LIFE GOES ON - rob rausch

bulletproof...i wish i was

"CAN YOU PLEASE JUST THINK ABOUT THIS?" Leah said as Victoria paced around the dressing room, her steps quick with anger.

"What's there to think about? I can't do this anymore Lee, I just want this to be over," Victoria said, her voice tight as her steps slowed to a stop and she looked at the girl with a pained expression.

Leah pulled her into a tight hug, placing a gentle kiss on Victoria's cheek.

"This whole experience was supposed to be about you, don't let a man ruin this for you Vic."

Victoria felt her lip tremble as the weight of everything that had happened the past few weeks really began to unpack onto her shoulders. She knew deep down that she shouldn't give up on this opportunity just because a boy couldn't make up his mind, but when she thought back to the embarrassment and pain she suffered and how it was broadcasted for thousands of people to see, she just wanted to run and hide.

It was like Kordell had said, rationalizing the situation couldn't hide her pain. 

"I just feel so stupid," she cried, and Leah began to murmur comfortingly in her ear.

Suddenly, Victoria felt another pair of arms embrace her, and was met with the sad faces of Serena and JaNa. 

"How're you doing babes?" JaNa asked as the group of girls moved to the balcony and sat down. 

"I just don't understand how he could do that to me, the fact that he was just so okay with playing in my face like that but then acted completely surprised I was hurt," Victoria said as she drew her knees to her chest and rested her forehead against them. 

"He's just a boy, Vic. He messed up bad by choosing her over you," Serena comforted, and Victoria could hear the murmurs of agreement that came from Leah and JaNa.

"Everyone keeps saying that he's just a boy and it just makes me feel so much worse. I let a boy make me feel like this," Victoria said as her shoulders began to shake as more tears began to fall. 

"We're not trying to make you feel bad, we just need you to know that he's the one who's wrong here. He messed up and hurt you, he's acting like a little boy," JaNa explained and Victoria wiped her eyes as she did her best to stop the tears.

"I know, I just feel like I need to get away."

"If that's really what you want to do, well..." Serena said as she glanced at Leah and JaNa with worry. "We can't stop you, but just know that we'd really miss you. It'd suck not having you in here with us," Serena said as she leaned in to hug Victoria tightly - something that made the girl relax as comfort flowed through her. 

"Just....just let me think about it okay?" Victoria said softly. 

———-————

"I NEED TO TALK TO HER."

Aaron stared at Rob with doubtful eyes as the man paced back and forth in front of him anxiously. The whole scene in front of the dressing room had only passed a mere hour ago, and it felt as though tensions were still high within the villa.

"Listen mate, I think that you need to give her space...she seemed pretty heated."

"No, I need to talk to her. I need to clear this up."

The sound of the fridge slamming shut could be heard, startling the two men as they looked up from where they stood near the kitchen. Kendall stood in the kitchen, his movements angry, making Aaron and Rob glance at each other in confusion.

"Uh, you alright there Kendall?" Aaron asked cautiously, earning a scowl in response. 

"I couldn't help but overhear..." he motioned at Rob, who had begun his nervous pacing once again with his water bottle. "Him...saying he needed to talk to Victoria."