The Reputation Trap

0.6

Ramona's POV

I woke up in a warm, comfy bed. I didn't know where I was. I sit up and notice I'm in a room that Ryland also sleeps in. I'm in Ross' bed, I just know it. I get up and I'm still wearing the same clothes. I walk out of the room, down the hallway and tiptoed downstairs. Ross was sleeping on the couch. I put my hand over my mouth, trying hard not to laugh. I quietly put on my flip flops and head to the door. I put my hand on the door knob, turning it but then, "Ramona?". I turn around and see Ross looking at me. I let go of the knob and stood by the door.

"Hi." I said. I was staring at him. His hair was in a mess and he was shirtless. Ross smirked.

"Stare much?" He teased. I shake my head, trying to stop staring.

"Nope." I said, popping the "P". He laughed.

"Morning." Riker said, coming into the kitchen. He was also shirtless. What's up with with Lynches and being shirtless? I sit down on the arm rest on the couch next to Ross.

"I'm bored." I groan. Ross nods.

"I ain't takin' you places, girl." Rocky said, walking into the room.

"But Ross can." He added. I turn to look at Ross. He was shyly smiling.

"Get ready. We're going to the mall." I said. The boys all groan. I roll my eyes.

"Here what about this. First, we go to the mall. Then, we can either go paint balling, lazer tag, go bowling, or whatever you guys wanna do." I said. Their faces light up.

****

I go get ready at my house. I put on a white tank top with low waisted black jeans. I put on black high heel sneakers with wedges and a leather vest. I let my long wavy hair down and put on mascara and eyeliner. I walk outside and Rocky kept on staring at me. He was checking me out. Riker punched him in the arm, making him yell in pain. I tried so hard to hide my laugh.

"Get in." Rydel said. We all got in the van and I sat in the back, by the window. Ross sat in between Rydel and I.

"Oh my gosh, Ramona! I just LOVE your shoes and your outfit and hair!" Rydel squealed to me. I blush. Ross smirked at me.

"Girls be like..." Ross mumbled. I playfully glared at him.

"Rocky loves you." Ratliff said in a 5 year old voice. Rocky punched him in the arm. I blush again and giggle.

"Girl, you blush too much." Riker said, staring at me. I hide my face in my hands and laugh.

"Stop looking at me!" I said. They all turned around. I take off my hands and sigh. This is how it feels like for Rydel. Sitting in a car, filled with boys.

*****

"Ooh! I like this one!" I said, running over to a pair of shoes. They were high heels and were sparkly black. Ross sighed.

"How much longer until I can get out of this girl la la land?" Ross whined. I eyed at him. But I then, I looked over Ross' shoulder and saw something that I didn't want to see. It was my biggest bullies ever, Selena and Tyrel from my old school. My eyes widen. They were both looking at me. Tyrel winks at me and Selena glared at me. I look back at Ross.

"Let's go." I said. I put down the shoes, grabbed Ross' hand and pulled him out of the store.

"... Are we done shopping?" Ross asked. I nodded.

"Wait. Ramona. What's wrong?" Ross said but I ignored him. I told everyone to leave. We went inside the van and sat in there.

"What now?" Riker asked. I shrugged.

"Ramona. What's wrong?" Ross asked. Everyone turned around to face me. I shook my head.

"Ramona. Ramona! Talk to us!" Riker said. I shook my head again.

"Did I do something?" Ross asked. I shook my head.

"Did any of us?" Rocky asked. I shook my head. I grabbed Ross' arm and hugged it. I laid my head on his shoulder and tears started rolling down my cheek. I can't believe that Selena and Tyrel are in California. They should've stayed back!

**

Ross' POV

When we went to go bowling, Ramona refused to go bowl so I decided to stay with her at the arcade. We were sitting on a bench.

"Ramona. Please talk to me." I pleased. She inhaled deeply.

"I saw the two people who broke me." She whispered. I gave her a confused look.

"Broke you?" I asked. She nodded.

"Nobody knows this story but me. Not even my mom knows this." She said. She looked up at my eyes.

"In my first year of high school, I was bullied by this couple: Selena Higgens and Tyrel Irwin. They bullied me. A lot. They would prank me, spread rumors, hit me. It was outrageous. Then one day, I stood up to them because I was more confident back then. Then, I was walking outside alone and they jumped on me out of nowhere and beat me up. I had so many injuries. I went over to my friends house & luckily no one was home but her. She helped me with my cuts, bruises and stuff. She helped me with my black eye I had and put makeup. I would limp around school and Selena and Tyrel watched me suffer. My mom kept the job for 3 years and then we moved here. I was stuck with them for 3 terrible years. And I've become weaker and softer. I'm no longer strong or confident. And I blush when someone compliments me because I haven't received compliments from anyone ever since I've met Selena and Tyrel. Because they would call me ugly, fat, a slut, a nobody. I actually believed them and I became extremely insecure. I still am." Ramona explained. She let out a deep breath. I was speechless. A tear rolled down her cheek.

"And at the mall, I saw them." She whispered. I pulled her onto my lap and let her cry onto my neck.

"I'll make sure they won't hurt you ever again." I said. She shook her head.

"They're too slippery. They can get away with anything." She softly said.

"Don't worry. You have Rydel, Riker, Ryland, Ratliff, Rocky, and me." I said. I felt her smile in my neck.

"And you're definitely not fat or ugly." I said. She sighed.

"I am." She whispered. I turn her face so she's facing me.

"No you're not. You're really light weight and you're one of the most beautiful girls I've ever seen, Ramona." I said. "And it's the truth". She blushed again and smiled. I smiled back. Then, we kept on staring into each others eyes.

"Yo!" Riker yelled at us, making us jump. Ramona quickly jumped off my lap and sat on the bench.

"You would never guess who won!" Rydel said. "Rocky and I!". I smiled and Ramona did too.

Ooooooohhh is there a budding romance between Ross and Ramona? 😏

-stephanie