Like a Tattoo (Raura)

Chapter 3

Ross's POV

Ring!

The doorbell chimes throughout the halls and bedrooms of the house. While in my room, I glance at the clock on the wall—it reads 8:59 AM. I comb through the front section of my tousled hair with my fingers, grab my bag, and descend the stairs to the front door. Twisting the doorknob, I can already feel those aroused jitters I always get around Laura, despite the fact of how we're completely compatible with each other. When I'm around her, the feeling's indescribable - it's a perfect blend of the adrenaline you feel from winning the lottery and a surprise visit from someone you haven't seen in five years—and I almost can't believe how right it feels. 

I free the door from the lock, drawing it back so it swings inward to the house. Laura's dressed in a subtle crop top and skin-tight skinny jeans. She smiles sweetly and tilts her head to the side like a confounded puppy, "Ready to go?"

Earnestly I nod and take her hand in mine, leading her to my car, already loving what has barely begun, "I was wondering," I smirk once we're in the vehicle, with myself in the driver's seat, "Have you ever been to Magic Mountain?"

I'm thankful for my decision to take her there when Laura's mouth hangs agape for a brief moment before exclaiming, "No way! We're seriously going there?! This is going to be the best date ever, thank you so much Ross!" she squeals and gives me a side hug from her side of the car.

"Of course. I know you love these kinds of things," I set a kiss on her cheek. It's beyond accurate to say I've fallen hard for this energetic, lovable, and adorkable girl.

---

Less than two hours later we're at the park, having just gotten off Goliath. It's one of the most notorious attractions in the park, with a top speed of eighty-five miles per hour and its highest hill achieving over two hundred feet.

"Yo, that ride is insane! That first drop is so freaking high! The anticipation it builds with such a slow ascent is unreal!" I cry out along the exit of Goliath. We pass by the photo section where the photos from the ride are. We're in the fifth row; my hands are in the air with my mouth in the typical thrill ride O-shape. Laura's smile expresses her unparalleled happiness and I'm almost tempted to buy the photo just to commemorate another memory with her, "You know that feeling you get in your stomach on drops in rollercoasters? Like you feel your stomach's not there, but at the same time it feels like there's a flock of butterflies?"

Laura takes a swig from her water and nods, awaiting my reasoning with the corners of her lips upturned slightly.

"That's exactly what it feels like when I'm around you," I marvel down at her, speculating at the transformation of her facial expression and the color on her cheeks.

Laura stifles a laugh, "Aw, look who's being the sweetest guy ever," her eyes are lit up like a child on Christmas morning. She laughs and pokes my side with her finger while watching me stumble over embarrassment.

I manage to steer her hand out of the way and instead entangle her fingers with mine, "But seriously, that drop was so steep—it was probably near 90°," I stare back up into the sunlight toward Goliath.

Laura finishes up the last drops of her water bottle and tosses the plastic into a nearby recycling can, "Hmm? No, that's not possible. You see, a higher angle from the ground would increase the coaster's velocity on its descent. That means it would be traveling at too high a speed. If I'm recalling my physics accurately, an object's velocity is dependent on the acceleration acting on it, which in this case is gravity. The greater angled drop could increase the velocity to an extent at which the coaster would accumulate too much speed and make the ride dangerous—the car could even fly off the track. I'm guessing the angle of the hill is around 65°."

I shake my head with a goofy smile directed at her, "God damn it, Laura! Stop being so smart, you're making me feel bad!"

I can tell she's trying to hold back a laugh, "Don't blame me! Blame my high school AP Physics teacher!" Laura nudges my side a little in discontent, but we're so familiar with each other to know she's only teasing, "C'mon, it's getting hot out so let's go hit up the rapids ride before it gets overcrowded with people!" she tugs on my hand and leads me like I'm a horse.

But honestly, there's nothing I wouldn't do for this girl.

Laura's POV

By the end of the day, I'm beyond exhausted from running around the park. It doesn't help that I have to cope with Ross's affection in between rides. I swear he's so attached to me that he's like my tattoo, though I'm not necessarily complaining.

"Can we stop by Starbucks on the way back? I want to get a cup of water and it's free there," I share with Ross my way of scamming Starbucks.

"No, you can just drink from my water bottle if you're thirsty. I still have about half left," Ross lifts a plastic bottle he bought earlier today out of his drawstring bag.

I uncomfortably hesitate to reach for the bottle, seeing as I wouldn't want to drink up Ross's water because he might want some and it's not exactly sanitary to share these kinds of things. Giving in, I accept it and waterfall the water from the bottle into my mouth.

Ross notices my apprehensiveness, "You can drink directly from the bottle if you like," he informs me, "Drinking from the same water bottle shouldn't be much different, given that we kiss every day," Ross's tone implies his statement should be obvious.

"Mhm," I try to pass off as casually as possible.

There's a familiar twisted knot in the pit of my stomach that forms whenever Ross says anything like that. The knot gets tighter every time because of my guilt, knowing I can't ask him to stop acting like a boyfriend around me.

I know I can't ask him to stop loving me. And even worse, I can't ask myself to love him back.

***

Finally updated. :)

I've been so sleep deprived ever since August and I don't know how this year is going to work out. :(

Just gotta breathe and remember Christmas is less than 3 months away.

I'm trying so hard to get these updates in and keep myself active on Wattpad, so let's see how well that goes this month. Hehe

Happy October!

Vote/comment!

Steph (yesifeelgoodr5)