Joey woke up the next morning, his head pounding. He frowned and opened his eyes to unfamiliar surroundings. He groaned, sitting up and rubbing his eyes, looking around round at where he was. He froze when he realise where he was and quickly made an exit, or would've done if his ex, Carli hadn't stopped him.
'Where are you going?' she asked, walking down the stairs
'I've got to go. Thanks for letting me stay the night' said Joey, making a quick exit. He walked down the street, rubbing his head across his forehead, as the killer hangover kicked in. Just then, he bumped into Carli's current boyfriend, Jay, who frowned.
'What the hell were you doing at Carli's?'
'None of your business mate!' said Joey, not wanting to deal with Jay right now.
'If you've tried anything with her-'
'I haven't mate! She's been a friend! I'm in love with someone else, so you've nothing to worry about!' spat Joey, walking away from Jay, heading for the train station...
He arrived back at the Branning house an hour later, to find it empty. He saw a note addressed to him, saying that they had gone to town with Cora. He went upstairs to get a shower and freshen up, before heading back downstairs. He made himself a coffee and sat down in the living room, seeing his phone on the coffee table. He checked it, seeing a few missed calls from Max, wondering where he was last night. He sighed. He didn't know what possessed him to, but he clicked on the last message Lauren had sent him yesterday. He re read it and felt determination spread through him like wildfire. He was going fight for her; make Lauren see there was a light at the end of the tunnel and that he would be there for her every step of the way...
The taxi pulled up outside the entrance to The Priory. He paid the fare and accepted the change, climbing out of the taxi, heading inside. He pressed the buzzer to allow him into the unit. He saw Julia smile at him through the window and allowed him in, nodding in the direction of Lauren. She looked a little happier that what she had yesterday, as she was sat with Kate and Martin. However, when she saw Joey, her laughter died on her lips. She scrambled to her feet and marched towards him.
'You! I told you not to come anymore!' she said, an edge to her voice. Joey stood his ground and put his hands on her shoulders.
'I know you did'
'Then why aren't you respecting my decision?' Lauren shouted, getting angry.
'Lauren, I'm not letting you go through this on your own!' Joey said, sternly.
'YES! YOU ARE! GET OUT!' Lauren screamed. Julia came rushing towards them.
'Lauren, sort this out in your room please, in private' Julia said, Lauren sighed, before storming away to her room, with Joey following. She slammed the door shut and turned to face Joey.
'So, come on then. Why aren't you respecting my decisions?' she hissed, as Joey sat down on her bed
'Last night... A friend of mine told me something and it made me realise hat I'm not going to let you destroy yourself'
'DESTORY MYSELF? I HAVE NOT DESTROYED MYSELF' Lauren shrieked
'So, your saying doing this... to yourself, isn't destroying you?' Joey asked, rolling up Laurens jumper sleeves and showing her, her own wrists, which Joey noted had more cuts. He winced slightly, but Lauren snatched her wrist back, and rolled down her sleeves, folding her arms.
'No, I don't! Now, leave please!' she said, pointing to her door. Joey sighed and shook his head.
'Babe, I'm not giving up on you. No one is, especially not me or your Dad' said Joey. Lauren sighed and turned away from him.
'Joey, go home and forget about me! Move on! I've finally found a place where I belong and people who understand me, unlike you' said Lauren. Joey got off the bed and turned Lauren to face him, cupping her face in his hands, locking their eyes together.
'I'm not going anywhere. I'm not moving on and you most certainly don't belong here! You belong with me, Lauren. Back at home, with your family...' said Joey gently, stroking Laurens cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. Lauren was touched. She never thought someone would care for her as much as Joey did, and mostly certainly never thought she would love someone as much as Joey.
'Babe?' asked Joey, as she hadn't said anything for a few minutes.
'Promise me, you'll never leave me... Promise me...' whispered Lauren, resting her forehead against Joeys.
'I promise you, baby. Ill never leave you. I'm going to be here for you every step of the way to help you' he said, locking their eyes together. Lauren smiled slightly and turned away, heading for her door, resting her hand on the door handle.
'Can I introduce you to my friends?' she asked, looking at him
'Of course you can' said Joey, smiling. Lauren nodded and opened the door, stepping out. Joey followed her and shut her door behind him, when he felt Lauren take his hand in hers tightly. Joey looked slightly surprised, but smiled as Lauren led him over to Kaye and Martin, who were watching them.
'Kate, Martin, this is Joey. The guy who I've been telling you about'
'Your boyfriend?' Guessed Kate. Lauren blushed and looked down, although Joey could see a smile on her face.
'Well, you've got good taste, girl' said Kate, clearly approving. Martin laughed, while Joey and Lauren chuckled. She led him over to the sofa, where they sat down, with Kate and Martin...
Max turned up two hours later, with a bag of fresh clothes for Lauren. Julia buzzed him in.
'Hey Julia. Just brought these for Lauren. Is she here?' Max asked
'No, she's gone out'. Max blinked in confusion.
'Excuse me? With who?'
'With Joey, Kate and Martin'
'Joey? How long has he been here?' asked Max
'About two hours'. Max nodded in understanding.
'How is she doing progress wise?' asked Max, as Julia beckoned him into an empty room, where they could talk in private.
'Lauren... she still won't admit she's got an illness. Its going to be a long recovery, Max... but there's something else what concerning me...' started Julia...
Fifteen minutes later, Lauren entered the unit, with Joey, Kate and Martin behind her.
'Babe, are you staying?' asked Lauren, turning to face Joey.
'I can't, baby. I've got to get back to get ready for work' said Joey. Lauren pouted.
'But I'll come by tomorrow... and you can call me or text me at anytime of the night' he said quickly. Lauren nodded and hugged him, blinking away tears. She pulled back and smiled.
'See you soon yeah?' said Joey. Lauren nodded and opened the door for him, reaching up to kiss him lightly on the lips. He smiled at her before walking out of the door. Lauren watched until the door closed and sighed. She turned and headed back to her room, wanting to be alone for a bit...
Max exited the room and stormed down the corridor, towards Laurens room. He swung the door open and Laurens head shot up.
'Thanks for the clothes' she said. Max stormed towards her, dripping her arms.
'OW! GET OFF ME!' Lauren shrieked
'Max! Don't!' shouted Julia, rushing into the room. Max rolled up Lauren sleeve to examine her wrists.
'How have you been adding these, Lauren?' shouted Max
'None of your business!' shouted Lauren
'Yes, it is my business, young lady! How are you doing!' yelled Max. Lauren kept her mouth shut, her eyes not giving anything away. Max knew he wasn't going to get an answer and ended up storming from the room, going to calm down.
'Lauren, wait outside!' ordered Julia. Lauren felt her hands burn as she knew she was found out. She waited in Kate's room with Kate and Martin, while her room was striped by Julia and her colleagues. Half an hour later, she was allowed back in, but not before Julia had a word with her.
'Lauren, from now on... you're not allowed hair grips, of any kind!' Julia said, as she handed her colleagues a plastic bag of broken hair grips, found in Laurens room. Laurens eyes widened and she gasped, lunging for them.
'Lauren! Stop it!' said Julia, holding Lauren back.
'THETRE MY COMFORT BLANKETS!' Lauren screamed. Kate and Martin watched as their new friend was restrained and forced back into her room, so Julia could have a word with her...
R&R :D Carli will be back in later chapters... but I wonder what for? :D X