Chapter 4
Run a hand through my hair.
Flip it to the right.
Fluff up the back.
Put a lock behind my ear.
Pout lips.
Perfection.
I smiled at my gorgeous reflection then proceeded to apply some strawberry scented lip gloss lightly on my lips.
Gosh, I’m beautiful.
I’m almost jealous of me.
I closed my locker door, scanning the halls for Chase.
Instead being met with a bunch of faces of worthless losers who hoped I could spare a glance at them.
Yeah right.
I walked to the fountain where everyone worthy of it hung out.
“Hey.” I said to Brymo, Chase’s friend.
Or was it Brian…
I think it’s Brett…
Yeah, I’ll go with Brett.
“Yo Rose!” He gave me a hi-five.
I suppressed the urge to grimace as he high fived my newly French manicured nails. Does he not know how precious my babies are?
Ugh.
“Have you seen Chase?” I asked at the same time he asked, “have you seen Gemma?”
Gemma was Brett’s girlfriend…
Well that’s what he said…they’re more like friends with benefits.
I don’t know why on earth he would even hook up with her though, she’s a hideous little beast who needs to be put down.
Hate that girl.
“Hey Rose.”
I turned, plastering a smile on my face. “Hey Gemma.”
“What’s up?” She asked.
“Nothing.” I looked over to her butt ugly shirt.
Ew.
“Cute top.” I lied. “It really suits you.”
She beamed at me. “Oh thanks, it’s Versace.”
Versace my ass.
“So, Chase?” I asked, turning to Brett.
“Last I saw him, he was around the stairs.” Brett told me.
I nodded. “Thanks.”
I went off to the stairs, looking for Chase.
I haven’t seen him all day and I don’t know what’s going on but I hope nothing’s wrong, he can’t be hurt because if he is, there goes Friday’s game.
He can’t miss the game, I’m planning on going to support my hubby, and there are going to be so many important people at this championship.
I walked under the stairs, heading towards the fields, but then I heard some noises….
Coming from the janitor’s closet.
I slowly walked towards it, pressing my ear to the door.
I heard some girl moaning quietly.
Jackpot!
Which worthless loser’s reputation am I going to destroy today?
This will be fun.
“Yeah, Eloise.” A guy grunted.
I rolled my eyes. Losers will get nasty anywhere.
Wait a second… did he say Eloise?
As in, my-best-friend-Eloise?
What the hell is she doing in a closet?
That will totally tarnish our rep.
Without thinking, I slammed open the door to face an earth shattering sight.
“What the hell?” I screeched.
It was Chase in the closet with Eloise. The two people who I thought I could trust.
Eloise’s eyes widened and she moved back as Chase frantically tried pulling his pants up.
I felt my eyes tear up.
…my boo…my best friend...
I blinked away my tears, there’s no way that I’ll let them see my cry.
“Rose, babe, it’s not what it looks like!” Chase tried, reaching out to me.
“Don’t touch me.” I growled. “What the hell is wrong with you!? You’re with me and you go around hooking up with that. I’m a diamond, she’s like a rock! What were you thinking?”
“Harsh.” Eloise muttered, pulling on her shirt.
“You can go shut up, okay? You little whore! I knew you were like this, but your best friends boyfriend?” I spat.
That little whore!
That cheating bastard!
“Hey, don’t be so harsh!” Chase defended her.
“You’re defending her?” I sneered.
“At least she’s not some high maintenance brat like you.” He shot back.
Eloise gasped. “Chase!” She hissed.
Chase ignored her. “Emily here is great.”
“It’s Eloise.” She muttered.
“That’s what I said.”
I took a deep breath.
I’m done.
Done with Chase.
Little bastard can go jump of a cliff.
“I hate you.” I said in a low voice, before bringing my hand back and punching him full on the face.
“Ow! What the hell?” He exclaimed.
I turned, walking away from them. I can’t believe I trusted those two.
Eloise?
Her life is done.
I will ruin her, and then bring her up just to ruin her again, and when I’m done, I’ll do it again.
She will feel pain.
I slammed open the cafeteria doors, stalking over to the line and I pushed my way into the front.
I’m more important, so I get food first.
“Rose!”
I turned to see Eloise running to me. “Rose, just wait a minute!”
“What the hell do you want?” I hissed.
“Can I explain?” She asked.
“I think I know what I saw. Whore.” I muttered.
“I’m not a whore.” She stated.
That comment just snapped me.
Ugh.
I swear I’m gonna break a nail on this girl.
How dare she hook up with my boyfriend and then defend it?
I brought my arm back, then with all my strength, I swung.
Hard.
I slapped her and got her right in the jaw and she took a hard fall to the ground, clutching her face in pain.
I felt a little better seeing her in so much pain, but not completely.
“Bites, don’t it?” I taunted.
She looked up at me, angry now. “What the hell is wrong with you Rose Smithson! What is your problem!” She stood up now, all in my face. “You think you can slap me!? Huh? Who the hell do you think you are?”
I pushed her back lightly. “First of all, you deserved that. Secondly, you’re a whore. Thirdly, what the hell kind of best friend are you?”
She scoffed. “Best friend? Since when?”
“W-what?”
She raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “You really thought I was best friends with you? Wow. You really must have no friends.”
“What? No…I just-”
“You’re a nobody. That’s what you are. A No-bo-dy.” She sounded out each syllable to increase the effect. “ Nobody. Likes. You.” She folded her arms across her chest.
“That’s not true.” I whispered.
“Look around. You treat everyone so badly. You think the people love you? Yeah right.”
I looked around to see everyone, but when my eyes crossed anyone, they would look away.
Eloise is right.
I have nobody on my side.
I’m all alone again.
“I’m pretty… ” I tried, trying to hold onto what little I had left.
“Doesn’t matter. Mandy is pretty too and she’s not half the brat you are.”
“I’m not a brat!” I argued.
She raised an eyebrow. “You’re kidding right?”
“I don’t choose to be this way.”
“Oh, so you’re naturally a spawn of the devil?” She asked.
The nerve.
“Watch it.” I warned her.
“Boo-freaking-hoo. What are you going to do about it?” A voice asked.
I looked over to see Mandy emerging from the crowd to stand with Eloise.
“Looks like big bad Rose isn’t so bad anymore, huh?” She asked, smirking.
I looked back and forth between t
hem.
This is not happening…
I have nothing.
No friends.
No popularity.
No life.
This would have never happened with Shane.
Shane…
I haven’t thought of that name in such a long time…
Shane.
What’s wrong with me, how could I treat Shane this way?
Shane?
The only guy who’s been with me through everything and I left him in a second.
What the bloody hell is wrong with me?
Shane.
My only friend in the entire world who I have now lost.
I turned on my heels and ran out there to the only place that I know I’d find Shane.
Our spot.
I ran out there, crying and my heart leaped when I saw him sitting under our tree by himself.
Shane!
I ran up to him and when he saw me coming he stood up.
“What are you doing here.” He said stiffly.
I gave him a weak smile and he saw that I was crying.
“Rosebud? What’s wrong?” He asked, the concern seeping through his façade.
Rosebud.
Oh how I missed that.
“Shane, I’m so sorry. I messed up. Bad.” I told him.
“What? Why are you talking to me?” He asked.
I looked down. “…I found Eloise and Chase in the janitor’s closet.” I admitted.
He clenched his jaw. “That bastard.” He muttered.
I nodded. “So…Eloisekindofruinedmeafterthatsoihavenofriends,heywannadosomethingsaturday?” I rushed.
He raised his eyebrows at me, skeptical. “Do I want to do something Saturday?” He repeated.
I nodded sheepishly. “Yeah…I dunno, a movie or something?”
He sighed. “Because you’re not friends with Eloise now you want me again?” He asked.
He tried seeming angry and impassive, but it didn’t work. The hurt was clear on his face and in his voice.
“Shane, come on, don’t say that.” I reached out to touch his shoulder but he jerked away.
“No Rose.” He ran a hand through his shaggy hair, sighing. “You know what? I thought you were amazing Rose. I liked you so much and it hurts to know you’ll never feel the same way about me, but this…”
Wait.
What?
“Shane, what are you talking about?” I asked. “Of course I like you. I always have.”
He shook his head. “Rose. You don’t get it do you?”
I shook my head.
He chuckled, but it wasn’t a heart one, it was an acidic chuckle, full of anger and sorrow. “Of course you don’t get it.” He looked at me and locked eyes with me, and in that moment, I got it all.
I got everything.
From the look he was giving me, I realized what he’s been trying to say and it made everything clear.
Shane likes me.
Not even that, Shane loves me.
He had before, and now every little thing he has done makes so much sense.
Now that I know this, I can’t help but notice how his shaggy hair is just the perfect length, not too long and it makes his face look mysterious and sexy with his strong jawline. How every time he ran a hand through his hair, he messed it up in a way that was perfect. How his crystal blue eyes compliment his complexion in the best way.
And those arms.
The tattoos.
“Shane…I didn’t…you should…”
“It’s done Rose.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair again.
He tends to do that when he’s frustrated, his bicep flexes and I notice how toned his arms are.
I notice everything.
“What do you mean it’s done?” I asked.
“You’ve made your choice, and you can’t have everything.” He said, not looking into my eyes. “I have to go.”
“Wait, Shane.” I grabbed his arm, pulling him to me. “I’m sorry, okay?”
His eyes looked me over, searching my face for something.
He looked and looked.
Finally he said. “It’s not enough this time.”
And with that, he pulled away and left me standing under the tree on my own, and frankly, I didn’t blame him.
But I realized something else as I watched him walk away.
I’m in love with Shane too.
I ran into the bathrooms, crying.
I locked the doors and ran over to the mirrors, wiping my eyes as I stared at myself.
I remember this same position.
It was just under two months ago and I was here in the exact spot crying about something totally different.
What is wrong with me?
Why can’t I be happy?
I kept crying until I had cried my eyes dry and I slid down to the floor and put my head in my knees.
Shane.
I’m so sorry.
Please forgive me.
“Rose?” I heard the familiar voice and looked up to be faced with Darren.
When he saw me, his eyes widened and he shot back to the furthest corner of the ceiling.
“Where’s Rose?” He asked.
“It’s me.” I said quietly.
He slowly came forward, staring at me with a mixture of horror and disgust. “You’re…you’re…hideous.”
“I know.” I said, sighing.
“Well I can’t help you because you already had your wish, but tell me, how is it working out?” He asked.
“Well I broke the scale again, so I’d say not good.” I muttered.
He rolled his eyes. “Sorry to hear, but I guess I best be on my way…”
I grabbed his leg. “Wait!” I cried. “Help me.”
“What?” He asked.
“Help me.” I repeated. “I want you to think I’m beautiful again.”
“You can always fix yourself with a wish.” He said.
“Great.” I closed my eyes. “I wish that-”
“Hey! Not so fast! You have to earn it if you want another wish.” He informed me.
What?
“How the hell am I earning another wish?”
“To earn another wish, you must make the person which you hurt the most, forgive you and love you again.”
My mouth fell.
What?
“That’s the only way.” He told me.
“The person I hurt the most?” I repeated.
He nodded.
Shane.
But he’ll never love me again.
“Oh…one more thing. You have fourty-eight hours. So get to it.”
What the hell?
Two days!?
How am I going to make Shane love me in two days!
“Good luck.” Darren said, leaving before I could say anything and I was left staring at a wall.
Oh damn!
* * *