The Beginning to an end

Chapter Eight:

Drake POV

I felt Rose’s hand twitch and looked down at her. She looked pale and exhausted, and now I know the reason why. Having a psycho ex trying to kill you, having to work two to three jobs because your parents would rather go around the world then be home and spend time with you, and get great grades in school to go to a college away from said parents; and I thought I had it rough… I was wrong. I saw Rose open her eyes and shut them quickly. I leaned down so I could block the lights from her eyes. I watched as she slowly opened them again and looked up into mine. I’m not kidding when I said I could get lost in her eyes. I heard someone clear their throat and we both looked at everybody staring at us. I felt Rose tap my hand with one of her fingers, I looked at her and she moved her head in a way telling me to move. I sat up and helped her up, having her sit next to me; I never let her hand go and it was currently wrapped around her waist, holding her hand.

“Sorry Ang. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

“It’s ok, Rose. Are you feeling better after getting a bit of sleep?”

“Yes I am. Am I all stitched up? Can I go?” she turned her head and looked at the clock before looking back everyone.

“Rose, you make it sound like getting beaten up and a concussion are like falling off your bike and getting a small scratch.”

“Well… aren’t they technically the same thing? What? What did I say?”

“Rose…”

“Tia.”

“You’re insane...”

“Thank you.” I looked at her and she had a smile on her face. “You still love me anyway.”

“Sadly.” 

“Rude.” I tensed when she put her hand on my thigh as she she slowly got up. I quickly stood up and made sure to stay close in case she fell or anything. 

“Sorry for suddenly touching your leg, Drake.”

“Oh. Uh. It’s ok..” she squeezed my hand that was still holding hers before letting go, walking over to a cabinet and pulling out a blanket. She walked over to where Kelsey was still passed out on the other bed; I’m surprised she’s still out cold. She laid the blanket over Kelsey before leaning down. She was inspecting her face before she got up. I could’ve sworn she said something to her but I’m not sure. She turned back to us; her face was still pale but not that much. Her lip was swollen and she was holding her side as she moved.

“As always Ang, thanks.”

“I mean this with love and everything Rose but… let’s not keep making this a habit. Deal?” everyone laughed as Rose walked over and shook the nurses hand.

“Deal.”

“Good. Now get out; I have to get rid of everything used and put away everything.”

Rose walked over to Phoebe who was standing next to me. I saw Ms. S and the nurses face pale when they finally got a good look at Rose’s back. Phoebe helped Rose put her shirt back on, making sure to avoid touching her back and face.

“Thanks again, Ang. I’ll see you later.” she grabbed her bag from one the chairs by the door and walked out, leaving us all in awkward silence. I heard someone sigh and saw it was Ms. S.

“Why won’t she let us help her?”

“She’s been taking care of herself for so long that she doesn’t know how to ask for help from other people, Tia.” 

“I still wish she would.” I’m used to being and handling everything on my own but thinking about Rose having to go through the same thing made my heart hurt. I looked over at Kelsey and saw that she was wide awake. I looked over at the guys and nodded my head in her direction. When they saw that she was awake, Alex went over to Phoebe and grabbed her hand while Justin went over and brought her bag to him. 

“Well, if you ladies don’t mind, we’re all going to leave you two alone.”

“Wait. What? Why?” he leaned down and whispered something in her ear before she nodded and said bye to the nurse and Ms. S. I looked at Kelsey one more time before walking out where the guys and Phoebe were waiting. 

“Do you think Kelsey was awake when Phoeb’s here was telling us about Rose? What if she tries to use the story as blackmail or something?

“We’ll make sure that doesn’t happen and that she doesn’t try anything from now on.”

“Damn right! That fish face isn’t getting anywhere near Rose ever again! In fact, let me go talk to her for a bit.” The guys and I laughed before Alex grabbed her as she was about to run off back towards the infirmary.

“Easy killer. We can’t go after her just yet.” Justin and I stepped back a bit at the angry look in her eyes as she spun around to face Alex.

“Why not!? She hurt my best friend more than once! Why can’t I go have a friendly conversation with the b***h that may or may not end with my fist connecting with her face?”

“She’s already going to have a wicked bruise on her face from Rose punching her.”

“Yeah well…. She should’ve given her more than a small bruise.”

“I’ll keep that in mind for the next time Kelsey and I come to blows, Phoebe.” I looked behind Phoebe and saw Rose leaning against the wall. I walked over to her and leaned down so she didn’t have to look up at me and give herself a bigger headache that she probably already has.

“Are you ok? And don’t give me any of that ‘I’m fine so don’t worry about me’ s**t you were about to.” she stared at me for a few seconds.

“I’m fine. You don’t have to worry about me.” I heard the guys trying to not laugh as Phoebe walked over to us. 

“Are you really ok, Rose?”

“I’m fine, Fee. Promise.” she gave her a small smile and I was about to say something when the bell rang. Damn.. Lunch is over. 

“Well… thanks for helping Phoebe take me to the infirmary. I’ll pay you guys back whenever, just let me know what you want and I’ll see what I can do.” 

“You don’t have to pay us back for anything. The whole point of helping someone out isn’t to get something from them; it’s just called being nice. Not everyone wants something after helping someone.” Rose turned around and started to walk away but stopped and turned her head to us.

“Say what you want, Justin. But everyone is always going to ask for something in return to helping someone else. That’s just how every one is. They ask and when they don’t get it immediately, they try to take it. That’s the way of the human race. The faster you accept that, the better. I’ll see you guys in English. I’ll see you later Fee.” she walked away as Phoebe turned to us and smiled. 

“Told you guys. She always thinks she has to pay someone back if they help her and that’s why she is so stupid when asking for help when help is needed. Ugh I sound like my mother. Well anyway, thanks for helping us. Maybe we’ll see each other around?”

“You can count on it beautiful.” she giggled while shaking her head

“There’s the flirty Alex that everyone knows. See you guys around.” we watched as she walked away and I sighed. 

“Come on guys, let’s get to English.”

“You just want to be close to Rose, don’t you?”

“Of course he does, Justin. Speaking of Rose, I don’t think we’ve ever seen you act that kind and sweet towards any of the other girls you used to date or hang out with. It was a surprise to see it for ourselves that’s for sure. What gives?”

“I don’t know guys. I don’t know what to tell you. When I first saw her this morning at Onyx, I couldn’t believe how beautiful she was; so beautiful that I couldn’t figure out why she was hiding her face.” I gritted my teeth as I remembered Phoebe telling us about Rose’s psycho ex “But now that I know about her ex boyfriend and what he did to her, it all makes sense.”

“Don’t worry man. We’ll make sure that nothing happens to her anymore; by Kelsey, the ex or anyone else.”

“You guys don’t have to, you know that right?”

“Yeah we do but we want to.”

“Translation: he wants to see her friend again. Ow! Why did you punch me!? You know I’m right!” I decided to walk away instead of answering.

“He didn’t deny it.” I couldn’t help but shake my head and laugh. But knowing Justin and Alex for so long and them being my best friends, I’m not going to be able to live this down. I’ve never showed any interest in any of the girls that I’ve been with and then all of a sudden I do? And for a girl that I’ve just met this morning? It’s confusing to me too guys. We got to our lockers and grabbed our stuff for the last periods of the day. 

We walked into the classroom and I looked for Rose who was sitting in the back with her head laying on her arms. I walked over and sat down next to her. I moved a strand of out of her eyes and saw she was asleep and I looked over at Alex and Justin, hearing the bell ring right as they sat down next to me. They looked over at Rose, saw she was asleep and turned back to the front. After what she’s been through she’s deserves a lot of rest but unfortunately the bell woke her up and she stirred before sitting up slowly before looking up at me.

“Hey.”

“Hi. When did you guys get here?”

“A few minutes ago. Are you ok? Does your head hurt?” she stared at me before laughing softly. Wait.. What did I say that was funny?!

“I’m sorry for laughing it’s just… I never expected the bad boy of Angel Crest High would be concerned over a nobody like me. It’s… interesting to experience.” 

“You’re not a nobody, Rose.”

“Is that so? Did you know anything about me until today? Actually paid attention to me before today? I didn’t think so.” she’s right; I never really noticed her until this morning and here I am getting all possessive over her and claiming she’s mine. What’s wrong with me? I was about to say something but the teacher walked in and started class. Rose turned towards the front and listened as the teacher went over what we were going to learn before going into a discussion on the next two books we’ll be reading. I zoned out, leaning back in my car and closing my eyes. Being up at 5 in the morning sucks, how is Rose able to look wide awake while I’m struggling to stay awake?

I heard shifting around me and opened my eyes to Alex and Justin in the same position as me but actually asleep while I was trying to stay awake. I looked over at Rose paying attention to the teacher and even taking notes.  I saw her hand clenched in a fist so tight that her fingers were white. I leaned over and placed my hand on hers. Her face turned towards me as her eyes snapped to mine.

“Are you ok? Is your head hurting? You can tell me, Rose.”

“I’m fine, Drake.” I pried her fingers away from her palm and opened her hand, the indents from her nails broke the skin and had started to bleed.

“I’m ok. Promise.”

“How are you ok Rose? Your hand is bleeding, you have a concussion, and a huge gash on your forehead to tie it all together. Don’t tell me that you’re fine when it’s clear you’re not.” 

“Ms. Meyers. Mr. Stokes. Care to share with the class what’s so interesting that you both aren’t paying attention to my lesson?”

“Sorry, Mr. Newman. It won’t happen again.”

“Make sure it doesn’t, Mr. Stokes. You may be the what does everyone say; the bad boy type? But that doesn’t mean you get to come in and disturb my class. If that is your only reason for coming to school, then why are you here? Where do you think you’re going, Ms. Meyers?” 

“Home.”

“Did you get a call saying you could? Because I didn’t so sit down.” she packed up all her stuff and walked up to the edge of Mr. Newmans desk before grabbing one packet from each of the 6 piles where our assignments are put at the beginning of the class before walking towards the door. 

“Ms. Meyers!! Get back here this instant!”

“Or what? What would you do? You who treat all of us students like we’re garbage and beneath you? What would you do? Make my life even more of a hell than it already is? Ha I’d like to see you try. Have a good day Mr. Newman. I’ll pick up ‘The Great Gatsby’ book on my own, I’ve grabbed all the assignments that we’ll be doing for this week and I’ll have them turned into you by Friday; let’s hope you grade them fairly and not the disrespectful way you have been thus far, and hopefully you’ve learned to act like decent human being with manners by then; keyword being hopefully.” the classroom erupted in whispered murmurs and gasps as I looked to my left and saw the guys recording as Rose walked out. Damn… I think I’m legit starting to fall for this girl even more than I did this morning. I felt Justin tap me and looked over at him. I nodded my head and packed up my stuff; the guys and I got up, doing the same exact thing as Rose. We grabbed all six of the packets and walked out. When we were away from the classroom, all hell broke lose next to me.

“Holy s**t! That was the best thing I have ever seen! I was waiting for someone to tell off that asshole but I never knew it would be our new friend Rose! Holy cheeseballs that was so badass!! Who knew we had a badass other than you Drake at our school?”

“I’m not a badass, I just don’t put up with assholes.” we stopped and looked forward. Rose was leaning against the wall with her hip supporting her and looking at us. 

“Rose!” the guys tackled her and gave her bear hugs, completely forgetting she’s got a bruised rib as she winced.

“Guys you’re hurting her. She got a bruised rib remember?” 

“Oh right…”

“s**t. Sorry Rose!”

“It’s ok. I’m not used to people hugging me either so it’s good. I have to admit, I never expected you guys to come out after me. I was hoping it would’ve been Newman.” she was holding her side and I felt bad for her since the guys could never control their strength when it counts.

“Why him?”

“Knowing him, he is very proud of himself and like I said, looks down on all of us as if he’s better than everyone here. He keeps forgetting that most of the students and teachers here are 100x more better than him; most of them being from very rich families while he is not. I hate people who think they are better than everyone else, rich or not. The lack of manners in the world nowadays is sad. So I have no problem putting anyone in their places, you know what I mean right Drake?” I know I should be offended but with her smiling while she said that last part, I can’t be.

“Ha ha very funny, Rose.” she shrugged, turned around and started walking away slowly.

“I gotta have fun somehow right? It was just too easy.” I ran up to her with the guys following me when we realized we didn’t know where we were going; we left an hour and a half class and now we have nothing to do.

“You know, you guys didn’t need to follow me out of the classroom.”

“Nah. We were just going to be sleeping anyway which would’ve gotten us yelled at even more. I mean seriously, does that guy do anything but yell at everyone and everything. I always leave his class with a huge headache because of it. Ugh.”

“You sound like Phoebe when you said that Alex. it was kinda… weird.”

“You calling my weird, Rose!? Huh!?”

“Damn right. We’re all weird, we just choose whether or not to show it. But this moment was like Phoebe just transported into your body and spoke.” Justin and I busted out laughing and so did Alex, we were so loud that we could hear it echoing throughout the hallways. When finally caught our breath, Rose was at the end of the hall, waiting for us; damn she moves fast for someone with a bruised rib. 

“You guys coming or what?”

“Where are we going?”

“Well, I’m going to the library to get my copy of ‘The Great Gatsby’, then I’m going to visit Ang so she can give me a note saying I’ve been allowed to leave school, where she’ll make a big fuss over me again like she always does. After I get the note, I’m going to go to my other classes and grab the homework that we’re going to be doing for the rest of the week.”

“You’re taking the week off?” she nodded her head as we got closer to the nurses office. 

“I really don’t want to deal with school this week is all. Plus I can work some more hours of work when I’m not at school. I’m fine with that, if it means I get to have more money for things I may need in the future. Or if I want to go shopping for myself; whenever that will happen.” we got to the office and were greeted by the secretary. 

“Oh no. Why are you in here this time Rose? And what happened to your face!? Come around so I can take a look.”

“Krissy. You’re being over protective again…”

“Well too bad! Now sit.” she practically pushes Rose to sit in her chair while she tilts her head up and brushes the hair that’s somewhat covering the bandage away. “OH MY GOODY GUMDROPS! WHO DID THIS TO YOU!?”

“Calm down Krissy. I’m fine. It’s just a scratch.”

“Then why are you all pale? Are you not getting enough sleep again?” she laughed. This girl laughed.

“I never get enough sleep Krissy. Ever. Stop worrying. Between Tia, Ang and you, I feel like I’m under protection with my very own sleep-monitoring guards or something.”

“But…”

“Krissy, I love you, you know I do but I’m fine. But to make you feel more at ease, I’m going home early today and won’t be back until next week. Can you help me get the assignments that are going to be assigned for this week from all my classes please? I already got all of them from Newman’s.”

“Yes. I can do that. I’ll do it right now.” she pulled Rose into a hug, squeezing her hard. She stopped me when I started to make my way over to make her let her go and shook her head. Rose patted the secretary’s back a few times before she let her go completely.

“I’ll get all your homework so go see Angela and get your slip so you can leave. I’ll bring the assignments in shortly.”

“Thanks, Krissy.”

“Anytime, sis.”