Here it is x x Please feel free to leave a review and as always thank you so much for reading x x x

"Hey stranger," Lauren greeted warmly, tapping Joey on the shoulder. He spun around and held up two fingers, smiling apologetically.

"Oh God, sorry," she mouthed back, realising he was on the phone and standing back awkwardly, giving him a moment. She nibbled distractedly on a slice of toast that she'd grabbed from Darren's plate in the rush. Her hair was still slightly damp after her shower and she could feel the wet ends soaking into her top.

Both Darren and Joe had discovered they'd an entire project, which was due Monday morning, to do and Lauren had left the frantic duo to sort themselves out, only pausing to give Darren a quick kiss on her way out. They hadn't even started it and she could only imagine what Julia would say if she found out.

"Talk to you tomorrow babe… love you."

Lauren smirked as Joey ended the call and raised her eyebrows,

"I'm presuming that wasn't your mom," she giggled, seeing him blush slightly.

"Ah…no," he admitted, his cheeks flushing red.

They strolled at their ease towards the theatre building, Joey's eyes bright and inquisitive, taking in everything around him. He sucked in a deep breath, inhaling the smell of freshly cut grass. He was so absorbed in his surroundings he failed to notice that Lauren had turned and was now making her way up some stone steps. He spun around as he heard her calling him and bounded up after her, taking them two at a time.

"Keep up soldier," Lauren teased, "we've got a tour to do."

She pushed open the theatre building's door and lead him down a long wide hallway, showing him the various studios used for rehearsal as well as some of the student lecture halls.

There was a group of older students rehearsing a play for Basement arts and for a few minute's Lauren and Joey just sat and watched the process. After a little while, Lauren nudged him and got up, beckoning Joey to follow. They ended up in a narrow deserted corridor at the back of the building and the sound of their footsteps echoed around them with every step. About halfway down, Lauren turned and flashed Joey an excited smile.

"Are you ready?"

Joey's eyebrows furrowed quizzically she pushed open a large grey door and stood back, allowing Joey to take it in – the costumes room.

"In here," she said quietly, "you can be whoever you want to be."

Joey stayed silent as he took in her words and looked around at the hundreds of costumes that surrounded him. Some were hanging on racks that lined the wall while others were heaped in messy bundles. His eyes dropped to the small girl standing next to him and they shared a look of awe and sheer joy. Stepping forward, he picked up a tattered old top hat, and placed it on his head,

"My lady," he said in an English accent, bowing dramatically.

"Ah Lord Richter, what a pleasant surprise," she exclaimed, fanning herself theatrically and playing along, "Allow me to show you some of Michigan's finest attire."

She ran her hands over the rows of brightly coloured garments, sighing as she felt the various fabrics slip through her fingers.

Joey watched her thoughtfully and in that moment he knew for sure that this was where he wanted to spend the next four years of his life – The University of Michigan. He'd seen the friendships that had been formed and the passion that every student exercised through their work. He wanted that and he was determined to get it.

"You love it don't you?" Lauren asked suddenly, "…theatre," she elaborated.

"As you said... it allows me to be whoever I want to be," he responded softly, mirroring her earlier words and giving her a goofy grin. Suddenly, they heard a loud grumbling noise and Joey smiled sheepishly, looking down at his stomach.

"Well I guess the next stop on our tour is the cafeteria," Lauren sang, grabbing his sleeve and pulling him out the door.


"No no, it's on me," Joey insisted sincerely, as he saw Lauren's hand go to her purse, "you're doing me a favour by showing me around, it's the least I can do."

Lauren opened her mouth to protest but Joey had already paid the cashier and taken her tray over to an empty table by the window. He smiled triumphantly as she sat down and Lauren felt the corners of her mouth twitch upwards, unable to remain serious. She felt like she'd known Joey for years, when in reality, only 24 hours before-hand she'd never even met him. She'd surprised herself by showing Joey the costumes room. Darren had taken her there on their second date, their first date as an official couple, and she generally thought of it as kind of private, despite it being there for everyone's use. She smiled as she remembered back to the first time Darren had brought her there ...

"Where are we going Dar?" she asked once again.

"You're so impatient... just trust me" Darren chuckled, guiding her through the dark, empty corridors. It was late at night so the building was hauntingly silent. Darren had tied one of his t-shirts around her eyes, blindfolding her and he grinned as he saw her bite her lip with nervous excitement. He wrapped his arm around Lauren's shoulders, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He knew if they got caught they were dead, but it was a chance he was willing to take.

Lauren felt like she was being led through a maze and with every corner and stairway her curiosity grew. Suddenly she felt Darren stop and stumbled with her footing. She felt his arms tighten around her, steadying her and could imagine the bemused smirk on his face,

"I've got you," he whispered, without letting go. She could feel his breath on her cheek and she exhaled slowly. She could hear a door handle being jiggled around, followed by the soft squeak as it was pushed open.

Darren reached his arms around her head and untied the blindfold, letting it fall to the side. Lauren's eyes fluttered open and she smiled shyly when she saw how close Darren's face was. He pulled back reluctantly, his heart pounding and taking her hand, led her down to the very back of the room, using his phone as a light. Lauren felt the different fabrics brush against her bare arm and shivered slightly at the feel.

Darren slumped down on a pile of clothes, pulling Lauren with him. She giggled as he hugged her close to his chest.

"Where are we?" she asked breathlessly, the darkness hiding the room's identity.

"The costumes room," he said, tucking a strand of her soft hair behind her ear. Her face was illuminated by the soft glow of light from his phone and her chocolate brown eyes glistened.

"You look beautiful."

She blushed and placed a small hand on his chest, feeling his heat beat through his shirt.

"You're heart's beating really fast," she stuttered, her eyes locked in his gaze.

"It does that whenever I'm around you."

Lauren didn't know how to respond so instead leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips,

"You should get that checked out," she said, pulling back.

"I already know the diagnosis."

They lay together for a while and after a while Lauren spoke,

"Darren, I...can we...can we maybe take things slowly at first?"

"Of course Lo."

"Thank you."

He could hear the relief in her voice and Darren wondered if perhaps she was a little scared of having a relationship. He knew first hand the pain it could bring,

"Lo?"

"Hm."

"Do you wanna watch a movie?" he said, pulling out his laptop and a copy of 'Beauty and the Beast'.

"Anymore surprises?" she laughed, nodding.

"Well you'll just have to wait and see."

Since that night she'd often found herself in there, lying in the huge piles of soft fabric and letting her mind drift. It was her refuge.

"Where to next?" Joey asked suddenly, his voice awakening her from her day dream. He was leaning back in his chair and stretching, his plate now empty.

Lauren pursed her lips as she thought about it,

"Hm… well we've actually seen everything on the main campus, so I was thinking maybe you'd like to see some of the student hangouts... and of course the football pitch. This time next year you'll own every piece of Michigan Wolverines apparel available. "

"Ok, so clear out wardrobe to make room for new stuff," Joey mused, ticking off an imaginary checklist causing Lauren to roll her eyes in amusement, He's going to fit in here no problem.


Julia swung her bag over her shoulder, immensely satisfied with how the rehearsal had gone. She'd offered to help a friend co-direct the spring play and had been pleasantly surprised to find out how much she actually enjoyed being on the managerial side of a production. It was a first for her but she felt like she'd finally found her niche. She loved being able to see the show gradually piece together... the lighting, the music, the stage direction.

Just as she was leaving, she heard someone call out to her,

"Hey, Julia,"

She turned to see, Conor, a sophomore and one of the actors in the show, jogging towards her. He looked slightly nervous, which Julia found peculiar; he was usually quite confident and cocky... and clearly used to getting his way with the women. He had that bad-boy, chiseled sort of attraction going on, that Julia herself found rather irritating.

"I…I just heard about your roommate, Lauren, and that dude Darren breaking up and I was just wondering if maybe you could give her my number… for whenever. "

Julia didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the pettiness of the situation and stared at him disbelieving,

"Wait, what?"

"Lauren, your roommate... if you could give her my..." Conor mumbled.

"Ok, first of all, if you like a girl, at least make an effort and tell her yourself...Secondly, Darren and Lauren didn't break up. Why would you think that?"


It was growing dark by the time Lauren and Joey found themselves back at the car park, Joey now sporting his very first Michigan Wolverines baseball cap.

"It'll be fun having you around next year," Lauren smiled, punching him lightly on the arm.

"Ya, it will," he agreed, scanning the campus grounds, where he hoped to soon be spending his college days.

"Promise you'll visit in the meantime."

"Definitely... plus I'm intrigued to see how that Basement Arts show will turn out," he chuckled sarcastically.

"Ok.. admittedly that particular show does not look overly promising," she grimaced.

"I'll see you around Lo," Joey grinned, hugging her tightly, before sliding into his car. As she watched him drive away she heard a familiar voice calling her name and turned just as Meredith barreled straight into her, almost knocking her to the ground,

"Lo, thank God," she wheezed, gripping Lauren's arm, "I've been looking for you all afternoon."

"Oh… ok, well here I am," Lauren confirmed, confused as to what could require her immediate attention.

"Oh Lolo," Meredith sighed, "Are you alright sweetie?" she asked pulling Lauren into a bone crushing hug and stroking her back reassuringly.

"What? What are you talking about?"

Meredith released Lauren and inspected her closely. Suddenly her eyes widened in realisation and the colour drained from her face,

"Oh shit," she exclaimed, "I thought you knew."

Her voice had gotten quieter and quieter until it was so low, Lauren could hear nothing at all,

"Mere, what's wrong?"

Meredith could hear the subtle note of panic in Lauren's voice and she knew there was no going back,

"Mere, tell me! Why are you acting so weird?" Lauren begged, her eyes now wide and uncertain.

"Oh God… ok," she breathed, "maybe you should sit down Lo."

Lauren's eyes narrowed and she ignored Meredith's suggestion, choosing to remain standing, Meredith hesitated, trying to find the best way to phrase her words,

"Oh my God, just spit it out," Lauren persisted, getting frustrated by her friend's ambiguous behaviour.

"Well… there's a rumor going around that you and Darren broke up," Meredith started.

"Mere, that's just gossip..." Lauren interrupted, stopping when she saw Meredith's pitying expression.

"Lo...Devin and Darren kissed last night… in the library," Meredith added quietly,"Some sophomore guy saw them and presumed you two had broken up… Julia was asked about it this afternoon and it all came out. She went straight to Darren's, thinking you might be there and yelled the head off him apparently, according to Joe….We've been looking for you since."

Lauren felt herself go numb as she let the words settle,

"Maybe that sophomore was wrong," she suggested defiantly, her lips trembling. She crouched down and sat on the kerb, not sure if it was the cold concrete that was causing her to convulse, or the shock.

"I don't know Lo, I don't know," Meredith whispered. Lauren felt around in her pocket for her phone and pulled it out. She'd had it on silent all day and now, looking at the screen, she saw she had over 50 missed calls and texts, most of which were from Darren.

"Lo, listen. We haven't heard Darren's side of the story," Meredith tried to assure her softly. Lauren clicked into her voice mails and waited while the cool automated voice went through the motions before hearing a loud resounding beep,

"Lauren, if you get this, please call me. I need to talk to you. Please Lo…. I love you," and it cut off. She could hear the helplessness in Darren's voice and as the next message started to play she cut it off angrily, not wanting to hear anymore.

Meredith stayed silent, not quite sure what to say, hoping her presence alone might comfort Lauren in some small way.

"He was late to the show last night because he was at the library," Lauren stated monotonously and Meredith watched as a single tear escaped from the corner of her eye and slid down Lauren's face.

Lauren's unwavering gaze was fixated on the ground, her finger subconsciously circling the gaping hole in the elbow her old blue hoodie. Meredith sighed and sat down next to her tiny friend, not caring about the ice cold concrete and wrapped her arms around Lauren, pulling her close.

"I'm so sorry Lo..."

No more tears came and Meredith felt like she might as well be hugging a lifeless body. Lauren had seized up completely and her eyes held a disturbing vacancy. Meredith knew that there was no point in even saying anything anymore. There was only one voice that could penetrate that barrier, Darren.

Will things begin to unravel or will they power through?

Bye bye!