A/N: HEY! I'm back! Yes, early hours of this morning I landed back in the country! Thought i'd get right onto a little chapter, because i'm kind ;-) Not sure i like where i've gone with this, but i'm going to try it.. enjoy!

We all began to walk home, Abi asking too many questions. Even Alice had realised it was best not to ask but I couldn't blame Abs, she's my sister, she is only caring.

'Look I'll talk to you in the morning Ab, im too tired to explain now' I said convincingly.

We reached the hotel and Abs and Alice went for a drink in the bar on the 3rd floor leaving me and Joey to go up to our rooms.

'Thank you' I said quietly. Joey leaned down and kissed the top of my head.

'Where you wanna' go now? I don't mind if you want to go back to your room Lauren' he asked thoughtfully.

I shook my head and smiled and I pressed the button for Joey's floor.

'You make me feel safe' I shrugged.

'You make me feel a lot of things' he admitted.

'Like what?' I questioned.

He shrugged, 'I don't even know myself yet, I'm still trying to figure things out Lauren'

I nodded and looked straight ahead re-evaluating his argument with Rick. He didn't mean it, he doesn't know, he lied. My heart sank a little at the realisation. I wasn't going to mention it, not unless he did… which I'm sure he wasn't going too.

We reached Joey's room and he let me in. I went to sit on the bed and crossed my legs.

'Do you want a drink?' Joey asked raising his eyebrow.

'No thank you' I replied simply.

'Are you okay?' he asked as he lay on the bed motioning for me to lie with him.

I crawled up to him and lay my head on his chest and wrapped my arm around him. He draped his arm around my back holding me tightly as I sighed deeply, not knowing how to answer his question.

'Why is this awkward?' Joey asked nervously. I lay still and began playing with the bracelet that was still clasped tightly around my wrist.

'I don't know' I answered, not in all honesty. I did know, well I think I do. I am completely in love with him and he doesn't feel the same back. That is the awkwardness; he just doesn't know it yet.

'Lauren?' he looked down at me.

'Mhm?' I mumbled up to him.

'How do you feel?... Like.. about me.' He asked nervously. He held his breath for a few seconds and as I realised I needed an answer a lump formed in my throat and I was lost for words. Tears sprung to my eyes once again and I bowed my head.

'Hey, its okay. We don't have to talk about it now; it's been an overwhelming night.' Joey reassured me. 'Do you want to stay here tonight?' I nodded as I snuggled into Joey. 'Hold on, let me sort you a t-shirt out or something, you know, to sleep in.'

He climbed off the bed and fetched me one of his t-shirts. Joey made me feel so comfortable with myself so I wasn't bothered about getting changed in front of him. He unzipped the back of my dress for me and I wriggled it off. He lifted the t-shirt over me and pulled it down.

'You are beautiful' he smiled and kissed my lips gently. I bowed my head in embarrassment. 'You honestly need to believe me' Joey chuckled and climbed into bed closely followed by me snuggling into him.

'Anyone ever told you you're really comfy to sleep on?' I giggled, joking with him, the awkwardness from earlier fading as quick as it came.

'It has been said' I replied chuckling. Yep, probably by many many girls. Eurgh! I can't shake this jealousy off.

'Tomorrow you must tell me what you are thinking, I can't work you out baby' he joked as he kissed the top of my head. 'Night beautiful'

'How many girls in the last month have you called beautiful Joey?' I suddenly asked exerting this new found confidence.

He looked startled as he shuffled back sitting further up. 'What do you mean?' he enquired. I kept quiet not knowing what else to say. 'I told you, you've changed me Lauren. Think about all the stuff I've said to you, can you imagine me saying that sort of stuff to anyone else?'

'I can't help but doub-' I began to say.

'Don't doubt me, please. Trust me, I've never felt like this before.' Joey interrupted. 'How long have you doubted me?'

'I dunno, it's always been at the back of my mind.' I said quietly. 'It's not you, it's more me and my lack of confidence.'

'I will never hurt you. I promise you' Joey said reassuringly.

'Do you really want to know how I feel?' I asked bravely. Tears began to form.

Joey nodded so I sat up facing him, looking straight into his eyes, I took a deep breath and found my voice.

'I..I' I stopped and tears welled in my yes. I couldn't do it, knowing it was virtually impossible he'd ever feel the same back.

'Hey, ssh' He whispered comfortingly as he wiped away my tears. 'It's okay, we'll talk tomorrow yeah?'

He kept putting it off, maybe he knew what I was going to say and didn't want me to? Or maybe he didn't think it was important, as this has all happened so quickly, he'd never think I'd fall for him this quickly. I lay silently for several minutes before breaking the silence. 'I should go back Joey'

'You don't wanna' stay?' He asked softly. I sat up without saying a word, I couldn't kid myself anymore. I climbed out of his embrace and collected up my things. He followed me up and stood in front of me as I acted on an impulse, I retrieved my phone from my bag and before a final glance at Joey I composed a message.

I couldn't bring myself to say it, not properly, not yet. But it was killing me holding it in. His phone buzzed and I kept my eyes fixed to my feet feeling embarrassed. I looked up when I could tell he'd read the message. Three words, simple but full of meaning. He looked straight at me but said nothing. We stood like this for a few minutes before I hit reality; he'd not said it back.

'I should go Joey' I pushed past him and put on my coat before running out of his room, not giving him a chance to stop me. I needed space, just to think through what I'd done; how I'd made a fool out of myself. I reached my room where I let myself in to find Abi and Alice had still not returned from the bar. I was slightly relieved; it meant I could compose myself without all the explanations. I climbed into my own bed and lay staring at the ceiling.

R&R, Be back later all being well!

xxx