A/N: I'm sorry for the long wait. I've had soo much going on lately. I'm definatly going to try to update more frequently again. :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own characters!

Lauren awoke slowly the next morning. For the first time in months, she had a smile on her face before she'd even gotten out of bed. She quickly rolled over and jumped out of bed, looking for some evidence that the previous night had actually happened.

She smiled as she saw Tyler's class ring laying on her nightstand. He'd given it to her, just before she'd left his house, as a way of showing her that he was serious about giving them another shot. She picked up the ring and held it tightly in her fist for a moment before setting it back down. She gave it one last glance before turning her attention towards finding something to wear. She rummaged through the clothes she had brought in disgust. For once, she actually cared what she looked like today. Debating her options, she headed down the hall to Charity's room. She wasn't home anyway, and she probably wouldn't mind Lauren borrowing some clothes anyway.

Lauren pushed open the door and was surprised to find that Charity was home. She was passed out across her bed. Lauren felt a pang of sympathy as she noted the dried tears on Charity's cheeks. Lauren knew the hell of a broken heart better than anyone. She quickly made her way to Charity's closet and grabbed some clothes. She quietly made her way back out of her sister's room.

She was just about to jump in the shower when her cell rang. Sighing, she hurried back into her room and grabbed the phone out of her bag. She paused when she saw her own number pop up on the caller ID.

"Mom? What's up?" Lauren asked as she flipped open her phone. Her mother rarely called her when she was at Lucas's house.

"Good morning. I was just calling to make sure you guys got home safely?" Lauren shook her head. Sometimes it felt like her mother would never let her grow up.

"Obviously, since I'm speaking to you." Lauren replied in amusement. She heard her mother chuckle on the other end of the line.

"Well, you certainly seem to be in a fine mood today. I think going out last night must have been good for you." Her mother said in a observant tone. Lauren thought about telling her that she and Tyler were back together, but they weren't really, yet, so she said nothing.

"Alright, well I guess I'll let you go now." Peyton said, realizing that Lauren wasn't going to explain her new found chipper ness.

"Bye mom." Lauren said with a smile as she flipped her phone shut. Once again, she gathered up her things and started for the bathroom when her phone rang again. Groaning she tossed her clothes back on the bed and picked up her phone. This time she smiled as she read Tyler's number.

"Good morning." She answered, grinning.

"It is now. Hey, listen, some of the guys are going to Tric tonight. Are you going to be there?" Tyler asked. Lauren figured it wouldn't be easy to talk Charity into going out, but she would try.

"Sure, Charity and I will be there." She replied enthusiastically.

"Oh, okay. Um, if you talk to Charity soon, can you have her give me a call?" Tyler asked nervously. Lauren raised an eyebrow at this.

"Yeah, sure. Any reason why?" She asked lightly.

"Not really, just wanted to make sure she's doing okay. I talked to Derek a little last night." Tyler explained. Lauren mentally shook herself for being so paranoid.

"Okay, no problem. So I'll see you tonight?" Lauren asked, feeling a tingle run down her spine at the thought of seeing Tyler again.

"Definitely." Tyler replied. As she hung up the phone, she heard Charity turn on her stereo. Lauren scooped up her clothes, again, and walked back down to Charity's room.

"Hey, Tyler wants you to call him." Lauren said as she walked into her sister's room. Lauren noticed that Charity paled slightly at her words.

"How are you doing? If you want to talk, I'm here okay? Oh, and we're going to Tric tonight with Tyler and the guys." Lauren informed Charity. Charity started to shake her head.

"I'm not taking no for an answer. I went along with you last night, and it was one of the best nights of my life. Maybe it'll work for you too." Lauren said, smiling.

"I'm not going. I just need some time alone." Charity said hoarsely. Lauren's first instinct was to keep pushing Charity to go, but she recalled how she had felt and left it alone.

"Sure. Well, I'm going to jump in the shower. Don't forget to call to Tyler." She reminded Charity as she left the room.