Second Place
Cat's Out of the Bag
Disclaimer: Do not own anything, except this plot – but you already knew that because of chapter 1 ;)
Pairing: Ross/Laura/Riker
Author's Note: "Loud" by R5
*Laura's final runway outfit can be found on my profile – Check it out!
SP*SP*SP
In her dressing room, Laura was putting on the last touches of her make-up when someone started knocking on her door. Without glancing away from her vanity mirror, applying mascara to pop her eye color, she called out, "Come in!"
"Laura," Riker's voice sounded, and she smiled but didn't turn to face him. "Your turn for the final walk is about to start soon. Neo wanted to make sure you were ready."
She hummed in acknowledgement of his words. "Just about done," she replied. "Are you and the others ready to perform?"
The blonde bassist smiled, leaning causally against the doorframe. "For you? Of course." His chocolate eyes gazed at her outfit, and he whistled appreciatively. "Wow, you look amazing, babe," he praised.
Laura twisted the mascara closed before standing to finally face her boyfriend. She beamed. "Thank you. It's a Betsy Johnson design, and you know how much I love her clothes," she said, hands smoothing over the red fabric of the cutout dress. The light glinted off the Pandora Red Hot Love Bracelet on her wrist. "I just love this bracelet, too. Oh! And the shoes – they're so cute."
To humor her, Riker glanced down at the black strappy heels. He had to admit: they made her legs look longer, if possible. "They're nice," he commented, not knowing what else to say. He was a guy, after all; he didn't know brands that girls went crazy for. "What are they? Also by Betsy Johnson?"
"No," she answered, smiling mock-patronizingly. "They're Jessica Simpson's Emrick Black."
"Okay," he said, clueless as ever. "Anyway, we should be going. The model before you is almost done. Do you have everything you need?"
Laura's expression brightened as she thought of something. "I'm ready, but…" Turning back to her vanity table, she picked up a clear bottle of perfume that had a peach-like colored liquid inside. Squirting some onto her skin in strategic areas, she smiled and replaced the bottle onto the table. "Okay, let's go."
Riker held his hand out for her to take, which she did without a hint of hesitation. He let her lead the way out, the scent of her perfume following behind her petite frame. He sniffed.
"That smells good… And by 'good' I mean expensive."
In a dry voice, she replied, "You have no idea, Riker. No. Idea."
SP*SP*SP
On-stage, Ross and the others adjusted their instruments and made sure everything was in working order, while the current model on the runway was seconds away from finishing her solo-walk. Ross would admit that Laura had her work cut out for her if she wanted the biggest donations, but he and the other members of R5 silently agreed on one thing:
They would do their damndest to make sure her performance was remembered.
It wasn't long before Neo was signaling the band to start the music, and Laura stood on the side, patiently waiting to start her final walk on the runway. The brunette threw Ross a wink, which he returned with an amused smirk.
Adjusting the headset microphone (which they all had to wear), to make sure it caught his voice perfectly, the blonde opened his mouth to sing as the others started playing.
Loud:
"Looking for the one tonight
But I can't see you
Cause I'm blinded by all the lights, ooh
And I can never get it right
I need a breakthrough
Why are you so hard to find? Ooh"
Laura stepped out from backstage, and everyone applauded at seeing her outfit. Smiling and waving, she moved down the runway, her footsteps matching the beat of the music. Swaying a little, she popped her hips in time with Ratliff's drumming.
The audience cheered, with some wolf-whistles thrown in good-naturedly. It made the brunette laugh, but she didn't falter in her steps.
"I've been searching every city
Never giving up
'Til I find my angel
Diamond in the rough
Looking for a signal
Baby turn it up tonight
Come on get loud loud let it out
Shout it out from the rooftops
Come on get loud 'til they shut us down.
Come on get loud loud let it out
Show me everything that you've got
Come on get loud loud I need you now
Baby let me hear it loud"
Ross stared at her, smiling as he continued to sing, along with Rocky and the others. He'd known Laura would look beautiful, but she absolutely took his breath away in that red dress and those heels.
Damn, and he'd thought her first outfit had been sexy. This outfit brought out an inner glow that people didn't normally see, not under these types of lights, anyway. Laura was truly in her element when she wore red, and, now, everyone was getting a chance to see it.
"Na Na Na Na Na Naa
Na Na Na Na Na Naa
Na Na Na Na Na Naa
Looking for the light to shine
To start a fire
Girl I'll be the first in line ooh
And baby when our stars align
We can't get no higher
You just give me a sign"
When she got to the front of the stage area, Laura paused to pose for the cameras rapidly going off. The flashes were blinding, but she was used to looking indirectly at them so that her vision wouldn't be completely impaired as she finished her walk.
Suddenly, the stage lights shut off, plunging the room into total darkness. She smiled.
Now, the real performance could begin.
"Come on get loud loud let it out
Shout it out from the rooftops
Come on get loud 'til they shut us down
Come on get loud loud let it out
Show me everything that you've got
Come on get loud loud I need you now
Baby let me hear it loud
Na Na Na Na Na Naa
Na Na Na Na Na Naa
Na Na Na Na Na Naa"
Riker watched in awe as the flooring under his girlfriend lit up like the Fourth of July, with laser beams of neon color. Strobe lights also added to the special effects of her performance, and it became an instant hit with the crowd.
Overhead, a few strategically placed lights flickered on to highlight Laura, who was grinning at everyone. What made the effects so – well, effective – was that the lights all moved in perfect synch with the music's beat, like it had been planned that way all along.
The blonde bassist had a feeling it had been.
With a grin stretching across his features, he shook his head. His girlfriend could be quite devious when she set her mind onto something. This time, she'd made sure that R5 would perform somewhere that would give them a lot of exposure.
There probably never was a DJ to begin with, and Neo was probably a part of it too. Why wouldn't he be? Laura was his client, after all; he needed to be informed of these types of things ahead of time.
Riker chuckled under his breath. He'd been played by his own girl, and he couldn't even be a little mad or exasperated by it.
No, all he could feel was pure affection and love for her.
"(Na Na Na Na Na Naa
Na Na Na Na Na Naa
Na Na Na Na Na Naa
Looking for the one tonight
Na Na Na Na Na Naa
Na Na Na Na Na Naa
I've been looking for the one tonight)
Come on get loud loud let it out
Shout it out from the rooftops
Come on get loud 'til they shut us down
Come on get loud loud let it out
Show me everything that you've got
Come on get loud loud I need you now
Baby let me hear you loud"
Continuing the path back up the runway, Laura's smile never once left her face. The audience was still going crazy over the little light show she'd arranged, and she couldn't be happier. Things were going exactly as planned, and she had the band members of R5 to thank for that.
She'd have to show them her gratitude somehow, especially Riker since she'd approached him first about the Fashion Show.
Her chocolate eyes drifted until they landed on a certain blonde singer, who also happened to have his eyes on her. A soft smile appeared on her face, and her cheeks heated slightly in embarrassment at getting caught staring.
"Na Na Na Na Na Naa
Na Na Na Na Na Naa
Na Na Na Na Na Naa
Baby let me hear it loud
Na Na Na Na Na Naa
Na Na Na Na Na Naa
Na Na Na Na Na Naa"
She would have to do something special for Ross, too, she thought. Inwardly, she wanted to bite her bottom lip, but knew better than to do that now. Her thoughts darkened with possibilities on just how she could show her 'gratitude' towards him, but the guilt she always felt after the thought almost chocked her.
She loved Riker, yet her heart yearned for Ross? How was that even possible?
How had she allowed her situation to go this far?
"Baby let me hear it loud
Na Na Na Na Na Naa
Na Na Na Na Na Naa
I've been looking for the one tonight."
The song ended right when Laura disappeared backstage, leaving the audience cheering for more. However, she couldn't hear any of it; her ears were ringing with panic, but mostly her heart's thumping in her chest.
She loved Riker with her whole heart, so why did her body crave Ross's touch? It just didn't make sense, but, at the same time, she knew she couldn't live without the other. There… was just no choosing between them, was there? The realization stunned her.
It also brought up the question: Where did that leave her?
SP*SP*SP
After the Charity Fashion Show ended – with Laura raising the most money – congratulations were in order, and Neo treated everyone to a late after-party at a restaurant that was open twenty-four-seven. Laughs were had, conversations were held, and happy memories were formed.
But Laura's previous thoughts stayed and festered.
Her eyes would wander from one blonde to the other, anxiety building and spreading throughout her body. Hands would tremble for no apparent reason, and her smile was sometimes strained. No one seemed to notice, which she was thankful for. It meant no questions were asked, therefore, secrets and troubles were not revealed.
Finally, the party was over and everyone was on their way home. Neo had an appointment in the morning he couldn't afford to miss, and Ratliff stated his intentions of going back to his house. Apparently, his mother missed him, especially after he was gone on tour for three months, and he had plans with Kelly the next day.
It left the remaining members of R5, Ryland, and Laura, to pack themselves into the van they borrowed from Mark and Stormie, along with their instruments. Rydel drove, seeing as how she was the most awake, and Ryland took the passenger's seat.
Laura was in the back with Ross, while Rocky and Riker took the middle bench. It wasn't like the arrangements were unexpected; she had sat next to Ross multiple times before despite her boyfriend being in the same vehicle as her. It wasn't anything new.
What was new was the way Ross held Laura's hand during the entire drive to the Lynch house. It was dark enough that no one would be able to easily see the intimate gesture, but that didn't stop her heart from skipping a beat every time Rocky or Riker turned around to include them into the conversation.
Laura wasn't sure how much more her heart could take. Ever since that night in the tour bus's bathroom, nothing had been the same.
Something was bound to snap at some point. She was sure of it.
But what? And, more importantly, when?
SP*SP*SP
The next day, Laura was left alone with Ross. Mark and Stormie dragged Rydel and Ryland to another charity event they were attending, and Rocky decided to bother Ratliff, despite knowing the drummer was most likely with Kelly. Riker had scenes to shoot for Glee and songs to record with the others. Regardless, everyone would be gone most of the day, which left Laura alone with Ross.
She almost wished she'd made plans, too, but with her work schedule it wasn't possible to have free time. Disney had been offering her roles as a guest star on several of their shows, but so far she'd declined all of them. Writing new music was also time-consuming, as well as modeling and charity events, but Laura really wanted to concentrate on making movies.
Sure, she loved making music, but she suddenly found this need to be in a movie. Maybe, as an actress, this was the type of challenge she needed. Becoming a model had been a stepping stone to this moment in her career, so it wasn't surprising, and it wasn't like her singing career was in jeopardy.
Basically, I'm achieving everything I've set out to do, Laura concluded, checking her mental list, I've gotten my name out there by becoming a model. Disney has pretty much launched my music career. Now, I can focus on my acting one. Right?
"You seem to be deep in thought," a voice suddenly stated, startling the brunette out of her musings.
Laura whipped around to face Ross, who was standing a few feet behind her, his arms casually crossed over his chest. "Ross…"
"Penny for your thoughts?"
"Um," she stammered, cheeks heating with embarrassment, "What are you doing here?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Well, this is the living room," he slowly replied in a duh-tone. "I was hoping to watch some TV, seeing as how you're just staring into space."
"Oh, yes, sorry." Clearly flustered, she moved further down the couch so Ross could sit. "I didn't even realize I was just sitting here." And, so much for avoiding you, let alone trying not to think about you.
And she was so close, too. All she had needed to do was focus on her career choices. But no. The blonde just had to interrupt her thought-process. Curse him. I hope he goes bald for this.
A pout formed on her face as said teen flipped on the television. She didn't even want to look at him right now.
From the corner of his eye, Ross watched the petite brunette have some sort of inner battle with herself. He would've chuckled at the faces she was unknowingly making, but thought better of it.
"So, do you wanna talk about it?" he offered, as a sort of peace offering (though he was sure he didn't do anything wrong).
Laura didn't glance away from the wall she was staring holes into. "Talk about what?" A semi-petulant tone entered her voice but that couldn't be helped. She was too busy coming up with the perfect way to dye his hair an obnoxious green.
He smirked, amused. Forgetting about the television, he easily picked up the brunette and sat her sideways in his lap. He ignored the adorable squeak she released from the sudden movement, and wrapped his arms around her waist to secure her.
"Now, what's on that pretty little mind of yours?"
Her hands automatically came up, lightly pushing him away, but she knew it wouldn't do any good. Instead, she sighed as she deflated in defeat. There was no point in refusing to answer him; he'd keep pestering her, like a dog with a bone, until he got what he wanted.
"I-uh." Why was this so hard? "I don't want–" Come on, Marano, say it! She swallowed thickly before looking up, chocolate connecting with chocolate. "I don't want to keep–" Her voice faltered. Don't be an idiot. You can do this! "I-Ross… I don't–"
Ross continued to stare at Laura, knowing what she was trying to say. He expected it, after all. He hadn't fully won her heart yet, so, of course, she would want to end things (again). She loved Riker, and cheating on him the way she was had to have been eating away at her. Ross understood.
It wasn't like he wanted to hurt his brother, let alone his best friend. He didn't choose to fall in love with Laura, it just happened, and he didn't want that to change.
No matter what he had to do.
His love for her was just one of those mysteries of the universe, one he wasn't willing to give up. Ever. It just wasn't in him to do it.
So, with that thought in mind, Ross leaned down and captured her lips with his own. It was in broad daylight, they were completely exposed if someone decided to come home and see them in the living room, and…
Ross didn't care.
SP*SP*SP
Rocky sighed as he dug his keys out of his pocket. He'd gone to Ratliff's house in hopes of getting R5's drummer to play some video games with him, because seriously, Rocky swore Ross cheated every single time they played. Every. Single. Time. That was the only explanation as to why he lost as often as he did.
But, alas, Ratliff was too busy sucking face with Kelly to give Rocky any sort of attention. It was fine, though. Rocky understood. The couple hadn't been together since the West Coast Tour, and Rocky was able to kill a couple of hours before dragging his butt back home.
Opening the door, the brunette didn't bother to call out his usual greeting of, 'Hey, the king is home! Rejoice, minions!' Instead, he quietly closed the door and shrugged off his jacket. What was the point, anyway? Only Laura and Ross were home, and it sounded like one or both were watching TV.
Rocky brushed his bangs out of his face as he made his way towards the living room. Maybe he should ask his mom to trim his hair? It was getting a little too long to handle, and he didn't want his guitar-playing to be affected if his hair decided to get in–
His inner musings came to an abrupt halt, and his jaw dropped, eyes bulging in shock.
What. The. Fuck?
Ross and Laura were making out on the couch, the television completely forgotten. His hands were either tangled in her hair, holding her in place, or wrapped around her waist to keep her securely on his lap.
I repeat: What. The. Fuck?
Finally, Rocky exploded.
"What the fuck is going on here?"
Until*Next*Time
Can anyone guess what's going to happen next? Should Ross and Laura expose their secret affair? Or, will more lies be told? ;) Find out in the next chapter!
Thank you for reading! Please, pretty please leave a review at the bottom (:
~babydoll92