Chapter 13
"Just play the song Girlie!" Justin said, "I know what it is."
"Number one…Justin we have discussed the Girlie stuff before. So lay off…I hate that name. And number two shut up and listen to me." Lance sat and watched the two friends.
"We're ready to listen, go ahead Lauren." Lance said.
"As I was saying this song means a lot to me. See about a year ago a friend and I were listening to the CD and this song came on. I listened the first time just hearing the music then I listened a few more times and realized what the words were saying. See Justin you know me…. I have a habit of not letting people get close to me. But then when they can get close I just push them away. I know that I have to start trusting people but that is really hard for me. I can't do it. Lance, you remember saying in the woods that it seemed like I was running away and that everytime you got close. Well I was. That is my way of defending myself. For 20 years more or less I have run away from anyone that tried to get to close. And I am so tired of running, but there is only one way that I can stop running and that requires someone to show me how to stop running. Well listen to this and maybe you can understand a little better." Lauren said as she turned on the CD.
Justin looked at his friend as he immediately recognized the song. He listened as the first few notes of Briteny Spears' "Sometimes." Justin looked to Lance and thought 'Man, I hope he can teach her to stop running.' Justin looked at Lauren sitting against the wall where she had slumped after the song started. She was trying hard not to cry but was barely successful. He caught her eyes but she wouldn't look into his eyes. She just stared at her feet. Justin listened to the words…
"You tell me you're in love with me,
You can't take your pretty eyes away from me.
It's not that I don't want to stay,
But everytime you come to close I move away.
I wanna believe in everything that you say,
Cuz it sounds so good,
But if you really want me,
Move slow,
There's things about me you just have to know.
Sometimes I run,
Sometimes I hide.
Sometimes I'm scared of you
But all I really want
Is to hold you tight.
Treat you right.
Be with you day and night.
Baby all I need is time."
Justin looked back to Lauren. She was crying softly. He then looked at Lance. Lance had heard this song before but never really listened to the words or thought of their meanings. Justin noticed Lance's eyes focused on his hands, he was trying to comprehend everything flying through his mind. Lance looked up and saw Lauren crying his heart fell as the tears formed in his own eyes. Lance looked from Lauren to Justin. Noticing Justin's worried look he then thought 'Hun, if you let me I will help you. I'll hold you tight, and treat you right and be with you day and night. Whatever it takes to help you.' Lance looked at Lauren again as the music stopped. She hadn't moved since the music started 'What do I do?' Lance thought.
Justin stood up and walked over to Lauren. He took her shoulders and arms and helped her up off the ground. Putting a brotherly arm around her he whispered "It's okay, we're both here for you." He left his arms around her and walked her over to the couch, which he and Lance had been sitting on. Sitting her down in the middle he sat on her left side and Lance was on her right.
Lauren sat sobbing in her hands. Lance turned to face Lauren and reached his arms out and put them around her shoulders. Justin let go as Lance took her in his arms. He gave Lance an understanding look and left to give them some time alone. Justin stood and went into the suite's kitchenette. Lance pulled Lauren closed to him and laid her head on his chest. Taking one hand he gently stroked her hair as she cried. He gently took her right hand in his and tried to quiet her down.
"It's okay…hush…sweetie…it'll be okay." He whispered quietly. Finally starting to settle down Lauren looked up into Lance's eyes. They just held either other eyes, as Lance pulled her close to him. "Lauren I love you! I didn't think it was possible. But I have never felt this way before. I will be here with you through anything and everything. If you are crying I will wipe your tears. If you are hurt I will try to fix it. If you're mad I will be your punching bag. I will be here. I want to get to know everything about you. If that takes a lifetime then I will do it. I want to be the one you run to when your scared and the one you want to tell all your secrets to. I want to hold you when it storms and you are scared. I just want you to let me do anything I can to help you. But unless you let me there is no way I can." Lance finished as tears escaped from his eyes. He made no effort to cover them up as he looked into Lauren's eyes. "Lauren I love you! I know you are hurting from things I could not ever begin to imagine. But if you will let me I will try to take away any pain I can. Please Lauren let me help you. Let me be your rock and let me guide you. We can do this together. Please Lauren…"
"Lance, will you hush for a minute and let me talk." Lauren interrupted looking into his eyes through her tears. Lance nodded yes and wiped a few tears from her face. "I want to stop
running. I want to turn to you when I hurt but I don't know if I can. See like you said there are things you could never imagine and there are things that will frighten you, but I want to overcome them. I need to overcome them. But see no one was ever willing to help me. And now I have both you and Justin and I hope to be able to do it. There are things I have done that I am ashamed of and have not told people because they would be ashamed of me. Lance I want you to be the one to know these things. I love you! I never thought I would truly love someone but now I know I can do it. I know what love feels like and I don't want to be with out it. But also to do this I have to slowly tear down a very big shield I have built around myself. That is not going to be an easy task. Lance, basically I love you and want you to be in my life will you?"
Lance looked at Lauren and said, "I love you!" He leaned down and kissed Lauren check. She turned her head to face him and Lance leaned down again to come close to her lips. Slowly their lips met and held each other. Lauren sighed as she felt Lance's lips touch hers, they kissed each other with all the love and passion they had for each other. They parted breathless and Lance pulled her into his arms. Putting both arms around her waist he held her as she laid her head on his chest. Feeling his heartbeat she sighed and realized how good it felt to be in his arms. They sat there silently for a few minutes just looking at each other. Lauren parted from Lance's arms and walked over to the CD player. She took out Britney's CD and put it in it's case, thinking to herself 'I won't be playing that again for a while.' She then grabbed one of her many Garth Brook's CD's and put it in. Lauren hit random and play then went back to there couch where Lance was. He opened his arms again as she sat down next to him. Looking into each other eyes again they kissed. They parted again and Lauren laid one hand on his chest and the other tucked under head. It was no time until she could feel how tires she was. As the song "The Dance" came on Lance started to sing. He sang until he realized Lauren was sleeping. He smiled peacefully and contentedly continued to sing. He was so happy just to have her in his ams. Lance slowly feel asleep with one arm around Lauren's waist and the other holding her hand that was on his chest.
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Justin sat at the table and thought 'I think they'll be cute together. I know he'd be good for her and I know she'd take good care of him. I hope that they realize how good they are together.' Justin sat thinking and finally heard the music again. But this time it wasn't a sad song. 'I think I should go see if they are okay.' Justin stood up and started walking into the living room. He stopped in the doorway when he heard Lance singing. Looking in he saw Lance holding Lauren on the couch. Justin stood there for a few seconds then went to his bedroom. He said his nightly prayer being sure to add something about Lauren and Lance. Justin closed his eyes and for the first time since Lauren had gotten there he fell asleep quickly not worrying about her. He knew everything would be fine with her as long as Lance stayed beside her.
Chapter 14
