Crushing on my brother's best friend

Chapter seventeen - You will pay me for this

Rosie's POV:

I had to move back to my house. It was not something I liked, but I had no choice. I can't stay with my best friend forever. I have to say that this was a good month. Many things happened, but I'm glad he was with me. Austin helped me with everything he could, which was more than enough. I think he wants to live alone, and I should respect that. It's enough that he took care of me for thirty days. Now I have to deal with everything by myself. Honestly, it's not a big deal. Before I moved to live with him, I hid all my problems. That wasn't the best decision, but I didn't want anyone to worry about me. I might have made him worry about me too much, but he was the only person who could help me. I know I have to be brave. The thing is that I was insecure about myself. I don't think I can defend myself. Well, I have to learn how to do it. I can't expect people to solve my problems only because I'm scared to do it alone. That is not right. After the scene in the mall, Jessie hasn't talked with me. She was trying to mock me in the classes. The teachers were quick to call her out. This girl had to stop before she got a detention. She doesn't want this. That's why she has to be careful what she is doing. It will be better if she stays away from me. We have nothing to share. She has much more than I do. I still don't understand what she wants from me. Compared to her, I am nothing. I am not popular at school. Also, students don't talk with me, and I have only one friend. Maybe she is jealous, but I don't believe it. At least my best friend is not interested in her. It's not like she is. All of this was to make me mad. Sadly, her plan was successful. I need to graduate sooner. I can't stay in school anymore. I hope she will get busy thinking about prom and leave me alone. That is all I want.

It's Monday. That means I have to go to school. Austin kept his promise and spent the weekend with me. I was sure he would do it. Well, it was nice seeing him. It's not a lie. That is weird not seeing him every day. I think I got addicted to his company. He is a good housemate, but this house is not mine. No matter that, he lets me go there whenever I want. I have to learn to trust myself and deal with everything alone. I can't expect people to help me all the time.

Currently, I have a history. We had a test last week, and I did great. Since we should graduate after a few months, teachers started talking about our grades. Also, they talk about students who might not graduate from their class if they don't do something. They have to do an assignment, report, or test. Luckily, I don't have this problem. I have good grades in all my subjects. I might not graduate with straight A's, but they will have a good diploma. That is all that matters to me.

- Ok, class. A couple of months have left until you graduate. I'm sure every teacher keeps saying the same, but I will do it too. Seeing the grades of the class, most of you will graduate. Some people should do something if they don't want to end with the lowest one possible. I won't fail anyone because I don't want to do it. Also, I don't want to write a D to anyone. That's why I will give a chance to everyone who wants to boost their grades to do something. Soon I will tell you what it is and I want to know how many people will do it. I have to say it's not obligatory. It's your choice if you want to do it or not. That's it. You can go now. The class finished.

I took my things and went to my locker. I exchanged my books for the ones I would need for the next class. Then I pulled out my phone to make the time pass faster.

On the lunch break, I checked what today's fruit was. I'm not in the mood to eat anything. There was an orange. I walked back inside, peeled it, and ate it. That will be enough for me until I go home. I was about to take my phone when someone grabbed my hand and dragged me into an empty room.

- What the heck was that?

- You think it's funny, don't you? - Jessie asked madly

- I have no idea what you are talking about.

- Of course, you don't, miss innocent. You will pay me for this. - she said and grabbed my hand

- What did I do?

- I was in the principal's office with my dad. Someone told the principal that I was abusing you. Do you know how much trouble you will get into now? Watch out because I will ruin your life.

- I don't know what you mean. I was never in the principal's office.

- No one else would tell him about this. Thanks to you. I have two weeks of detention, and my allowance is thirty percent lower. You have no idea what you did, but I'll make sure you know. - she said and pushed me to the ground

- What was that? I didn't do anything. - I said with fear in my voice

- You deserve to die, and I'll make sure it happens. - Jessie said, punching me in the stomach

She grabbed my hand and left scars from her nails all over it. There is no way I will hide this from my mom. The thing about her is that she gets worried easily. I don't want her to know about this. She already has enough stuff in her head. Jessie was about to do something else, but I managed to escape. I ran out and went to my locker. Sadly, there was no one around. She came up to me, grabbed my hand, and slapped me. Then she pushed me to the locker, and I fell. I put my hands all over my face because I thought she would do something else. That was before someone came.

- What did I tell you? As if what you are doing is already not enough. - a man said

- She deserves it.

- No, she doesn't. The one who deserves it is you.

- But dad.

- No. From now on, you won't have an allowance until you graduate. Also, you won't go to prom.

- What? That is not fair.

- It is. Alongside your detention, you will help the lunch lady serve the food. That will be until you graduate. - the principal said

- What else is left? To make me carry her books?

- You will apologize to her right now. - her dad said

- Fine. I'm sorry that I didn't do this to you earlier.

- Jessie!

- I hate you so much. Very soon, your best friend will be mine. You will lose him alongside everything that you have. I will make sure of that.

- That's it. We are going home.

- You can forget about the prom queen. - the principal said

- I have classes, so I can't go home.

- Fine. I'll make sure someone keeps an eye on you.

That was. I'm sure she's mad at me, but I don't know why. I wasn't the one who told the principal. If I wanted to, I would've done it months ago. The thing is that I'm scared of her. That's why I never did it. I think I know who told him. There is only one person who I told about her. We need to talk. Seriously.

I stayed close to people and teachers until the end of the school day. After my last class, I went to my locker to take everything I would need for home. I was about to go when someone grabbed my hand. There were people around. Nobody did anything. Soon, I was on the football field. Things don't look good to me. No one will use it today. The boys don't have practice.

- You are mine now.

- What do you want from me? I told you I wasn't the one who called the principal.

- It has to be you. No one else will do it. Otherwise, they know what will happen.

- I swear it wasn't me.

- Keep saying whatever you want. I don't believe you. You are one b*tch, and I will teach you a lesson.

- Please, don't do anything. I'm innocent. I didn't do anything to you.

- You did more than you can ever imagine. Since I have to suffer, you will do it too.

- What?

That's when I felt a punch in the face. For a girl, she is strong. I don't have the skills to defend myself. She kept punching and kicking me for god knows how long. I felt her nails on my other hand. That will be the end. I don't know what she wants for me. As I see it, she won't stop. Soon, I stopped feeling pain, and everything went black.

After some time, I woke up. The first thing I saw was a white light. Then I opened my eyes completely. That's when I realized I was in a hospital. The next thing I noticed was Austin. Did he bring me here? I remember being on the field. Everything else is like a dream. I don't know what happened.

- Austin?

- Hey. How are you? - he asked with eyes full of tears

- I'm fine. Did you bring me here?

- Yes. Technically, we both did.

- Jake?

- Hi.

- What happened?

- I found you lying on the field. Then I called your friend.

- I see.

- Can I know what happened? How did you end up in this condition?

- She did it, didn't she? - Austin asked

- I.

- Tell me.

- Yes. She was mad because of everything that had happened to her.

- Jessie beat you up. - Jake said, surprised

- Yes, she did.

- Don't worry. She won't do it again. - Austin said

- Did you tell the principal about her?

- Um.

- Austin!

- Yes, it was me.

- Why the heck did you do that? Don't you see what is happening?

- Because I won't let her treat you like that. She needs to face the consequences of her actions.

- Yes, and now I had to pay for that. Can't you stay away?

- I'm not doing this even if you pay me. You might not like it, but I'm doing this for you.

- It's better for everyone that he did it. - Jake said

- Why?

- I didn't talk with you before because I didn't want to mess with her. She acts as if we are dating. No other student did it because they were scared of her. If someone does it, they will get what you did every day. No offense to you, but no one wants it.

- So, people like me?

- I don't know if you are everyone's favorite, but they don't hate you. I'm sorry about everything that happened.

- It's ok. Maybe I deserve it.

- No, you don't. I will leave you now. I hope you recover soon.

- Wait!

- Yes?

- I'm sorry about that day. I didn't want to hurt your feelings.

- Oh, don't think about it. I only wanted to be nice to you. I already like a girl. Don't worry. It's not you or Jessie.

- I don't need to know this, but thanks.

- Hopefully, I'll see you in school.

- I'll think about this.

- Take a rest, ok?

- Yes, I will. Thank you.

- Bye. - Jake said and left

- Do my mom and dad know?

- No, I didn't tell them. I said to them that you would be at home tonight. That was in case you had to stay here for the night.

- I see.

- Look, I will go home for a shower and change my clothes. Later, I'll come back to spend the night with you.

- You don't have to do it.

- But I want you. I'm not leaving you. Best friends forever. Remember?

- Yes, I do.

- What do you want me to bring you for dinner?

- Nothing. I'm not hungry right now.

- But you have to eat. In that case, it'll be my choice.

- Ok, I don't mind. Bring whatever you want. I won't complain.

- Everything will be fine. I promise you. I won't leave you.

- I know. You better go now. After all, you need a rest.

- Hey, I will be back. - he said, kissed the top of my head, and left

I don't deserve such a good friend, but I'm happy he is with me. If my mom finds out about this, she will freak out. I can't do this to her. I have nothing against her. Sometimes, she treats me like a little kid. I'm not five anymore. I can get up and fight my own battles. It's not like I don't need her, but not as much as before. I learned how to take care of myself. Well, I have to give my best friend credit for that. He taught me many things. I will always be grateful for that.

After an hour, Austin was here with food. I don't want to eat anything, but I'll do it for him. Otherwise, he won't leave me in peace. I'm glad that he didn't give up on me. I did it many times. At least I have someone to catch me when I fall.

- Thank you for the food.

- No problem. I want you to eat all of this.

- You don't have to stay here. I'm sure you have what to do at home.

- Yes, but I want to be here. I should've listened to you and taken you with me. I'm sorry. I didn't know she would do that. Otherwise, I wouldn't have left you alone. - he said, looking at me with sad eyes

- Hey, it's not your fault. Living with you wasn't going to change anything. You can't be with me all the time. As much as I appreciate your help, I have to fight alone. You can't keep me away from everything. I might get hurt, but maybe it's for good. You are doing more than enough for me.

- As you can see, it's not enough.

- It is. Please, stop blaming yourself. You are not guilty. - I said and felt a tear rolling down

- I'm sorry.

- It's ok. Do you want a hug? After all, mine are the best.

- Yes, I would love that.

- Here you go. - I said and hugged him tightly

- Thanks.

- Will you calm down now?

- I will try.

- It's better than nothing.

Austin and I talked for a while. I must have fallen asleep after some time. My best friend said he would stay with me the whole night. There is no need for that. Well, I would like to have him here. I had always enjoyed it when we were together. Also, I know he will keep me safe. When we are together, I'm not scared of anything or anyone. Well, things are different when I'm alone. I can't fight for myself at all. This is probably my worst year at high school, but maybe it's for good. Sometimes, I feel like this is a test of our friendship. No matter what happens, I know he won't leave me. I hope it'll always be like that.