Crushing on my brother's best friend

Chapter fourteen - Please take me home

Austin's POV:

Rosie has shared this feeling with me. I don't know what to tell her. I want to believe it's temporary. Sadly, I can't be sure. The thing is that I'm afraid this girl, Jessie, will do something. I don't know what she has against my best friend. It's not a crime to talk with people. I'm sure she tried to push the boy away. I don't understand why she doesn't want to let anyone close to her. She has trust issues, but it doesn't mean she has to cut off everyone who tried to get close to her. I don't talk about only boys. I would love it if she had a girl best friend. That will be good for her. I'm afraid that she will compare every person with me. It might make them go away. I'm not perfect, but she believes in the opposite. I do all these things for her because I want to. Well, it doesn't mean everyone will do it. That was a personal decision. I don't have a sibling, and it feels nice to take care of someone. I'm trying my best, but I'm not a superhero. There are things I can't do. I want her to understand it. I believe that once she goes to university, things will change. My best friend might become more open and find friends. I will be happy for her. She deserves it. I might not talk with mine often, but that is because all of us are busy. Rosie is not and can use her free time to speak with people. The decision is hers. Pressuring her is not something I want. At least she has me. It's not the same, but it's better than having no friends. Apart from that, nothing else has happened. I'm still working on Devan's apartment. We need to make it look good. That way, they can put a higher rent. I still don't think they need a bigger house. I'm not the one who has to tell them what to do. I'm happy with mine. It fits me perfectly. The most important thing for me is that I'm alone. I hope that my life won't change. I like it the way it is.

Currently, I am in Devan's apartment. I came here after I dropped Rosie off at school. There is something wrong with her. She was nervous yesterday. As usual, I asked her a million questions, but she didn't tell me anything. I believe the problem will be Jessie. For some reason, this girl is annoyed by my best friend. I don't think Rosie has done something to her. I mean, after she slapped her. That was a long time ago. Maybe there is something else for which I don't know. I don't have much time to go to Rosie's school.

Now, I am helping Pete with the bathroom. That was the worst room in the whole apartment. I don't know who has been here. He thought only to put tiles on top of the old ones. Let's say that it didn't end well. Pete put three, and they broke. That's when he decided to remove the old ones. He tried to keep them in one piece, but it wasn't possible. They were too old and broke quickly. My friends won't use them, so I told him there was no problem breaking all of them. After all, they won't live here.

- You removed all the tiles. Is the floor dry?

- Yes, it is. I finished putting the new tiles on the floor yesterday. Twelve hours have passed. The cement should be hard.

- Good. That means we can start working on the walls.

- I don't think we'll have enough to put on the ceiling.

- That's because they don't want to have them there. All we have to do is paint it white.

- Less job for me. - Pete said, chuckling

- They won't live here. Why do you think they choose cheaper materials? I mean, they only want to make it look good. That is not their dream home.

- So, they want a bigger house.

- That's what Devan told me. His house looks good. I don't think he needs a new one.

- You better listen to the lady if you don't want her to leave you.

- What?

- Why do you think I'm single? I'm staying at my parents' house. My girlfriend wanted me to sell it and buy something better. I said no, and she left me.

- She left you because of a house?

- Yes. That's why you have to be careful with your choices. You never know what will happen.

- It's good that I'm single.

- Apart from that, it was good for me to have someone around. She was good company.

- I still prefer being alone.

- There is a difference between alone and lonely.

- It's a huge one. I am not lonely. I have friends.

- Good for you. I lost all my connections with my best friends when I graduated high school. Now, I don't know where they are.

- I'm sorry.

- Maybe it was for good. I have found new ones.

- Good for you. Do you think we can finish the whole bathroom today?

- No, we can't. It might be small, but we should cut many tiles to fit around the corners. That will take us time.

- At least we can finish half of it.

- That is more likely to happen.

Pete and I worked in the bathroom until lunchtime. David went to buy us lunch. The tiles were baby blue. I believe this was Natalie's choice. Devan likes brighter colors, even some neon ones. They won't go well in a bathroom. After all, other people will live here. The place needs to look good. I liked their idea, but I don't need more money.

- Thanks for getting us lunch. - Pete said

- No problem. I picked the best meal for my friends. - David said

- It's delicious. I should try to cook this at home.

- Austin, do you like the food?

- Yes, it's good. Sorry, I have to answer. - I said and walked away

- Austin!

- Rosie? What is going on?

- Please take me home. - she said, crying

- What? Why?

- Please. I don't want to stay here anymore. I want to go home.

- Ok, I will come to take you. Where are you?

- At the back of the school. Please, hurry.

- Don't worry. I'll come as fast as I can.

- Thank you.

- Guys, I have to go out. I'll come back when I can.

- What happened? Is she ok? - David asked

- No. - I said, took my things, and left

I drove to school as fast as I could. After all, there is a speed limit. I don't want to get a ticket. When I arrived, I parked in front of it and walked inside. There was no one in the hall. Well, now it's the lunch break. I walked to the back of the school to find her. Rosie was curled up on the ground. I don't know what happened. Two days ago, everything was fine. I walked up to her and hugged her tightly. Something will always happen to her.

- Hey, I'm here. Nothing will happen. I promise you.

- It already did.

- Will you tell me? Did she do something to you?

- Take me out of here.

- I will tell the nurse.

- No, I want to go home.

- You will. I will take you there.

On the way home, I made Rosie tell me everything. Yesterday, during her lunch break, she bumped into Jessie. She spilled a small part of her meal on Jessie's clothes. Now she is mad at her. Rosie said she keeps pushing her down and talking horrible things about me again. Now my best friend is scared of her. I think it's time for me to speak with the principal. This thing can't continue. I won't let this girl ruin my best friend's life only because her father is the school's sponsor. That doesn't mean anything. She is a student like the rest. I don't know what to do anymore.

Soon, we arrived home. Rosie quickly got out of the car and went into her room. I am mad, but I should keep it calm because of her. The last thing she needs now is to see me like that. I walked after her and sat on the bed.

- You didn't do anything wrong. It was an accident.

- She walks after me the whole day. This girl will kill me without thinking about it. I don't want to go to school anymore.

- Rosie, you can't skip it. Also, that won't resolve the problem.

- Please. Don't you see what she does to me?

- What is that on your hand? - I asked and pulled her sleeve

- Nothing.

- Tell me.

- She dug her nails into my skin.

- What? Why did you let her do it?

- Because I couldn't escape. She came with three girls. I had nowhere to go. Do you think that I like it?

- Did she do something else to you?

- No.

- Please, be honest.

- I am. That is more than enough. It looks like a dog has bitten my skin.

- I will fix this. I promise. - I said and wiped her tears

- No. If you do something, that will only make things worse for me. Please, stay away.

- I won't stay away while she does such things to you. I have to do something.

- You can't. Please, listen to me. You won't do anything if you care about me even a bit.

- Rosie.

- Please. I'm begging you. - she said, looking at me, and a couple of tears fell down

- You have the luck that I care about you. - I said and pulled her for a hug

I stayed with Rosie until she fell asleep. She needs a rest. Later, I went back to work. I took the keys with me and left her a note. I had to lock the door. I care about her. That's why I have to do something. This can't continue happening. Later, I walked back to work. The boys asked questions, but I avoided them. Right now, I don't want to talk about this.

We were almost finished for the day when Devan showed up with Natalie. I guess they want to see what we have done so far. They can't expect it to look like a penthouse with everything they want.

- Hey, man. How are you doing? - Devan asked

- Good. Do you like what you see?

- Yes, it's perfect. I never doubted you.

- I agree with Devan. This place looks great. I can't believe you did it for such a short amount of time. We can call you to work on our future house. - Natalie said

- Why do you need a new one? There is nothing wrong with the one you have now.

- I know, but I want something new. Maybe we can keep this one. I haven't decided yet.

- That is your choice.

- Are you ok? You look upset and worried. Did something happen to her?

- I don't want to talk about this.

- How bad is it?

- A lot.

- Go home. If you want, spend the day with her tomorrow.

- I can't do that, but thanks.

- She will be fine. - Devan said

- You have no idea what is going on.

- No, I don't. As I see it, you won't tell me.

- Not now. I have to go.

- Bye, man. Call us if you need anything.

- Thanks. - I said and left

I took my car and went home. First, I went to check on Rosie. She was lying down with headphones on. I don't know if this will help her, but it's better than nothing. I carefully sat on the bed and took her hand. It was a bit cold.

- Rosie.

- Oh, hey.

- How are you feeling? Apart from the obvious.

- I have been worse.

- Can I do something for you?

- No, but thanks. I'll be fine.

- Are you sure?

- Yes, I am. Can I stay home tomorrow?

- Rosie.

- Please. I don't want to go back there. She won't stop going after me.

- Ok, I will think about this.

- Thanks.

- I will go and take a shower.

- Can you lay down with me for a while? You don't stink. - she said, chuckling

- If you say so. I would love that.

- I don't want to go there anymore.

- I know, but hiding is not a solution.

- You know I can't tell her anything. Even if I do, nothing will change.

- Don't worry. Things will get better.

- When?

- Hopefully, it will be soon.

I laid with her for a while. Later, I went for a shower. After all, I have been working a whole day. I don't smell that bad, but I still do. Also, it's refreshing. When I was ready, I walked out and changed my clothes. Then I went to make dinner. Today, we'll have spaghetti. At least they don't take much time to cook. Dinner was ready in half an hour. I was about to put the food on a tray when Rosie came.

- We'll eat here. I don't want to sleep in bedsheets full of ketchup. It'll look like a crime scene. - she said, chuckling

- Ok, then. Do you want something else?

- No. You can sit down.

- I will do that, for sure.

- How was your day? Did something interesting happen?

- Pete and I did part of the bathroom.

- I wonder who will live there.

- I don't know. Hopefully, these people know how to keep stuff. I don't want to redo everything again.

- Well, they can make it look good and resell it.

- Yes, but I think they want the rent. Maybe when they have some money from that, they will resell it. I don't know.

- It's not our business. Don't you dare sell this house!

- Don't worry. That will never happen. I love my house.

- Good. I like it too.

- I'm glad to hear that.

- You can take the keys with you tomorrow. I don't plan on going out.

- I didn't agree to that.

- Please. It's only for a day. I can't go back there. - she said with tears in her eyes

- Ok, ok. It's only for a day. Then you go back.

- Yes, and thank you.

- You're welcome. What do you want us to do for the rest of the night? Another walk?

- That sounds good.

- You can choose where you want us to go.

- I don't know. The place doesn't matter.

Rosie and I talked for the rest of the dinner. Later, we walked out. Some fresh air will be good for her. I know she tried to keep in a good mood because of me. She is a good actress, but her eyes always give her out. This girl can't hide anything from me. I know her better than I know myself. That's why I want to help her. I tried to be quiet, but this was getting out of hand. I will go to talk with the principal tomorrow. I think he will agree to help me. After all, I know he cares about every student. Someone has to put an end to this. Since my best friend won't do it, I will. I hope that things won't get worse for her. That is the last thing I want to happen.