This story has a happy ending. (An R5 Fanfiction)

Chapter 4

Ross strums his guitar for the millionth time. He's been trying to write a song but his mind is so full of Melonie that he can't get passed this one chord. He keeps playing it in hopes that a song will magically pour from his fingertips but so far he hasn't had any luck.

His brother and bandmate Rocky clears his throat from the doorway of Ross's room. Ever since R5 moved into a band house Ross has been extremely grateful to have his own room. He used to have to share with his younger brother. Not that he doesn't love Ryland, he really does, but sometimes a guy just needs a little privacy.

Unfortunately Ross doesn't get much of that at the new house.

Even with the heavy oak door closed someone always comes into Ross's room. Rocky is usually nice enough to knock but the others seem to think they can walk in and out without asking. Ross has started leaving his door open because at least he can see someone coming that way.

Ross's room looks like what you would expect from a teenage boy. The walls are a pale blue that remind him of surfing in the ocean, his favorite thing to do. Posters cover some of the paint. Mostly they're bands that Ross loves to listen to but there's also the movie poster for his all-time favorite movie, Romeo and Juliet. Not the cheesy new version that they made with Leonardo DiCaprio but the one from 1968. Other than that it's pretty bare. There are bookshelves full of books that he's read and a model of a Corsair sitting on his dresser. The room is like Ross, simple but full of life at the same time.

"So, what's bugging you?" Rocky asks after letting himself in. He takes a seat on Ross's bed and faces the desk chair that Ross has been using. Ross strums the guitar again but doesn't say a word. "Is this about that girl?"

"Kind of," Ross says. "I'm mostly frustrated with myself though. I never lie and here I am pretending to be some normal teenage boy."

"Even if you weren't famous you wouldn't be normal." Ross throws his guitar pick at Rocky but the light piece of plastic falls to the floor between them. "I think you should just continue with the charade. Honestly what are the chances of anything happening between you two? At least this way, if by some chance you do end up falling in love or whatever, you know she fell for you because of who you are and not because of your fame."

Ross shrugs. What Rocky is saying makes sense but he doesn't necessarily want it to be true. The odds are completely against a romance between him and Melonie but he wants it so badly it hurts. The worst part is that he has no idea if Melonie is feeling as distraught as he is.

With a glance at his watch Ross tells Rocky that he has to get ready for his date. "Melonie isn't allowed to leave the hospital so I'm packing a picnic to eat in the courtyard outside her room."

"You're cooking?"

"Just sandwiches, nothing major."

Rocky looks like he wants to say more but he doesn't. Instead, he leaves Ross to fuss over his outfit. He decides on a snug white v-neck tshirt and a pair of dark-wash jeans. He's on crutches for a while since he hurt his knee but the doctor said he's still allowed to drive. That's a relief considering if he couldn't drive he'd have to ask one of his siblings to take him back to the hospital to see Melonie. Any one of them, even Ellington who isn't technically related, would do it in a heartbeat – but not without asking a million questions. And probably insisting on meeting Melonie again to make sure she's worthy of Ross.

He thinks she is. Imagining her sweet smile and contagious laugh he almost falls down the stairs. Ross would be willing to bet that he'll never meet someone as worthy of his attention as Melonie is.

The whole way to the hospital Ross struggles with the idea that he should tell Melonie the truth about himself. Unfortunately telling the truth now would mean he could never see her again and Ross definitely doesn't want that. Not now, not ever.

Like Rocky pointed out, this could end up being the last time Ross and Melonie even want to spend time together. Ross, being 19, might be too mature for 16 year old Melonie. Plus there's the fact that they met at the hospital. It could have been the proximity that made Ross like her.

As soon as he spots Melonie through the glass doors leading into her hospital room, though, Ross knows that it was definitely not the proximity that made him like her. She hasn't spotted him yet but his heart is already fluttering a million miles a second. If this isn't love (or at least the journey towards love) then what is?

"Hey," he says when he finally gets the courage to walk into Melonie's room. He considered bringing flowers for her but figured they wouldn't be allowed in her room. "How's it going?"

Melonie's smile when she looks up to see him is enough to confirm one thing for Ross: he has to tell her the truth but he can't do it right now. Besides, R5 is leaving on tour in a week. During that time he'll have to make up an excuse about being too busy to see her but they'll be able to text and talk on the phone. It'll be fine.

"Hey! I'm really glad you're here. They haven't filled your bed yet and I was dying for company."

"Your parents haven't been by?"

Melonie bites her lip. "No. Not today."

This makes Ross upset. He knows he's lucky to have a family like his. He doesn't think that everyone needs siblings who would tag along to bring him home from the hospital. But he does think that parents should visit their daughter.

"It's fine," Melonie says. "I mean, it's not fine. I hate that they're not here very often, but I like it too. Because sometimes they show up at the same time and then they end up fighting and it's just a big mess."

Ross doesn't feel any better but he decides to change the subject. "Did you get permission to go outside?"

Melonie perks up. "Yes! I did! It took some convincing but the nurse gave in when I cried a few crocodile cheers. My parents used to say I should be an actress but I don't think I could live that life. Pretending to be someone else for a living seems exhausting."

She didn't mean to hurt Ross's feelings because she has no idea about Ross's acting career but that doesn't stop him from feeling a little upset. Maybe he shouldn't tell her the truth. She might not like him anymore when she finds out, and not just because he kept it a secret.

"I packed food," he says. He would rather focus on their date than the possibility that they won't have a future together. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yep!" Melonie stands up and carefully slides out of bed. Then she stands holding onto the rail for a few seconds, breathing deeply.

Ross looks at her with concern. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," she says breathlessly. "Sometimes I get a little dizzy when I stand up but it always passes. I'll be okay in a second." She is and she starts taking slow steps towards Ross. He can see she's struggling so he offers her his arm once she reaches him. "Thanks," she says.

"No problem."

Once they get outside Melonie stands by and watches Ross set up the blanket he brought. He ushers for her to sit beside him while he removes food from the basket. There are some cookies his sister made the night before and sandwiches he made himself. "I brought a vegetarian option because I realized I didn't know if you ate meat," he says looking sheepish. Melonie smiles at him. "I eat meat. Lots of meat."

Ross blushes at the innuendo but doesn't say anything. They eat in silence for a while, both feeling like there's nothing better than sitting with someone without feeling like you have to talk. Lost in thought and sneaking glances at the beautiful girl next to him Ross can't help but wonder if Rocky was right after all.

Screw the odds. Ross wanted to be with Melonie and somehow he was going to make it happen.