Author's Note: THANK YOU to damoon, who was my only reviewer, and is now on my Virtual Hug list! Just for you, here's a chapter. Sadly, this is going to be the last one (sob sob sniff sniff).
Newt opened the door to find Lauren standing there, staring at her feet.
'Hey.'
'Hey.' She still hadn't looked up.
'Do you…want to come in?' Lauren pulled her shoulders up to her ears, scrunching her eyes, then gave a sigh and relaxed, walking past Newt into the flat. She took the well-worn path to his bedroom without asking, and collapsed onto his bed. Newt sat carefully next to her, resting his elbows on his knees, and his chin on his hands. He remained in that position until Lauren sat up. He straightened and looked at her. Lauren didn't know what to say. She just stared at him blankly.
'Are you going to say anything, or just leave me wondering what the hell is wrong with you?'
Lauren thought for a moment. 'You really are totally clueless, aren't you?'
'What?' Lauren tried to laugh, but she could only manage a weak smile. This didn't make Newt feel any better, despite not having a clue what he'd done to upset her. He shifted to face her, and she mirrored him. Tentatively, he leaned in. Lauren froze, but Newt merely rested his forehead against hers.
'Please, Lauren. Tell me what I did.'
'You didn't do anything.' He looked into her eyes, so close to his own, and saw the bitterness, understanding.
'Ok, what didn't I do, then?' Lauren pulled her face away from his with a sigh.
'Notice me.'
'What do you mean 'notice you'? I notice you every freaking day. You're practically the only thing I do notice.' Lauren's eyes widened as Newt realised what he'd said, and inwardly cursed himself.
'What did you say?'
'Nothing.'
'You definitely did not say nothing.' She sounded desperate, and Newt looked up from his hands, which had held his attention since that stupid, careless remark.
'Did you want me to say that?'
'It wasn't exactly what I had in mind – '
'What did you have in mind?'
''I love you' would be good.'
'Fine.'
'What?'
'Fine, I love you.' Lauren's eyes practically filled her whole face, they were so big.
'You what?'
'I. Love. You.'
'Do you mean it? Really?' Lauren was hoping so hard she was practically bouncing.
'Yes.' Lauren froze. She couldn't even think. She doesn't believe me. This was so much harder than it should be.
Newt leaned towards the statue of Lauren, and paused, the sides of their noses brushing against each other. He could taste her sweet breath on his tongue, but he waited.
A second later, which, as Newt counted it in his head, seemed like a whole wasted lifetime, Lauren relaxed. Newt smiled and closed his eyes as she tilted her head and closed the gap.