Unseen Echoes

Chapter10 : In the Rain Silence

Rose now knew that Jack probably didn't like her. She decided that she did not want to try to impress him anymore.

She made many changes to her life. She moved her seat in class so she wouldn't be near him. She stopped going to the library at the time Jack usually went there. When she sat in the canteen, she sat in a way that she didn't have to face him. She even changed the paths she walked on campus so she wouldn't have

One evening, the university garden was very quiet and peaceful. Lily and Rose were sitting on a bench. Lily looked closely at Rose, who was lost in her own thoughts.

"Rose, why are you so quiet these days?" Lily asked softly.

Rose looked up and said, "No, I am fine. There is nothing wrong."

Lily held Rose’s hand and said, "I know everything, Rose. You are my friend, and I can see how much you have changed. This is all because of Jack, right? But why are you quiet even with us?"

Rose’s eyes filled with tears. "Lily, to be honest, I don't understand myself anymore. I cannot control my own heart. Tell me, what should I do?"

Lily tried to comfort her. "I know this time is very hard for you. But look, you are already learning how to control your feelings."

Rose shook her head. "No, I am not. To tell the truth, I am still doing the same thing. Before, I was trying to get close to him, and now I am trying to run away from him. I am the only one making all the effort. He does not care at all—not before, and not now."

Lily hugged her friend. "My dear, you are very brave. One day, you will find someone who truly loves you and cares for you."

Rose started to cry. "No, Lily, I don't want anyone. My heart is so tired and broken. I don't want to make any more effort for anyone."

Lily gave her a tissue. "Don't cry, my friend. You know you are a strong and brave girl."

Rose wiped her eyes and nodded, "Yes, I am."

Just then, Will walked over. "What’s up, guys! Look at the weather today—it’s so beautiful. Let’s go for a walk!"

The weather was lovely, and there was a cool breeze. The three of them walked in the garden. Soon, Thomas joined them because his class had ended.

"Hey guys! How are you?" Thomas asked.

"We are fine," Lily said. "We haven't seen you in a long time."

"I was a bit busy," Thomas said. Then he turned to Rose, "How are you, Rose?"

"I am fine," Rose replied.

Thomas added, "Can you suggest a good book? I went to the library, but I couldn't find anything."

"Sure," Rose said with a small smile. "I will tell you later."

They were busy talking, but a little way off, Jack was standing and watching them. He looked at them and then looked away, as if he did not know what to do.

Suddenly, it started to rain. Everyone ran to find shelter. Thomas took Rose’s hand and asked, "Rose, do you want to enjoy the rain with me? It is so much fun!"

Before she could say anything, Thomas pulled her into the rain. They started dancing and laughing together. Rose smiled and said, "We look just like little children!"

Thomas laughed, "Yes, but it is so much fun!"

Lily and Will were standing under the shelter, cheering for them. But Jack was also standing nearby with Nancy and Harry. He was watching Rose and Thomas. When he saw them dancing and laughing together, he got very angry. He could not stand seeing them so close.

Jack quickly walked through the rain and went straight to Rose. He grabbed her hand and said, "Come with me! You will catch a cold."

Thomas held her other hand and shouted, "What are you doing? Let her go!"

Jack didn't listen to him. He looked at Rose and said, "Are you coming with me or not?"

Rose pulled her hand away from Jack. She was very angry. She shouted, "Who are you to tell me what to do? You cannot decide whether I should go with you or not!"

The whole campus went quiet. Every student was watching them. Everyone was shocked to see Rose standing up to Jack.

Rose was very angry. She pulled her hand away and said, "How dare you touch me? What does it matter to you what I do or who I am with? Just leave! I don't want to see you."

Rose was upset because she had worked so hard to change herself and move on. She felt like Jack was ruining all her hard work in just one second. She shouted again, "Did you hear me? Just go away!"

The whole campus was watching them. Everyone was staring at Jack to see what he would do. Jack looked around at all the students and then suddenly moved very close to Rose. He put his hand behind her neck and kissed her.

The whole place went silent. Rose was shocked; her heart started beating very fast, and she closed her eyes. Everyone around them was frozen in shock, and Thomas just stood there, watching in disbelief. After the kiss, Jack turned around and walked away quickly through the rain without saying a word. He left everyone standing there in complete silence.

Rose stood still, watching Jack walk away. She was completely confused. Her heart was still beating very fast, and she was trying to understand what had just happened. Was it real? Did Jack really just do that?

The whole university was silent. The only sound was the rain hitting the ground. Everyone—students, Lily, Will, and even Thomas—was staring at Rose. Some people were whispering to each other, some were covering their mouths in shock, and others just looked completely stunned.

Rose felt like hundreds of eyes were watching her. She touched the spot on her neck where Jack had held her a moment ago. She didn't feel angry or happy; she just felt empty and confused. She didn't know what to do—should she run away, or should she just stay there?

Thomas looked very angry and hurt, and he walked away quickly. Lily and Will ran to Rose’s side, their faces full of shock. Rose looked down at the ground. She knew that the entire university was now talking about what had happened between her and Jack. She realized that her life would never be the same again.