........Laura was waking up. She had no idea where she was, what happened, or if that week was even real and the pill she got from Rich put her in a coma and she was just now waking up..... All she knew was that her head hurt like hell and, if she tried to sit up, everything else would too......

Of course, she tried because, for the most part, logic was not in her vocabulary...

"Ow ow ow ow.."

"feels like you're missing a part of yourself, doesn't it?"

'Rich?' Laura thought as Jeremy asked.

'Wait.. if that's Rich, why does he have a lisp?.....it's actually kinda cute \(^ω^\)' Laura couldn't help but smile as she thought that. (YES I COPIED AND PASTED THAT LITTLE KAWAII FACE CUZ I COULDN'T DO IT ON MY KEYBOARD AND I NEEDED THE INTERNET AND IT'S ADORABLE, LET'S MOVE ON!)

"hurts like a mother(FATHER, NOW YOU! BROTHER, I LOVE WORD ASSOCIATION GAMES ~Roman, Patton, and Logan of Sander Sides.)f***er too....(*le gasp* RICH, LANGUAGE!!) be honest.. what are they saying about me at school?"

..........

"That bad?"

"Sorry, man," Jeremy apologized.

"Sorry? I'm... finally free of that.. shiny, happy hive mind."

As this was stated, Laura's smile diminished. Even if this past week wasn't real, that S.Q.U.I.P was still the best father she ever had...

"When I get outta here, the ladies are gonna learn to love the real Richard Goranski!...." Laura started to blush at that statement. "......and the dudes. OH MY GOD I'M TOTALLY BI!"

'Huh.. that actually makes sense,' Laura thought.

"Y-Your S.Q.U.I.P's gone? But-but how?"

"Ask your buddy. Anti-social headphones kid? He's been by like, a TON, by the way. What is he, like your boyfriend?... No judgment, just curious. Totally bi now."

"I'm sure some special someone will be lucky to have you, Rich," a new, familiar voice stated.

'...Michael?'

"Ya think?" After Rich asked, the curtain in between Laura and Rich was moved to where Rich was being covered from Jeremy and Michael's conversation. Finally, they were face to face.

Laura noticed how bruised Rich was, but she was able to see through all the bruises and scars to see him, just like when they first met.

"L-Laura?"

"Hey, Rich."

"Hey... so... how are you?"

"To be honest, I've been better," Laura chuckled a bit as she answered.

"Same... so... uh... is your S.Q.U.I.P still on?"

That's when reality struck her like a ton of bricks. This week WAS real. Rich did burn down that house, Michael was her friend and her S.Q.U.I.P..... her S.Q.U.I.P was gone......

"I...I guess it's not... anymore...."

"Well... That's great!"

"Actually, Rich, no... no, it isn't.."

"Listen, Laura, I felt like that too when my S.Q.U.I.P was deactivated... I had depended on it of so lon-"

"This is different! He... he was like... the father I never had... He made me laugh, he helped me feel.. feel better about myself, he...-" Laura started tearing up. "-he helped me realize how I felt... about..-"

"-About what?"

"Not.. not what..." She looked straight into Rich's brown eyes as he figured out what she meant.

"Oh... well... um...." Rich seemed flustered at his realization. "Do..do you mean..?" Laura nodded.

"Wow... First, I find out I'm bi and now this! Oh, I'll be right back," He said before abruptly pulling back the curtain that was between Rich and Laura just minutes ago to give Jeremy some advice on asking out Christine.

Mr. Heere said to buy her a rose and compliment her on her clothes. Michael suggested saying how he appreciates that she's smart. Rich gave the oh so helpful advice to tell her that she excites him.... sexually. (Oh Rich. *cue laughter track*)

Michael closed the curtain on Rich once again.

"I'm back. Sorry about your S.Q.U.I.P by the way."

"It-It's okay... At least I know you're here," Laura responded as she smiled...

"So.... are we..?"

"I-I mean, if-if you want to be, I'm totally down for it, if-if you are and-"

"Rich? You're babbling," Laura chuckled as she interrupted her new.... boyfriend. (FOR THE PEOPLE WHO SHIP THESE TWO, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, YOU ARE OFFICIALLY WELCOME)

"Wow.. this is really happening, isn't it?"

"You'd better believe it.... ~girlfriend~," Rich replied, putting emphasis on the word 'Girlfriend'.

Laura, however, was perplexed... Yea, she was happy she and Rich were an official thing now but.... but something was missing.... her S.Q.U.I.P...... the more she thought about it, the sadder she got.

"H-Hey, Rich? Do you mind... closing the curtain for a little bit? I... uh... need to think about some things..."

"Oh yeah, definitely! I'll see you later... girlfriend," he replied, really milking the moment before closing the curtain when suddenly, a figure walked into the room.

"Michael?"

"Hey."

"I-I thought you were mad at me."

"Oh I was, I really really was. But I thought about it and... and you're still my friend, so if you have a S.Q.U.I.P that doesn't stop you from being friends with me, it's alright in my book!"

Laura chuckled and told him how glad she is that he got Jeremy back.

"Yeah, I am too. So... about your S.Q.U.I.P-"

"It's off.."

"Oh.... Are you alright?"

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine just..... I-I miss him..."

"He meant that much to you?" Laura nodded her head sadly...

"I'm so sorry..."

"No no, don't be.. (AND NOW YOU'RE HERE FOREVERRRR! FINALLY, A STEVEN UNIVERSE REFERENCE! BOOM!) ..it wasn't your fault, or anyone else's for that matter..."

"Oh, by the way, the doctor said you could go home today. I'll drive you."

"Really? Well... in that case..." Michael helped her up and over to Rich's bed. Laura then leaned down and kissed him on the lips, just like she had been wanting to do for a little while. (YOU ARE WELCOME, SHIPPERS! Especially you, Cybele and Elowen)

"Goodbye Rich, hope you get out of here soon."

"So you and Rich are.. together?" Laura nodded, which caused Michael to burst out laughing.

"I was-I was just kidding about you two last night!"

"Yeah? Well, we're together. Deal with it. Ready to go?"

"Let's do it," Michael replied as he helped Laura leave the hospital, go into the parking lot, and enter his car.