The Reputation Trap

0.7

Ramona's POV

I think I might be falling for Ross. He made me feel so safe when I told him about what happened. But, I know he's bad. So, I gotta keep this secret to myself.

The next morning, I wake up and groan. It's Sunday. And my mom isn't here, as usual. I get up and make myself breakfast. I make my eggs and bacon, making my eggs extra scrambled. I set down my plate on the table and then the door bell rang. I walk over the to the front door and open it. It was Rydel.

"Ramona. We need your help. Ross is locked inside his room and he refuses to open it. You kinda know him well so..." Rydel said. Oh Ross. What did he do now?

"Okay just let me change." I said. I put on a crop tee, which can pretty much see your stomach but I cover it by also putting a high waisted skirt. I put on my high heel sneakers with the wedges. And then I let my hair remain long and wavy and applied on my regular mascara and eyeliner. Rydel and I quickly get over to their house and run upstairs. Riker, Rocky and Ryland were sitting on the floor by Ross' door. I knock on it and no answer.

"Ross. It's me, Ramona. Please let me in." I said loud enough. It went silent for 10 seconds then the door creaked open. I slid through the opening and quickly shut the door. Ross was sitting on his bed and he had his face buried in his hands. I walk over to him and sit next to him. I could hear soft sobs.

"Can you please tell me what's wrong?" I whispered. He slowly took his hands off his face and looked at me. His eyes were bloodshot and his eyes and face were filled with tears. I gulped.

"I had a nightmare. Of my past." His voice softly said. I sighed.

"Ross, I don't even know what happened in your past!" I said. He took a deep breath.

"A year ago, I dated a girl named Sapphire. I loved her so much and she did too. Well, thats what I thought. She cheated on me with a guy I don't even know. I got so mad that when she tried to apologize to me, I hit her. I hit her because she broke my heart. Then she told me that I was a monster and ran off. And her family and her ended up moving to Paris, because her dad got a job there. I was mad and sad about it. I regretted hitting her. I was just so mad at her. Then, I started drinking and stuff. Then, I started having an attitude and then, I became jerk Ross". He stopped talking and I heard him whimper. I put my hand on his palm and he connected his fingers with mine.

"Now can you tell me what was in your dream?" I asked. He nodded.

"It was me and Sapphire. She was yelling at me and she slapped me. I got so mad that I..." Ross stopped talking.

"That you what, Ross?" I asked. He swallowed then looked at me.

"... Killed her". My eyes widen at Ross' response. Tears were streaming down his face. I didn't say anything back but hugging him. And he hugged back.

"I hate her. She tore me down." Ross whispered. I pull away but he still had his arms wrapped around my waist.

"Will you ever stop?" I whispered. He shook his head.

"She hurt me too much, Ramona." Ross replied. I nodded.

"But you love her." I said. He shrugged.

"I don't know anymore." He responded. I sighed.

"It's okay." I said. He took his arms off around my waist and we both stood up. I opened the door and no one was by his door. We went downstairs and everyone was there. They all turned to look at us.

"I had a nightmare of Sapphire. I-I'm okay now." Ross said. They all sighed in relief.

"Let's go somewhere for breakfast!" Rydel said. I smiled and look at the ground, realizing that my feet are WAY smaller than Ross' .

"Let's go!" Riker said. We all went to eat breakfast.

*******

Next Day...

I wake up and get ready for school. I put on a white tank with a black vest and black tight jeans and converse. I straighten my hair and put a black head band on and put on just mascara. I grab my bag and phone and head outside. This time, I walked to school.

When I arrived, I put all my stuff in my locker but then someone slams my locker. I turn around and see Selena and Tyrel. My eyes widen and my heart starts pounding.

"We meet again, Ramona Lake." Selena said. I bite my lip. Tyrel was smirking at me and Selena was too.

"Wha... What are you two doing here?" I asked. They laughed.

"Our parents work together and got a new job here. And we got transferred!" Selena squealed.

"We see you got a little boyfriend over there." Tyrel said. He looks over to his left and I look over at what he's seeing. It was Ross talking with Rocky. I look back at Tyrel.

"He's not my boyfriend." I replied. They smirked.

"Whatever but watch out Ramona. We have surprises for you. Special surprises." Selena said. I gulped and stare at them. They both laugh.

"Little wimp. You're so pathetic and ugly. And you should probably start losing weight." Selena said. I felt like I was nothing when she said that. Tears started to form in my eyes. They laughed and walked away. I slide down my locker and sit on the floor.

"Ramona?" A voice said. I looked up and saw Ross, looking down right at me. I stand up and wipe my eyes with my finger.

"Are you okay now?" I asked. Ross sighed.

"Yeah. Yeah. Ramona, don't change the subject. What's wrong?" Ross asked, changing the subject.

"Selena and Tyrel are in this school. They transferred." I said.

"And they said really mean things to me." I added. Ross sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.

"But you don't believe them, right?" Ross asked. I sighed.

"I don't know, Ross. I'm extremely insecure." I said, rubbing my arm. "It's hard not to believe". Ross shook his head.

"Ramona, please don't believe them." He said to me. I shook my head.

"I'm sorry." I whispered. I walked around him but he grabbed my arm before I was about to walk away. He pulls me into a hug.

"Please." Ross said in my ear. "I don't want to you see you starve yourself to death". I pushed his chest, signaling him to pull away. We pulled away and I left to class, without responding to him.

Noooo Ramona!!! Don't do it!! :(

Anywho.... Who likes the book so far? 🙋

-stephanie