Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own characters!
Lauren hesitated. She knew that she should quickly put Charity's fears to rest, but the temptation to play with her sisters emotions, was just too great.
"Uh, I can't really talk right now. I'll give you a call later," Lauren said, making her voice sound nervous and slightly panicky. As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she felt a pang of guilt. Instead of waiting for Charity's reply, Lauren closed her cell phone.
She quickly got back to work, pushing the conversation to the back of her mind. She and Tyler were decorating the living room in celebration of Charity's homecoming. Her mom and dad were busy moving Charity's things into a downstairs bedroom and Brooke had gone to pack up her daughters things at the hospital.
"What did Charity want?" Tyler asked as he came back with an armful of streamers that needed hanging.
"Oh, nothing, really. She just wanted to tell me that she was coming home today," Lauren lied, smoothly. Lauren stole a glance at him and noted the pensive expression on his face.
"Okay, what's up?" she asked, setting the streamers down on the couch so that she could give him her full attention.
"I probably shouldn't be talking to you about this, but I think that Charity dumped me," Tyler said, his words sounding more like a question than a statement. Lauren's eyes grew wide. That certainly explained Charity's phone call earlier.
"Why do you only think she dumped you?" Lauren asked, trying to piece together the puzzle.
"She didn't exactly say that we were through, but she kinda implied it. Okay, she was pissed at me because I sorta let her believe that Derek had cheated on her, when he hadn't. I didn't lie to her, though! I assumed he had, too." Tyler said, his words taking on a defensive tone. Lauren nodded. Derek had already told her as much.
"Anyway, she completely blew it out of proportion and well, I just don't know," Tyler said, shaking his head. Lauren's mind was working in overdrive. This new information from Tyler painted a clear picture for Lauren.
"Do you think it could be because she still has feelings for Derek?" Lauren asked the irony prevalent in her tone. Tyler raised an eyebrow, giving Lauren a critical look. She could almost see the gears turning in his head.
"No," Tyler said softly, shaking his head. Lauren didn't know if he really didn't believe that, or if he just didn't want to believe it. Hell, she didn't want to believe it either, but it just fit too well not to.
"Hey guys!" Derek called, as he joined them in the living room. Lauren had almost forgotten that Derek was coming. She managed a small smile in his direction.
"Alright, I got the cake and the stuff for the punch," Derek said, oblivious to the tension in the room.
"Thanks Derek. Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?" Lauren asked, leading Derek up the stairs to her room.
"What's up?" he asked, sitting down on the edge of her bed. Lauren fidgeted with the door, stalling, before she turned to face him.
"Do you ever wish you were back with Charity?" she asked bluntly. There was no use in beating around the bush.
"Why are you asking me this?" Derek asked. Lauren picked up on a hint of anger in his question.
"Because I want to know," Lauren replied, crossing her arms. The way that Derek was avoiding the question was doing little to convince her. Derek opened his mouth to speak, closed it with a look of resignation and sat back down. When he raised his head to her, the sympathetic expression on his face said it all.
"Get out," Lauren hissed softly. She didn't want Derek to see the tears that were threatening to spill down her cheeks. He walked to the door, and turned, opening his mouth to speak, but Lauren cut him off.
"Go," she whispered. He nodded and started to pull the door shut. Loud, excited laughter made its way up the stairs.
"Welcome home, Charity!"