Stay Strong

[15]

~ The next day ~

At Laura's house:

Since Ross and Laura now kissed their feelings were confessed unconventionally. If you thought that their lives would be easy now, you thought wrong. For now, they were in the love stage; only thinking about each other and none other than them, but there's no doubt that trouble at school will break them down.

Ross and Laura, studying in Laura's room, sat in silence with their heads in the books. They were still both extremely clever even though Ross gave it up for his reputation.

"I didn't realise how clever you are, Ross" Laura smirks.

"I guess I just gave it up for the cool group" he replies, tapping his pencil on his math book. He was set in concentration, but not on the studying, on his past. It's inevitable that he cannot forget everything he has been through.

"Well, you're worth more than that" Laura smiles.

After a few seconds of silence, Ross smirks and leans in to softly connect his lips with Laura's. They both smile through the kiss and linger it for a short amount of time. They pull away and their eyes flutter open.

"What was that for?" Laura asks, her cheeks turning a bright shade of red.

"I just want you to know how much I care about you" he replies. He takes Laura's left hand and pushes her sleeve up. He caresses his thumb across Laura's scars and brings her wrist up to his lips. He kisses them softly and pulls her sleeve back down. Bringing Laura into his lap, he holds her head against his chest and whispers, "I'm sorry". Laura looks up to see a tear has escaped from his eye. She wipes it away with her thumb and whispers back, "I forgive you"

Even though Laura had made it clear that she has forgiven Ross, he needed to hear the words clearly said from Laura's mouth. The evidence of Ross' impact on Laura will always remain true until the scars on her wrists fade away. But until then, Ross will remain loyal to their friendship and hope that one day they can both forget the harsh past and focus on the future.

"Promise me you'll never cut again" Ross says in a serious tone. Laura cups his face and places a prolonged kiss on his lips. "I promise" she mumbles against his lips.

A knock at the door motions Laura to break the kiss. The door opens to reveal Vanessa with a cheeky smile plastered on her face. "Sorry to interrupt" she begins "dinner will be ready soon". Laura nods and turns back to Ross as the door clicks shut.

"I should get going" Ross sighs. Laura pouts and moves her hands from around his neck to his shoulders. "Okay" she mutters. They wanted to stay as they were for longer, but Ross patted Laura's back motioning for her to stand up. She stood up and Ross took her hands, pulling himself up. Still holding hands, Ross closed the space between them and looked down to Laura. Their height difference was adorable and didn't bother either of them.

"Walk me out?" he gestured to her bedroom door and they went downstairs. At the front door, Ross kissed Laura's cheek. "Prom is coming up" he began. "And I would like to take you"

Laura frowned. Her insecurities and lack of friends always stopped her from attending prom. It was one of her biggest fears; public humiliation. "I've never been one for prom" she said softly. "I- I get nervous in front of people. Public humiliation is one of my biggest fears! I-I can't. I haven't even got anything to wear"

"Then I'll take you shopping" Ross compromised. "Tomorrow I'll pick you up and we'll go to the mall. You'll love prom, honestly"

Laura hesitated but gave in. "Okay" she buckled. With a quick peck, Ross left leaving Laura with the fear of attending prom in a few days time.

_________________________

I updated quicker right?

Here's an update goal: 20 votes and 5 comments. :)

I will extend the story with insights to not only Laura's life but also Ross. The prom will (probably) be the last chapter. I reckon it will the end at chapter 20 :)

THANKS FOR READING LOVES

VOTE, COMMENT AND ENJOY💘