Lauren's POV
I watched uncomfortably as Joey and Peter kept glaring at each other from across the dinner table. It was only us three and my mum. Sharon was working late, Ben was with Lola and Dexter, Abi was with Jay. I could only assume the five of them were together. I definitely wasn't the only one that noticed the tension. Even my mother was looking at them strangely.
"Is everything okay?" my mum asked, cutting the silence. "You three are awfully quiet."
"Everything's fine." Joey stated flatly before shovelling some mashed potato in his mouth.
I looked at Joey and sighed. When I turned my head back around, I caught a glimpse of my mother looking at me, giving me a knowing look. God, I hate that look. I hate that look that tells you that she knows something. That look that says 'you better tell me what this is all about'. I think I speak for everyone when I say we all know that look.
"Are you sure?" My mum asked, looking from Joey, then to me, then to Peter.
We all nodded.
I knew something was wrong, all three of us did, deep down. Even my mum did. But what was it? I know it's the whole dispute between Joey and Peter just before dinner, but why did it happen and why did they both seem mad? I understand Peter's anger because jealous, but I don't get why Joey is so grumpy?
"Can I be excused?" Joey said, taking me from my thoughts.
"Honey, you've hardly touched your food." My mum said.
Joey shrugged. "I don't mean to be rude, it's really nice, but I'm not really hungry. I want to go to bed."
"What? Joey, no." I said.
"Yeah, I'm tired." He said because getting up from his seat.
"Joey." I said, eyeing him knowingly.
He knew the look. He knew that I wanted to talk to him still; he couldn't just forget it after not even twenty minutes. He's trying to get out of it. What a sneaky bastard.
"Darling, why do you care? If he wants to be excused then let him be. Go ahead, Joe." My mum said, looking at me before smiling at Joey.
"Yeah, why do you care?" Peter said, sounding annoyed.
Joey smirked at me, making me huff. "I don't care. I couldn't care less. Night Joey."
Everyone looked around in confusion from me, to Joey, but mainly me.
"Goodnight everybody." He said, throwing his hand up in a wave as he walked from the dining room.
"Do you guts know what's really wrong with him?" My mum asked, looking at Peter and I.
Peter shrugged. "No idea."
"Lauren?" She asked.
"I couldn't tell you." I sighed.
I actually couldn't. Something must be bothering him that he's not telling me. Did Peter say something to him? No, he couldn't have, he's been with me all day. The only other problem I could think that was bothering Joey was girl related. Had he found someone? Was it Bethany? Was he frustrated because it didn't work out for them? No, it's been a long time, that couldn't be it. Then again, what do I know?
After dinner, Peter, without my consent, volunteered us to do the dishes. I really didn't want to. I wanted for us to go to bed, well, for him to go to bed. I had to talk to Joey to see what all of this funny business was about. Though I know Peter doesn't usually go to bed until late, I figured that tonight for some random reason, he'd want to go to bed earlier.
I huffed as I began cleaning one of the dirty pans that was in the sink. I think it's funny how Peter volunteered us for this job and yet he's leaning on the breakfast bar, munching on an apple.
"Peter." I said, dropping the pan into the sink. "Are you going to help me or what? You said we would do this, so since it was your idea, you should help."
He took another bite from his apple, looking uninterested, "I'm the guest, aren't I?"
I looked at him with pure dismay. "You better be joking."
I was biting my tongue. I could have said a lot worse, but I limited myself, I'm not feeling up to fighting with him tonight.
He shrugged as he took another bite from his apple. "I'm not joking."
I turned the water off and stared at him with my arms crossed. Why was he acting like this?
"Why are you being such a twat?" I asked, this seemed to shock him.
"Excuse me?" He said, placing his apple core on the breakfast bar roughly.
"Did I stutter or...?" I asked, shaking my head.
"Lauren," He said, walking up to me, "You know I don't like being talked to like that, babe. Let's not argue, okay?"
I opened my mouth to speak but nothing would come out. I was livid, so unbelievably angry to the point I could feel my body temperature rise. If it were possible, steam would be coming from my ears right now, I'd also be spitting fire.
"Whatever." I said, turning back around to the sink before I began to clean again.
"Babe," He said, walking up from behind me and wrapping his arms around me, "I'm just messing with you."
I went to shrug him off of me but when his lips touched my neck, I bit my lip, stifling a smile.
"I'm sorry," He said against my neck, kissing it once more, "do you forgive me?"
I leaned my back into his chest and sighed. "I guess."
"Good, now give me a kiss." He said, taking me by the waist and turning me around.
I smirked, "Someone loved me today, huh?"
"I love you everyday." Peter said, leaning his forehead against mine.
I smiled, wrapping my arms around his neck. "Good."
And with that, I pressed my lips against his.
Notice how I didn't tell him I love him back. That's because I'm not too sure any more. When he kisses me, I don't feel that spark I once felt for some reason. When he touches me, I don't get all tingly like I once did. What was going on with me? Peter's a great person and I do care for him. I think I love him. Then again I might just like him. I'm so confused why all of a sudden the spark we've had for years is dimming out.
I pulled away from the kiss, giving him a small smile. "Let's finish the dishes then go upstairs, yeah?"
He nodded his head, smiling back at me, "Yeah."
Joey's POV
"Ty, I don't know what to do!" I practically shouted at the computer. Tyler and I had became friends during my time in Walford. He was safe.
He winced, "You like her obviously."
I rolled my eyes, "No shit."
Whenever I had a problem, I always used to go to Brandon for advice, when I lived at my dad's anyway. He wasn't the brightest crayon in the box, but oddly enough, when it comes to romance, he's pretty decent with advice. I lost his number when I moved. My dad paid my contract on my phone before, but now I don't want anything to do with him, he cut that off. He took my phone off of me and so now I have lost everything I used to know. Fun.
"Honestly, I think you should tell her how you're feeling, man." Tyler said.
I sighed. "I don't want to ruin our friendship. Besides, our mum's made it clear that her and I aren't allowed to date."
Tyler looked confused. "Why not? Lauren is dating Peter. Why can't you two date?"
"Technically, Peter isn't her boyfriend. But they think our hormones will go wild. You know the rest." I said, trailing off.
"Well, won't they?" Tyler asked, smirking.
I laughed and looked away from the computer. "Who knows."
"Oh, I think you do. Face it, Joey, Lauren is beautiful. You like her. You're not bad looking. She might like you too.
I looked back at the computer screen. "I don't think so."
"You'll never know if you don't confront her, Joey." Tyler said, shaking his head. "After your kiss earlier as well, you'll have some explaining to do anyway."
"You're right. I just need to find the right time." I agreed.
But what would be the right time? Peter is here for a couple of days, at least one of our mothers are home whenever we are, and it seems they like watching us like hawks. All I need is a minute or two alone with Lauren. But I'm really fucking nervous.
"Look, I have to go, we'll speak tomorrow." Tyler said.
I nodded my head. "Tomorrow."
Tyler ended the Skype call.
I leaned back in my desk chair, threw my hands behind my head, propped my feet on the desk and looked at the blank wall in front of me. I like Lauren, I really do. It hasn't been a long time since I started living here, little under a month, but I can't help my feelings.
Memories of that night Lauren and I came to an agreement to tell each other everything flooded my brain. Great, if I don't tell her, I will be violating that agreement.
Knock knock.
I looked at my bedroom door. "Yeah?"
"Sweetie, it's mum, can I come in?" She said, her voice soft.
"Yeah." I said.
My mum opened the door and walked into the room. She took a seat next to me on my bed and looked at me.
"What's up?" I said, sitting up straight.
"I just wanted to come and see how you're doing." She said, a concerned tone in her voice.
I wanted to tell her what was bugging me, I really did, but I couldn't. If I did, I'd be breaking the one rule she and Tanya gave us.
I laughed, "Nothing. Just didn't have the best day."
"Why not?" She asked.
Make something up.
"I spoke to Beth." I said, trying to sound as convincing as possible.
She gasped. "You did? How did that go?"
"Yeah, went okay." I lied.
I hated lying, but I was good at it.
"What did you talk about?"
Damn it, mum.
"Just asked how she was doing." I said, nodding my head.
"Well, how is she?" She asked.
What is this, 21 questions?
I shrugged. "Good. She has a boyfriend now."
It was true. Yeah, I haven't spoke to her since the breakup, but according to Facebook as of two weeks ago, she's in a relationship. To be honest, I really don't care. I'm glad she's happy. As of right now, my feelings for Lauren are more important.
"Oh, I'm sorry, sweetie." She said, reaching over to cup my face. "Don't worry, okay? One day, you're going to find a girl that's right for you and she'll be the one. You might find her tomorrow or you may not find her for another ten years, but you will find her."
I smiled. "Thanks."
"Right, well, I'm going to sleep. You should too. It's almost midnight." She said before walking to my door. "Goodnight, sweetie."
"Night." I said.
I'm not one to lie to my mum. I'm really not. I just had to. I couldn't tell her the truth. I couldn't tell her I have feelings for Lauren. I couldn't tell her Peter and I got in a tiny dispute before dinner. I couldn't tell her I'm jealous that Peter gets to be with Lauren. I couldn't tell her anything. It was eating me alive Shit, the only ones that know I have feelings for Lauren are Tyler and I. I can't keep this from Lauren.
There's also a problem; I don't want to tell her. I don't want to ruin the friendship we have. Our friendship means to much to me after only a few weeks. I don't know if the kiss has already ruined it. Usually, when I befriend someone, I never open up. Lauren is different. I want her. I want her to be mine and only mine, none of this Peter rubbish. I don't want to scare her away, though. What if she doesn't feel the same way? Things will get awkward and she probably won't even want to be friends with me any more let alone talk to me.
I sighed as I rubbed my face.
"What am I going to do?" I said aloud, feeling conflicted.
"About what?" A voice said, coming from my left.
I looked over to where the voice was coming from and there stood Lauren, leaned up against the wall next to my wardrobe.
"Lo," I said, a little surprised. "I didn't hear you come in."
"Well," she said quietly, walking towards me, taking a seat on my desk. "I had to be quiet. I didn't want to wake Peter."
I scoffed at his name coming from her mouth. Peter, what's so good about him? Wait, don't be jealous, Joey.
"Oh." I finally said and she gave me this look. I could really read the look like I normally could, but I was curious. "What?"
"What was with you tonight?" She asked sounding genuinely confused. "Why did you start with Peter?"
I looked at her wide-eyed. My mouth dropped open. "Why did I start with him? You're joking, right? He opened his mouth first, Lauren, not me, so don't come at me with that."
"Joe, you came at him." She said.
I stood up and ran my fingers through my hair, "I did not. He said something first."
Lauren looked down at the floor and back at me before sighing. "You're right. Why were you so grumpy?"
I knew why I was grumpy. I wasn't grumpy, I was jealous.
"I just don't really like the guy, Lauren." I said, shrugging my shoulders. "You can do so much better than him."
"Joey, Peter's a really nice person." She defended him.
"Sure." I said.
"Joey." She said, walking towards me, "What the hell is the matter with you? First the kiss this morning, which you obviously did to cheer me up however it was completely unnecessary, now this."
"Lauren," I sighed, looking at the floor.
This was it. I needed to tell her how I felt. I needed to let out all of my bottled up emotions.
"Joey, talk to me, tell me." She said sounding saddened.
This is it.
"I think I like you." I whispered, looking at the floor.
"You, you what?" She asked, her voice barely audible.
I looked up at her, "I like you. Well, I think I do, but I need to be sure..."
"Joey, you don't like me, trust me." She said, sounding a little panicked.
I shook my head. "I think I do, Lo."
"Why? Why do you think that?" She asked.
"Because, Lo!" I nearly shouted. I lowered my voice, calming my tone down. "Because whenever I'm around you, I get butterflies, like right now, I have butterflies. This morning, the kiss, I acted upon my feelings. It wasn't to make you feel better. It was to satisfy what I've been craving. That's you, Lo."
"Maybe you're sick. Maybe I make you sick!" She said.
She was trying to find an excuse for my feelings to not be feelings.
I shook my head. "Lo, you don't make me sick. These are butterflies. But I need to know if what I'm feeling is real or not..."
She looked nervous. "How?"
This was going to be tough to answer. How was I going to tell her I needed to kiss her without her freaking out? Well, I did it this morning.
"I just need to kiss you. Just one kiss. I felt it this morning, but I need it again, just to be sure." I said, nervously biting my lip.
She shook her head, "Joey, no. I'm with Peter." She really was hesitant, jumbling up her words. "I can't do that to him."
"You said it yourself. You guys aren't together. I just need one kiss, just to see. After that, we can move on with our lives and act like this never happened. I'll leave you alone. We can be friends. I just need this one kiss." I said, practically begging.
She was hesitant for a moment, opening her mouth as if she wanted to say something, closing it shut before she could.
"One kiss." She finally said, her voice shaky. "That's it."
I sighed in relief, "One kiss. That's it."
She nodded her head, "Kiss me."
I nodded, swallowing hard. I walked to her and she took a step back.
"Don't be scared of me." I whispered, taking another step closer to her. This time she didn't step back.
When I was as close as I could be, I pushed her hair behind her ear, letting my hand linger there as she leant into it. I cupped her face in my hands. My fingers tangled in her hair as I leant down. Our lips were close, dangerously close, and I swear her eyes were coated with fear before it happened. Before the most amazing feeling in the world from this morning returned.
Our lips pressed together, using just the right pressure. It felt so right. The butterflies in my stomach went wild. They gave me a feeling so achingly painful that it felt good.
After a minute or so, we pulled apart slowly. But something happened. Lauren didn't pull away from me. She only pulled her lips away. Our foreheads were still very much pressed together and my fingers were still tangled in her hair. We stood like that for a few seconds, both breathing heavily when it happened, Lauren grabbed the back of my head with her one hand and pulled me in for another kiss. This time the kiss much more searing.
Our lips were pressed together hard, both of us holding onto each other, our lips moving together in perfect synchronisation. All I could hear was my heart beating loudly, the smacking of our lips, the heavy breathing we were both doing.
I moved my hands down from her head to her waist and pulled her in closer to me. She threw her arms around my neck as I slowly slid my tongue into her mouth. Almost immediately, she responded, massaging my tongue with her own.
Things were getting heated rather quickly. I pulled away from her but still held her tightly. I picked her up with one arm and she wrapped her legs around me in response. I walked us over toward my desk while my lips lingered over her ear, breathing heavily against it. When we reached my desk, I took a seat in the desk chair and Ally was in a straddled position on my lap. I kissed up her jaw line all the way to her lips and began kissing her roughly once again.
Everything was going amazing until Lauren pulled away and looked at me. She was trying to catch her breath, as was I, but I wanted more. I moved my hands from her waist down to grab her ass and in response she bit her lip, looking like she had no intentions in wanting me to take my hands off of her.
"Joey." She finally said, still catching her breath.
"Mm?" I said before leaning in to kiss her neck.
She moaned softly. Obviously I hit a good spot.
"Joey, we can't" She said breathlessly, running her fingers through my hair.
I kept kissing her neck, nipping at it and then licking to soothe the pain, "We can."
She sighed, throwing her head back for me to get better access of her neck. Damn, this is a whole new side to Lauren that I like a lot.
"Wait, Joe, Baby." She said, pushing me away. The way she called me baby made me melt. "We really can't. Not now. I'm sorry."
She looked hesitant as she climbed off my lap, but something finally clicked after our heated make out session.
I watched as she walked back toward the wardrobe. Before walking in, she looked at me once last time, chewing at her bottom lip and all I could do was smile. After she shut the door, I turned around in my chair and grinned.
Although Lauren stopped what we were doing, I knew one thing was for sure. She obviously felt something too.
A/N - Good evening. I know this is later than originally planned, but I got a little carried away. Thanks again for all of the reviews. The next chapter will be at some point tomorrow. What did you think of this chapter? Leave your thoughts in a review...
