The Reputation Trap

1.0

Ross' POV

The Next Morning...

I woke up on a playground. I was lying on the hard ground. I sit up and look down. I was holding a beer bottle that was empty. I fished in my pocket and take out my phone. It was 5:45 AM. Luckily it was a Saturday. I stand up and look behind me. There was a girl sitting on a swing who looked like she was 15, and she was staring at me. I raised an eyebrow. Her eyes widen.

"You're the Ross Lynch. The used-to-be Disney boy and the guy from that band called... R9?" The girl asked. I chuckled.

"R5." I corrected. She half laughs and looks down at the ground.

"Sorry." She apologized. She looks back up at me.

"You were drunk. I was at the playground with my friends and you came over here and starting laughing hysterically." The girl replied. I felt so ashamed. "Around 5:30, I snuck out of my house and found you here, passed out".

"Sorry. I... I just have a really bad problem." I responded. She nods and stands up. She holds out her hand.

"I'm Claire." She said. I stand up and shake her hand.

"I'm 14." She said. I nodded and we both pulled our hands away.

"I better get going..." I said, running a hand through my hair. She nodded and waved goodbye as she walked away. I turned around and ran home.

I tiptoe upstairs to my room and quickly change my clothes. Ryland was still sleeping so I had to be silent. I crawled into bed and fell asleep.

*

"ROSS!!" A voice screamed at me. I shot straight up, with my heart beating fast. Riker was standing in front of me. I breath heavily.

"Where were you last night? I stayed up til 3:00 AM, waiting for you! I tried calling you but you never answered!" Riker yelled at me. I sigh and roll my eyes dramatically.

"I was just..." I stopped talking and swallowed. Riker shook his head.

"You did it again, didn't you?" He shot. I said nothing back. He shook his head again.

"Wow. I can't believe you, Ross. I thought you changed after Ramona came." Riker said. My blood boiled.

"Don't. You. Ever. Say. Her. Name. EVER. AGAIN!" I yelled. He had a confused look on his face.

"What do you mean?" He asked. I shook my head.

"She's leaving. All of us. She's leaving me." I replied, softly. Riker sat down next to me.

"Did she tell you that?" He asked. I opened my mouth but closed it.

"I overheard Rydel and... Ramona talking." I said, cringing as I say HER name.

"It might not be true." Riker said. I shook my head.

"I heard it." I said. Riker looked kinda bummed.

"But I like her." He replied. My eyes widen.

"Woah, Rik. You like her?" I asked. He nodded and blushed. Something in me made my throat have a lump in it.

"She's so pretty and she's so nice. She's perfect." Riker said, smiling.

"But she's moving soon." I replied.

"You don't know that, Ross." Riker replied. I rolled my eyes.

"Just leave. And don't you dare tell anyone about this." I demanded. He nodded and got off my bed. He walked out the door. I let out a deep sigh and pull on my hair.

*******

2 Days later...

Ramona's POV

I wake up and go downstairs. My mom was sitting on the couch, scrolling on her iPad. She looks up and smiles.

"Hey, Sweetie!" My mom said.

"Hi." I replied, taking out a glass from the cabinet. I open the fridge and get out orange juice. I pour some juice in my glass and drink some.

"Hey, Ramona. I have some great news!" My mom squealed. I turn around and look at her.

"I'm officially deciding to keep this job I'm working at!" She said. My eyes widen and I start smiling.

"Mom! That's amazing!" I exclaimed. She nodded.

"So, there's gonna be no more moving for us! Well, until you go off to college." She replied. I giggled.

"Alright, go get ready." She said, motioning me upstairs. I run upstairs and pick out a white crop tee and a black high waisted skirt with my black high heel sneakers. I let my long hair down and apply my regular makeup. I run outside and see Rydel walking out of her house. I run to her and hug her.

"Woah!" She said, grabbing me.

"I'm not moving! I'm not moving! I'm not leaving!" I exclaim. She gasps and hugs me back.

"That's amazing! You're not leaving us!" She squeals. We let go and I had a huge smile on my face.

"Do you wanna walk to school together?" She asked. I nodded and we started walking to the sidewalk.

"Yo, where you guys going?" Rocky yelled to us. Rydel looked back and shouted, "To school!".

We talked on our way to school. Mostly about the guys and other stuff.

We got to school and I was getting the stuff I needed for Math. I shut my locker and I bumped into someone. I heard him groan, dramatically. I picked up the stuff I dropped and looked up. It was Ross, with his arms crossed and with a smirk on his face. I gasp and reach in to hug him but he roughly pushed me back, causing me to fall. He chuckled. He kneeled down so he was right in front of me.

"Ross-".

"Shut your mouth, b**ch. I don't wanna hear it." He whispered. I think I felt my heart break. And then suddenly felt a warm tear stream down my cheek. I heard Ross laugh.

"It's okay to cry, you little piece of sh*t." Ross said. He stood back up and kicked the books across the hall. But then he kicked my leg. I winced in pain.

"Good luck in Math, Ramona." Ross said, in the most scariest voice I ever heard in my entire life. I watched him smirk and walk away. I carefully stand up and pick up the books that were scattered across the hall. I wipe away the tear streaming down my face and head to class.

Why would Ross do this to me? He told me he usually bullies when he's mad or something. So he's mad at me? For what?

"Ramona! What's the answer to the question!" My math teacher yelled to me. I was staring to my book, trying to pretend I didn't hear. My head was down and I looked across the room. I saw Ross with a toothpick in his mouth, chewing on it. He devilishly smiled at me. This made my blood boil. I slide my hand on my desk, causing everything on my desk to fly off. I huff and puff. Everyone in the class looks at me with wide eyes and scared looks, even Ross. I angrily look at the board. I didn't even know what the problem was!

I stood up from my desk and walked to the door. I turn and face the teacher. He nods. I open the door and leave, slamming the door hard. I sit in the hallway and run my hand through my hair. What did I do? I never do that! Am I changing?

Oooh Ramona is turning from good girl to bad girl. Oooh! 😏

-stephanie