Note from the Author-

Chapter 14: I mean it, don't go

Laura's POV

I arrived at Dalton Park, surrounded by the darkness; my mind began playing tricks with me. My head throbbed, my vision not-so clear, I felt like I was eternally spinning. I was conflicted. I felt angst. I heard silent murmurs of my name. "Ross? That you?"

Two Large hands were placed on my shoulders. Easily frightened by this, I shrieked in fear. "Please! Just let me go I- I'll give you whatever you want-" I cried.

"Laura! It's just me. It's Ross. Nobody is going to hurt you. I got you."

I exhaled a sigh of relief and collapsed myself into Ross' arms. "Oh, God... I think I'm literally tripping out. It can't be the alcohol. Can it?"

Ross held me closer to him and rubbed my back gently and comfortingly. "It could be... Unless- no way, no freaking way! I'm going to kill him!"

I gradually lifted my head up to meet his eyes. "What? What is it?" I asked, anxious for answers.

Ross' eyes failed to meet mine. "Derek may have drugged you."

I dug my face in his shoulder and sobbed harshly. "How could I be so stupid? I am such a freaking idiot!"

"Laur, no. You are far from an idiot. You saw a good in Derek and that doesn't make you stupid, that makes you open minded. And it's okay if you aren't sober as of right now because I am here to take care of you. Everything is going to be okay."

I pulled myself away from Ross.
"I'm terrified, Ross. I don't like this. I don't understand the thrill that people get from this! It's not great. It really isn't! I just feel vulnerable and afraid!... afraid that my legs are going to give out and I'll be lying on the pavement all alone! It's like I'm eight years old again and I can't count to five anymore, It doesn't work anymore. Nothing works these days!"

"Laura, listen to me," He interrupted.

No you listen! I used to count to five and it would all go away. But this- this isn't going anywhere. I'm still here and it's still dark out and I'm seeing things that I'd really rather not see!"

Ross furrowed his eyebrows. His eyes were sorry and his lips had already fallen into a defeating frown. "Come here."

I shook my head, "You think I'm crazy," I exclaimed in a pouty tone.

"Let me hold and understand you, Laur. Just come here."

I steadily walked over to Ross, trying so hard not to get too close, but a rush of desire took over and I suddenly crashed into his arms, almost as if they were the ocean. "Don't go. I just feel like you are going to leave and i'm not good on my own and ever since I met you it's gotten harder to be alone because you- you are my safe place and I need safe. I can't handle life like this, I really can't!" I began shuddering beneath heavy sobs.

Ross clutched my face into his hands, peering deeply into my eyes. "I am not going anywhere, I'm staying right here. You and me are in this together. If your legs give out, so do mine. And you know what? We'll both be on the damn floor. But it will be fine because we will be together. You won't ever have to be or feel alone. I won't let you. Laura, there is nothing, absolutely nothing you have to worry about. You want to know why? Because I am right here and I love you more than I did yesterday."

My heart pounded with every word. I tried to register what he had just told me. "You.... you what?"

"You heard me, Laura. I love you. Everything about you is simply beautiful. You don't even need to try."

This was all so much to take in. I wanted so badly to say it back, but it felt like a dream. This couldn't possibly be real.
"I am on something psychedelic, aren't I? There is no possible way anyone can love me."

Suddenly, Ross' lips compressed against mine. Feelings of many kinds came flooding in all at once. Passion, desire, bliss, serenity. I haven't felt such things in what felt like an eternity. The kiss lingered and I was very reluctant to let go.

"That was me proving to you that this is real and you might be high, but I'm sober and my feelings for you are tangible. So just believe it."

As soon as the kiss ended, my mood altered into anger.
"God, Ross! Why on earth did you have to do that?" I pushed his chest, sending him back a couple of inches away.

"Do what?" he asked in an innocent tone.

"Kiss me and tell me that you supposedly love me! You promised me this wouldn't happen! This is why I didn't want you to come here in the first place. I had it all figured out. I was going to go to the park, clear my head, plan my escape, find my dad, fix things-"

"Laura, stop! You are confusing me!" Ross interrupted.

I rubbed my temples, pacing in circles. "You took advantage of me! I'm drugged out for Christ sake and here you are; coming to my rescue, telling me that you love me! It's not fair!"

"Please stop-"

"No! You stop, Ross! You have a beautiful girlfriend. I won't let you ruin that for a girl like me." I swiftly turned to run, but he grabbed me by my arm, pulling me around to face him.

"Don't do that to me," he muttered under his breath.

"Do what?!"

"Leave me. I could never leave you and here you are... leaving me."

"That's not fair-"

He scoffed. "You talk about fair, Laura, but here you are making my decisions. I've tried numerous times to end things with Stacey. It's hurting her that I fear. I don't love her. I don't want her. You are the one I want. You are the one that I choose! Why can't you see that?"

"It's not right!" I pleaded.

"What the hell isn't right about it?" he questioned.

"I'm not the girl for you! You have this idea of me that isn't real. My dad is in rehab, I promised I'd write to him and I hardly have enough strength to lift up a pen! My mom- She's gone, dead! And me? I'm completely useless. I don't understand my existence; my damn purpose. I am stuck with a demon, always hovering over me! How could you want someone so broken? Someone with such a morbid background? You deserve so much more than that!"

Ross' gazed at the ground for a good ten seconds and then his eyes met mine, once again. "You just don't get it, Laura. I don't care about the fact that your family isn't ranked in most perfect. All I care about is you. You may not know what your purpose is, but trust me there is one, maybe even multiple and I am 100% damn sure you will find it. But what I do know is that we have one life. And this could be our one moment and I don't want to waste it arguing, fighting over something this ridiculous. You are the most genuine person I've ever met and I know it took a lot of gut for you to speak out about your mother and father to me and I adore you for those reasons. So take my word for it, I love you. I didn't just say it to hear it back. I said it for you to know."

I opened my mouth to speak. It was an utterly long silence, but I gave in. "God, I love you."

His eyes grew large, "You love me? You really love me?"

With a bright smile plastered on my face, I nodded my head repeatedly.

"Can I kiss you," he asked.

"You didn't ask the last time you did," I said playfully.

"It's just- you love me. And this time when I kiss you. That's the only thing I'll be thinking about; you loving me."

"Okay," I breathed.

"I love you and their might be parts of you that are broken, but I'm going to do my best to fill in the pieces. You heart doesn't deserve ache. Okay?"

I answered him with an adrenalized, fervent kiss. He responded as well. Our lips synchronized. In this moment everything felt right in the world. It was as if all my problems had vanished. Death, torment, harassment, devastation, it was all missing. But not the bad kind of missing. All I could feel was Ross' lips against mine. All I knew was that he loved me and I loved him.

Hey readers! The story may sound over, but this is just the beginning of their love story. There is still a lot of blossoming to do. Anywho, I hope you continue giving me likes and comments. Thanks a ton to those who read! (: