Chapter 7

- Chapter 7 -

After checking out, they go to the food court and get something to eat.

When they sit down, paparazzi start flooding in and fans start to notice them.

"Guys, paparazzi." Rydel whispers.

Laura groans as she gets up and sits next to Ross. "Let's just hurry up."

They try to quickly eat their food but a fan comes over. "Ohmigod, hi!"

Ross and Laura look up at a young blond teenager. "Hi!" Laura says in a cheery voice.

"Hi," Ross says.

"I am such a HUGE fan! I absolutely love your show!!" She says.

"Aw, thank you! What's your name?" Laura asks her.

"I'm Kimberly. Most people call me Kim." She says, super fast. Um, hello, this was such an epic moment.

"Cute." Laura says.

"And btw, i think you guys look like such a perfect couple." Kim says.

Ross smiles at her. "Thanks, but no, we're not a perfect couple."

"But you are! You both are so awesome and talented! And i love how your voices blend with each other when you sing!"

Laura laughs. "That's so sweet. But, we are definitely not a perfect couple."

"Come on! Have you even fought once!?" Kim asks.

"Every relationship has a handful of arguments once in a while." Laura tells her, not answering her question directly.

"But, you guys can make up. And you're still together!" Kim says.

Ross glances at Laura and looks away. "Yeah... Totally."

Laura looks at him and sighs.

Kim notices the tension between them. "Uh oh, what's happening?"

Laura and Ross both quickly look at her. "What do you mean?" They ask in unison and then glance at each other.

"I mean, this tension! You seem... I don't know... Detached." Kim says, starting to feel heartbroken.

"What!? No!" Ross says. "We aren't detached."

"Yeah! Still together." Laura says, taking Ross's hand and showing Kim their interlocked fingers. "See?"

"Oh, well, i don't know. But, there are sooo many Raura fans out there. They would be devastated if you broke up." Kim says.

"Good thing we're still together." Ross says, feeling like a bunch of lies poking his mouth.

Well, that was the truth.

. . .

The grocery store stop was quick and silent. No one really said anything after the whole thing with Eric.

The intense silence put everybody out of the mood to go to the water park. So, Riker just drove them home.

The car ride was awkward, too. Riker drove silently, Vanessa looked out the window of the passenger side, Rydel was on her phone by the window, Laura was once again, in the middle, and Ross sat next to her on his phone.

A while of awkward silence goes by until Riker unexpectedly swerves a hard left causing Ross to bump into Laura.

Ross steadies himself and sits up. "Riker, seriously, stop!"

Riker looks into the rearview mirror at Ross. "I didn't do it on purpose, this time! There was a freaking deer right there!"

"I'm done with the games!" Ross yells, obviously annoyed.

Vanessa turns around to look at Ross. "Seriously, Ross. There actually was a deer. Calm down."

"Well, then, Riker needs to be a better driver." Ross says.

"Wait, hold on!" Riker says, getting angry. "Let's not talk about my driving, mr. Learner's permit!"

"Yeah, you really didn't need to talk about Riker's driving." Laura says to Ross.

Ross looks at her. "Do you really have to always take sides with everybody who is against me?" He asks her sharply. "I mean, i know you hate me. But, it doesn't mean you have to broadcast it!"

"I never said i hated you!" Laura yells.

"Guys, can we stop the fighting!" Rydel says.

Ross ignores Rydel. "You aren't denying it!" He yells at Laura.

"Do i have to? How much attention are you looking for!?" She yells back at him.

"I'm not looking for any attention!" Ross yells.

"Guys!" Vanessa yells.

Suddenly, Riker isn't paying attention to the road and he speeds up too much because of all the negative energy in the car.

A BMW comes into his lane and Riker swerves, avoiding hitting it.

As he moves into the next lane, a fast convertible in the turning lane, ignores their stop sign. They come in speeding and crashes into their car, sending them spinning into the wrong side of the highway. Two cars hit theirs in the side.

The car accident ends and cars go around them.

"Is everyone okay?" Riker asks.

"Yeah," Vanessa says.

"I guess." Ross says.

"Fine." Laura says.

"I've been better." Rydel says.

They were all conscious but the shattered glass windows cut their skin like paper, the bleeding wasn't too bad. Laura's was the worse. She was cut by the front, back and side windows.

They unbuckle and get out of the car. Laura feels dizzy, the second she steps out because how much blood she's lost so quickly. She doesn't realize the amount she has already lost.

The other victims of the crash get out of their cars and the police and ambulance come.

A guy from another car goes over to Riker. "What's your problem, man!? Learn how to drive!"

Riker gets angry. "It's not my fault! How about you watch the road and you wouldn't have ran into my car!"

"I had a meeting to go to!" The guy shouts. "They need to stop putting little kids out on the roads!"

"I'm not a little kid! I'm in my twenties!" Riker yells.

"Do you know how much money this is gonna cost me!?" The guy yells.

The police separate them and Riker goes back over to Ross, Rydel, Vanessa, and Laura. He sits down on the curb, covering his head with his hands. "I guess, this is my fault."

Vanessa goes over to comfort him. "No, it's not. Don't blame yourself."

Rydel glances at Ross and Laura. She sees Laura starting to sway. "Laura, oh my god. You're bleeding like crazy. Are you okay?"

Ross looks at Laura and sees she is definitely not okay.

Laura couldn't answer because she couldn't hear anything and her vision became blotchy. Her leg muscles started to get weak. Her eyelids shut closed and she falls.

Ross hurries to Laura and catches her before she could come close to the ground.

"We need a paramedic!" Rydel shouts.

The paramedics hear her and bring the stretcher, quickly.

Vanessa and Riker stand up and hurry to Ross who held Laura. "Oh my god! She said she was fine!" Vanessa says.

Ross lifts Laura on to the stretcher. "Okay, let's move!" A paramedic says to another.

As they take Laura away to the hospital, Ross's heart beats intensely, hoping that she was going to be okay.

. . .

The police escort them to the hospital and ask them questions in the waiting room.

"Okay, thank you for your time." The police says to Riker and Vanessa and then walks out of the hospital.

The doctor comes into the waiting room and Rydel, Ross, Vanessa, and Riker perk up in their chairs.

"Okay, Laura will be fine. She just had lost a lot blood from the crash. There was a large piece of glass in her side, making her bleed dangerously. The lack of oxygen in her blood left the brain with out oxygen, causing some tissue cells to fail and her consciousness to cease." The doctor tells them. "Another part of the reason was that she was dehydrated and her brain lacked water. But, other than that, she is fine."

Ross, Rydel, Vanessa, and Riker relax. "Can we see her now?" Vanessa asks.

"Of course." The doctor says and they get up walking to Laura's room. Ross walks behind everyone.

Laura was laying down on her bed. Riker, Vanessa, and Rydel walk over to her. "Laura, you don't know how sorry i am." Riker says.

"It's okay, Riker. I know, it's not your fault." Laura tells him.

"I don't care who's fault it is. I'm just happy your okay." Vanessa says.

"Yeah, me too. Can we see where you were cut?" Rydel says.

Laura tries to sit up, slowly and she cringes in pain.

"Careful." The doctor tells her. "You're going to have some trouble sitting up and maneuvering. Someone should help you get up stairs and such."

Laura looks at Ross and Ross looks back at her, they smirk at each other, slightly. They both knew that Ross was her stairs helper.

Vanessa sees them and taps Riker to look at them. He sends her a questioning look and she shrugs.

Rydel goes over to Laura and she shows her the bandage wrapped around her side. "Geez, was it that big?"

"Yes, but Laura will be able to walk out of the hospital today." The doctor tells them. "So, whenever you're ready, you could go."

"Okay, thank you." Vanessa says and the doctor leaves the room.

"Who's going to help her? Me and Vanessa aren't strong enough to carry you." Rydel says.

"And if Ross sees any of the guys carrying Laura, he'd freak out." Riker says.

Ross gives him a look. "No, i won't." He denies.

Riker raises his eyebrow. "Really?" He questions. "Okay, then. I'll help-." He starts, going over to Laura.

Ross's eyes widen and he hurries over to Laura first. "Actually, i can help her."

Laura raises her eyebrow at him.

Riker smiles and fist-bumbs Vanessa and Rydel. "Boom, nailed it."

Ross takes Laura's hands and helps her off the bed. "You want to get on my back?" Ross asks her.

"Sure." Laura says and Ross turns around. He bends down and Laura gets on his back slowly, careful not to hurt herself anymore than she is.

She gently wraps her arms around his neck and he holds her legs, so she doesn't drop down.

They were so close and Laura closes her eyes, resting her head on Ross's shoulder by his warm neck. His scent was soo familiar. She remembered when she used to get on his back. Laura wouldn't admit it, but she wanted to stay on his back forever.

"Do you feel anything?" Ross asks her.

Laura couldn't tell, she was mesmerized by him. "I'm feeling something. But, it's not pain i'm feeling right now."

Ross smiles and laughs a little, surprised that she said that and seemed to mean it. Laura's eyes widen. Oh god, she had to remember they weren't dating.

Rydel and smiles and keeps in her 'awwww'.

Riker and Vanessas smile at them too. "Rocky is bringing my car around to the front. He's here already." He says to everyone.

Rydel breaks her gaze from Ross and Laura to look at Riker. "That's right! You used Dad's car. Oh my god, he will kill you."

Riker looks to her. "I know. I don't know what I'm going to do."

"We'll think of something, Riker." Vanessa says, reassuringly.

They start walking to the outside of the hospital. "Am i heavy?" Laura asks Ross.

"I already told you last night, you weigh like nothing." He says.

But, the truth was, he was lying. Laura was actually kinda heavy, after a while. But, why would he say that? He wanted Laura to think that he's strong and he wanted her to be on him.

Whoa, that sounded wrong.

Ross rethinks that. He liked Laura close to him. Yeah, sure they were broken up and they argue a lot. But... Who knows? Without Laura, he feels lost.

Having her close to him makes him feel like they were dating again. And that time was the best. Sometimes, he wishes they hadn't broken up.

Ross turns to Riker and realizes he has been staring at him. "Dude," Ross says to him, a little creeped out.

"You WERE doing something with Laura last night. Ha! Gotcha!" Riker exclaims, like he won something.

Ross reddens. "No! We weren't doing anything!" He says, trying to cover up.

"Look! Look! He's blushing! Oh, man! Look at this tomato!" Riker yells, laughing real hard.

Rydel and Vanessa start to laugh and Laura smiles, also blushing. "Oh, look! Laura, too! They're love twins!" Riker says, laughing too hard.

"Keep laughing. I'll wait until you choke." Ross says, walking ahead.

Riker, Rydel and Vanessa laugh their heads off, following behind them.

"Oh, it get's better, Ross. I only have five seats. There will be six of us in the car."

"Oh, no. You aren't going to make us..." Laura says.

"Oh, yeah. You guys are the closest... I mean, you have been dating. I would make Rydel sit on Ratliff. But, he stayed at home."

Rydel blushes. "Rikerrrr!" She yells.

Riker slings his arm over Rydel's shoulder to apologize. "Sorry, sis. But, you two would make a good couple!"

"I know he is on a break with Kelly but it doesn't mean that he gets a whole new girlfriend." Rydel says.

They get to the car and Rocky is leaning against it. "Dad is going to kill you, Riker." He says.

"Oh, we're fine. Thanks for asking." Riker replies, sarcastically and walks around to the driver's seat.

He hesitates and stands at the door, holding the knob as Rocky gets in the passenger's seat. "I don't think i should. I don't want anybody else getting hurt."

"Wait, who's hurt?" Rocky asks.

"Laura." Rydel tells him. She looks to Riker. "Rike, it's not your fault. It was a teensy tiny mistake. Just trust yourself."

Riker considers what Rydel says and sighs. He opens the driver's door and gets in.

Rydel sits in the middle and Vanessa sits on the side. Ross goes over to the other side.

He puts Laura down, softly and gets in. "I'm sorry, Ross." Laura says.

"You're fine." He tells her and she gets into the car sitting on him.

The car ride back was actually pretty awk. Riker was so concentrated on the road. He was filled with so much unease. Ross and Laura were definitely having the time of their lives... Not.

And basically, no one had anything to say.

Riker turns into the Lynch's driveway and parks the car.

Everyone gets out and Laura gets on Ross's back. "Okay, I do want you to get better, Laura. But, i don't want this to end." Rydel gushes.

Ross and Laura both roll their eyes and Ross walks into the house. Ratliff sees them and raises his eyebrow. "Did i miss something?" He asks, questioningly.

"No, just a car accident. She got hurt and can't really walk." Ross replies.

"Ooh, fun. But, this is so adorable." Ratliff says.

"Ugh," Laura says. "You, too?"

"And a bunch of other people. You have to admit, you guys look like a great couple." Ratliff says.

"Whatever." Laura says and Ross walks to the stairs. "Oh, god. Please don't fall."

Ross smirks. "I'm not going to fall, Laur."

Laura pauses. It's been a while since he's called her Laur. For some reason, it was special when he called her Laur.

Ross makes it up the stair and starts walking up to his room. "You okay?" He asks, questioning her sudden silence.

Laura snaps back to reality. "Yeah... Fine."

Ross goes into his room and sets Laura down on Ryland's bed. "Looks like we're on that train again." Laura says, sitting upright.

Ross smiles and sits next to her. "I guess so."

They laugh. "Thanks for volunteering to help me, Ross. I really appreciate it." Laura tells him.

"You're welcome. I'm just glad that you're okay." Ross says.

"I don't think i would be that okay if you didn't catch me when i started to pass out." Laura says, blushing.

Ross smiles at her. "I wouldn't ever let you fall."

Laura looks into his gorgeous maple-colored eyes. "I will fall, but, only if you're there to catch me."

Ross looks into the eyes of the beautiful girl he has known for a long time. "Always."

And there they are, caught up in the moment. Without thinking, they both start leaning in and can't hold back any longer. Their lips touch and their heart beat becomes one. A fast, rapid speed of utter excitement.

But, then, Laura pulls away. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking." She says, trying to control her breathing.

"Yeah, neither was I." Ross says, trying to regain his oxygen.

He gets up. "We aren't telling anybody about this, right?"

"Never." Laura says.

"Good," he starts to the door. "Well, let me know if you need anything. I'm just going to go downstairs for a bit."

"Okay."

Ross is halfway out if the room when he hears Laura call his name. "Ross?"

Ross turns around to look at her. "Yeah?"

"Ratliff was right. I really think we made a good couple." Laura says.

Ross looks at her. "I still think we do."

And with that, Ross walks out the room leaving Laura feel a whole bunch of mixed feelings.

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Wow, guys! It is late! I really was committed on publishing this chapter tonight and bam! I did it!

And this is not the end of the fights... (Js) but i'm holding off on some arguments till later....

Anyways, i hope you guys like it!

And as always... PLEASE VOTE!

- allaboutraura