The Middle Man

I Am Rosi

Hi it's Rosi (real name is Rosilee Aurora Rider for further reference) and here I am, 3 days left of school now and beyond ready for summer. My best friend Mindy and I have been saving up for the biggest summer shopping spree. The goal is to look like I own the entire Forever 21 store.

-at school-

I just walked in and made my way over to my locker where Mindy was waiting.

"Hey Mind" I said opening my locker.

"Sup, oh. Oh. Drew 12 o'clock" she told me as I stared at the dreamy Drew.

"Hey Rosi" he said giving me a slight smile and wave, a real shock to me.

"Hi!" I said waving back as he walked farther and farther away.

"Ugh F.M.L Mindy!" I told her dramatically bashing my head in my locker.

"I know Rosi, but summer is almost here." I slumped my shoulders and headed to class. Then I headed to the next and then to the next, the positivity of summer visions circling my head.

After school Kian was waiting outside to pick me up. While heading out something amazing, completely out of the ordinary, happened.

"Hey Rosi!" I heard someone shout. Naturally, I flipped my long blondish wavy hair over my shoulder to get a better view of Drew who was approaching me and brushing his perfect hair back.

"Hey Drew" I said smiling, he came over to me leaning against Kian's car.

"Watch it Drew." Kian yelled from inside the car, they were friends a long time ago so I assumed it was a joke.

"Rosi I was just wondering what your number is? I Don't know when I will see you next, can't risk forgetting to ask."

"Yea sure!" He gave me his phone and I put it in right away.

"Hey thanks" he said he said hugging me around the waist. His touch was always a mystery to me, I caught my breath in my throat with surprise.

I got into the car and heard some "Awwws" from Kian.

"Kian stop" I said.

"Aww come on you Rosi. That's a big step. You never ki- I mean never dated anyone, it's huge" he said.

"I guess, and you saved yourself, no talking about- oh forget it" I said he almost made me relive a crazy memory. It's my biggest secret that not too many know about, except for Kian. He vowed to stay silent, because that's what good friends do, keep secrets, right?

"Taco Bell?" He asked of course. Mid day snacks were essential for Kian.

"Not me, thanks though" I said slumping in my seat.

"Be happy R, you have 2 days left of school, then it's our summer" he said smiling "no rules, video games till 12, skateboarding all afternoon, and food 24/7"

"Yeah actually Kian, this summer, I-uh-I'm not playing video games and eating 24/7" he then looked at me, I swear he was going to cry.

"R.." He led.

"Kian, I'm not going to waste my last summer before college being a total tomboy, no I'm going to be more grown up, mature and, well yea that's it I guess" I rubbed my arm. Trying to tell your friend that you wanted to work towards a "glo-up" was harder than you think.

"R, I'm gonna need a hug before I lose you"

"R never hugged, duhhh Kian." I said flipping invisible dust off my shoulder. "And don't start with that losing bullshit."

"Last night of junk food and video games and pranks is your last day of school, okay?"

"Okay. Promise."

We were finally at the exclusive O2L house. My parents worked so they can buy me a car, at least that's what I hope they have in mind on spending their pay checks on. So that is why I'm an 18 year old getting a ride with Kian to and from school everyday.

"Aloha" I yelled opening the door and throwing my bag on the ground.

"Aloha!!" The group yelled. Just me and the boys, I'm going to miss it.

"How was school?" Sam asked trying to pick me up.

"It sucked, and don't touch me" I said slapping away his embrace. Sam was really touchy and I was his target, always.

I looked down to see I had a text message.

From: Drew

Hey Rosi, it's Drew:)

To: Drew

Hey what's up?

From: Drew

At home :P eating, you?

To: Drew

At O2l house, the usual

Our texting ended up going on for hours after that.

The boys must've noticed my wide smiles and anxiety waiting for my phone to buzz, because the interrogation started.

"Someone gotta crush?" I heard JC ask.

"Shut up" I said punching him in the arm.

Kian glared at me every single time I looked at my phone. It made me feel guilty and I don't exactly know why.

But maybe there is a part of me that did know.

"Someone jealous?" Trevor nudged Kian.

"Of what?!" Kian said sounding irritated.

"You know what" Trevor said pointing at me and putting up the heart hand symbol. I tried to pretend like I didn't notice.

Kian grabbed Trevor put him over his shoulder and left the room, leaving us all laughing uncontrollably.

JC yelled for a movie break since he got his hands on a copy of Halloween.

I walked into the other room to see Trevor, in total shock, looking like he saw a ghost and Kian casually sitting on one of the movie theater styled chairs. As JC put the DVD in, Kian pulled me into his embrace and sat together. Don't get the wrong idea, I like Drew, and Kian doesn't like me. This is just a friendly cuddle session. Everyone needs one now and then.

As we watched, at one pop up I can totally confess and say I did cling to Kian a bit but it was just due to the feeling of security. We have never, ever been that close before. He held my waist and I grabbed his neck as we were nestled in the theater chair. Yeah that's acceptable for just friends.

The rest of the movie went smooth. When it was done Kian drove me home, and it was dead silent. Our movie cuddle was awkward and so different, we were obviously close but not like we were 20 minutes ago.

"Hey, listen, I'm sorry for touching your waist and that crap" he said speaking up.

"No it's ok, I was the one holding your neck and clinging to you" I said.

We arrived at my house, still quiet.

"Uh thanks Kiki" I said opening the door.

"Bye."