18. To the Moon and Back

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-Laura's POV-

It was dark by the time I woke up and remembered I was still at Chris' grandparents' house. My neck had a huge kink in it. Why was I still here? The plan was to leave as soon as he fell asleep. Well I couldn't do anything about it now. Chris' head hadn't moved from my lap. Actually we hardly moved at all. The booze must have knocked him out good.

I caught myself brushing away the stray hairs from Chris' face. No longer was his face strained with tension. He had a peaceful look replacing it. My fingers began to trace the planes of his long cheek bones to his jagged jawline.

I need to get out of here. I tugged at his arms and they loosened from around me. I struggled to get up since my body felt numb and stiff at the same time. Chris barely stirred in his sleep. The liquor was some kind of magic.

I felt strangely guilty leaving with the room looking like such a mess. I know I didn't make it but still. Mrs. Compton didn't deserve to come home to a trashed house. I quietly swept up the broken pieces of glass and put back the random things Chris pulled out of the cabinets. Chris was still passed out when I finished.

Whatever. I did my part.

Once I got into my car I checked my phone. I had one text from Will and three missed calls from Dania. I played the message she left me and cursed. Tonight was supposed to be Jamie's surprise birthday party. I completely forgot. Dania must be really mad at me.

Thankfully she lived close by. I could make a quick appearance. I slipped in through the back so no one could notice my absence. Now I just needed to blend in and act like I was here the whole time. I could do that.

I grabbed a soda from the fridge and casually walked around the crowd of people. I stopped in the far corner just in time to get the full show of Leslie being hit on.

"You're so beautiful Leslie." Brad was really cute but a major flirt. He always came off as too desperate.

Leslie shrunk back a bit. She was honestly too self-conscious about herself. She was beautiful but like every typical girl she didn't see it.

"Right," she uncomfortably drank so she didn't have to respond.

"You don't believe me?" Brad went on; scooting closer.

Her eyes narrowed and I could tell she doubted his sincerity. Brad was such a smooth talker. For all Leslie knew he could have probably already been hitting on her sister Demi too. I wouldn't put it past him.

Leslie shook her head discreetly.

Brad frowned. "I'll prove it to you and everyone else here. I'll kiss you, in front of everyone."

I didn't quite see how that was proving his point about her beauty but okay.

Leslie looked a little horrified. "No that's okay. I'd rather not kiss you."

"Oh no. You won't have to do anything. I'll do all the kissing."

That was when I couldn't contain my laughter anymore. I almost burst into laughing tears too, that was how bad it was.

"You're the man Brad." I hope he was picking up on my sarcasm.

Both Leslie and Brad turned at the sound of my voice. If I wasn't mistaken I saw Brad's face go pink. Leslie was having a kick out of it just as much as I was. "Does that line typically work for you?"

He didn't have the balls to answer. He disappeared with his head drooping low to the ground. The man had no game and no chance. Not like that.

"I didn't think you were going to make it," Leslie hugged me.

"What this? I couldn't miss Jamie's birthday."

"Yeah but where have you been? Everyone's been trying to get a hold of you. No one knew where you were."

I couldn't exactly tell her the truth. "I dropped Chris home then took a nap. My phone must have been on silent."

She nodded then suddenly her facial expression went from calm to crazy furious in a matter of seconds. "Why didn't you tell me that Chris yummy Compton was at the hospital last night?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I didn't know it was a big deal."

"I would have liked a heads up." Leslie crossed her scrawny arms over her chest. Something was up.

"Why? What happened?"

She bit her lip out of nervous habit. "I made a freaking fool of myself that's what."

My mind was racing with numerous theories to capture her story. "Really, how?"

"So I was walking down the hall to fill up my coffee again and I saw him in one of the rooms. He was just standing there with all his Greek god glory looking out the window. I literally stopped in my tracks because let's be honest who wouldn't stop to admire such beauty?" She gave me a look like 'come on'.
"I didn't believe it was him. I'm pretty sure at one point I was drooling, keep in mind it was late so I hadn't see such magnificence since forever. I'm not sure how long I was staring but eventually he caught me and I quickly turned...and what do you know; I was staring at a wall."

Leslie was turning pink just thinking of the embarrassing memory. "A wall, Laura. I was looking at the wall like it was the most fascinating thing on the planet. Just so I could avoid his stare. Gosh I felt so stupid."

I did my best to hold in my chuckle. "Yup, sorry."

Her accusing eyes were threatening me. "I put complete blame on you."

"I take full responsibility." I mocked.

"You should."

"Laura!" I wasn't sure what kind of mood that voice was indicating. "There you are. Where have you been?"

Dania didn't look too happy but then again was she ever happy or satisfied.

"To the moon and back."

"Really?" She asked giving me the death stare. Okay, so somebody wasn't in the mood for jokes. "You were supposed to help me set up all this," she exaggerated pointing to every party decoration in sight.

"I've just had a lot of things come up." It was the truth.

"You forgot," she accused.

How did I always come out as the bad guy? How do I explain to her the last couple of hours? "There were things I needed to take care of."

"There always is."

I frowned. Was she really that mad?

"You always choose everyone over me."

I had never seen her this pissed before. And for what? Yes, I had horrible memory but my schedule was extremely crazy lately. I had never ditched her for anyone else. I wasn't even hanging out with anyone to ditch her with.

"You're wrong."

"Am I?"

I think this aggression was more than just about me. I was getting caught in the web but I think I knew where this was coming from.

"So what? I couldn't make it. I couldn't help you pin up a few decorations. Are your poor hands crapping now?"

Dania was fuming. "You're a horrible friend."

"And here we go. Do you really want to start this?" I was used to people telling me I was something bad. I was getting really tired of it too. "Don't try and throw your frustration on me." I leaned closer to her so no one else would really hear. "I'm sorry it didn't work out with Angelo but don't make me out as the bad guy. I had nothing to do with it. And I refuse to be your punching bag."

That made her stop and think. I felt a little bad for blowing back up in her face but she needed the wakeup call.

I hated breakups. I hated that my friend was going through one. Her pain affected me too.

"You look like you need some air." I suggested. "Chris is at his grandparents' house. Why don't you try to convince him to show up?"

Dania rubbed her face and perked a half smile. I would be surprised if she could wake him up.

-Chris' POV-

I rubbed the sore weariness from my eyes. I got up and everything started to spin. Shit. My head felt like it was incased with nine inch nails and they were plunging through my skull. Ahhhh, the damn rum. But not just the rum. I recall tripping too. My hand flew up to my face and on the right side of my forehead I felt the slight bump.

Oh man. I can't believe I bashed my head in front of her. Wait, Laura. I opened my eyes with a lot of difficulty. Even with my blurry vision I could tell she wasn't here.

I wasn't sure why I had my hopes up. Why would she have stayed? I got stupid drunk last night and threw shit everywhere.

I was an asshole. She was right.

There was something about her that drove me crazy. And I hated to admit but in some twisted way I needed her; her arms, her comfort.

I was hallow and for the last few months I was being dragged into a pit of darkness. I itched with this feeling of being hidden beneath layers and layers of nothingness. Nothing could pull me out of it. I thought nothing could until I found her.

It sounded dumb and freaking cliché but every time I was with her I felt a light.

I shook my head to rid myself of all thought of her because it was making my mind throb with pain.

I attempted to get up again and got a whiff of myself. I reeked but before I took a shower I wanted to clean up the mess I made. There was nothing to clean though. Laura must have beaten me to it. I had to remember to thank her.

The shower did me wonders and just as I about to check my phone the doorbell rang.

"Hey Dania."

I wasn't sure how to take her visit. We weren't exactly the best of friends the last time we spoke. Was she here to bully me around some more?

She was Laura's friend. Perhaps it was just a misunderstanding.

"Will you come in?"

"Thank you."

She slowed her pace probably waiting for me to take the lead. I entered the kitchen rather than the living room. I was hungry.

"To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Today's Jamie's Birthday. We're all at Aaron's celebrating." She sat on a stool by the island.

Well that was interesting. "So you're here to personally invite me. I feel so honored."

I think she caught on to my sarcasm. "I actually needed to get away from everyone for a while."

"Is that so?"

I was too distracted by my hunger to play therapist. Did I look like a diary? I was the last person on earth who knew how to interoperate feelings. I was betting she would blurt it out and spill whatever it was bothering her without me having to ask.

"What's wrong with me?"

I wasn't sure how to answer that so I waited for her to elaborate while continuing to put together a sandwich.

"What did I do wrong? I don't understand how it didn't work out."

So this was a guy problem. If I remember correctly she was talking to Angelo. Dania had her head down and her fingers were clawing at her hair; a sign of anguish.

"How did I mess it up?" Her voice broke trying to hold in the tears. "Why didn't he want me?"

Her question pulled a string. Was this how Laura felt when I didn't call? I spoke to her like she was Laura.

"You did nothing wrong. Sometimes we're too stupid to really know what a wonderful thing we have till it's gone. If he doesn't come crawling back then he doesn't deserve you."

I knew what it was like without Laura and it sucked. I wanted her back.

Dania's blue eyes were trickled with tears. "I tried so hard to make it work. I thought everything was going great. Then he just stopped talking to me like...like I meant nothing to him. I felt like nothing."

These feeling were so close to home for me. I never meant for Laura to get that message because she did mean something to me. It was hard to explain but nothing? Laura could never mean nothing to me.

I placed my hand over her shoulder in a comforting manner. "No Dania. He's the one who should feel like nothing. You're a great person." I thought of myself. What excuse do I have? What excuse did Angelo have? "He's just lost in his own confusion."

She gave me a hopeful look. "How do I fix it?"

I didn't want to hurt her but she needed to know the truth. "You can't fix something that wants to be broken."

Dania was a headstrong kind of person. With luck, my message might get through to her. Might.

She got up wiping the tears from her eyes. "You should come back with me. There's food."

Ewww. She knew how to get me. I was famished and to be honest this sad sandwich was not going to cut it. I needed more.

It was like pizza heaven. I needed some grease in my stomach. I attacked a whole box by myself but hey no judgement. No one paid attention to me eating. I was happy to see my family show up. The hospital was making us all depressed. A little getaway was a good thing.

Jamie graciously greeted me with a hug. "Chris! Where have you been?"

"I uh..." I scratched my head, trying to come up with something.

"Getting lost in your own beautiful eyes?" I confusingly raised my brow as she continued. "Cause I would," Jamie's creepy smile freaked me out.

Her little crush was cute and flattering but she had a boyfriend; Aaron, my cousin, to be exact.

"Not exactly."

She nervously laughed. Aaron came up behind her seconds later wrapping his arms around her waist. Well they looked happy. I always found Jamie odd, a bit spunky, and definitely outspoken. All that mattered was that she made my cousin happy.

"Chris I'm glad you could make it." Aaron smiled at me and I returned the favor. "How are you feeling?"

"Better." The sleep helped.

"Happy Birthday Jamie!" Ren's high pitched voice made me cringe because of my lite hangover.

Jamie looked a little put off by Ren like Laura had been. I guess no one really wanted to be around Ren. I thought she was annoying. I was also tired of her always hitting on me.

"Have you been losing weight Jamie?" Ren ranted on while Jamie tightened her grip on Aaron's arm. I think her knuckles were turning white. "Because that shirt looked a lot tighter on you last month."

The atmosphere was definitely getting thicker. What was it with girls and their small cat fights? What happened to being best friends forever?

I pointed towards the table with food. "Maybe you should go get yourself something to eat," I suggested just to get Ren out of harm's way. I was sure Jamie was ready to pounce on her if Aaron would let her go.

"But I already ate."

Was she really blind to the hostel environment?

"Well you look a little scrawny today. I think you should eat a burger or something to fill up those jeans." Girls love to be called skinny, right?

"Do you really think so Chris?" She was looking at me like her life depended on my answer.

"Yeah."

She giggled and turned but not before giving Jamie a spiteful smirk. Jamie took a deep breath and leaned in closer to Aaron's chest.

"Who invited 'it' here?"

Aaron placed a kiss on her shoulder before answering. "Be nice."

Jamie jerked away, disgusted. "You be nice. It's my birthday party. I can do whatever I want."

Aaron chuckled; he was used to her stubbornness.

"Who's ready to play some games?" Michael shouted.

"Seven minutes in heaven?" Tommy asked looking around at all the ladies; which was kind of stupid since he was related to the majority of them.

"Dream on," Leslie smacked his arm.

Jamie clapped her hands together to get everyone's attention. "Alright already. We're going to play a game I like to call 'Confession'. So everyone gather around, in a circle."

Everyone listened to the birthday girl because no one really wanted to piss her off. We sat on the floor once all the furniture was moved out of the way. Ironically I was sitting right across from Laura. I had no idea she was even here.

There was a lot I wanted to say to her. I acted pretty stupid last night. I knew I shouldn't have opened that bottle. Everything happening at once made me want to drink. It was grandpa and having her take me home. Then she stayed. She probably felt sorry for me.

She looked beautiful still wearing the same clothes from before. Her long dark hair was down now and a little messy. I could still remember its softness between my fingertips.

"Ok so I'll come up with a topic and everyone has to answer it with the utmost honesty." Jamie rubbed her chin. "Things you regret." She turned to the person on her right, which happened to be Tommy.

"Let me see..." He smirked. "I regret not kissing Katie Robb in the fifth grade cause now she's a babe."

Demi grabbed a pillow off the couch behind her and chucked it at Tommy. "Perv."

Tommy shrugged. Next was Michael. "Marriage. I regret getting married."

Sarah immediately smacked his shoulder creating a large noise. That must have hurt. Michael began to laugh, "Kidding. Just kidding baby. Marriage was the best thing in my life."

One by one everyone spilled about the things they regretted. I grew nervous and sweaty the closer it got to me. I wasn't sure what I was going to say till all eyes landed on me.

"Calling. I regret not calling." It poured out of me.

Laura's head snapped in my direction. She was searching for sincerity because she was the only one who understood my statement.

Her turn was up and I suddenly felt like I needed another stronger drink.

"I regret wasting my time on a lost cause."

Yup, I definitely needed another rum or bourbon drink. I might have been a lost cause in the beginning but now I felt like we could work it out. I wanted to give us a shot.

"Now, things you yearn for." Jamie announced.

My mind blurred away from my surroundings and I could only focus on Laura. "Hating her sweetly."

From the corner of my eyes I could see everyone giving me weird looks. It didn't matter though. Laura knew exactly what I was talking about.

"Her?" Jamie asked too enthusiastic for my taste. "Who is this her you're talking about?"

"I didn't know you have a girl," Clark technically would be the first one I'd tell if I did have a girlfriend.

"A really special girl I let slip out of my hands."

Laura dropped her gaze and the discussion ended there.

"An escape," were the words out of Laura's mouth. I wouldn't give it to her. I wasn't giving up on the possibility we could have.

"Things you'd die for. Even if you were to die like right after you had it," Jamie was known to be dramatic.

My answer was easy. "Her."

"Who is this 'HER'? I need to know now." Jamie demanded.

I didn't care if she was the birthday girl. It wasn't going to be her business until Laura and I were exclusive and trust me I was going to get Laura back. I was going to make her my girlfriend.

"She's someone I hurt. She's someone I want back in my life. I was just too stupid to see it before."

"Awwwww. Then what are you doing here. Go tell her what you just told us." Jamie was siding with me.

Maybe I could use her as an ally to convince Laura to give me another chance.

"I don't think that's enough. I fucked up bad."

"She needs to know that you're sorry and see that you've changed." Demi encouraged.

I was guessing she was Laura's closest friend. She knew better than anyone our situation. If this was her advice than I was going to take it.

Laura got up and stepped around everybody to get to the back door. Was she mad? Embarrassed? Betrayed, that her friends were helping me?

I pulled out my phone pretending to answer it. I didn't want anyone to know I was specifically following Laura. She was heading to her car when I yelled after her.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" She was livid.

"Do you love him?"

She finally stopped and turned to me with eyes blazed. "Fuck you."

"Laura-" I never wanted to get her angry. I

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