ROSS

As me and Laura entered the school I could see she was nervous. I didn't know why but I was going to find out. On Saturday when she left I was kinnda disappointed because she had agreed to stay at my house for a while and instead she had gone back to hers. But I had a feeling that she would be staying at my house soon anyway.

'Hey Laura, I know you said that nothing happened last night but why are you so nervous? - I asked her

She didn't answer me. She seemed to be scanning the crowd. Then I noticed she was glaring at the girl that was coming towards us. I couldn't help but notice that the two looked strangely similar. That's when it hit me. That was Vanessa. Laura's sister. I knew that Laura was scared so I slid my hand in hers and squeezed it gently – to let her know that I had her back.

As her Vanessa approach with her came the disturbing reek of alcohol. She was obviously still drunk from her recent party.

'What do you want slut? - She said to Laura

I got so mad when she said that. Apparently Laura noticed because she glared at me to tell me to keep quiet.

'Vanessa you're still drunk, get away from me!

'Oh you got Blondie to be your boyfriend huh? When are you gonna dump him? Did you already get laid?

That's when I completely lost it. I didn't care what Laura said, I was angry. And so for the first time in years I stood up for myself and my best friend. When I do I could still feel the connection from when mom, dad and Ry were with me.

'Listen. I honestly don't know you all that well so I can't judge you. But what I can do is I can tell you to get lost ok? Laura is your sister and you have no right to talk to her like that! Wait, scratch that. You have no right to talk to anybody like that! Now get you drunken ass out of here! – I probably shouted a lot because the whole school turned towards me. I thought that they'd all attack me with some nasty comments but instead they all clapped.

I turned to see what Laura's reaction was. She seemed really happy but in the corner of her eye I saw fear. But now I was just glad that Vanessa left. I was so proud of myself. After so many years of being bullied I had so much anger in myself that I was glad that I let it out. I could let people bully me. Ok sure why not? I was a mess, stupid, unwanted. But Laura, she was so innocent. It wasn't her fault that she had ended up in the wrong family. I didn't know her whole story. She had promised to tell me when she was ready and I had told myself that I would wait.

'Come on Laura, let's get out of here.

We left the school once again. By now we were probably in a lot of trouble but I didn't care. All I wanted to do was to be with Laura. So we went to our favorite place near the school. The little grass field. We sat there for a really long time. Laura's head on my shoulder, my arm around her. Silence was all around us until she decided to break it.

'Ross thank you.

'Why are you thanking me? Your sister was drunk I had to protect you!

'No you didn't have to protect me, you wanted to protect me. You know, in those few days that I have known you, you made me trust you and now I think I am ready to tell you my story.

'Really? You know you don't have to right? I mean…

'No I want to. You deserve to know. So when I was little, about 5 years old my dad left for Afghanistan. He was in the army. He told me not to worry; he said that he would be back. I believed him. He always came back. But I stood there 3 years after he should have been back. That's when the soldiers came. They said that he had died trying to protect a friend. I was about 8. I didn't truly know the meaning of war. I didn't understand the cruelty behind it. I was blind then. After that day we were all miserable. But we were a family. Mom was always there to protect me and so was Vanessa. Then a few months later came a letter. It was from the government. It said that we had to leave the house we were living in because it belonged to the army. That was when mom started to drink. She said to the government that she was ready to give us in as early soldiers so we could keep the house. You see, at the time we were far from rich and that house was the only thing we had. When the law said "no" because we were too young our mother beat us. Every night she would come back drunk and beat us. After a few years when I was 12 it had all stopped. My mom was rich because she had found a job. Then we moved out here, to Miami. But then more troubles came as Vanessa turned 15. She started being the schools badass. She was with every guy in the school. Her best friend was Kira Starr who was another bully that the whole school hates. Then she started drinking and going to party's to keep her reputation. Mom was so mad that she took it all on me – I was the only one home. Mom started drinking again and I spend all of my nights at Raini's. She and Calum are my only friends.

I was so shocked. Her story was even darker than mine. I felt so sorry for her but then I remembered her last sentence.

'What about me, aren't I your friend?

She looked at me and smiled softly.

'Ross you should know that you are way more than that.

Then I just knew that she would be the one that I would spend my life with.

'Laura, listen. That story, I don't know what to say. But I will do one thing and I hope you won't hate me for it.

Then once again I started leaning in. Only this time it was different. Laura was leaning in too. When our lips met I felt sparks. No, lighting. To my surprise when I asked for permission to let my tongue slip in her mouth she agreed. It was so amazing. Reluctantly we pulled away.

'That was- she started breathlessly

'Amazing- I finished for her- Look I am sorry that I did it again. I know that I was supposed to wait but Laura I think that you are the girl that I am going to spend my life with and I want you now!

'Ross, I am ready.

'Ok so… Laura Marano will you be my girlfriend?

'I…

DUN, DUN, DUN! Sorry if you hate cliffhangers but I think it is pretty obvious. So how did you like this chapter? You got to know Laura's back-story. I know it's pretty dark but I wanted to make them collide in some way so they both understand each other! I hope you liked it and please review!