Kristen's POV:
"Hey beautiful!" I look up, expecting to see Ray but instead I see Roc.
"I have a boyfriend Roc, lay it off." I look all around yet Ray is MIA.
"Oh yeah, where is he?" Roc smirks.
"Good question, Ray's on his way." I smile.
"Kristen,I have something important to tell you." Roc gives me a sad look and his dark brown eyes plead with me to listen.
"Okay shoot!" I say quietly.
"Its a pity you can't be my girlfriend but please at least be my friend. I've never really had any true friends, just people who all secretly judge me. Its tough for me to open up Kristen, so its up to you whether or not you want to get to know me. I know Ray told you not to talk to me, he has his reasons but I need you to listen." He says.
"I'll listen Roc on the condition that you don't try anything funny on me."
"You're really nice you know, pretty too. I like that you don't judge people."
"You're nice too Roc, I've decided I want to get to know you." I reply, I mean poor guy-let me at least give him a chance. Maybe he's not who I always thought he was.
I look up out of the corner of my eye and see Ray. He chose the worst moment to show up. I don't want him to assume its like that but its too late, his words cut through me like a knife and then he leaves.
A lone tear escapes my eyelids and I walk away from Roc. Roc grabs my arm "Kristen,listen to me..You owe me that much at least."
I shoot him a cool glare "Say what you have to and say it fast."
He walks outside and sits under a tulip tree, he gestures to me.
I sit down and say "What is it Roc?"
He looks depressed now and it concerns me. Roc- flirty, popular, loud-obnoxious, a jock and the one with the cocky smile-depressed? Not possible, but it is.
"My father left me Kristen, when I was just six years old. He left my sick mom with me to care for. He told me he left because he wanted to live alone, he lied. He left to meet Ray's mom (his childhood sweetheart)- to try and win her back. By then she was married and had already had Ray. She refused him and he left there,furiously. About a month after he left, he came back. My mom was out and had left me with a babysitter. The babysitter fell sick and was in the bathroom puking when my dad came into the house. My day was drunk and slurred his words. He said "Its because of you Roc- your a bad child. Its because of you,your accidental birth, that I couldn't get her." He picked me up by the ear and beat me. My babysitter walked in just as I blacked out." He stares at me with fire in his eyes.
I have no words, I reach out to hug him.
This explains why he stole all of Ray's girlfriends. He felt as if he had to get back at Ray for being the son his dad (Roc's) wished to have.He couldn't do anything to Ray's mum so instead he targeted Ray.
"Does Ray know about this?" I ask him, frowning.
"No he doesn't, I want you to tell him for me." Roc says.
"If that's what you really want, I'll do it." I say.
I get up to go but see Ray again, sitting in the tree above where we were sitting. I gasp as Ray's eyes cloud over with feeling. His green eyes hold- love, passion, anger, hatred, sadness, understanding and care. It's then I realize that I can't ever do anything that would make me lose him.
Ray's POV:
I leaped down from the tree, still in shock. This explains it- explains it all. He's been acting like a jerk because he doesn't want to show everyone this side- this vulnerable, cowering, depressed, angry Roc. He stole my girlfriends because I was part of the reason his dad left, he must have felt as if the only way to get back at me was by taking people I liked away. I won't let that happen with Kristen though, I just won't. I realize I have to talk to my mom about this, I can't believe she never told me! I break out of my trance and confront Roc:
"Roc dude, I'm sorry. I'm glad your father left.. he doesn't deserve a son like you. I know you've been through a lot but creating a fake persona won't help you Roc."
Roc nods "Sorry man, stealing your girlfriends was just low."
"The Roc you showed me right now is an incredible person- I hope you show the same side to others. And Roc, therapy may help." says Kristen.
"You're right Kristen- I'm really glad I spoke to both of you." Roc half-smiles.
I smile back and ask him if I can talk to Kristen alone, he leaves.
"Kristen--" I say, my sentence remaining unfinished.
"I'm sorry Ray.. I just--" she tries to finish her sentence but I interrupt her.
"Kristen I'm sorry, I should have trusted you and let you talk to Roc. I was just worried... I-I never want to lose you." I say, stumbling with my words.
She reaches out, tentatively putting her arms around me, just holding me close.
I grin, she smells good- like cinnamon and vanilla. I hold her closer and we just stand there, hugging for what seems like eternity.
