The Girl Inside (Raura)

Chapter 14: Progression Confession

Ross' POV

"W-What? Why? How did this happen? Were you Courtney this whole time? Where did you get those stilts? Is that computer chip made from nanotechnology? Is Courtney even my girlfr-"

"I'll explain once you stop babbling," Laura reaches up to cover my mouth with her hand. "A few months ago, Courtney and I ran into each other in the kitchen. We started talking, but somehow our conversation got out of hand. It slipped that she... never wanted to be your girlfriend in the first place. She's only your girlfriend because she's using you to gain fame through your fanbase. Courtney doesn't care in the slightest. I'm sorry."

"N-No," I stammer. "You're lying. This can't be true. She's like an angel whenever she's around me and she's not that type of person. I know her."

"You know me better than anyone and you know that I would never lie to you. I would never purposely hurt you, which is why I couldn't tell you the truth about Courtney straight to your face. You wouldn't believe me about her, even though I would be speaking the truth. This is why I've had to pretend to be Courtney for the past week and pretend to be mad at your family, even though I never was. They all know my plan. Courtney is using you. She's a fake."

The hammering and pain swells in my head again with anger and rage rather than disbelief. "H-How could she do this?! For over a year now?! Why would she pick me as a target? I never did anything to her!"

"I don't have an explanation for that... but Courtney isn't the only one to blame. You've been so oblivious and ignorant your whole relationship. Everyone else sees how Courtney is around you. She doesn't care about your personality or your opinions, only your fame. You've never seen the true Courtney and you've never seen the evil for the beauty."

Her words hit deep in me, it hurts knowing everything Laura says is true. I don't have in depth, meaningful, get-to-know-you conversations with Courtney because we never communicate in that way. If we speak to one another, she asks about my career or about R5's upcoming concerts. I put shame on myself and admit Courtney's a fake. She cares about my money, not me. As I think of it now, I realize I had cared about her appearance and complexion rather than what she had to say.

Everything about us was fake.

"What's wrong with me, Laura?" I focus on her eyes to find my answers. "It hurts inside, but I don't want to yell, or scream, or harm anyone... what does that mean?"

All of her makeup has been taken off and she's her usual height again, except for her darker hair. "There's a quote I've heard before, and it goes like so: some people are put in your life to save you, and others are there to teach you a lesson." Laura has walked me out of the bathroom to the couch in the living room. "I know it's a lot to take in, but remember, I'm not Courtney. I really, really care about you and I'll help you through it. Just like we always have with each other."

Laura's fingers rest lightly on my forearm. It's not until now I feel a sort of infectious electricity coursing through my blood. My thoughts swirl and I can hardly think while her immobile hand dances. "You... did this all... for me. All for me because you know what Courtney is really after and you had to prove to me that I had fallen for the wrong person. Because all along it should've been you."

She moves her fingers away and leans back in the opposite corner of the couch from where she was facing me. "That's correct."

I find my palms sweating somehow while my words shake. "How long have you wanted me more than a best friend should?"

Laura purses her lips together in a teasing way and looks down while wringing her hands. "Longer than your relationship." She audibly breathes in and out once. "I don't know why I always got so protective and jealous over you when the two of us weren't even dating."

"I always treated Courtney perfectly because I thought she was perfect, but perfect doesn't exist. It's a word invented to give false hope to false love and I fell for it like an idiot." I stand up and hold out my hand for Laura to accept. "When we were five, 'perfection' didn't exist. Years later perfection is the only thing humans strive for. You and I have a relationship built on conversations of which we can spend hours just talking and laughing at the craziest of things. I haven't understood we've always been something more, until right now."

Laura blushes, timidly slipping her fingers between mine. She stands up on the couch so that she's looking down at me. "Who's the tall one now?" Laura stares at me with mischief in her eyes.

"You're the only one that would make such a big deal out of the littlest things," I pull away my hands and move them to her waist.

"You were made for someone else, but you ended up with me. Just goes to show how unexpected life is." Laura's hands move to the base of my neck and she presses her forehead to mine. "Now kiss me you love blind idiot."

I chuckle and comply to her request, tilting my head to reach her. I feel the both of us smiling - knowing the betrayal Courtney has put me through and even the deceit Laura has put me through - I know it's all been worth it to have the right girl in front of me.

***

Woot woot

chapter 14, done.

That raura ayee

There's more where that came from cuz lots of juicy plot twists coming up. The story's not over yet ;)

Go watch Calum's new show that aired tonight on Audience Network and also Lost Generation on go90 and How a Show Becomes a Show on YouTube :P

And remember Ross' instagram bio is still Austin Moon.

Vote/comment!

Steph (yesifeelgoodr5)