The Beginning to an end

Chapter Three:

Rose POV

By the time I got back to my house, it was almost 6:30am. Since I was basically speeding when heading to the gym I thought why not speed back to the house? Hey; no cops so why not right? I’m a terrible person when it comes to driving what’s considered the “right way”, but I like to get to the places I need to on time; so sue me. 

I parked in my usual spot in front of the house and walked in. The first thing that got my attention was the smell of coffee which means that my parents are awake. They got home late last night but I haven’t told Phoebe or anyone yet. I went to my room and into the shower. I stepped inside, letting the hot water wake up my tired body. I grabbed my Strawberries & Cream shampoo and lathered up my hair before rinsing it out and doing the same with my conditioner. As I was rubbing the conditioner into my roots, my earlier conversation (if you could even call it that) with Drake came into my mind. The nerve of that asshole!! I hate guys that degrade girls like that; thinking that they are all objects and can be used and then thrown away like nothing. Ugh it’s pissing my off all over again just thinking about it! I rinsed out the conditioner and used my favorite cocoa butter and shea body wash. After I was done with that and shaving, I stepped out of the shower and dried myself off. 

I walked out and into to my attached walk-in closet; crossing over to the section where I keep my underwear and bras. After pulling on a baby blue set, I started to decide if I wanted to dress up or not; I mean not like anyone is going to see my choice anyways since I’ll be wearing my oversized sweatshirt over it. I chose to go with a loose white shirt with blue skinny jeans and paired the outfit with a pair of brown booties. I stood in front of my floor-length mirror and looked over my outfit; it looked cute which makes it a shame that it’s going to end getting covered up. I walked back into the bathroom and gathered my hair into a loose ponytail and applied some clear lip gloss. After I was done, I walked out and over to my desk, gathering my textbooks, notebooks and my pencil case and putting them in my backpack before looking at my phone to see it was 7:10am then put my phone in my backpack. I still had to get mine and Phoebe’s coffee. I groaned; don’t get me wrong, I love coffee but with running into Drake this morning, my only goal right now is avoiding him from now on and getting Fee her coffee.

I grabbed my keys, got in my car and started driving to Dutch Bros which of course had both lanes full of cars so I ended up parking and walking up to the window. I was halfway across the parking lot when I realized that I left my jacket in my car and everyone could see my face. I sighed but kept going; not like I can do anything about it now. As far as I’m concerned, no-one has seen me without my jacket besides my parents, my uncle, Phoebe and her family and now Drake Stokes. Oh well, who cares. 

“Hey there. Oh hi Rose!! What can I get for you? Are you getting your regular order?” I was greeted by one of my favorite barista’s at the window. I couldn’t help but smile at her. 

“Hey Jaz. Yeah, let’s get Phoebe’s Stop Light Green Tea.”

“Iced right?”

“Yep. If Fee was here she would say ‘Damn right iced girl!! Gotta have someway to keep myself awake during hell!’“ we both laughed at how true that really was.

“Ok so Stop Light for Phoeb’s. Are you getting your regular or mixing it up this time?”

“Nah. I’ll get my regular. I’m too tired to try to decide on a different one.”

“Ok. One Aquaberry Rebel. Anything else girl?”

“Ummm yeah let me get a Lemon, Hazelnut, White Chocolate Frost too.”

“Ohhh so you are switching it up a bit today, aren’t ya? All large right?” I giggled and handed over my card.

“Sorta. The last one is for my history teacher. I’m going to try to bribe her with Dutch so she will move my seat to the back instead of in the middle of the room.”

“Ah bribery.. I remember my high schools days when I did the same thing… Even though it was only a few years ago” we laughed again as she handed my card back to me and went to make the drinks as I signed the receipt and added a $10 tip. I moved to the side a little and leaned against the building, closing my eyes as I tilted my head up a bit; enjoying the light breeze blowing around me. I could hear people whispering in their cars and I want to know why people can’t at least roll up their windows before talking about someone where the can hear them. 

“Here you go, girl. Better get them to Phoebe and your teacher. We both know how cranky Fee gets when she doesn’t get her Dutch.” she handed me the drink carrier. 

“Thanks, girl. See you tomorrow.”

“Looking forward to it, babe.” she waved and went to work on the other drink orders coming in.

  By the time I got to the school with the drinks, it was 7:40am. I had 20 minutes to put my stuff in my locker, grab what I needed for my first period and get to said period before I was late. I grabbed the drink carrier, my bag and turned off my car; getting out and locking it before making my way to the school entrance. The problem is that between me and the entrance is the popular crowd, you know the kinds; basketball players, cheerleaders, baseball players, etc. I sighed and made sure my hood was pulled up and covering my face. I started walking again and was about to pass them when I heard the nasally voice of the b***h of Angel Crest High. Kelsey Shepherd: like I said, she’s the reigning b***h at the school; with her best friend, Trista Bryd, a close second.

“Oh look everyone!! The ugly loner has finally arrived.” I groaned and kept walking but was pulled back by a hand on my arm; luckily it was the one that was holding my bag and not the drinks.

“I’m talking to you, b***h! It’s common manners to talk to the person speaking to you.” I laughed and shook my head before pulling my arm free and bending over to pick up my bag; that was a bad idea because a second later I was pushed onto the ground but I caught the drinks just before they could spill or fall. I went to push myself off but couldn’t because someone was keeping me down; this b***h was pushing her foot onto my back so that I couldn’t get up. Granted I could just push her off but I didn’t have the energy to. 

“Knock it off, Kelsey! What are you? 5 years-old?” I blinked when I heard the voice; no f*****g way.. Then Kelsey’s foot was gone and I tried to stand up again; but then a pair of strong hands held onto my arms and pulled me up.

“Hello gorgeous. Miss me?” Drake whispered in my ear. I shivered as his breath tickled against my ear and neck as I tried to back away a little but didn’t get very far since he was still holding onto my arms. The drinks were the only separating us from another close encounter.

“What the hell, Drake!? Why are you helping this loser?! Let her go. Now!!” I groaned quietly, god she is so annoying. School hasn’t even started yet and I can already feel a headache coming. I felt Drake’s hands on my arms twitch and realized that he heard me groan; great. Sorry not sorry.  

“And if I don’t? What are you going to do? Hmm? If you think you can make me, I would love to see you try, it would be a really good laugh.” I smiled but then shook my head lightly, Drake noticed and moved his hands so they were holding onto my wrists lightly and brushed his thumbs over the inside of my wrists in what I think to be a comfortable gesture.

“Well… I… Why are you suddenly so interested in helping people? This b***h isn’t worth your time and attention. Come on baby, let go of that ugly loser and come back over to me.” I scoffed and felt like I was going to barf. 

“Do you ever think before you speak or is your brain too messed up from breathing in too much perfume over the years?” Drake applied a little pressure to my wrists, not enough to hurt per say but enough to get my attention; it didn’t stop me from speaking my mind though. “Because I think its the latter, personally.” I heard someone snicker but I don’t know from who in the crowd that’s forming. 

“What did you just say to me, loser?”

“You heard me. Unless your ears don’t work either from you blasting your music everywhere you go. But back to the question at hand. Are you going to answer it or throw a temper tantrum like you always do when someone isn’t bothered by your stupid ‘need to be the center of attention’ s**t?” I heard some people gasped, some people laugh but the main one that caught my attention was Drake’s; I could feel his body shaking like he was trying not to laugh and I smirked at the thought.

“You b***h!! How dare you talk to me like that!!” I’m not even looking at her but if I was, I’m pretty sure I would see smoke blowing out of her ears like the people you see in cartoons. I could hear her heels on the pavement as she started to make her way to me. I listened and waited until she got close before pushing Drake away from me, breaking his grip on my wrists and on me so I could side-step Kelsey.

I kept my head down and waited. From underneath the hood of my jacket, I could see her shoes and jeez, I’m starting to think she really is crazy. Who would voluntarily wear heels to a school that has 4 flights of stairs? Crazy people that’s who. I internally laughed at that thought, my shoulders shaking softly. I tried not to show it but I’ve never been one to keep my mouth shut or to hide my facial expressions; it’s just that most of the time no one can see them because of said hood that I wear everyday at school and I’m rarely hanging out in public so yeah. 

“I’m so going to end you!!” god I don’t know why but I’m starting to feel bad for her parents and my eardrums . Knowing her, she probably screams like that whenever she wants something and or doesn’t get what she wants; oh well it’s their fault I guess. I pulled out my phone and saw that I had a couple of messages from Phoebe but what caught my attention was the time; 7:55am. Well s**t. I sighed and made sure my backpack was secured on my shoulder before turning around and walking to the school.

“And I’m so done with this.” I said making fun of her preppy lingo. “As much fun as it is to listen to you try to walk in your hooker heels, I’ve got stuff to deliver and classes to attend. Someone of us have stuff to do after school and don’t have the luxury of being a slut at all hours of the day like some people. I would say that it’s been fun but I was taught that it’s not nice to lie.” More laughs and more gasps met my ears but I didn’t give a flying f**k anymore; or ever did to be honest. By now I was almost to the main entrance of the building and was about to open the door when a hand beat me to it. I was about to thank them when I was cut off by Trista yelling at me. 

“Yeah walk away loser. Everyone knows that's what you are and what you will always be; a loser. Or maybe loner outcast is a better term for you? Nah I think freak fits you perfectly.” I could hear them laughing and it was taking all of my self-restraint to not turn back around and beat both of their ass’. I took a deep breath and turned around but at that moment, the wind decided to pick up; making it strong enough to blow my hood of my head. I was quick to keep it in place with one hand as my other kept a tight grip on the drink carrier. 

“At least I don’t have to buy my friends or complain to my parents when people are being bitches and assholes to me. Unlike you, I fight my own battles head on instead of resulting to calling said parents to take care of it for me. You’re pathetic is what you are, Kelsey and you as well Trista.”

With that being said, I turned back around and saw the door was still being held open for me. I didn’t hesitate to say ‘thank you’ and make a beeline for my locker. I put everything in my locker before taking out all the note books, textbooks and pencil case I would need til lunch. I was almost to my first period when I felt an arm being slid through mine. I didn’t even have to look to know who it was; her fruity perfume gave her away instantly. 

“Hey, Fee. Sorry I’m late but here’s your drink.” I detangled my arm from hers and pulled her drink from the carrier. I didn’t even get the chance to move my hand before the drink was snatched from it. I looked over and saw my crazy best friend taking big gulps of it and letting a soft moan escape as she stopped to take a breath and swallow; looking at her I couldn’t help but laugh. She looked like a chipmunk who had stuffed too many nuts in its mouth. She glared at me and swallowed before talking; smart move. She had this problem with speaking before swallowing anything she takes a bite or drink of; it’s hilarious but disgusting at the same time.

“It’s about damn time, girl!! I was starting to think that you were ditching so you wouldn’t have to get Dutch but I guess that wasn’t the case from the whispers I’m hearing.” I couldn’t help the frown that made its way onto my face; I hate people because they don’t know how to keep their noses out of other people’s business. 

“I have a feeling that I won’t need you to tell me whatever the so called rumors are because I already know what they are.” Phoebe and I spent the last few minutes before the bell rang chatting about what rumors were going around; well Phoebe chatted, I listened.