Lauren's Pov:

It was another cold and wet day in London. The rain battered down and the storm rumbled on. They say once your dreams come true, everything will click into place. That's what you're made to believe. It was nothing but that. Oh boy was I so wrong.

Let's rewind back to how to all started.

*A year ago*.

Lauren's pov:

I walked down the school hallway brimming with glee. Everything was perfect. The sun was shining, I had good grades and the perfect boyfriend. "Hey sweetie" I flirted giving my boyfriend a peck on the cheek. I felt his arms snake around my waist as he pulled me in close. "Why hello there" he winked crashing his lips into mine. Meet Dean Clarke. Sexy, charming, the class clown, and also the idiot who stole my heart.

Dean's pov:

Every time we kissed, it felt electric. They say love is a cliche fairtytale. That's true. But love is when your soul connects on a deeper level. When you feel your heart pounding out your chest with every touch. "GET A ROOM!" Randy yelled strutting past with Dylan. Meet my friends. I met Dylan and Randy in year 7. Randy being the clutz he is, dropped his books almost breaking my foot in the process. After a few heated words between us, Dylan stepped in to defuse the situation. Arguments turned into discussions of interests and by lunchtime, we were sat in the canteen exchanging laughter amongst ourselves. Our kiss was broken up by the schoolbell echoing through the hallway.

Lauren's pov:

Assembly was boring as per usual. The headteacher rambling on about the usual. New food items on the menu, health and safety. Nothing new, except for a guest speaker who stepped onto the stage. My eyes widened as I recognised the familiar face. Phillip Rigby. One of the top film makers in London. He's the reason why I wanted to be an actress. His movies speak to me on a level no one would understand. "And for anyone who is interested, I'll be holding open auditions for my latest movie at lunchtime in room 69. Anyway who is interested, please take a form and fill it out.

*Back to the present*.

Lauren's pov:

And little did I know, that filling that form and auditioning was the beginning of something wonderful. I was offered the lead and for the first few weeks, I was juggling filming and school. It was a challenge but I enjoyed the whole process. But all that changed after the movie was released. With fame meant that I attracted some unwanted attention from the media and trolls. And as the year went by, their backlash and hate became more and more intense. My mental health took a battering and I plunged into deep depression. I thought it was phase but it isn't. They say depression is one of the biggest killers and I feared that I'd be the next victim. It consumes your mind and shatters your positivity. You become agitated, you snap at the littelest things and you feel sad and hopless on most days. My boyfriend watched me battle through for the last few months and that's not fair on him. It's time to put him out of his misery.

Dean's Pov:

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I grabbed it. It was a text from my girlfriend:

Text:

We need to talk. Can you please meet me in the Jubilee Gardens in about 30 minutes?

I took a deep breath replying. Sure, I can meet her. She’s only round the corner.

Lauren’s pov:

I watched as Dean approached me. “Thank you for meeting me” I said. Dean looked at me caressing my cheek. “What’s up babe?” he replied in his husky voice. There was a short silence between us. Since my big break, Dean has been nothing but that loving supportive boyfriend. But recently, I’ve been a victim of trolls, hate and and scandals. It started to affect my mental health and I could bare to see Dean watch me go downhill. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but we need to break up” I croaked.

Dean’s pov:

My heart sank at her words. Lauren was my first love and I wasn’t gonna let her go easily. “Lauren, we talked about this” I pleaded trying to hold back the tears threatening to escape my eyes. “My baggage is your baggage” I croaked. I felt her soft hands touch mine. “That’s the thing Dean, I don’t want it to be anymore” she said kissing my cheek. “Goodbye Dean” she finished walking off. I watched as her body became a distance silhouette ahead. She broke up with me. She broke my heart. She took all the love I gave her and walked away. Now I felt empty, lost and hurt. She was the first person I fell in love with and I don't think I can ever replace it.

Lauren’s Pov:

I walked along Waterloo bridge looking down on the raging river. The rain making it shiver and shake. But I could also see peace and prosperity. Tonight, I was gonna become the next victim of depression. I tried and tried to fight but the more I fought, the more I lost. So I'm finally putting my hands up in surrender. “Goodbye Dean. I will always love you” I whispered. I swung my legs over the barrier and looked down on the raging currents. Was it gonna be quick or was I gonna suffer? Only one way to find out. I slowly losened my grip and plunged forward, feeling my body fall and splash into the water. I wanted to scream but quickly became weak. The water thrashing me all over until I felt myself smash into a wall and the lights went out.

To be continued....

*The next day*

Dean’s Pov:

*Beep beep beep*

The alarm went off, deafening me. Someone please tell me why school has to start this early? And just like that, the half term was over. I reached for the snooze button and buried by head back in the pillows. "Dean!" a voice came from the other side of the door. "Get your holy butt out of bed right now!". Oh crap, mum's on my case. "Just a minute!" I whined wrapping the duvet tighter around me. A few minutes later, the door swung open. "DEAN CLARKE! GET OUT OF BED RIGHT NOW!" mum snapped whipping the duvet off me. "Alright alright!" I replied while peeling myself out of bed.

Rosa's pov:

"Did you really have to be so harsh on him?" Abraham asked sipping his coffee. I gave my husband a death glare which caused him to sink into his chair. He gets it. The sound of footsteps came closer as Dean emerged from the doorway. "Can't the summer holidays last longer?" he complained throwing his rucksack in the corner. Me and Abraham looked at each other before bursting out in hysterics. "As nice as it sounds, me and your father have missed some um....alone time together" I sniggered causing Abraham to spit his coffee out. Dean looked at me disgust all over his face. "You know what? Maybe school isn't a bad idea after all" he said grabbing bag from the corner. "YOU FORGOT YOUR INSULIN!" I called after him. Every single day I have to remind him. I dread to think about what would happen if I'm not around.

Abraham's pov:

"Rosa" I calmly said. She took a deepbreath handing me the syringe. Dean never took his diabetes seriously but I guess that's maybe his way to cope with the diagnoses. He was six when we realised that something was off. We were playing in the park when he suddenly collapsed in my arms. After a trip to the ER and a few tests, he was diagnosed. I approached Dean handing him his medication. "Let me drive you to school today" I said as Dean rolled his eyes. "Yeah and embarrass me in front of all my friends. No thanks" he replied leaving and slamming the front door after him. I hated this. He had type 1 diabetes because of me. I have it too and I passed this dreadful disease unto my own son. I felt a hand on my shoulder and the sweet breaths of my wife. "It's not your fault" she quietly said. She could read my thoughts like a book. We connected on a much deeper level and that's why we fell in love. I loved this woman more than the world. I had no idea what my world would be like without her. I watched as she walked off to grab her stuff. "I'm on the evening shift tonight so you'll be picking up Dean from school" she said pecking me on the lips. "See you tonight hun" she finished walking out of the house. How did I ever fall for her. She's a doctor and I'm a music producer. But as they say. Opposites attract.

Dean's pov:

I walked into the school hallway and I could hear whispers. As if there was some sort of gossip going around. Randy approached me with sadness across his eyes. Something serious has happened. "What's going on" I asked as the nerves built up. I could sense that something was off. The sadness all over Randy's eyes said it all. He opened up his arms and embraced me with a warm hug. "I'm so sorry Dean" he whispered. "What are you talking about?" I asked clearly confused by his remarks. His face turned to one with confusion. "You haven't heard?" he asked. Now I was really starting to lose my patience. "When was the last time you spoke to Lauren?" he asked. That's when it hit me. "What happened to Lauren?" I asked with concern starting to shower over. Randy took the biggest breath clearly trying to compose himself. "She took her life" he croaked trying to hold the tears in. And in that moment, my whole world came crashing down. Now the it all made sense. The way she abruptly broke up with me. The way she said that she didn't want to be a burden on me. She was saying goodbye and I was to gutless to realise it. Ever since she became famous, she was always targeted by trolls. It was hate after hate after hate.

Randy's pov:

He just stood there, not saying a word. Watching his heart break into a million pieces. "Dean?" I whispered trying to break the silence. He looked at me then ran off. I couldn't let him be alone in that fragile state. "Dean!" I called after him. He suddenly stopped turning on his heels staring back with a blank face. Without any warning, he fell to his knees and started to sob uncontrollably. I knelt down and let his head flop into my chest. And in that moment, I felt something I never felt before. A bond. An invisible electric current going through us both. I haven't felt that way since being with Daniel. And him cheating on me broke me in a way I couldn't imagine. Is it possible?

To be continued...

Dylan's pov:

I looked over and saw Dean crying in Randy's arms. This was so heartbreaking to watch. Dean loved Lauren so much and he just lost his world. I felt Josie's hand on mine trying to comfort me. "I have no words to say" she quietly croaked. Lauren was also Josie's best friend and I can't imagine what she's going through. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close to me. Josie was my world, my life. I don't know what I'd ever do if I lost her. I knew that from the moment I saw her, that she was gonna be mine for life.

Josie's pov:

There was a strange chill in the air as the whole school mourned over Lauren. School dragged on for hours. I was struggling to focus. All I could think about was Lauren. She was my best friend and it hurt that she couldn't come to me when she was struggling instead of taking her life. I've been through depression and trust me, that shit isn't easy to deal with. But I got through it by the support of my friends and family. Dylan saw me at my best and my worst, but I'm so glad he stuck by my side through it all. The final bell rang and everyone exited the premises. I walked over to Randy who was stood at the gates motionless. "How's Dean?" I asked. Randy took a deep breath before facing me. "A mess. I'll walk him home so I know he's safe. I gotta go" he said walking away.

Randy's pov:

I watched as Dean emerged from the gates, his eyes bloodshot from all the tears. I have my own battles but right now, Dean needed his friends and family more than anything. "What are you doing here?" Dean asked. "Walking you home" I replied taking a hold of his hand. I have no idea what was happening, but every time we touched, there was a strange connection and I couldn't put my finger on it. I didn't wanna bring up my theory in case I was wrong. Plus Dean wasn't in the right headspace to deal with anything heavy right now. My thoughts were interrupted by a loud deafening scream across the street. I looked over and could see Josie in hysterics. She was trying to put on a brave face throughout the day, but it looks like she finally reached breaking point. Losing a close friend is hard but losing the one you love is even harder.

I looked at Dean as a tears escaped his beautiful green eyes. "I'm here if you ever need me buddy" I croaked wiping the tears from his eyes with my thumb. He held my hand on his cheek looking deep into my eyes.

Dylan's pov:

Josie tried to hold her grief in but I knew that eventually it was gonna come crashing down on her. She's always tried to be the strong one and take on other people's problems, but eventually, someone needs to come and help you carry the load. And I was glad I get to share her burden with her. Love is about partnership. You have the good days and the bad. When things get broken, you fix it not walk away. When things get tough, you support one another. And this is why me and Josie have been so strong for the last few years.

Dean's pov:

"Thanks for walking me home" I said before entering my home. I was greeted by my father standing in front of me. It was clear that the news about Lauren's death has spread beyond the school. "Mum's at work?" I asked heading into the front room. "Yeah" dad replied. I sat on the couch and turned on the telly trying to avoid the topic of conversation as much as possible but I felt the couch sink next to me. Here we go. "I'm not gonna sit there and pretend to know how you feel. But I'm always here if you need me" dad said in his quiet gentle voice. I wanted to hold the tears in but they were threatening to escape. I didn't want to look weak in front of my father. "Excuse me" I said getting up and leaving the room. I could not let dad see me crying.

Abraham's pov:

I knew that he was up there sobbing his eyes out. I can't even begin to imagine how heartbroken he is right now. You'd do anything to keep your children safe from things like that, but it's impossible. The world will always remind you that one day, your kids will grow up and you have to let them go. And that means being exposed to stuff like this.

Josie's pov:

"Anyone home?" I called clicking the door open. It seems like the house is empty. I took Dylan's hand and started to lead him away when "ahem" a voice boomed. I turned to find mum sternly looking at us with her arms folded. "Hi Mrs Jackson" Dylan sheepishly replied scratching his head. "Hello Dylan" mum said taking a deep breath taking a hold of my hands. "Are you ok hun?" she asked with concern over her face. I took a deep breath looking away. "I've just lost my best friend, what do you think?!" I snapped walking off.

Lilly's pov:

Well that was expected. My eyes darted back to Dylan who was stood there awkwardly. "I don't want any funny business while my daughter is in that state. If you ever hurt my daughter, I will cut off your balls and feed them to the sharks, got it?" I warned. "Got it" Dylan choked before walking off.

Dylan's pov:

I pushed the door open making my way into Josie's room. She was sat on the bed with tears running down her eyes. Grieving isn't easy and I don't even want to imagine how much pain she's in. I made my way to her bed and sat next to her. Her head leaned into my chest and she continued to sob. She cried for a good few minutes before putting her hands on my cheek. "I don't ever want to imagine what I'd do if I ever lost you" she said planting a sweet kiss on my lips. "Me neither" I replied before returned the kiss. Our kisses became more and more heated and the next thing you know, we were tearing each other's clothes off in ecstasy. Her sadness was suddenly replaced with a crave of hunger. Our hearts were beating in sync as we held each other close. Letting that love we shared ooze all over us.

Lilly's pov:

Well that's just disturbing. So much for funny business. Bloody teenagers. I made my way out into the garden trying to escape all that racket. Thank goodness Benny is at work or world war 3 would break out. Ever since me and Benny put our first son up for adoption, he's always been uptight Josie's romantic life. I'm a little bit more relaxed but let's just say I'm cautious. The reason we put him up for adoption was because we were both still at college and living on the poverty line. I accidentally got pregnant and we weren't ready yet. Me and Benny just don't wanna see her making the same mistake that we did and have your child hate you for it.

To be continued...