Chapter 3 - Disappointment

Everything was going to change whether Laura liked it or not. It had been about a month since she had seen Ross. It had been the longest month of her life. She was on set day after day, trying to get through as many episodes as possible before the pregnancy became majorly visible. Heath and Kevin were more happy than they were sad.

"I have to tell you guys something.. you might want to sit down."

"What's wrong hun?" Heath asked.

"I really didn't plan this.."

"You can tell us." Kevin smiled.

"I'm pregnant…"

They were good guys. They had believed in her from the start, and she had everything to thank them for. They knew it was time for the time to slowly come to a close, and they figured now was a better time than any.

She'd also been avoiding her ultrasound. It was fast approaching and she didn't really want to go alone, and she didn't really know who to ask to go with her. Her friends had been supportive, but she didn't want to seem annoying about it. She had broke the news to her parents a few weeks back. They were disappointed to say the least, but that came with being parents. None the less they were supportive.

She had come clean to Sterling about who the dad was.

"It's Ross Lynch… And he knows everything, but he.. he doesn't want this."

"Laura.. I'm here for you."

She couldn't lie to her best friend for much longer. At first he seemed a little confused, but he soon accepted it and moved on. Of course she made him swear he wouldn't tell anyone, and he eventually agreed.

"Whatcha lookin' at?" Sterling asked sitting down beside Laura who immediately shut over her laptop. "Nothing." She faked a smile.

"You were looking at his twitter again, weren't you?" He asked.

"Yeah." She sadly sighed.

"Why are you even paying any attention to him?" Sterling asked.

"I don't know. He's just acting like nothing happened. How can he just carry on normally?"

"He's an asshole Laura. He may have got you pregnant, but that doesn't mean he has to be this kids dad." Sterling shrugged. "If he wanted to be then he would have done something by now."

Laura looked down. Sterling was right, no matter how much Laura hoped and prayed that Ross would see sense and at least want to be a part of the child's life, it wasn't going to happen.

"Could you.." she paused for a brief moment. "Could you take me to my ultrasound?" She asked. "I mean, you don't have to if you don't want to. And don't feel like you have to It's just.." She was cut off by him.

"Laura. Relax." He chuckled. "Yes. I will take you if you want me too." He smiled.

"Thank you." She threw her arms around him and they hugged. "I didn't know who else to ask, and I just don't want to go alone."

"It's cool."

"Alright. It's been a month and you still haven't told them. You have five minutes before I tell them." Riker stood at the doorway of Ross's room.

"Riker please." He pleaded.

"Please what? I've given you plenty of time. I've let things go on as normal in hope that you would just spit it out, but you haven't. Have you even talked to Laura? Have you even attempted to check on how she is?" Riker asked.

"No.." Ross sighed.

"Bro, step up. Look, I feel for you, I really do, but you can't keep pretending like it never happened. You have to at least try." Riker sympathised.

"I can't Riker! Do you not think the guilt is enough?" Ross responded.

"You don't have to feel guilty! If you just talk to her and come clean to the others."

"I can't." was Ross's only response.

"That's it. Mom, Dad!" Riker shouted as he made his way back down the stairs.

"Riker!" Ross shot up from his bed and chased his older brother to the front room. His parents were sitting there looking rather confused as to what all the commotion was about. "Ross has something to tell you." Riker said folding his arms. Mark and Stormie looked to the younger boy in anticipation. "Well?" Mark asked trying to hurry up the process. "Ross, if you don't tell them I will." Riker said.

Ross gave one final glance to his brother who just nodded. "I.." He began speaking. "I got a girl pregnant."

That night Laura headed home with the soul intention to sleep. As the days went on, she got more and more tired. Maybe it was because she couldn't actually sleep. Everytime she closed her eye's the horrible thought of being a young single parent flashed before her eyes. The thought of going it alone was enough to put anyone off. Of course everyone supported her. She had Raini and Calum, she had Heath and Kevin, she had her parents.. and she had Sterling, but it wasn't the same. She didn't plan on falling in love anytime soon, and no one would ever fall in love with her after this. She knew that she was making the right decision by keeping it, but that in no way meant it would be easy. She dumped her stuff at the side of her door and threw herself on the couch. After a long and calming deep breath she switched on the TV to the sight of her own face.

"Don't forget folks, season five of 'The Ally Way' is back on our screens in two weeks! That's right, Disney's highest rated show is back for what potentially could be it's last season. You guys have been going crazy on our polls telling us what you want to see happen in this sea-"

The man was cut short as Laura turned off the TV sighing to herself. The fans were going to be so disappointed.

"I'm sorry, what?" Mark questioned.

"I.. I'm sorry.." Ross looked down. His parents glanced at each other and then back to their son.

"Who?" His mother asked.

"Laura Marano.." He sighed.

"WHAT?" He looked up to see his very somewhat upset and angry sister.

"Rydel I can explain." He said on the verge of crying.

"You slept with her? With is wrong with you?" Rydel asked.

"Nothing! It's not illegal or anything, it was just a mistake." He said defending himself.

"A mistake? You got her pregnant Ross! And you're calling it a mistake. How long have you known?" She asked.

"A month." Riker said.

"A month? She told you a month ago, why didn't we find out sooner?"

"Because I told her I didn't want anything to do with it…" Ross looked down.

"You can't be my brother." Rydel said looking disgusted.

"Kid's calm down.." Stormie tried to reason with her children.

"That would explain why she hasn't spoken to me in weeks. You make me sick." Rydel shook her head. "You make me sick." She repeated before running off.

"What's going on?" Ryland, the youngest Lynch, had just arrived home to all the shouting.

"I'll tell you later." Mark sighed.

"I better go see if she's okay." Riker shrugged at Ross before running after Rydel.

"You better explain everything from the start mister." Mark said. It was serious.

"Rydel?" Riker asked gently knocking on her room door.

"Go away."

"Come on." He opened the door. "It's just me.." He sat at the edge of the bed that she was lying in. "He's a bit of an asshole right?" Riker laughed but Rydel remained silent. "I know she's your best friend and stuff, but they are both nineteen. It was their decision to make.. and they made it. Yeah, it probably wasn't the smartest choice but what's done is done." Riker shrugged.

"I'm just mad that she told him and he just brushed it off like it was nothing. Why would he just lie?" Rydel asked.

"Cause he's scared. I mean I'm sure they both are. I overheard them talking and he told her he didn't want it.. but I don't believe that. You know he may act like a tough guy, but I'll bet you the guilt will get too much for him to handle." Riker shrugged. "And when it does, he's gonna need support.. so will Laura."

"Why wouldn't she just tell me?" Rydel asked. "I'm her friend.."

"He's your brother, maybe she just thought it was a bad idea."

"I guess." Rydel sighed. Just then there was a knock on her door and Ross's head popped in.

"Can I talk to you?" He asked.

"I'll leave you two alone." Riker said standing up. He gave his sister a quick smile before leaving.

"Rydel I'm sorry.." Ross said closing the door behind him. "We should have been more careful. I should have known better.." He sighed.

"Why her?" Rydel asked sitting up.

"I don't know.. I mean I guess I was." He paused for a second. "I guess I am attracted to her." He shrugged. "She didn't exactly seem to mind anyway." He laughed a little.

"Why were you so horrible to her then?" Rydel asked.

"I honestly don't know.. People will judge and it could be career ending. Things are fine the way they are.. right?" Ross was never one to cry, he was never one to show emotion. Which is why it came as a huge surprise to his sister when the tears began to roll down his face. "I'm scared Rydel…" He admitted. "I'm scared." He repeated through the sobs. "I don't mean to be a total dick, but this was never supposed to happen."

She pulled him close to comfort him. "It will be okay." she whispered.

"Alright you ready to go?" Sterling asked.

"I don't know.. maybe we should just wait till next week or something?"

"Laura.. you've put this off long enough. You are gonna need to face it at some point." Sterling shrugged and sat beside her. "It's just a scan." He said.

"I know." She sighed looking down at the small bump forming. "It's just all becoming so real now.. it's scary."

"Well it would be." Sterling laughed a little. "Have you heard anything from him?"

"No… nothing. Rydel keeps calling me but I can't talk to her right now. I can't just act like it never happened." Laura said.

"Maybe you should just talk to her.. maybe Ross told her?" Sterling asked and Laura stayed silent. "Laura." He took her hand. "You need to face it all at some point, and I'll be there for you. So will Raini and Calum, and everyone else who loves you." He smiled and she smiled back. "If he doesn't want to step up and be a man then that's his choice.. he obviously just doesn't see you like everyone else does, cause you're an amazing girl." He nodded and looked straight into her eyes. "Laura.." his voice was low and almost a whisper as he slowly leaned in. Laura wasn't entirely sure how to react to everything. He was going to kiss her.. should he let him? It would get messy. She had always found him attractive but she wasn't in love with him or anything like that. A million thoughts were running through her mind. She was about to stop him, but she didn't have to. There was a sudden knock at her door.

Laura's eye's immediately went towards the door. "I better get that.." She said.

"Laura, I didn't mean that… I'm sorry I don't know what came over me." He bit his lower lip in the hopes that she would just brush it off. "It's okay.. it's been forgotten." She flashed him a quick smile before opening her door.

"Hi.." The familiar face said smiling a little. Laura glanced back to Sterling and then back to the person in front of her. "Ross… Hi…" she reluctantly smiled back.