Authors note: Hi there, it's Charlie.
This is just a quick note to say that I will not be able to update this story for a week or so, I'm away. Very sorry. Also, I know I said the next surprise would be revealed in this chapter, that just didn't work out so you'll have to wait, yet again, I apologise. Thank you for all the reviews, it means so much that you all actually read my ramblings. So, I shall update asap when I get back. Hugs and butterfly kisses.
Chapter 11: Jump or Fall
The drive to Universal was short, but eventful. Darren had them singing all the songs from their musicals, and asking the strangest people to fill in the parts. This was particularly amusing when Meredith had to fill in for Dylan's Dumbledore, and when her and Nick were gazing lovingly into each others eyes when singing 'The way I do.'
They arrived at the gates just as they had finished a somewhat remedied version of 'Harry Freakin' Potter' and all raced inside. They saw the Hogwarts castle and all of them stopped. They'd forgotten quite how amazing it was, the feeling of home and excitement flooding through them. Meredith silently took held of Joey's hand. He didn't look down, but he felt a warm feeling creep up from his chest which was not unpleasant at all. He squeezed back.
Lauren and Brian were the first to recover the hyper active behaviour they had encompassed on the journey there. They raced ahead, laughing, with Lauren tugging on Brian's arm. He swung her round fast, before letting her go to fly into Joe Walkers arms who was waiting to catch her.
Lauren looked at Joe and a silent understanding flitted between their gazes. Joe grabbed one of Lauren's hands, she crossed her arms and clasped his other in hers. A short leap with one foot onto his knee and she swung around his back, landing with her legs wrapped around his hips and they both yelled;
'CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGE!' before speeding forwards. Brian grinned, they looked so funny like that, but he couldn't quite knock a different feeling. It took him a while to realise it was jealousy.
Jealousy. What was wrong with him? Jealous of JOE? There had never been anything between him and Lauren, although most people thought there had been, yet he still felt fiercely protective over her. What was going on in his brain lately. He shook his head and ran after the group.
Darren had been watching Brian while the group laughed at Lauren and Joe. He could see something flit across his face when he looked at the two who were laughing ahead. Darren and Brian had always been close, they could talk about pretty much anything and he knew something was up. He decided to ask him about it later.
Darren followed Brian's gaze to see if he could make out what was wrong. Brian was staring at Joe and Lauren with that same, hard expression on his face but when Lauren ran back to him, and took his hand to pull him to something she wanted him to see, his entire body and face relaxed to be replaced with a brilliant smile.
Darren almost keeled over in shock. Brian fancies Lauren? Woah, this was definitely something he hadn't seen coming. Ah well, they'd always got on well. He carried on walking.
The group headed straight towards Hogwarts, and all started pestering Nick and Julia about where they wanted to go. 'YOU'RE ALL LIKE NEEDY CHILDREN!' Julia yelled over the shouting StarKids. Lauren and Brian played up to this by hugging one of Julia's legs each, forcing her to drag them around if she wanted to move. 'Darren, help!' Julia begged him as the two around her legs nearly pulled her onto the floor.
Darren stepped forward, grinning. He neatly extracted Lauren from Julia's leg whilst Joe Moses picked up Brian. Darren threw Lauren towards Brian, who caught her looking a bit stunned.
'You two children play nicely, okay?' Darren said and Brian could've sworn he saw D wink at him as her turned around. Lauren grinned up at Brian, he looked into her brown eyes and for a minute forgot how to breathe. Why was this happening? He could so do without unrequited love while they were supposed to be having fun!
In turn, Lauren looked at Brian. He looked so intense for once, she'd never seen him look this way before. She felt something stir in her chest and automatically moved to get out of his arms, she didn't want to make him uncomfortable. She off balanced slightly and nearly toppled all the way out of his arms, but he tightened his grip on her, smiling as she gasped.
'Almost lost you there Lauren' He winked. She stuck her tongue out, but not in a mean way.
'As much as I HATE to interrupt this romantical scene, we have to get a move on.' Darren was laughing at the expressions on his two friends face. Lauren was puzzled, romantic? Brian? He's just having a laugh she thought. This realisation sent a shiver of something through her. She looked up at Brian, who though glaring daggers at Darren, was blushing. Blushing! Oh my god, what? Lauren was entirely confused now. Brian DID like her? Woah, this was too much information to take in in one go.
The rest of the group were watching with interest. All except Joey, who was secretly hoping with all his might that Darren wouldn't notice anything about him and Meredith. He'd have to have a chat with him, soon. Darren himself was happy. He took delight in making his friends feel uncomfortable, especially when he hadn't seen them for so long.
Lauren walked next to Brian, swinging her arms casually she said 'soooooooo, romantical?' she glanced sideways to catch his reaction. Brian stiffened slightly before turning to face her.
'Definitely.' He said, grinning. He pulled her into his arms and swung her round before planting a kiss right on her lips. Lauren laughed at the expressions on her friends faces, and smiled at Brian when he put her down.
'You're an idiot' she giggled. Brian was kicking himself. How was it he was more confident when he played someone else? He'd actually shown his true feelings but hidden them behind a stupid act.
Lauren was thinking hard. She knew Brian had been joking when he kissed her, but she had noticed something. When his lips touched hers she had felt a leap in her chest. It wasn't because she was being swung through the air (although she DID hate that), it was happy, nice. She looked at Brian who was talking to Joey in a corner. The two of them glanced in her direction and quickly looked away when they saw she was watching.
There's definitely something up Lauren thought to herself. She knew it was up to her to bridge the gap. She could pretend like nothing happened, and go on as she always had with Brian being her best friend. Before the holiday she'd have automatically chosen this option, but then she'd never even thought that there COULD be something between the two of them. Now she faced the other, scarier option. She could pursue her feelings. She remembered him gripping her hand on the plane, laughing with her in the bus, talking late into the night with his arms around her, kissing her softly before she slept. She hadn't thought too much of it, but now, looking at the bigger picture she knew there was nothing she could do. She had to make the decision of what she wanted. There could be two outcomes, she had to decide whether to jump or fall.
