Ram's POV
My dad got some promotion to work in the UK. So this was it, I was leaving the country for senior year. You would think I'd be devastated at leaving Westerburg or Kurt or the Heathers but honestly, I couldn't have been happier.
I spent the last few days of junior year just saying goodbye to everyone but something didn't feel right. I hated what I did there. I hated how I would be remembered. And so, I got a bunch of chocolates and wrote little sorry messages. To the nerds, band geeks, just generally unpopular students and lastly Martha Dunnstock.
She had it the worst out of everyone in school. I figured if there was anyone I owed an apology to, it was her. I made sure to do it on the last day of school so that I wouldn't get any questions, then I cut all my ties with Westerburg.
In moving to Liverpool, I would become a new Ram Sweeney. I would completely start over. You see, when you're a popular guy it's easy to get carried away which I'll admit is my fault. But then you end up with a reputation and when it's the same as every other popular guy, trying to change your reputation would result in losing your popularity.
It's weird how if you want to make a difference, you need to have been different from the start. I've seen the way ex-popular people get ripped to shreds and I was never ready to become that. Now that I'll never see Sherwood Ohio ever again, I don't have to worry about that from them.
Moving is nice, especially out of the country. This is because you don't have a reputation yet because no one knows you. Whoever you wanted to be but couldn't be at your old school, you can become that at your new school. Picture this, you have the opportunity to choose a name for yourself with experience of how high school works.
All of those 'What I wish I knew before high school' tips that you come up with, you can use while being completely new and unknown.
As excited as I was, I was also nervous. I was nervous that I would become someone's yes man again, nervous that everyone would hate me or nervous that somehow the past would be back in my life. Still, I hopped on a plane and flew off to the beginning of my new life.
I spent the next few weeks getting accustomed to my surroundings. I figured it would be important to know where school was, where the best hangout spots were and of course where the nearest McDonalds was.
I met my neighbours and most of them were people my dad's age with no kids but one family stuck out to me. This was because there was a beautiful girl who looked around my age who lived there. If I'm being honest, I was kinda scared to meet her, scared that I would act like my old self. They always say that old habits die hard
Still in the weeks leading up to senior year, I would see her going out for walks with a boy who also looked our age. He had bright purple hair. It seemed like they lived together so I assumed he was her brother. They kinda looked alike but maybe that was me hoping that they were brother and sister.
What difference did it make if was not letting myself see her? Someone like her was probably too good for someone like me anyway.
I was excited for what senior year had in store for me. Without a reputation to uphold, I could put more effort into my grades, chose which parties I go to and have a decent dating life maybe even true love.
Now there I was, September 1st 1989, the first day of senior year or year 13 as they call it and I was more excited and nervous than I had ever been. Literally the second I walked in I bumped into someone and just my luck, it's the pretty girl I've been avoiding.
"Hey, I'm sorry I should've watched where I was going."
"No, it's okay. I don't think I've seen you around here."
"Uh, I-Uh I just moved here from America."
"Yeah, I knew that accent was American!" She laughed and that laugh was probably the best thing I've ever heard.
"I'm Ram. Ram Sweeney."
"No way, like Sweeney Todd?"
Who's Sweeney Todd? "What?"
"Oh never mind, I'm just a huge Broadway fan. I'm Y/N. Y/N L/N."
"Well, Y/N, do you mind showing me around?" My plan of avoiding her didn't exactly work so I thought I may as well befriend her. Either that or I was just making excuses.
"Sure thing Sweeney Todd," she said, smirking at me. She showed me around and just my luck, I had first lesson with her. I sat next to her since I knew nobody else. Sure, keep telling yourself that. Shut up!
We actually had a pretty decent conversation. I loved hearing her speak, especially her accent. And I know that everyone around here has that accent but there's something special about her. Yeah, it's because you're in love. Can it!
"So how come you just moved here?"
"My dad got some promotion. We kinda just up and left."
"Huh. Do you miss the US?"
"Not as much as I probably should. I guess I hated who I was there y'know."
"I get it. You're lucky, then. You get to restart. I wish I could restart high school, I'd change so much about it."
What she said got me thinking. I'm lucky I got to just restart like this.
"Y'know Ram, we should like totally hang out. It's Friday, wanna come over after school and watch Sweeney Todd?"
"Yeah we like totally should," I responded mimicking the way she said it.
She then smirked at me. "What's one interesting fact about you?"
"Hmm. The three popular girls at my old high school were all named Heather."
"Really? No way!" That made her laugh that cute laugh of hers again.
"Yup. How about you?"
"I have a twin brother and he's like every girl in this school's number one option. I still don't get it to this day but everyone seems to love the fact that he dyed his hair purple."
"Ah yes purple hair, the way to score all the ladies." We both laughed at that.
So he is her brother, good to know. And why would you need to know that? I said shut up!
I spent the rest of the day with her because she was in all of my classes. I even sat with her and her friends at lunch. It was so nice talking to her because it was the first time in a long time that I could just be myself. I guess I was tired of being the person that everyone thought that I was.
After school, I walked to her house with her. As promised, we were going to watch Sweeney Todd.
"You see that house over there that we just passed? That's my place."
"No way! We're literally neighbours. That means we outta hang out more. I'm glad I met you. You're so chill unlike everyone else here who has a stick up their butt." That smile again made my heart race.
"Well I guess you're technically the first person to actually meet me since I've put up a front for as long as I can remember."
"Well then kind sir, pleasure you be the first." She pretended to tip a hat which made me laugh.
We got inside where it was just the two of us because her parents were working and her brother was at a party. She went to a box to fetch something and came back with a tape that said 'Sweeney Todd 1979 Broadway'
"Oh wow we're actually watching this."
"Yep so make yourself comfortable, this bootleg was hard to find," she responded, chuckling.
When it was finished I was speechless. I just said the first thing that came to mind. "I can't believe I made you think of a serial killer." At that, she broke into hysterical laughter.
"It's not my fault you have a dodgy criminal vibe," she said between laughs.
Y/N's POV
When I said that, I don't know what reaction I was expecting but I sure as hell was not expecting him to look at me with a wide smirk on his face. What, was he actually a serial killer? Maybe he was Sweeney Todd this whole time.
"Oh no Y/N, if anyone's the criminal here it's you." That really confused me but I just kinda played along.
"Oh yeah? What crime did I commit?" He moved a little closer to me and said, "Theft." I was even more confused now.
"And what did I steal?" He now moved so close to me that I could feel his breath.
"My heart," he said just above a whisper but we were so close to each other that I definitely heard it.
We were like that for about two seconds just occasionally glancing at each other's lips before I took initiative and kissed him. The kiss was deep but not heated. I felt like it was the perfect kiss but it only lasted a little while before Ram frantically pulled away.
"What did I just do? Oh my gosh I'm acting like my old self!"
I pulled him into a hug. "Hey, it's okay Ram. I like you. And if you're scared to move too fast it's okay. We don't need to rush anything. I don't want to ruin your restart plans. It's okay Sweeney I get it."
"What did I do to meet someone like you?"
"I know, I'm pretty cool, right?" That made him chuckle a bit.
I kissed him on the cheek and then we went back to my couch. We watched a couple of bad action movies. I heard him say, "I think I can restart with you by my side." I smiled and fell asleep on the couch with him.
A/N: Hope you liked it😆
Q: What's your dream role?
My answer: Eponine or a female Squip.
Toodles😘