Crushing on my brother's best friend

Chapter eleven - Grades and honesty

Rosie's POV:

Officially, two weeks have passed since I have been living with Austin. Everything has been great. Mostly when I am at home. I'm trying not to care that much about what Jessie does. The thing is that it's not easy. Even if she doesn't do anything to me, she will find a way to bug me. This week, she made a meme about me and said it to the whole school. I wanted to bury myself alive, but I couldn't do it. Luckily, no one started laughing. That was interesting. I thought people did everything she said. Maybe that is not the case. It's not a lie that I am happy about it. After all, I don't want to be a public clown. I have no idea what to do anymore. No matter what part of the school I go to, she will always find me. It looks like I am a magnet to which this girl is attached. I want this to end, but I don't know when this will happen. I believe that when I graduate, I won't have such problems. That is what I'm hoping. Otherwise, I will never enjoy my life the way I should. The good thing about this is that I have a good best friend. He will do anything for me, even if it's something he doesn't like. Well, I will never make him do such a thing. The sad part is that he is my only friend. After everything that is going on in high school, I don't trust people anymore. No one wants to stand up for me. That's why I prefer to be quiet and not talk to anyone. I'm not saying what I'm doing isn't wrong, but I don't want to interact with people. Maybe this whole time, the problem was in me. I didn't do anything to change my life. I mean, except for complaining about it. My best friend is better at this than me. He might not have many friends, but he knows how to be friendly with everyone. I wish I could've been like him. It will be good to ask him for advice. I hope I won't meet anyone from high school when I graduate.

Currently, I am at school. Today, I have to see the grade for my history report. Technically, this grade will be for Austin, not for me. He is the one who deserves it. I plan to tell the teacher the truth. I like having good grades, but they should be mine. I'm not a genius or anything like that. I have a good best friend. Well, that doesn't mean he has to do my work. He said he wouldn't do it again. Let's see if this will be true.

I am standing by my locker, looking at my phone as usual. Jessie is talking with her friends and the boys from the football team. I lifted my head to make sure she wouldn't come to me. One of the boys looked at me and smiled. That is awkward. The thing is that I don't like any of them or say a boy at all. I have other things to worry about than thinking about boys. Also, none of them has been on my side or said something to defend me. At least they could've stopped Jessie from doing these things to me. After all, she is their friend. When I heard the bell, I took my stuff in and quickly walked to class. Now is the moment of truth.

- Good morning, class. I have graded all the reports that have been presented to me. Everyone who didn't give me one will automatically get an F. I'm sorry, but I have talked about it. Especially how important it is for your final grade. Overall, the reports weren't that bad. Some people did great, but some needed to work more. Don't worry. I haven't failed anyone. The lowest grade I wrote was a C. I will give it to you, and you have ten minutes to check it out and ask questions if you think I didn't grade you correctly. After that, we will continue with today's lesson.

The teacher passed by and gave me the report. I have an A+. That is one of the highest grades I have ever received. Honestly, Austin deserves to receive this. I will tell the teacher about that after the class. I don't want to do it in front of everyone. Soon, she started with the lesson. I don't know what my best friend wrote, but it was good enough to give me a good grade. Maybe I should say a perfect one. As much as I appreciate it, he was wrong. That's why I will start putting notes on all the assignments. That way, I won't forget when I have one. At the end of the class, I waited for everyone to leave and walked to the teacher.

- Miss Stevenson?

- Yes, Rosie. Is there a problem?

- I have to tell you something.

- What is it? Did something happen?

- It's about the report.

- What about it?

- The truth is that I forgot about it. The one which you read wasn't mine. I mean, I wasn't the one who wrote it.

- Do you think that I don't know?

- What?

- Next time, tell Austin to be careful when he writes stuff for you.

- Hold on! How do you know it was him?

- As I said, I know the writing style of my students. I believe you haven't read what your friend wrote here.

- No, I didn't have time for this.

- Let me tell you something. In every report I gave to my students, Austin used specific phrases. He was the only one doing it in the whole class. That's why I can guess his writing everywhere I see it.

- If you knew about this, why didn't you fail me?

- Because you're a good student. I know you won't do something on purpose. It's not that bad to forget. Well, as long as it doesn't become a habit.

- Will you fail me now?

- If I wanted to do it, I would've done it. I mean, in the beginning. Rosie, I won't fail you. I suggest you tell your best friend to stay away from your homework. When he was a student, he did his. This is for you, not for him.

- Thanks, and I'm sorry.

- It's ok. Hopefully, that won't happen again.

- Don't worry. He promised he wouldn't touch my homework again. - I said, and she laughed

- It's good to know.

I won't lie. I am happy. I can't believe that I got away with it. Well, it doesn't mean it always will be the case. I guess today is my lucky day. Jessie didn't talk to me at all. Maybe she is not in the mood. After school, I went to see my best friend. He is working in an apartment. Last week he spent all of it only with me. It was great, but I wish he had been with his friends too.

- Knock, knock. I'm here.

- Rosie, you didn't tell me you would come.

- Let's say that I didn't plan it. I decided at the last moment.

- Can I help you with something? You know I have to work.

- I do, but I think you can have five minutes for me.

- Always. Did something happen?

- Maybe.

- Will you tell me what this thing is?

- You have to look at this. - I said and gave him my history report

- What is that?

- Your work. Let's say that your plan didn't work.

- What do you mean?

- Miss Stevenson didn't fail me, but she knew it was you.

- What? How? I was careful. I mean, I wrote your name.

- She told me that you used unique phrases in your reports. That's how she guessed it, you.

- Oh. I forgot about that. I'm sorry.

- It's ok. I passed, but she told me to tell you that you shouldn't do this again.

- I know. At least I helped you.

- Yes, and I appreciate it very much.

- If you want you can stay with us, but I have to work so I won't be able to pay much attention to you.

- I don't care. I might use it to help me with my homework.

- It's better if I stay away from this.

- That was easy.

- Hey! Not nice.

- Oops. It's not like I care.

- I think you need to go back to your house.

- What if I don't want to do it?

- You can stay here as long as you are quiet.

- Then how will you have fun?

- Rosie!

- Ok, ok. I won't talk.

- Good. What homework do you have?

- Math, English, and biology.

- It doesn't sound that bad. I'm sure you can do it.

- Yes, I will. You can work now. I'll be quiet. - I said, whispering

The whole afternoon I spent working on my homework. From time to time, I checked out Austin. I wanted to bug him, but that wasn't the place. Also, this is something between us. I don't need David and Pete to know what we do. After work, we went home. My best friend wanted to take a shower. I am in a good mood today. I might prank him. It will be like bringing the old times back. All I did was go to his room and sit on his bed. I'm sure he won't expect me to be here. Soon, he came out and flinched.

- Rosie?

- Oh, hey.

- What are you doing here?

- Am I not allowed to be here?

- No, but I thought you were in your room.

- Well, I got bored. You better get dressed. Otherwise, you might get cold.

- I will take some clothes.

- Don't worry. I won't look.

- I will change in the bathroom.

- Why? I promise not to look.

- Because you are a teenage girl with hormones.

- So what? As you can see, I am not dating anyone.

- I will be back. - he said and walked into the bathroom

I know why he is scared, but nothing will happen. I won't be so stupid to let something happen. After all, Austin and Josh need to keep their friendship. My brother would get mad if something happened between my best friend and me. I still don't understand why he cares about that. Austin won't do anything to hurt me. He is the kindest person I know. Soon, he came out of the bathroom.

- Nice clothes.

- Thanks. What do you want us to eat for dinner?

- Nothing. Don't we have leftovers from last night?

- No, we ate them.

- Do you have eggs?

- Yes, I do. Do you want to cook something?

- We can make sandwiches in the toaster with eggs in between.

- Only eggs?

- Well, we'll put other things inside.

- Ok, I like this. Do you want to help me?

- Yes, I do.

- Let's go, then.

Both of us made six sandwiches in total. Maybe they are too much, but I'm hungry. I wanted to eat them in bed, so we walked to his room. I am in a good mood today, but I feel lazy. I wish I could lay all day in bed. That would be good. At least the food is delicious. Well, my best friend made it. He learned how to cook well. We watched one of the Spider-Man movies. Can I know why this feels so good? We don't do anything, but I still like it.

- Are you ok?

- What?

- You were looking at one point without blinking. I thought something had happened.

- No, I was thinking about something. Everything is fine. You don't have to worry about me.

- You know this is mission impossible for me. I always worry about you.

- Why? I am a big girl. I can take care of myself.

- I know, but this is how I am built. I love taking care of you.

- That's why I let you do it. At least someone loves spending time with me.

- I do. A lot.

- Can you ditch work and spend the day with me tomorrow?

- No, and you have to go to school.

- Stomach cramps.

- Nice try. You can't do that.

- The nurse doesn't know when my period is.

- But I do.

- What? How?

- Rosie, I take the trash every day. I will notice if there is something b****y.

- Crap. - I said, and he laughed

- The weekend I am all yours.

- Do you know how long I have to wait for that?

- Yes. It's the same as me.

- Why do you hate me so much?

- I don't hate you. I can't ditch my job every time you need something from me.

- But I need you. - I said and made puppy eyes

- No, no. You are not five anymore. These things don't work for me.

- Fine. I better go to bed. It's getting late.

- You can a little longer if you want. I don't mind.

- Thanks, but I have to get ready for tomorrow.

- It's ok. I'll see you for breakfast.

- For sure, you will. Good night.

- To you, too. - he said, and I left

I walked into my room and went to bed. Then I remembered that I wasn't in my PJs. I tried to fall asleep, but I couldn't. I laid down for an hour. Then I pulled out my phone. It's not like something was interesting on social media. I decided to play a game. That didn't help, either. Once, Austin told me to drink a cup of milk. Maybe it will work this time. I carefully walked downstairs and went to the fridge. I will drink from the bottle. Soon, I heard footsteps. I know my best friend is sleeping. Can it be someone else? We locked the door. I took the closest thing to me, which was a pan. That's when the light turned out.

- Rosie, what are you doing with this pan?

- Nothing.

- Did you think there was an intruder?

- Maybe.

- Can I know why you are not in bed?

- I couldn't fall asleep. That's why I came for a glass of milk.

- Then, where is the glass?

- I skipped that part. - I said, and he laughed

- Do you want me to stay with you until you fall asleep?

- Thanks, but there is no need to. I will be fine.

- Hopefully, you won't sneak into my room again.

- Don't worry. This time, I'll deal with this alone.

- If you want, you can come. I won't mind.

- As good as it sounds, this better not become a habit.

- You did it only once. Also, nothing happened.

- I know.

- Ok, I will go to bed. Feel free to join me.

- Maybe I need that.

I know what I'm doing is wrong, but he is my friend. Also, I feel comfortable when we are together. It's only sleeping. Austin suggested putting pillows between us, but I said no. For me, this is like putting a barrier in our friendship. Nothing will happen. I won't let it. I have other things in my head. Maybe it's better if I stay away from him, but I don't want to. I won't find anyone else who will treat me like that. Such people are hard to find. That's why I am staying. I have nowhere else to go. As I see it, my brother doesn't want to be with me. That's what it looks like. I hope that one day, this will change.