A/N: You might be like wait what are you doooing?! I have SR to update and everything, but, honestly, my fellow sweet readers and followers, I'm posting this up as part of procrastination. Literally I asked myself "What is one last thing I can do to procrastinate instead of this essay?"
I have so many little things in my documents actually. I wanted to post this after I at least got the second part done, but it seems plans change.
This was indeed inspired by Hercules's song "I won't say I'm in love." I have a reason for this. Well I hope you enjoy this little beginning. :)
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
"It's too cliche, I won't say it, no, no." / Laura's life has become a routine and mundane even in the "City that never sleeps." Ross Lynch is a rising rock star who just wants to escape for one night to have an adventure. It isn't until Laura is literally crashed into by Ross Lynch on the streets of New York City that she's somehow pulled into his spontaneous plans. The results of the night couldn't be avoided, even if they could help it.
I. Chance Encounters
The concrete jungle was fascinating at night but it could swallow a petite brunette like herself if she wasn't sharp. A small, long haired brunnette walked through the crowded streets of the city, a trench coat keeping her warm while she hugged herself. Finally, she broke free of the crowded urban tangles and was now walking a quieter, sparser street.
Laura was on her way back to her apartment after eating out, but who was she kidding? Her life became mundane and dragged on. Nothing was waiting for at home besides her bed and warm covers. And maybe a good book to reread. She used to be super energetic and lively, but sadly, her mundane life took its toll on her along with her busy studies at MUNY. She sighed, a small fog condensing in front of her face.
In the back, she heard the occasional boombox from a pretentious car, or sirens, and it went as quickly as it came. The sounds of New York City; The city that never sleeps became her home.
She was passing by a forgotten, yet still running old movie theatre and Laura smiled a little at this. Too immersed in appreciating the old fashioned building, she did not take notice of a tall blond behind her, running her direction.
The blond himself wasn't paying attention, looking over his shoulder.
Then, it happened.
"Oof!" Laura gasped loudly, a sudden large mass crashing into her, yet cushioning her as they both tumbled onto the hard cold concrete, toppling over once and almost twice. Laura yelped, gasping wildly in shrill shock as her eyes finally popped open since she shut them during the impact and crash- and currently wondering how and why she wasn't hurt or bruised.
A long arm was pulled over her protectively, held securely toward a warm chest. Still gasping, Laura's eyes darted around until she finally looked up to a slightly groaning, yet shamefully admittedly attractive blond. Her mouth hung open, struggling to say something but she was at a loss, only catching her breath as much as he was.
The boy was slightly sitting up, his arm still holding her close, his eyes shut close as he groaned. "Ah... ow...man," Finally he peeked one eye open and as soon as visibly saw the girl in his arms, his eyes went wide. "Oh no, are you okay? I am so sorry," He said worriedly, sitting up fully, bringing her up with him. She couldn't help but gawk at him, being gently slipped off his body onto the concrete, finally sitting up on her own.
She was still trying to form coherent words as she slightly shook her head, only in disbelief toward the events that happened.
His hand was still on her arm and when he saw her lack of words, he suddenly had an amused smile, yet the worry stayed in his eyes. "I don't have to bring you to the hospital right...?" His hand moved from her arm up to brush loose strands of long chestnut hair out of her face.
Laura blinked, her mouth still open like a fish and now turning a flushed red. "Um... I... no, I'm...okay." She said, suddenly hushed and shy, lowering her head.
He stared at her, leaning back on his arms as support. "...Do you know w-"
"LYNCH!"
They both jumped, the blond cringing the most. In the distant, another man was running toward him. "Uh oh," He said under his breath. Laura whipped her head to him, eyes still big and confused. He shot her a quick apologetic smile. "Sorry," He whispered, and before she knew what was happening, she was hauled up by the crook of her elbow and running.
They ran into a dark alley and this sent Laura into quick paranoia, but for some reason, she wasn't that scared. Maybe her judge of character was off, but the guy didn't seem like the kind to do anything lewd or anything a girl wouldn't like. The thought wording suddenly made Laura turn bright red again and she quickly had to snap herself out it.
But they never stopped running and it wasn't long before they reached the end of the alley anyway, until they jumped back into the large crowd of New Yorkers, blending in and giving pitiful chances for whoever was back there to find them. He never let go of Laura's wrist and she bit her lip at this. All she could do was stare at his shoulder and the back of his head which was a messy, but attractively tousled blond mess.
As the two walked, the boy looked around and met eye contact with her for a second before continueing to gauge the area. Then, he gently pulled her over to a cafe, opening the door and keeping it open until she passed inside. When he closed the door, the blond fell against the wall, closing his eyes and tilting his head up and let out a deep mix of a groan and a sigh of relief.
With her limbs finally free to herself, Laura timidly clasped her hands together, holding them up to her chest. She watched the blond carefully, taking in his full body and exhausted form.
He was still catching his breath. Slightly opening his eyes, and gazed at the brown haired girl in front of him through the slits of his eyes.
Laura finally could see how exhausted he really was. What happened? "Ah... are you okay?" She asked softly, stepping forward tentatively.
He stared at her and then unhitched himself from the wall and smiled. "Yeah," He said in a soft voice. "Do you wanna sit? I'll explain to you what happened back there." He said, his hazel eyes peering at the counter and menu before looking back at her. He pulled at the ends of his hair in front of his face unconsciously as he said so.
Laura knew she could walk out right now, but it seemed no part of her stopped her when she replied in the same tone, "Okay."
The two took a booth, and Laura scooted into one side awkwardly, keeping her head down. The waiter came by and the guy gave his order and looked at Laura. "Do you want anything?"
"Oh no, it's okay," She said quietly and then gave a grin to the waiter as assurance.
"Are you sure?" The blond raised an eyebrow.
She nodded too surely and he just let it go. "Alright..."
The waiter went away and Laura stared at the table before peeking up to look at him. He was already staring at her and she fought another blush. He smiled weakly. "I didn't get your name." He said gently.
Laura forgot her name for a moment. "Laura," She said.
"Laura," He smiled bigger. "I'm Ross."
He stretched his arm across the table and she took his hand to shake it. "Ross," She repeated, strangely liking the stranger's name in her mouth. She was smiling, her eyebrows pulled together and the interest in learning his name. As she shook his hand, she realized she finally got a good look at him under the light.
Yes, he was still very attractive. But something about him made her narrow her eyes, and seemed so familiar. She couldn't put her finger on it.
Ross finally pulled his hand back and scratched the side of his head. "And, uh, I'm not sure if you know this... but I'm,"
Then, a squeal came from the other side of the cafe. Laura and Ross turned their heads, and a teenager, maybe 3 or 4 years younger than them, was grinning wide their way. In a matter of seconds, the teenager scurried their way, her hands curled to her chest. "You're Ross Lynch, aren't you?!"
Laura's eyebrows rose, looking back at Ross.
Ross grinned a little, looking down and then back at her. "Maybe."
The girl giggled. "Can you please pretty please sign something for me?"
"Sure." He replied with a friendly ambiance and took the sharpie she handed him from her purse and signed the back of iphone case. "Here you go," He handed it back to her and she squealed.
"Thank you so much! And I'm going to buy your next album that comes out immediately."
"Awesome! Thanks." He said and the girl gave one last smile and turned to go back to her table.
Ross lazily turned his head back to Laura to find her have a calculating expression, her lips pursed in a small 'o'.
"You... don't know me, do you?" He finally said, his tone dropping a little, but the smile still there.
Laura didn't want to let him down so she kept racking her brain for it. She finally registered seeing the name Ross Lynch on itunes and his face on some posters in the city. He was the new rock star, rising in fame for both his talent, voice and hard to ignore God-given looks. "I-I know you!" Her voice strung high with broken octaves, waving her hand and laughing defensively.
He gave her a look.
"Okay, just a little..." She gave in, letting her voice sink. "I have seen your name around and some of your posters around though."
Ross scratched the side of his head again. "I guess that's better than nothing. But yeah, the guy earlier...was my manager. I just flew in New York City for the week and... I kind of decided to go on a spontaneous escapade from him tonight and just enjoy the thrill of the night and the wonders of the concrete jungle, you know? Just let go and have fun. Without security guards and being nagged at every minute about schedules." He explained. Laura's mouth opened in surprise and then laughed fondly at this rockstar's pure intentions.
"And now he's chasing you like a madman?" She raised an eyebrow.
He shrugged. "Basically." He laughed.
She laughed too and soon the waiter came back to set down a cafe latte in front of him. "Thanks," Ross thanked.
Laura eyed the warm cup of coffee and the pretty design on the top. "Ah-Ah Um wait," She held up a finger, making the waiter turn back around and Ross look up at her as he was blowing his coffee.
"Can I have one too?" She grinned sheepishly.
"Right away," The waiter smiled and went to the kitchen.
"Didn't want any..." Ross mocked, scoffing teasingly.
"It looked good," Laura defended.
"Fine," He surrendered lightheartedly. "I'm paying for it though."
Laura gasped. "No!"
"I dragged you into this mess with me. It's the least I can do." He shrugged, bringing the cup up to his mouth to drink and look out the window.
Laura quieted. "Yeah why did you bring me with you?"
He swallowed and set it down. "I didn't want to leave you back there and be the poor clueless girl be interrogated by my already pissed strict manager." He made a crooked grin.
"Oh...right." Her drink arrived and she thanked the waiter. She smiled big at the design of the cafe latte and held the cup up to take a sip.
"And you seemed really interesting..."
"Hm?" Laura said in surprise, unfortunately while she was still sipping and momentarily sputtered and choked. She didn't spill but swallowed the delicious coffee and set the cup down. "Huh?"
"I mean you were walking alone, in an empty street of New York City." He shrugged, his eyes out the window. He didn't want to admit out loud that he was also surprised by the beauty of this tiny New Yorker. Nor that he just didn't want to leave her after that chance encounter. "Wait, you don't have somewhere to be do you?"
Laura quickly thought of her warm bed and the routine of getting up at 7am again and getting breakfast. "Not really."
"Are you tired?"
"Well I'm wide awake now." She grinned.
He grinned back. "Well Laura... I'm only in New York for one more day. And it's usually more fun doing things with someone else so..." Laura waited. "Do you want to accompany me on exploring New York for the rest of the night?"
Laura's eyes grew large. She had just met this boy. He's practically famous. He literally crashed into her earlier. It was reckless. Unlike her. And yet, the only answer surging inside her was a big— "Yes."
Ross's grin couldn't get wider than that. "Really?! Awesome! I promise we're going to have a blast."
Laura giggled at this, sipping her coffee. For some reason, his smile did things to her. "I don't doubt it." She said. Then, Ross softened and gave her an small smile before continuing to finish his coffee.