The Girl Inside (Raura)

Chapter 16: Welcome Back, Bitch

Laura's POV

It's been nearly a month since that day I told Ross about Courtney's scheme and her other boyfriend. Ross has practically erased Courtney from memory and learned to thrive without the necessity of another human; myself being the exception.

He's been attached to my side like I'm his life preserver, his savior. In the mornings, if Ross wakes up before me, he'll tiptoe into my room, discreetly get under the covers with me while I'm asleep, snake his arms around my body, and try to fall asleep again. Ross tells me it's because he wants me to be the first thing he sees when he wakes up.

Ross hasn't realized it yet, but tomorrow is the day Courtney returns from New York. I don't believe she's texted or called Ross the entire month, most likely because she wants him to think she's been engrossed with modeling.

"Laura!" Ross shouts and I hear him run into my room. "Where are you?"

"Putting on makeup in the bathroom!" I yell before applying mascara to my right eyelashes.

Ross' steps heavily stomp as he turns the doorknob, opens the door, kisses my cheek, and forcefully holds out his phone. "Do you see this?! I knew I should've deleted her from my phone."

I cringe upon seeing the text:

I'm coming home from ny tomorrow! Can you pick me up from the airport at 9 am? Thanks :)

"Every time I see her name I throw up a little in my mouth. She's been controlling me like I'm a video game and she's the player at the top of the leaderboard. Do you even know how fucking disgusted I am?!"

I secure Ross' phone and place it on the counter while his teeth clench and breathing heaves. "I know what you mean. When I learned Courtney's true intentions, I could hardly keep myself from screaming it to you. Unfortunately at the time I knew you wouldn't believe me and you would side with Courtney. But luckily, after you pick her up from the airport tomorrow, you'll never have to see her again."

Ross' hands agonizingly slide to the faucet and he splashes his face with cool water as a refresher. "I haven't exactly broken up with her yet."

I freeze right before lifting my liquid eyeliner brush. "What do you mean by that?" Every word lethally leaves my mouth at half of normal speed.

"I mean that technically, we're still dating. Don't get me wrong - it's not at all because I'm having second thoughts. I know precisely who I want to be with." He sneaks a loving glance at me through the mirror. "I thought about it and I derived it's not a real break up unless it's face to face. Over text, over the phone, even on Skype - it's not genuine. The solitary option for a definite end to our relationship is if it's in person."

A negative, contempt sensation coils in my stomach, much too familiar for my liking. "What the hell! I thought you broke up with her the day we started dating! Instead I learn you've been lying this whole time?!"

Ross abruptly turns his head with fear of abandonment in his eyes. "It's not like you've asked about it or anything! And I thought you wanted me to forget about that tramp of a girl!"

My breathing exchanges at a rapid pace and my chest heaves in and out. "Of course I wanted you to forget her, but that meant breaking up and ending everything with her!"

My legs weaken and I have to lean against the bathroom wall. Ross scorns down at me, almost maliciously. "I've done everything to forget that girl and what she did to me. My heart's done everything to tell my brain that you're the one I'm in love with. I've obliterated my relationship with Courtney in my mind ever since that day, all for you. How can you possibly blame me for this?"