Thorns of Roses

Loving that Boy

Song for this Chapter:

Call out my Name-The Weeknd

CHAPTER 18

CORINNE

I didn't see Blaze nor Diesel after Blaze and I encountered in the hallway. I don't know what other students here on campus think of us, but I hear rumors that Diesel, Blaze and I were in a polygamy relationship. If you think about it, that idea is funny. Because which woman would agree to such a situation? With that set up? It's not that I'm judging other people who prefer a polygamy relationship, it's just that I'm not like that, and it's unclear in a million lifetimes that I would agree to such a set-up, especially if it's with Blaze.

“What happened to you?” It’s Hannah, the third person who asked.

I chuckle “Just got silly and got drunk last night. s**t happens.” I tried to shrug.

"Don't mind what I'm about to ask you, Corinne. It's just bothering me that--" She hesitates "You know what, never mind." And tried to smile at me.

I held her hand, there’s a professor teaching in front of us, but I am sure she won’t hear us here from the top. “Hey, you can ask me anything.”

She sighs and smile awkwardly “It’s just that there’s a rumor circulating around campus about you and Blaze—”

I took a deep breath “Hannah, I expect everyone to think of me that way, everyone but you.”

The pain in her eyes were evident “No—no, don’t get me wrong. It’s just we barely even see each other for the past days and I don’t know what you’re up to.”

I know she means and I didn’t mean to snap at her, off course she’s clueless and must be just wondering what is happening, Honestly, I can't blame the malicious eyes and quick judgment mouths because of what's happening now, especially Blaze's making it looks like we have something after that one-night stand. He's acting like we have some sort of something even though we really don't have anything at all, except our personal vendetta with each other. And I know what he's doing, because he's doing the same with Diesel, especially when there are many prying eyes watching the two of them. But when everyone’s gone, it seems like Diesel is just a wind in his world. Like Diesel didn't exist at all.

It’s scary and infuriating how he can manage to act that way.

I sigh “Yeah, but please no whatever you heard it’s not true. I will not do that thing especially to the person who killed Gian." I smiled at her sadly and she did the same, her eyes held a relieved look on it. Hannah was beautiful, like Gian. Gian is her cousin. They share the same red hair and freckles on her innocent face. But Hannah is more adventurous and sophisticated kind of Gian. She has her own circle of friends and loves to party all night. Boys wants her, and honestly, I've never seen her settle down in a relationship, she just likes to mess around.

Meaning to say, she’s a free-spirited girl. Which I envy.

The classroom door bust open and everything and everyone stopped to look who did that, and I am stunned to see it’s a very mad Diesel heading towards me.

“Die—”

Before I can even finish, he held me by my arms and shove me outside the classroom, closed the door in his wake and backed me on the wall as he starts to inspect me like what Blaze did earlier at the hallway, guess his cousin has a runny mouth too.

“Die, stop it.”

“Did he do this?”

“No, Die. I did this myself.” I joke trying to calm his mind and mad soul.

“Don’t f*****g mess around with me right now, C. Did he f*****g do this?” He snaps.

I just stare at his emerald eyes as tears starts to sprung, this is what I hate for being so helpless. The feeling of being helpless. The feeling of waiting for someone to come and rescue me. I hate feeling like an extra baggage that needs saving. I hate this.

“I’m gonna f*****g kill him.”

Diesel starts to walk off as I stopped him by clinging to his arms. “Die, please don’t.” I beg.

He looks at me, his demeanor held hesitance.

Because he knows it will just come back to me worse than it already is.

"I'm tired of being blind, Corinne." His lips shake that I know he is preventing from exploding with emotion in front of me. He's been doing this for almost five years. He is trying to show me that he is strong and brave for me, because he knows how much I wanted to break down and pour myself out.

This one of the many reasons why I loved him. He’s making me feel safe and secured when no one else tried to be.

“Just a little longer, Die.” I smiled at him even though my tears were pouring. “Please.”

He sighs and I can see a tear pour on his eyes too and he immediately wipe it for me not to see it. He hugs me and kiss me on the top of my head, comforting me. “I am sorry, C. So, f*****g sorry.”

Before I can even answer him, my phone rang and it’s from Maggie, Mom’s private nurse. The one my father hired five years ago.

I answered right away as my chest booms louder. “Mags?”

“Corinne.” She said on the other line almost defeated.

“Hey, Mags. What happened? Did something happen?”

“I don’t think I can no longer work for you and your Mom as of now.” She said.

“What? Why?” I chuckle awkwardly “Did your daughter is ready to get you in Canada?”

Maggie’s daughter is a doctor in Canada that Maggie tried to raised her and provide for her even she’s a single parent for her. She’s just waiting for her daughter to migrate her in Canada.

“No, honey. It’s scheduled next year.” She sounds so sad and guilty.

“Then? Why?”

Diesel holds my arms, asking me with his eyes what is happening and I gesture in my hands to wait for minute. As he nods.

“Your father fired me, Corinne.”

Those words.

Those words were the one that makes me scared and frightened for five years now.

For my Father to stop supporting my Mother’s medical expenses.

We can’t go anywhere without his money. I didn’t have much savings to support Mom as of now.

“Mags, you can’t.”

“I know, Corinne. I don’t want to leave you and your Mother. But your father—”

“I—” I closed my eyes as I compose my breathing “I am going to talk to him, please don’t leave Mom, Mags. Not until I get there.”

“I won’t, Corinne. I’ll wait for you.” I hung up and try to support my doubled weight on the wall.

“Hey, Hey. What happened?” Diesel catch me before I fall as my vision starts to get blurry and I know I am shaking.

I look into Diesel’s eyes “Mom needs me.”

“What happened to Anne?”

“My prick of a father fired Maggie.”

“He did f*****g what?”

“He’s doing this to punish me, Die. I need to talk to him.”

“Hey, I can help you financially. Let your father do what he can, and I’ll do what I can.” Die offered.

“Die, were not your responsibility.”

“You are, whether you like it or not, C.”

He hugs me again, and I feel relieved. “I am going to pay you back, Die. It’s just that my father won’t let me have a part time job.”

He cupped my face and chuckles "As long as you continue to be understanding and be a good best friend to me, even if that's what you pay for my naughty ass." He smiled so brightly. "I'm not charging you, Corinne."

“Please, Die. Knowing that I will pay you back makes me feel fine about this.” I smile sadly.

“f*****g fine. When can I win in argument when it comes to you?”

“Never, i***t. Never.” I tiptoe and kissed Diesel’s nose. I can feel his muscle tightened and his eyes grow dark. What?

“Thank you.”

He chuckles awkwardly “Come, I’ll drive you to the hospital.”

I nod as he holds my hands looking like were a picture-perfect couple.

Everything with him is beautiful, every step, every smile and every look with him it’s magical.

Oh, how I love this boy.

How I wished he loved me too.