Raura's Daughter

five.

Ross' POV

I sat in my first class of the day, impatiently tapping my pen on the wooden desk beneath me. It was only nine o'clock in the morning and for some reason I was already desperate to get home to the warmth of my bed. My lecturer, Mr Healy, also known as Sir, was calmly taking the classroom attendance on his little clipboard that he clutched tightly to his chest every day of the week. I noticed Calum and Raini sitting a little while away from me, both of them glued to their cellphones and blatantly ignoring everyone else around them. Mr Healy's eyes suddenly locked with mine and he held his clipboard close to his chest. "Ross Lynch, I never usually have to ask if you're here but you're being abnormally quiet this morning."

The rest of my peers burst into an awkward fit of laughter as I tried to play off my embarrassment with a smirk. When I'd been the quarterback player I'd picked up on a few tips and tricks on how to stay popular, the first rule of conduct? Never, and I mean, never, allow embarrassment to get the best of you. It was like jumping into a lake full of infested sharks; to put it bluntly, you'd get killed. "Ah, that's funny Mr Healy. I was just thinking about how nice your hair looks on this fine morning that I suppose I got distracted from my vocal opinions."

Again, my peers laughed. However this time, they were laughing with me instead of at me. Mr Healy clapped his hands together and rolled his eyes at my comment before the bell signalled for our first period of the day. I was anxious to walk through the hallways, especially now that Laura was officially back in school. It almost felt like having a high school crush all over again, that sick, twisted butterfly feeling that would explode throughout your stomach whenever they walked into a room or how their eyes would sparkle as they took notes in class. Only this wasn't a high school crush, we were parents to a little girl and had tried to make a relationship work that completely failed in the end. It sucked, but it was reality. My reality at least.

"Yo Ross, morning man!" One of my friends, TJ, from the soccer team called out to me with a smile as he disappeared into a classroom with his rucksack slung over his shoulder. I kept my head down, watching as kids my age and kids younger than me lazily bustled through the hallways. I couldn't believe that I was in my last year ever of high school, in less than nine months I'd be off to a college of my choice creating a whole new life for myself. I think that scared me more than anything, the fact that I would be leaving all of my old friends behind, my teachers and worst of all, Laura Marano.

I arrived at my locker and quickly twisted my code in before snatching my algebra books out of it and slamming them frustratedly into my arms. I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder and as I spun around I locked eyes with Cece and Trisha who were dressed from head to toe in plaid skirts and white blouses to match. "Hey Rossy!" Cece teased as she messed up my hair with her hands. I scowled at her and quickly put my authentic hairstyle back into place. "We thought we'd drop by and say hi before going to class."

I frowned and closed my locker with a gentle shove of my elbow. "You do realise that your classes are on the other side of the school, right?"

Trisha smirked and covered her lips with the back of her hand. "We realise!" She exclaimed with a giggle before turning her face towards Cece's. "It's just Cece has a crush on this older guy and so we're on a mission to find him."

Cece slapped Trisha playfully on the wrist and shook her head eagerly at me. "Honestly Ross she's totally kidding. Now, if you'll excuse us." She said with a quick grab of Trisha's arm as they made their way towards the Senior Girl's restroom.

"No dating!" I called out with a chuckle as Cece stuck her tongue out at me before disappearing out of view.

The second bell went and I quickly made my way to class. I knew that Rydel, Ratliff and Calum would at least be there which reassured me a little bit. I carefully opened the door and took my seat beside Calum who grinned at me as I sat down. "Hey man, someone's late!"