Rose with a Thorn

CHAPTER TWO

I made it to my locker without any confrontation.

Did that really just happen? Adrian Montgomery picking me up from my house, walking me into the school, and leaving the second we walk inside. Not a single word to his friends. Not a single word from anyone.

This was by far the weirdest day of my life so far.

I walked into biology seeing all Adrian’s friends sitting in the back corner. I picked a seat as far away from them as possible, opening my book to doodle while I waited.

“Oh Rosie, how was your drive? Adrian must’ve felt such pity for someone as boring and gross as you.”

I had nothing to say to them as I sat here waiting. I mean it couldn’t possibly get any worse anyways. Adrian and his friends have bullied me since my first day of school.

As the bell rang to start the day, I suddenly felt too hot. My face was on fire and my chest felt tight. My vision started to blacken around the corners, and I grabbed hold of the desk, trying to steady myself to calm down before I passed out. I could hear the laughter of the other kids around me, I could hear the teacher calling for my attention.

But I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe. I closed my eyes to let the darkness swallow me.

The next thing I knew I was sitting on a park bench watching Adrian walk toward me with his smug smile on his face. The closer he got to me, the hotter I felt. He went to say something…

And I felt strong arms grip me tight. The room was silent.

“Open your eyes little Rosie.” I heard Adrian whisper right beside my ear. “That’s it. You got it. Open your eyes and look at me.”

As my eyes opened, I realize I was sitting in Adrian’s lap with the whole class staring at us. I didn’t know why, but I turned my face into his chest and took a deep breath, steadying my nerves.

“Okay class, that’s enough. Mr. Montgomery… can you please take Mrs. Shivers to the nurse? Rose, we can catch up after class.”

I nodded my head in Adrian’s chest before I realized what I was doing. Mortified, I tried to push away from him. “Let me go, Adrian. I can stand on my own.”

“Are you sure, little Rosie? You would’ve landed hard on the ground if I didn’t walk in and catch you in time.”

Embarrassed, I quickly unwrapped myself from his arms and left the room. I couldn’t hear him following behind me, but I knew he was there. It was like a flipped switch in my body. I could sense him. Right before I turned around to face him and tell him to leave me alone, I felt his hand slide over my hip.

“That’s enough, Adrian. Stop touching me. You’re making me uncomfortable.” I said, lacking the authority with which I meant it.

I continued walking again. This time I didn’t feel him behind me, but I was too afraid to turn around and look. By the time I made it to the nurse’s office, I could breathe again. Just as I was about to knock, her door swung open.

“Mrs. Shivers… are you alright? Your teacher called to warn me you were on your way down.”

“Honestly, I’m fine now. I just needed to walk it off and breathe. Can I get a note that I was here and go back to class?”

“I’m afraid not, Mrs. Shivers. Your teacher asked that I keep you for the length of your class and to send you home if needed. Why don’t you come in and take a seat?”

Clearly, I had no other choice. I sat down in the chair thinking about what had happened. Adrian was walking towards me in the park? What the heck was that… there was no way I would be caught dead anywhere in public with him again, especially after today.

When the bell rang to signal the move to my second class, I got up and opened the door just to run into someone’s back. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry… I didn’t think someone would be right there.” I said.

As I looked up, there he was. Again. With that same damn smile.

“Adrian…” I said, “What are you doing here?”

“I couldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t at least check on you. Do you want a ride home?”

“No, I’m going to class.”

“No, I think that’s enough for today. Let’s get you home. Excuse me! Yeah, can I take Rose home now? She doesn’t look too great.”

“I’m fine, Adrian. Move so I can get to class.”

“Actually Mrs. Shivers, I think it would be a good idea to excuse you from the rest of your classes today given that you had a panic attack and almost passed out. Mr. Montgomery, please get Mrs. Shivers home and make sure she takes it easy.”

“You heard her… let’s go, Rosie.”

I sighed, knowing the nurse had probably already informed all of my other teachers that I wouldn’t be in class. I walked past Adrian and took a couple steps before I stopped. “What are you up to Adrian? I’m not some toy you can just jerk around and play with whenever you feel like it. I’d rather walk home on my own then get in your car again.”

All he did was look at me, like he was memorizing every detail of my face.

With a huff, he stormed past me yelling over his shoulder. “Get in my car or I’ll put you in it.”

The last thing I was about to do was test him and his patience. I quickly hurried to catch up to him. When I opened the door and stepped out, I didn’t see him anywhere. Oh well, I guess I got what I wanted after all. I was about to walk through the parking lot when I heard Adrian’s voice sounding deep and harsh. “Don’t you dare go near her. She’s mine. MINE!”

I wasn’t sure if he was talking about me, or who he was talking to. But I knew it was time to get out of there.