Guys, I'm so so sorry, I haven't uploaded in like, forever! I had a really crazy time at school and it kinda took all my inspiration away, but I got it back, so here's the third, and (sadly), the last chapter! I'm not entirely proud of it, but anyway, sorry for any mistakes. Reviews are also cool. Like, really cool.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Ross, Laura or A&A. Or Starbucks. ;)
Ready
One month later
She's not ready. He can see this, maybe because he knows her so well, or maybe because she avoids paparazzi, interviews and all that stuff. Of course she used to do that earlier, but not that much. Also, it's easier now, because she's with him all the time.
Almost.
Because he still has the concerts and other performances, and she's getting ready for a role in some new movie. He sometimes misses her so much, that he feels like he became addicted to her in some way. His heart definitely did.
All the Raura shippers had emerged from the dark and are now going crazy. Almost in every interview he's asked about their relationship.
-Are you and Laura Marano a couple?
-No, we're just really good friends. She's now going through a lot, and I wanted to be there for her…
Somehow, it's easier for him than it was previously. He doesn't blush or look up anymore, like he used to when he was seventeen and someone asked him about Raura. He's not afraid to admit his feelings when he's ready. He's been hiding them long enough.
###
-Laura, I love you. I've always loved you, and now, I want to be with you…
Nope. Too cheesy.
-Laura, now that you're over it, maybe we could…
No, no, no. Stupid. He shouldn't remind her about her breakup.
-Laura…
Wait, why is he even starting with her name? It makes his confession sound so… official. Maybe he should just kiss her. Or maybe not. Or maybe it should be official, because he is confessing his love to her after all.
Well, he isn't really doing it now. He's just practicing. Anything can happen.
-Ross?...
###
-What?- he turns around so quickly, that he reminds Laura of some little kid who just got caught on stealing the cookies from the kitchen. But, they're not in the kitchen.
Actually, they are on the set of her new movie, in her dressing room, to be exact. And Laura has no idea what he's doing here. Not that she minds, but she never invited him. She wasn't even sure if he knew where the set is. Apparently, he does now.
-What are you doing here?- she asks, surprised, and he needs some time before he answers, because she's still in her outfit from the set, which consists of a really short denim shorts, a black bikini top, and she only has a loose cardigan on her*. With no blouse, or something.
Man, he really shouldn't go see that movie until she's his, and only his. And definitely, he shouldn't go see it with her.
-I… I just wanted to… visit you!...- damn, he was so close, and again, he didn't take the chance.
-Alright…- she giggles at him, then smiles- that's nice of you…
Nice? She thinks he's nice? He would answer 'that's what best friends do', but he's sick of that phrase.
-You're lucky we just finished shooting- she continues her babbling- you know, just, let me change and grab my things, so we can drive to Starbucks or something… Or that little café on the corner, it looks really nice, because…
-Laura- his voice is quiet, yet demanding, making her stop looking through her bag and bring her gaze up on him- you really don't get it? Why I came here?
Her mouth opens to say something, but he doesn't let her. Maybe the things he's about to say would open her eyes a little bit. Sometimes she could be so obvious.
-Since we met again, we've been hanging out almost every day. Maybe… maybe you would say that's what best friends do, but… I don't know. You just don't seem to get it! Any bit of it!- he is now almost shouting at her, although he has no right to be angry with her. What he just said made no sense, except to him.
-Ross, what do you want me to get?- her voice isn't completely calm either. She sounds obvious again, but she has this feeling inside, deep, deep inside. She doesn't want to say it out loud though- you need to tell me…
-No- he grabs her hand- I'll show you…
###
They aren't even halfway there, and Laura already knows where he is taking her. She remembers the road too well. She remembers every sign, every tree, everything. At least she feels like it.
Then, finally, Ross parks the car.
It's warm outside, but the constant wind blows make it impossible to feel like it.
Laura's glad that Ross let her at lest grab a t-shirt, before he almost forced her out of the building and into the car earlier. He sure is stubborn, but now, she understands his reasons.
It's some kind of a view spot, the place where they often used to come to after the shootings of 'Austin and Ally'. No Raini or Calum, just the two of them. They would laugh, joke, one time Ross even almost fell behind the barrier, when he tried to impress her.
None of it mattered now though, because it was also the place where they shared their first kiss. Not the scripted one, the real one. The one that happened when it was already dark, and they were watching the moon, and Laura just made some really bad joke about Austin Moon. Ross thought she looked really cute at the time, so he leaned in and it sort of… happened. That's probably when he started to have some feelings for her, but he never imagined they could survive that long.
Laura, in fact, understands where he is coming from now. She also felt something that night.
She knows what he was talking about that thirty minutes ago in her dressing room. Maybe she always knew, after all.
They sit on that old bench, with no personal space between them, like always.
-Remember when…- Laura starts, but realizes she doesn't even know what to say. It's also a little bit weird, because they both know the real reason behind this trip. Talking about crazy stuff right now would be just out of place. And talking about the kiss would be even weirder.
So they just sit, quiet.
###
That is until Ross speaks up. He suddenly knows exactly what he wants to say. She needs to understand how he felt through the past few years.
-How would you call it, if…
She looks at him.
-If what?- she whispers, because it's already so quiet that it almost feels like crime to speak louder.
-… if the guy thought about the girl every day. If he felt like he would die if he didn't see her all the time. If he, in fact, seemed literally dead, and when he saw her, he felt like the luckiest person in the world…
She remains quiet.
-Or, maybe not the luckiest, yet. Because she wasn't his…
-I would call it love…
They are now leaning closer to each other.
-The question is, does she return his feelings?…
-…
-You know that girl…
-Maybe… maybe she just isn't sure if it's right…
Suddenly, Ross straightens up and in the next second, he's standing in front of her. Or rather, turns his back on her. But she knows he's mad. Or frustrated. Or both.
-And here's that 'ruining the friendship' shit again!- he sounds really annoyed.
She stands up and touches his arm gently.
-I didn't mean that, Ross…
-Then what's so 'not right' for you?- he turns around abruptly, which frightens her a little. Then he sighs- you know… people were right. We are just like Austin and Ally… Austin waited long enough, and I did to. I'm done- in Laura's opinion Ross should've walked away right now, but he doesn't. Instead, he does a different thing.
He kisses her.
If he wanted to tell her something through that kiss, he sure did a great job. The kiss is soft and gentle, but carries all the feelings he has for her, most of all, love.
Ross loves the feeling of their lips together, because, she finally starts to kiss back. As it becomes more passionate, he puts his hands on her waist and pulls her closer, while she wraps her arms around his neck. However, he doesn't really feel any fireworks or butterflies, because it feels like this kiss was supposed to happen. It's the right thing to do.
They pull away to breathe, just for a second.
-I'm done- he whispers- because I've waited long enough…
He rests his forehead against hers.
-I love you…- he doesn't refer to the past. There's no need to. All that's important is that he loves her now.
-I'm sorry, Ross- she has tears in her eyes- I'm so sorry, that…
-No, i-it's okay…- he suddenly reminds her of that young, seventeen year old boy he once was…- if it's too early, for you, o-or you don't feel the same way…
This time, it's her turn to kiss him.
-I'm sorry, that I was so blind… that I never cared about your feelings, although you've been there for me this whole time…- he hugs her, pressing her head to his chest and kissing her hair. They say like that for a long time. But it's not that cliché, Ross decides, because it isn't dark or anything. But now, at least, he is the happiest person in the world.
Laura sniffles and looks up at him.
-I love you too…
-Now, that was cliché- he says out loud, although they are the words he always wanted to hear.
-What?- she asks, confused.
For the first time in forever, he smiles, a bright, full smile.
-Nothing.
*She's dressed like in this video from The Vamps music video.
So, that's it for the story! Huge thanks to everyone who reviewed, favourited and followed! I LOVE YOU ALL!
~Hidden