Crushing on my brother's best friend

Chapter sixteen - The month is over

Austin's POV:

Days are passing like minutes. It's like yesterday when Rosie came home. Now, it's my last week with her. I would love to keep her for a little longer. The thing is that I can't. The deal was for one month. I tried everything possible to fix her problems. The good thing is that I finally met this girl, Jessie. She looks like daddy's little girl. My best friend is right about one thing. This girl is not interested in me. She does it only to hurt Rosie. Well, little does she know that I have talked with the principal. I asked him if he could secretly check how Jessie treats my best friend. I'm sure students know about it, but no one wants to say anything. She probably has threatened them somehow. It's better if I don't know. The principal said he would do it. He plans to ask teachers for help. They can pretend to walk around to see if something is happening. Of course, I told him to call me if he saw something. I want to know what will happen to this girl. I suggested he talk with her dad. I bet he doesn't know anything. Poor guy. His lovely daughter will ruin his reputation. Well, she deserves to take the consequences for her actions. I want her to leave my best friend alone. That's it. She already did many things to her. After all, Rosie doesn't need to go to school with fear. She is right. It was supposed to be fun. I never had such problems in high school. I don't know why she does. The only problem is Jessie. I'm sure if she is gone, people will talk with her. The thing is that she probably won't let them. I want to make her more open as a person. I don't know how to do it. That is not easy, especially when she talks only with me. I'm glad I mean so much to her, but she needs more friends. Maybe that will happen soon. She deserves it more than anyone else. I hope that Jessie won't do something else to hurt her.

Today is the last day with Rosie at home. I can try to make her stay for the weekend. She will agree, but I'm sure her parents have missed her. Well, I will do it too when she leaves. I tried my best to take care of her. Hopefully, she is not disappointed. I can't replace her parents, but I tried to do what they did. It wasn't easy, but giving up was not an option. Even now, I won't do it. Just because she is at home doesn't mean I will stop helping her. She can count on me for everything.

Currently, I am at work. Next week, I should finish with Devan's apartment. It was small, and they didn't want many things from us. I don't know what my next project will be, but probably it's a house. That is what I have worked on the most. Here, only a couple of things have left for us. We are repainting the walls. That takes time to dry. Also, our friends ordered some furniture. The old one wasn't the best to use. While the paint is drying, we can assemble it.

- Soon, we'll finish here. - Pete said

- Yes. I hope the people who will live here will like it. - I said

- They will. We did a great job.

- Your friend should like it. - David said

- Don't worry. He won't live here. Devan only wanted to make the place look good and comfortable.

- I think we did that successfully.

- We did it.

- Why did you say it like that? - Pete asked

- Like what?

- With a sad tone.

- It has nothing to do with that.

- Is she ok?

- Yes. She has to go back home today.

- One month passed?

- It did.

- She will probably miss you.

- I don't know about her, but I will miss her. That is for sure. It felt nice taking care of someone.

- I'm sure you will do it again.

- I will, but it won't be the same.

- She will be fine. You can't be with her all the time. Also, you can't keep her away from everything. She will get hurt, but that's how she'll learn. No matter how hard you try, you can't protect her from everything and everyone. - David said

- I know, but that is what I want.

- Repeat after me. Rosie is fine. - David said, and I laughed

- Thanks, but there is no need to. I get it.

We worked until the lunch break. Later, I went to get us food. It will be weird not having her around. She loved to bug me for everything, but it was fun. I loved spending time with her.

The rest of the afternoon I spent painting the walls. We have done one layer, but it needs a second one. There is a time during which it has to dry. When I finished the day, I went home. As always, I went to check on Rosie. She was sleeping in her room. What surprised me was that there were no packed bags. She probably planned to do it later. I kissed the top of her head and left her to sleep. I went to take a shower. Later, I went to dress. I was about to put a shirt on when Rosie came in. I immediately noticed the sad face. I got dressed and sat in front of her.

- Hey, are you ok? What happened?

- I don't want to go home. - she said, and a few tears fell down

- Rosie, you can't stay here. I would love it, but your parents will want you home.

- But I feel good here.

- Let's make a deal. I'll take you home today. We can talk with your parents. If they agree, you can spend the weekends with me. Is that ok for you?

- No, but it's better than nothing.

- Look, no matter how much I want it, I can't keep you here.

- Fine. I'll pack my stuff.

- I'm sorry.

- No, you don't. Otherwise, you wouldn't do this to me. - she said and left

After an hour, Rosie was ready. I helped her with her things. Then I drove to her parent's house. I knocked on the door, and miss Carter opened it. She was so happy to see Rosie here.

- I'm so happy to see you here. Sit down. Dinner will be ready soon.

- Thank you.

- Hey, Rosie.

- Hey, dad.

- Are you ok? Why are you upset?

- It doesn't matter. - she said and walked away

- Boy, did something happen?

- She didn't want to come home.

- What?

- She wanted to stay at home with me.

- I'm sorry, but this can't happen. One month was enough.

- Honestly, I don't mind. I didn't let her stay only because of you. She can do it as long as she wants.

- She lives here, not with you. We let you care of her because you said that could help her. That was more than enough.

- I know. The decision is not mine.

- I didn't say that.

- No, it's ok. I understand.

- Will you call her for dinner?

- I think it's good for you to do it.

- I get it. I'll be back.

Soon, all of us were around the table. Everyone was eating except for my best friend. She was playing with her food. I know she got comfortable at home. The thing is that she can't live there. I would love it, but I can't go against her parents. It's not right. Her parents asked what we had been doing for a whole month. I gave them a short version of the story. I don't want them to worry about her. For now, everything is fine. I looked at Rosie and noticed a couple of wet drops on her pants. That's when I realized she was crying. Before I could do something, she got up and ran away. Of course, I had to follow her. I can't leave her alone. I found her in the backyard.

- What happened? Why did you get upset? Did I do something?

- I don't want you to go home. Why can't you stay here?

- I have a house.

- Then take me with you.

- You weren't sure you wanted to come with me at the beginning of the month. Now you don't want to leave.

- Because you are the only one who knows what you are doing. Please, don't leave me alone.

- You are not alone. I will keep checking on you all the time.

- But you won't be with me.

- I will always be with you. More than anything, I want to take you with me, but I can't.

- I will convince my mom and dad. They will agree. Dad likes you.

- Rosie, listen to me. It's only that. You are only eighteen. You have to live with a legal guardian. I am your best friend, but that's it. You can't live with me for long.

- You don't want me, do you?

- Of course, I want you. Why do you think I agreed to this? I would love to be with you every minute. The thing is that I can't do it. Think about what you learned during this month. I won't go anywhere. I promise you. Nothing will happen to us.

- It's not the same.

- I know, but I can't do anything else. Promise me that you won't give up.

- No, don't say that.

- Do it. I want to hear from you.

- Ok, ok. I promise that I won't give up.

- Good. Now, I want you to stop crying. - I said and wiped her tears

- I'm sorry.

- It's ok. It will be hard for me, too, but I'll get used to it.

- You don't have to do it.

- Rosie.

- Fine. I hope you never find a better housemate than me. - she said, and I laughed

- That will never happen. You are the only one I have let sleep there.

- Good. That is my territory.

- Yes, it is. - I said and pulled her for a hug

I talked with Rosie for a while and later walked home. I didn't want to leave her, but I had no choice. I can't let her stay at home, no matter how much I would love it. Let's say that I got used to having her around. It will be weird, but I'll get used to it. After all, since I moved here, I have been alone. I went home and locked the door. I won't go out anymore. I went to my room and laid down. Maybe I can go to bed early today. No, I can't do it. I have to call her. Luckily, she picked up quickly.

- Hello.

- Hey.

- Why are you upset?

- No reason.

- We talked about it. I'm not leaving you. We have always lived apart. What is the problem?

- I liked it, ok? Finally, I felt that I mattered to someone and that at least one person loved me. Now I will be no one again.

- You won't be that. You are the same person.

- I was thanks to you. I had some self-esteem because you helped me gain it. I knew I had to stop paying attention. When I went home, you would ask how my day was.

- Do the same but for yourself. You don't have to do anything for me.

- I wanted you to be proud of me.

- I am. You don't have to do anything to prove it to me. The fact that you wake up every day and go to school is more than enough. This means you didn't give up. That is all I want from you. I mean, to keep fighting.

- Can I come?

- Rosie. You have to understand that I won't be next to you. I mean, all the time. Physically. This doesn't mean I don't support you.

- What if I want a hug?

- You can ask your parents for one.

- I'll pass. They will ask me twenty thousand questions, which I don't want to answer.

- They care about you a lot. The reason why they don't pay that close attention to you is that you don't tell them anything. They think everything is fine. I think you should talk to them. As your parents, they deserve to know what is happening to you.

- I know. Mom asked me already, but I didn't tell her anything. I don't want to talk about it now.

- That is not right, and you know it.

- Please don't read me a lecture. I'm not in the mood for that.

- I won't do it. All I'm saying is that you put me over everyone. I'm happy that you trust me so much and that I mean something to you, but it doesn't mean I can replace every one. We are only best friends. I can't replace Josh or your parents.

- No one said that you have to do it.

- Yes, but that is what it looks like.

- Ok, ok. I won't talk to you anymore.

- I didn't say that. If you do it, you'll never see me again. Understood?

- Yes, ma'am.

- Very funny. You better go to bed.

- I will.

- By the way, do you know where my black T-shirt with the logo is?

- Um, no.

- I think you do.

- I have no idea what you are talking about.

- Rosie, did you take it?

- Why would I do that? I have enough clothes at home. Also, I am a girl, which has a smaller size than you.

- Because I know you. I don't need it. All I wanted was to be sure that I didn't lose it.

- I wanted to sleep with it. I'm sorry.

- It's ok. You can keep it. I have enough clothes.

- Thanks.

- Everything will be fine. I'll come to see you tomorrow.

- Can you pick me up from school?

- Yes, if I use my lunch break later.

- Forget it. I only wanted to annoy her. - she said, chuckling

- I will gladly help you with that. I met this girl only once, but I couldn't stand her.

- At least it's not only me.

- No, it's not. I would love to talk with you all night, but you should go to bed. Well, me too.

- Sad, but true.

- I will come to check on you.

- It's better than nothing.

- Good. Now you have to sleep. Good night and sweet dreams. I'll see you tomorrow.

- To you, too. I'll wait for you.

- I'll come as soon as possible. Bye, Rosie.

- Bye. - she said, and I ended the call

It is weird, but I will get used to this. I want to be with her, but I can't do it. I am only a best friend, and I should know my place. Things between Rosie and Josh are already complicated. I don't want the same to happen with her parents. They don't deserve it. Maybe the problem is not in me, but I feel guilty. It's better not to think about this and focus on myself. The last month I spent only with her. I didn't do anything for myself. After all, I moved out to be alone. I should take advantage of that. It still feels like something is missing. I hope that I'll get back to my ordinary life.