Stay Strong

[8]

I'm back! Sorry for the long wait, I feel like I've lost readers so i'm gonna not be lazy and im gonna update whenever I get the chance, and more often too!

So here's the next chapter :)

-Laura's POV-

I wake up the next morning feeling confident and refreshed for a change. That talk with Ross yesterday afternoon really brightened up my mood and it's made me feel not so different. It's amazing to finally know someone who I can relate too but unfortunately can't talk to often. Not like I would like to start socialising with him and his friends, and neither would they, but it's still nice to know a person like that.

I stroll downstairs to my sister Vanessa cooking downstairs for herself. I fill a small bowl with cereal and start eating with the smile still planted on my face. Vanessa wonders why i'm cheery for a change, I reply with a shrug of my shoulders and finish the small portion of my light breakfast. After getting ready for school in my usual morning routine I hurry to the school bus, leaving Vanessa even more puzzled at my mood today.

...

-Ross' POV-

"Sorry Cassidy, but I think we should break up. It's not you and it's not me. It's us. I just think we should see other people" I stand back and await her fuming response which ends with her long hair whipping my face as she struts down the hallway like a model on a catwalk.

"Hey Ross" I'm startled by Luke approaching me from behind. I literally jump out of my skin and turn to him. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you man. Where were you yesterday afternoon? When you weren't answering my texts I called your house and your Mum said you were out?" My eyes grow wider as I panic to think of a believable excuse.

"Oh I had detention after school" I lie and feel relieved once he walks away. I turn to see Laura by her locker and start to walk over when I stop in my tracks and realise that my friends are opposite. They approach her and I expect the worse from them.

...

Laura is startled by the group, minus Ross, bothering her while she innocently gets books. Ross tries to escape the trouble but is pulled back by one of the girls. He tries to stay at the back hoping Laura wont see him but too late, she does.

She hopes for Ross to step in and save her from them but he cowardly stays behind and watches. She feels betrayed and alone, like always but it hurts more after time with him yesterday. After their picking and teasing, they leave with laughs before tripping her and sending her tumbling down onto the dirty floor. Her glasses slide off and she's left to helplessly stand back up alone.

Once the group leaves Ross dives in to help her, feeling guilty for chickening out. He picks them up and gives her his hand which she takes and stands on her own feet. He slides them onto her face and lets his hands drops to her shoulders. Apologetically, he smiles weakly at her but unfortunately she isn't feeling so forgiving and pushes past time.

"Laura, what's wrong?" he pulls her back and holds her still as she squirms around and tries to escape his grip, but he stays strong and wants answers.

"What do you think Ross!? You hid when your friends were attacking me just now, how could you do that after yesterday, I can't believe you! Well, actually I can. You will never change and you will always be a stupid, little, inconsiderate boy!" she spits and escapes his grip, storming off into class.

Ross knows he was being selfish and inconsiderate, like he always is towards her, but he doesn't know how much it hurts, or does he? After all, he was the same as Laura, so why didn't he fight for her when his friends were bullying her?

Deep down they both want each other's friendship and possibly each other's love, but it seems that they both dodge it when it comes their way. While Laura feels angry and hurt, Ross feels confused and incredibly guilty. Feelings like that can't be changed just by a 'sorry' or an 'I forgive you'. So how can they be changed?

Please keep reading and excuse my bad writing! I will update as soon as I can, virtual pinkie promise :)