OMG I'm so so sorry for not updating in so long. I've started a new fic and it just took up my time. This chapter is really only a filler chapter and is a bit on the short side but I really wanted to get something u enjoy and please review

His eyes followed her as she crossed the room and took a seat by the window. Her hair was different. It was shorter, falling just below her jaw line. Was it selfish to hope that she missed him as much as he missed her? Was it pitiful that she still consumed every inch of his heart?

She glanced over and for a moment their eyes met, telling the story of a relationship torn apart. They hadn't spoken in weeks yet each day he found himself searching for her face amongst everyone elses.

Darren became vaguely aware that the class had started, but he couldn't concentrate. Lauren had turned away but he knew that despite the fact that her eyes were on the professor, her mind too was elsewhere. He yearned to have her next to him and the vacant chair next to him only reminded him of what used to be.

He'd kept his distance, given her space, just like she'd asked because more than anything he just wanted her to be happy, but if this was happiness it was an allusion.

With about 5 minutes left in the class he saw her gather her stuff and get up to leave. Darren got up, abandoning his books and ran out after her. He pushed open the main door and squinted against the sun, looking around for her as he descended down the concrete steps, but she was nowhere in sight,

"Darren?"

He recognised Devin's voice and choosing to ignore it, leaned back against the wall. If it wasn't for her… things would be the way they were supposed to be.

"Darren, I'm sorry about you and Lauren," she whispered.

He laughed, "No you're not. This is exactly what you wanted. Happy now?" he responded bitterly starting to walk away.

"No. No Darren wait, "she insisted, grabbing his arm, "I was jealous and selfish and bitchy and I was horrible to Lauren but..."

"I've lost the best thing that ever happened to me," he said slowly, "you don't know what that feels like."

"Yes I do," she responded, "I know exactly what it feels like…I lost you."

"We didn't know what love was."

"I did. I loved you," Devin said softly, "the difference was, when we broke up there was only one broken heart."

Darren looked at her blankly and pulled his arm from her grasp, "If you want pity, you're not going to get it here."

Neither of them said anything. He knew he was being short with Devin but it seemed like a minor detail on the scale of things,

"She won't even talk to me," he sighed.

Devin bowed her head and bit her lip trying to think of something to say, "You can't make someone talk to you, but you can try to make them listen."

Darren looked up surprised but Devin had taken his silence as a cue to leave and was now walking away. He sighed and made his way back up the concrete steps. He needed to think and there was only one place he felt he could do that without the worry that someone would intrude.

He paused when he reached the door to the costumes room and frowned. It was slightly a jar and the light was on. He could hear humming and as he edged closer he was able to make out the familiar tune of "Good Ol' Moon."

"Lauren," he breathed, listening. Hesitantly he pushed the door in. She stopped and spun around. She swallowed and Darren saw her eyes begin to water. He stepped inside and closed the door behind him. She moved to pass him but he stepped in front of her blocking her path. Without lifting her head to look him in the eye she spoke,

"Let me out Darren."

She sounded tired he noted. Darren ignored her request, "you cut your hair," he commented, his voice sounding gravely and choked up. Lauren turned away and buried her head in her hands, groaning audibly,

"Don't do this to me Darren, it's too hard."

"It doesn't have to be," he reasoned, "I miss you."

Lauren hugged her arms to her chest, "I miss you too," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Darren took a step towards her and when she didn't move away, he cautiously put out his hand and moved her hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. She shivered slightly at his touch but Darren was certain he saw the corner of her mouth lift slightly,

"It's a shame to hide such a beautiful face," Darren mused. Lauren blushed before closing her eyes and shaking her head,

"No, no, no… don't do this, don't go and be all irresistible and charming and…you," she warned

Darren dropped his hand and stuffed his hand in his pocket, "you're right, I shouldn't do that… it's just difficult."

"I know what you mean," she sighed, sitting down and crossing her legs, "but I'm not ready for a relationship at the moment… with anyone," she clarified, picking at the feathers on a bright pink boa that was lying on the floor.

"Ok, I get that," Darren established, "but can we maybe be friends?"

"I thought at first that by ignoring you and pretending that you weren't there that it would help me forget, but it just made everything worse. It's like your absence was an even stronger reminder of you. That's why I didn't talk to you," Lauren said quietly

Darren crouched down in front of her and wiped a stray tear that had escaped, "I want to be there for you. I promise I won't pressure you into anything, all I ask is that you will let me back into your life in some small way."

Lauren tilted her head and smiled, "I never really let you go."

Darren exhaled and leaned forward, pulling her into a hug, catching Lauren by surprise. However Darren felt his heart swell as he felt her slowly return the hug and rest her head on his shoulder. It felt good to hold her again, but there was something that was still bothering him. She had said something to him a few weeks ago about something that had happened her before she'd come to college that had hurt her. The look she'd had as she'd said it had scared him and he made a mental note to ask her about it later on. For the time being though, he just wanted to build back up the trust he'd slashed and prove to her how much he cared.

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