Chapter 7
Laughter and sighs of relief could be heard from Joe's room, as Lauren walked in.
"Hey Joe! How are you feeling buddy?"
"So good. Thanks for being here guys!" Joe sounded so happy while saying this, as he shot a smile to Lauren.
"Of course! We couldn't leave while you were there sleeping for days!" Meredith said, making everyone smile.
"Now, we are going to run some tests, to make sure you're fine, and if everything is okay, you will probably be able to leave tomorrow. It's a BIG if though, so don't get all excited now. And I hate to ruin all the fun, but I need you guys to leave, he needs to rest."
"Rest? I did nothing but rest, I'm tired of resting!"
"Well, if you want to leave this hospital fast, you'll have to do as I say. You have about an hour until the exams, so I advise you to take a nap or just relax for a while. Either way, I'm sorry, but this crowd of friends can't be here. You'll have plenty of time to catch up when you're back home." Dr. Cassandra smiled, as she opened and held the door for them, being Lauren the last one in line.
"Would it be okay if I just have a quick chat with him? I promise it won't be long!" Lauren begged the doctor.
"I don't know…"
"Please, I beg you!"
"Fine. You have 2 minutes. I'll be counting." The doctor left the room, leaving Lauren and Joe alone.
"God, I missed you guys." Joe sighed.
"We need to talk." Laurens serious face made Joes smile fade away.
"Hm, okay. What's up?"
"It's complicated. I don't know how to…"
"Lauren, you're freaking me out. Just say it."
"Brian and I are kind of… together."
"Together, as in, together?"
"Yes, together as in together. I mean, it's not official yet, but, yeah. How do you feel about that?"
"You two being together? That's great! I always knew you two would get along."
"So, you're fine with it? There are absolutely no feelings that can possibly make this not okay by you?"
"I don't think so. Oh, wait, is this about, you know, old college feelings? Because they are gone. I mean, I love you, but in a 'you are my best friend' way. Wait, do you…?"
"No, no, it's just that, erm… Never mind. I just wanted to know your opinion on this, because you're my best friend too."
"Okay, time is up. Come on." Dr. Cassandra's head peaked behind the door.
"Okay, we'll be outside if you need anything Joe." Lauren said, heading towards the door.
"I won't Lo, but thanks." A smile grew in his lips, as she left the room.
"He looked good didn't he? I mean, he looked healthy?" Jaime asked the others.
"Well, he looked healthy enough for someone who got in a car accident…" Corey answered.
"Don't worry babe, he will be fine. He's tough!" Joey said, kissing Jaime on the top of her head.
"I sure hope so… Hey, where's Brian?" Lauren asked. She needed to talk to him, fast. She had realized she was so stupid for hurting Brian because of feelings she wasn't even sure she had. Now after the talk with Joe, she was sure they weren't more than just old memories, and just a result of being afraid to lose her best friend.
"I think he went to get coffee or something… He looked kind of upset though…" said Dylan, looking up at Lauren.
"Okay, thanks, I'll go check on him." Lauren answered, leaving her friends to find Brian next to the coffee machine, screaming at it.
"Why doesn't this thing work? Just take the goddamn dollar!"
"Brian, it isn't the machines fault that you're upset because I was a dumbass." Having said this, Lauren took the dollar from Brian's hand, and inserted it in the machine carefully. Brian selected the coffee he wanted, and in no time he was holding the cup.
"Thanks. And you weren't a dumbass. Forget about it. Let's just go back to them."
"Brian, no, please, wait. Just hear me out, and then if you still want to be mad, be mad. But please listen." Laure begged.
"Listening." Brian said, sitting on the closest chair.
"Okay, good. Well, first, let's just start of by saying that I have a terrible habit of ruining good things. And we were a good thing, because I like you. I think I might even love you, since the first time we kissed. And all was going fine, until Joe's accident. I guess that the threat of losing my best friend made me think too much about how I feel for him, when the truth is that he is just a friend. And I do love him, I'm sure, but as a friend. I-I know that this might be hard to deal with, but I'm not letting go of any of my friends for a boyfriend, because my friends are my family, and for me, family comes first. And if you can't deal with this, then maybe it's best for us to be just friends."
"Lo, I-…" Brian interrupted.
"Please, let me finish… But you aren't just a friend to me. I want to be able to hug you and kiss you every time I want to, and wherever I want to, because the fact is that I think I love you. Hell, I do love you. And I understand how messed up this might sound, but that's me. Messed up. But you already know that. So now, it's up to you. You can still be upset because I made the biggest mistake of my life, or you can kiss me right here and now, and make me the happiest person alive. It's your choice."
By the time Lauren finished, tears were streaming down her face. Brian got up and pulled her close, and while he wiped away Lauren's tears, he whispered in her ear a soft, meaning full 'I love you'. Lauren smiled, and she was now crying with happiness. Brian returned the smile, but it wasn't long until he kissed her.