Foxfire and Rose Briars: A Rose's Thorns

Chapter 9, Invitation

Rosaleen's PoV

I laid in bed staring at the ceiling. It was dark out completely and no sounds throughout the dorm could be heard. I moved my injured shoulder slightly, not in any sort of pain.

I jumped slightly hearing my phone go off on my side table, my eyes shooting to the glowing screen and I picked up the device. Looking at the glossy screen.

Alan- I assume you ate, and are now resting. Come see me in the morning so we can sign the case and hand it into your Vice-Captain. I will have you sign mine.

My eyes stared at the message and I hummed in thought, my hand shaking slightly as I bit my lip in thought and typed out a message.

Me- Yes, Sho actually made me something. I am now laying in bed struggling to sleep.

I hit send not really understanding why I said that, but I shrugged and laid back. Playing with my fingers not really expecting a message back, I rolled onto my right side resting my arm under the pillow.

*Dream*

I opened my eyes, the dark of the cellar back and I let out a gasp of fear as I sat up quickly. Scrambling around in fear as I looked around in fear, my eyes searching for an escape.

My eyes snapped to a figure in the corner of my vision, the glowing yellow eyes of the dragon glowed angrily as they moved ever so closer.

“L-Leave me alone!” I screamed trying to inch away, something wrapped around my ankle. I looked down, seeing the tendril of darkness and I yanked on my leg trying to shake it off.

“No!” I yelled finally breaking free.

*End*

I landed on my back on the hardwood floor, gasping awake. I shot straight up and flicked on the light. I was shaking my hands uncontrollable, eyes wide as I sat on my bed.

I glanced over at my phone. It was late into the night early morning, but I noticed a few notifications and I bit my cheek as I opened the chat window seeing a few new texts.

Luca- Are you okay? I hear noises from your dorm.

Luca- Rose, open the door.

I instantly stood up and went to the door, opening it ajar to see Luca standing there, his tired violet eyes glinting in the lamp light.

“Rose, you okay?” He asked, his voice hushed as I welcomed him in, stepping away from the door my hands still shaking from the nightmare.

“Rose?” He repeated and I sat down, my eyes moving to him as I rocked slightly tryin to stop the anxiety I was feeling. Luca sitting next to me and wrapping his arm around my shoulders in a hug, I didn’t move or flinch as I had no idea what to do.

“Just… A nightmare… From my first mission…” I said softly and he looked at me shocked and I bit my cheek.

“Your first mission?!” He said eyes wide, I nodded softly as I breathed out softly, the anxiety easing away.

“What happened?” He asked and I grimaced and explained what happened on the mission, and Luca listened quietly, his eyes searching my features.

“Holy. So it’s just a nightmare.” I nodded softly and he sighed softly and hugged me a little tighter as he hummed, his hand rubbing my arm gently and he moved away and stood.

“If you have any more, let me know. I have to get back to my mission tomorrow. Sleep well Rose.” Luca said, patting my head gently. I nodded softly, my eyes going back to my phone knowing there was another message on it.

“Goodnight Rose.” Luca said as he left through the door, I sat on the bed still shaking slightly as I opened the message window.

Alan- I am sorry it took so long to get to you Flower. I feel responsible for you being injured on the mission, I put you in danger. I shouldn’t have.

I smiled softly at the message, and started typing back.

Me- Alan, it was what had to happen to find the anomaly, and it worked. Me being injured was my own fault.

I hit send and sat on my bed, my hands running over my face as I sighed gently trying to relax as I sighed.

I let out a soft breath as I tried to relax my body, my eyes tired and my shoulder aching slightly.

I laid back down, not covered by a blanket as I sighed relaxing into the pillow falling asleep again. Not dreaming about anything this time.

I shot awake, feeling the sun on my face as I blew a strand of fiery orange hair out of my face as I sat up, rubbing my eyes as I grumbled sofly.

Voices could be heard outside my room, I grumbled as a soft knock was heard on my side and I muttered softly.

“Flower? Are you there?” I heard his voice and I was instantly awake, my eyes flicking around my room and I walked over to the door. Creaking it open looking up, meeting his deep pine forest eyes.

“There she is.” Tohma’s irritating voice quipped and my eyes flicked to him and I rolled my eyes, letting out an irritated mumble.

“Leave me alone Tohma, this is my safe place. I don't need your irritating presence ruining my morning.” I snarled and I heard a deep chuckle from Alan.

“Quite the celeb.” He chuckled and Tohma laughed dryly walking away, my eyes narrowed as I sat down looking towards the door, Alan had stepped inside. Leaving Tohma outside and I glared at the monocle jerk from where I sat.

“When you didn’t answer your phone, I was worried about you. Did you not sleep well?” He asked me, I nodded slightly my palms on my eyes.

“Nightmare.” Was all I said and he hummed softly, his eyes watching me as I motioned to the desk chair his eyes flicked to where I motioned and he sat down.

“What can I do ya for?” I asked, looking at him, confused my eyes watching him now.

“We need to sign the reports.” I nodded softly, my eyes widened in shock that I realized I should know what he came here for, I clutched my forehead slightly, the exhaustion getting to me as I grumbled.

“Sorry, I completely forgot about that.” I mumbled and he chuckled.

“It’s no problem, Flower, don’t feel bad.” He said softly, my eyes snapping to him.

“It’s Rose or Rosaleen.” I said my voice calm and I could hear the grin in his hum as I shook my head, slightly annoyed as I stood straight.

“Well. Too bad.” He said softly, the blush crawled up my neck as I bit my lip, recomposing myself. I leaned over his report and signed it with my delicate writing, he smiled softly as I threw my report on the table.

“You have neat writing.” He complimented and I nodded softly in thanks, as he signed my report and I leaned back leaning on the wall opposite of my bed.

“What was your nightmare about?” He asked not looking up as he organized the file in his hand, my hands shook gently as I cleared my throat.

“The uh… Dragon… I was back in the cellar…” I said, my voice shaking slightly but I kept my face neutral as I looked at him quietly.

He nodded softly, looking at me with an unreadable emotion in his eyes as we just stared at each other. I didn’t stand down, my eyes stared back at him not wanting to stand down, he smirked not wanting to either but I grimaced and gave in looking away.

“I need to take this to Tohma now…” I trailed off, report now in hand as I made my way to leave his hand wrapped around my wrist stopping me.

“Yes Alan?” I hummed turning my head to the side, and he smiled slightly as he stared at me.

“If you have another nightmare, call me.” He said his voice soft and I stared at him, mouth parting slightly as I nodded softly my dark eyes staring at him again as he let go.

“See you around, Flower~” He said as he stood, teasing me and I shook my head softly, chuckling slightly.

“It’s Rose.” I corrected it, again.

“That’s too bad.” I heard his voice say into my right ear, making me stiff in shock, turning my head slightly, I could feel his heat on my body, my mouth parting slightly as I moved away from him. Turning to look at him.

“Uh… Alan…?” I squeaked my voice shaking slightly, he chuckled softly not moving any closer as he leaned just slightly more.

“What’s wrong, Flower? Do I make you nervous?” He asked, I swallowed slightly, eyes wide staring up at him.

“N-No…” I squeaked softly, my breathing shaky as I looked at him, my eyes searching his face for what he was thinking. I took a few steps back, my eyes widening slightly as he closed the distance, trapping me against the door with his arms.

“Alan?” I said again and he hummed in response, reaching over and grabbing my shoulder. When I didn’t flinch he smiled slightly and nodded.

“Good, you’re healed, now. I am going to go.” He said as I stepped to the side, letting him out as I watched him leave. My heart was racing from what he just did.

I walked through the Frostheim halls, my blush was now back down as I had to recompose myself before I walked around in public, my hands were shaking slightly as I looked around confused.

“Tohma!” I called out not wanting to talk to him, I couldn’t find him but I huffed looking around. I grumbled as I looked around, my hands shifting slightly as I turned around finding him standing behind me.

“You’re a pain in my ass.” I said and he chuckled sharply in amusement, and I glared up at him, my jaw clenching unhappily.

“There is a party tonight for Mr. Fuji, Mr. Errant, and Cara for their first mission.” He said, eyes watching me, eyes narrowed.

“You’re invited, you’re more than welcome to invite anyone you want~” He teased and I glared at him, my eyes narrowing as I flipped him off openly, my eyes glaring.