It's been a week since we got off tour and Alex is doing a great job being civil, Rian and Zack are still worried that something will happen between Alex and Jack, but as I keep saying, we'll face that hurdle when we get here. I'm spending the day with Jay today, we're going to the aquarium like we do once every few weeks and we've done that ever since I moved here years ago.
“Jay?” I asked while we were in the car.
“Yeah?” He asked.
“Do you think everything with me and Alex will be alright?” I asked.
“Of course it will, as long as you both work at it.” He replied.

We got to the aquarium and the strangest thing happened, 2 girls came running up to me and asked for a picture with me. I happily took the picture then they walked away smiling and laughing.
“Was the tour that much of a success?” Jay asked.
“Apparently” I replied. We walked around the aquarium for hours, taking pictures of the fish, talking, taking more pictures. The we sat down and had a burger and chips in a little café inside the complex.
“If you do get signed, Lauren, I wont see you as much, you'll always be off on tour, meeting fans, recording, more touring, it'll be amazing, I know, but I'll miss you” He said.
“I can always fly you out to see me, you could stay on the bus and come along to a couple of the dates each tour, and I'll miss you too” I said.
“Just as long as you don't forget you're normal little family when you're a big celebrity” He said.
“Like that's gonna happen” I laughed. It really started to sink in then. If I do get signed, I'll hardly see Jay, Max and Emma, and that's gonna be hard, they're the only family I've got, and they've never been more than 10 minutes away if I needed them. But it's a small sacrifice if I really wanted to live my dream.
“I'm glad your life's finally getting back together, it's what you deserve” He said.
“Thanks for taking me in Jay. You're the one who helped me get my life back together.” I said.
“I took you in because you're family. And I'm glad I did, because you made me smile every single day. You gave me the advice on how to get Emma, you're always there for all of us and we'd be lost without you” He said.
“Now, enough of this mushy business, we have fish to look at” I said. We both laughed and spent another couple of hours walking around then made our way back to Jay's.
When we get back, all the lights were off so we flicked them on and Emma and Max jumped out.
“Max, you're back!” I screamed and ran over to hug him.
“So how was the tour?” He asked. I sat down and told him everything that happened.
“At least he's being civil” Max said.
“Yeah, so how was the trip?” I asked.
“Boring.” He replied.
“Well why don't we order a pizza and have a movie night?” Emma suggested.
“Hell yeah!” I shouted and they all laughed. I ended up staying at Jay and Emma's. It was one of the best nights I've had in ages, and it made me realise how much I'd miss being able to do that if I do get signed.

“Lauren! Wake up you poo head!” Max shouted as he jumped on my bed.
“What time is it?” I asked.
“11 in the morning you goose, now get up!” He carried on jumping.
“Okay I'm up, and please don't break the bed Max” I laughed.
“You so did not say that” He replied.
“I so did” I laughed. He jumped down and started tickling me.
“Max stop!” I laughed.
“Fine” He said and stopped tickling me. I got out of bed and he just stood and grinned at me.
“You're not funny” I said.
“Yeah I am” He replied.
“Whatever. Now get out so I can get dressed” I laughed. He left and I threw on some clothed and when downstairs.
“Look who's finally up” Emma laughed.
“All thanks to that poo head over there” I said and pointed at Max who just smiled back.
“So what's on the agenda for today?” Jay asked.
“Well I'm going home and having a big clear out. My house is a right mess” I said.
“Have fun” Max shouted.
“I'll try to, see you all later” I said and walked the short 10 minutes walk home. I started with the living room as soon as I got in.

“Wow, I've got so much junk in here it's unbelievable!” I said out loud after 20 minutes of cleaning.

After 4 hours, my house was spotless. I felt so proud that I went out and brought myself a tub of cookie dough ice cream and ate it all. My phone started ringing then, and I picked up without bothering to check the caller ID.
“Laureeen, can I come over?” I heard Jack say.
“As long as you don't make a mess. I just spent 4 hours cleaning” I said.
“Yay! I'll be there in 10” he said then hung up.

“Lauren!” Jack shouted as he let himself into my house.
“Jacky!” I shouted and came running up to him and gave him a hug. We sat down and talked about anything and everything.

“Lauren!” I heard Alex shout. What was this, let yourself into Lauren's house day?
“Hey Lexy, I'm in here!” I shouted back and he walked in.
“Oh hey Jack” Alex said and sat down and I told them all about when I went to the aquarium yesterday.
“I'm just gonna go pee” Jack said and left the room.
“What's he doing here?” Alex said.
“He's my friend, Alex” I replied.
“Unbelievable.” Alex replied.
“Excuse me?”
“He kissed you Lauren. You shouldn't trust him.
“I'm sorry, I forgot you lived my life for me” I replied.
“What's going on here?” Jack asked.
“Alex is being an idiot” I said.
“You shouldn't be here Jack” Alex said.
“Why not Alex? Lauren's my friend” Jack replied. They both looked at me.
“Alex, you're my boyfriend and I love you but Jack's my best friend” I said.
“I don't care. Its either me or him” Alex said.
“Who you gonna pick?” Jack asked.
“I think you should both leave” I whispered.
“What?” Alex asked.
“I'm not choosing. Go. Now” I said and they left. I fell to the floor and burst into tears. I really should leave, they obviously don't need me. I ran upstairs and grabbed my duffel bag and began packing everything I thought I'd need. When I was done with that, I took my stuff downstairs and began writing a letter explaining everything.

'I'm leaving. I've messed everything up here, I might come back, I might not, I haven't decided yet. Don't miss me too much, I'm not important. Jay, Emma, Max, thanks for giving me a great life, I'll be forever grateful and I'll love you forever. Alex, I love you, but making me choose was unbelievable. Sort everything out with the band, get it all back on track.
I'd tell you where I'm going, but you'd follow me and get me to come back. Please don't hate me, I'm giving you a chance to start over again without me in your lives. I just ruin everything. I feel horrible for going this, but trust me when I say it's for the best. I love you all and I'm so so sorry'

I put the letter on the kitchen table then made a few calls. And after 1 hour of waiting around, a bus pulled up outside my house.
“Where to?” The driver asked. I took a deep breath.
“Baltimore.” I replied. He handed me the ticket and I looked at it. 'one way to Baltimore' it said. I payed the money and took a seat. As soon as the bus pulled away, I sent a text to Jay saying I was going to a spa weekend by myself and asked if he could go and check I shut the windows. Then I deleted all the contacts on my phone, turned it off and let the tears escape.

So this is it, I'm finally doing what I said I'd never do. I'm returning to my childhood home.
I'm returning to my parents.
I'm returning to hell.

Notes

So that's the end.
How sad.
But now I can start the sequel.

I hope you all enjoyed it and thankyou for supporting!

Stay subscribed for details about the sequel

And tell me what you think about the ending.

I love you all so much!
-AllTimeSloth xx