A rose should be red: Part 1 - Secrets

by Akaku Red

  “Forget this asshole! He will never get you! I will never let him get you!”

  My whole body got goosebumps, as I heard her words.

  She was in anger. Also, her posture started to get more aggressive.

  It looked like she wanted to kill somebody.

  “He can try me!”

  “NO! I don't want that.” I said, and started to fear … this isn't the Elise, I knew.

  “I will get this bastard.” She muttered, gritting her teeth.

  “Why would you want that?”

  Elise got up and left me without saying another word.

  It really crept the hell out of me, because such behaviour wasn't like Elise.

  “This is crazy!”

  I muttered while drying my tears.

  With a heavy feeling in my heart, I laid back on the bed and tried to close my eyes.

  Eventually, I slept again, because as my alarm started ringing, I opened my eyes again.

  I got up, brushed my teeth, slipped in some casual clothes and on my way, I snatched my backpack.

  Elise was already at the dining table, as yesterday.

  This time, she was smiling gently, and she looked fresh.

  Her shoulder-length hair was falling freely and sat loosely on her left side. She also did put on some make-up that complimented her green eyes.

  For breakfast, she prepared some eggs with toast, she only did that, when she was in a good mood.

  And it confused me because I clearly remembered her rage from yesterday as she was comforting me!

  But surprisingly today, she was very talkative; it nearly made me believe that the encounter at night didn’t happen.

  It made me believe that it was just a bad dream…

  After breakfast, I needed to face Tyler.

  He also acted, as if yesterday was a normal day.

  Which again, left me confused – for me it was hard to face him, without remembering the near kiss and the moments of his touch, but I tried to act normal…

  I didn't want to cause any problems.

  One week past and I started to feel comfortable in school. This guy Dean tried to tease me and get my attention, but I ignored him in class.

  The friendship with Charlotte, Linette and Amy started to grow. They were really funny and easy to talk to.

  It was nice having those girls around me. Also, as Tyler greeted them once, Charlotte nearly died on that day, which made me laugh really hard.

  Other classmates didn't talk to me, but it was okay!

  The feeling of being watched by a specific person didn’t disappear… in fact, the feeling got even stronger, but since I didn’t see anyone, I couldn’t tell anybody about it.

  I wrote every night a new letter for Alice, with everything that happened on each day.

  While I wrote those letters, they helped me to put my thoughts in the right order.

  Even though I didn’t get answers to any of my own concerns and worries.

  After serval weeks passed, Tyler began keeping his distance; he only drove me to school and back home.

  We also didn't chat; he only greeted me, asked the usual questions and nothing more.

  I suppose it all started because of a phone call. Elise might have told him to distance himself from me.

  Well, I heard them arguing on the phone.

  I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, and I didn’t really hear what was going on, but all I could say was that they both sounded mad.

  Strangely enough… since that day, we didn't talk much anymore.

  It was a bit saddening because I thought we have gotten closer, but maybe it was better this way… right?

  “I will fetch you later.” He muttered as I got out of his car, with my backpack in my arms.

  “Yeah… See you later!”

  I noticed Linette, standing in front of the school gate.

  She waved her hand as our eyes met.

  I started to like Linette, but I had the feeling that something was off with her, especially as she met Tyler… they seemed to know each other.

  And… I do believe that they knew each other!

  The reason was not only because Tyler mentioned her name even though I never told him about her, but also because of the awkward atmosphere around them.

  Well, I just didn’t understand why and what they tried to hide.

  It was nothing to be ashamed of. Also, it would be pretty normal for people to know each other…

  But well, I just played along and tried to cover the fact that they behaved awkwardly around each other.

  Maybe I was just thinking too much into the situation…

  With a little smile on my face, I wanted to approach Linette.

  But I got stopped fast, as Dean blocked my way.

  “Hello, new girl!” He said, smiling.

  ‘Don’t annoy him.’ Charlotte’s advice came into my mind.

  Even though I wanted to ignore him again, I stood straight.

  My smile was still on.

  “Good… morning!”

  Dean leaned over and let his arm sink on my shoulder.

  “Ready to share a little talk with me?”

  “Maybe later. We have class now.” I reminded him.

  And… why would I talk to him anyway?

  “I don't care, and you are coming with me!”

  He pulled me close and dragged me like a kid.

  “Stop it, don't grab me like that!”

  I tried to free myself from him, I struggled, but this guy just laughed and led the way through the gates.

  His strength and the scenario made me remember my past.

  My heartbeat started to rise, pictures of Thomas flashed in front of me.

  I started to shiver.

  “Hey, hey! I won’t do anything bad, I promise! So please stop being afraid.” Dean noticed my fear and started to talk softly.

  Again … I got more scared because I didn't know why he acted this way.

  He slowly let go of me and lifted his hands up in the air.

  “See, I won’t do anything.”

  I looked down and tried to calm myself.

  “What do you want from me?”

  He smiled again and pointed with his hands at the door behind me.

  “What?“

  “Go in there!”

  “Why would I go in there?”

  “Because I am going to chat with you and I don't care, if you don't want to. Stop testing my patience!”

  What is wrong with this guy?

  His brown curly hair loosened up, as he ran with his hands over them, his muscles flexed.

  Looking at me eagerly, I sighed and opened the door to a music room, which had all kinds of instruments in there.

  Also, a little stage at the end of the room, on it, there was a keyboard, a guitar, and a drum kit.

  “This way!”

  He pushed me in and made me sit down on a chair, which, by the way, was the only one in this room.

  Then he smoothly sat down on the stage and faced me.

  “So, miss Brown.” He started as he checked me up.

  “Are you acting, or are you really stupid?”

  As he had spoken out the question, I already was on the verge to stand up and leave the room.

  “Are you sure we didn’t meet before?”

  I shook my head, willing to leave.

  “I see! Do you know why you still live normal here in school? And why nobody attacked you?”

  Attack me? Did I hear him correctly?

  “I will tell you something, …missy. I control and rule this school! No teacher, no parents, nobody can stop me! You really, really did annoy me on your first day, plus you ignored me. Nobody ignores me!”

  I got up the chair and looked at him with pure disbelieve written on my face.

  “What are you talking about? What do you even want from me?”

  He also got up, with each step he got closer.

  Normally I would try to flee, but this time, I stood still and glared
at him.

  He tried to put his hand on my shoulder, but I shrugged it away.

  Again, he smiled brightly, as he tried it one more time and succeeded.

  “You know … I really don't like people who disobey me. But you … look good; you have beautiful eyes and a mysterious side on you. Maybe that’s the reason why I let you live in peace here. Or maybe … out of pity … because of your sad past.”

  My heart stopped beating.

  “Now you are looking helpless, ha-ha! When I say, I rule this school, then I mean it. I can get any information! For me, it was very easy to get on yours.”

  How on earth was happening?

  “What do you know? How do you know?” I started to shiver and stepped back.

  “My father acts as a judge, and I can get any information if I want to. Your information was easy because I remembered you.”

  He touched my forehead and got closer.

  “I slightly remembered, your amber eyes… your pale face. So, I looked into something … You were this girl, who got into a special case of abusing. And … now you are here again, looking good, you can talk again, and your eyes still didn't change…”

  I was frozen for a short moment.

  “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anybody about it. I am an asshole, but not that kind of.”

  “How?”

  “My dad wanted me to see him work. And this is how I met you. And we were…”

  He formed his hand into fists, clearly not pleased that I didn’t recognise him.

  Also, he didn’t finish his sentence. Instead, he bit his lower lip.

  “Anyway, that is not the reason why I wanted to talk to you!”

  He spaced out for a moment as if he recalled something.

  But he got back, shaking his head while he was taking his time to think of the right words to say.

  “I want you to help me out with something.”

  He eyed me again.

  The tension got even worse.

  “You need to help me to get rid of a clingy girl.”

  What?

  “Are you kidding?”

  Speechless, that is what this guy made me right now.

  I sat down on the chair. My feet couldn't take this shit anymore.

  “Are you threatening me?”

  He did the same as me and sat back down on the stage.

  “No, I am just asking you a favour.”

  He simply stated.

  “Why Me?”

  “Listen … err … you don't seem to fall in love with me. If I ask another girl, she would definitely be the next clingy one. So … that’s why I ask you.” His stable voice was cracking a bit. It gave me the feeling that he just made this reason up, which made me laugh helplessly.

  “You clearly made this up! Is this a stupid bet? Why the talk before?”

  He shook his head.

  “I knew you wouldn’t believe me! And with this talk… I just wanted to remind you that I know everything, and I rule everything. So, if you want to live peacefully, then let me make this clear, don't go on my nerves! If I ask you for a favour, then don't say no!”

  He laid back and started to look up the ceiling.

  “Then this isn’t called asking if I can’t choose!”

  “You can choose! It’s your choice to live in peace or to go through hell.”

  He shrugged with his shoulders as if it were the most normal thing to say.

  “What do you want me to do?”

  He got up again and stared at me with a strange look.

  “Just stay by my side.”

  His hazel brown eyes started to shimmer.

  “I won’t do anything to you, just stay by my side.”

  I tried to understand this guy, but there was no straight line, no understanding.

  “How long?” I asked.

  “For a while!”

  “So … You want me to stay by your side for a while. If I don't do this, I will go through hell?” I repeated.

  He swallowed hard after he realised how his words sounded, hearing them from another person.

  Slowly, I got up and looked at him with a smile on my face.

  “Yeah … I guess … that’s what I said.” He ran through his hair while saying it and looked down.

  Now, I was the one who took little steps. With one hand, I touched his shoulder.

  “I thought you knew my story, so you must have known that I was in hell. In real hell! To be bullied, to be pushed around or whatever is nothing compared, to what I have been through. So, do what you want, but I will not do that. I don't like being asked for a favour after being treated like shit.” This time he was the one who shivered.

  My voice was cold, and my eyes were staring deep into his.

  “You were the one who treated me like a piece of shit. You are ignoring me!”

  “After you said such disgusting words.” I added.

  “No! You are the one who acts like you don't know me! As if you didn’t remember!”

  Remember? Did I really meet him before?

  “A lot of things happened in my life, and it is hard for me to remember everything.”

  I lifted my hand and stowed my fists into the pocket of my jeans.

  “And then you say that I am the bad one?”

  “Well, you are saying mean things.” I reminded him.

  He jumped up, grabbed my hips and pulled me close.

  “You didn't change at all…”

  He whispered, slowly he let his hand slide up to my face.

  His touch was soft and gentle, but it was a different feeling … I didn't know why, yet Tyler came into my mind, and I was secretly comparing his touch with this … but all I knew was that this feeling was different.

  “If we didn’t talk with each other and you were just present at the court day, how should I remember you?”

  A muscle of his jaw shrugged.

  “We had spent a lot of time together …”

  His eyes looked sad; he was hurting.

  But …

  Dean was a person I didn't know!

  It was just … somehow his presence felt familiar…

  I freed myself without much force and turned.

  “I gave you serval days … which turned into months to remember me, but it seems like you have really forgotten.” I heard him sighing. “That’s cruel!” He added.

  Looking down on the floor, I tried to remember the day in court, but bad memories mixed in, which is why I needed to stop.

  “I am sorry, I will try to … I am sorry.” I muttered as I got out of this room.

  Maybe I was really the cruel one … What if I knew him?

  What if I really have forgotten this boy? … Was he an important person?

  I got late in class, but the teacher didn't seem to care.

  Also, Dean didn't show up again.

  He made me rethink my past, even though I tried hard to forget.

  It really was hard for me to remember everything.

  Sadly … the little good things in life will be easily forgotten.

  The bad will always stay.

  Mister Anderson was giving his mathematics lesson, and I loved maths— but now, I really couldn't concentrate.

  Also, Linette, who was sitting in the front row, turned and looked at me with concern in her eyes.

  “Dear Class!” The teacher said loud.

  He touched his bald head and tossed the chalk on his desk.

  “Normally, after a break, you would have Mrs Martin for geography, but sadly she got ill, and we don't have a teacher to cover the lesson. That’s why you will have a longer break.” He informed of the news, which made my classmates go crazy.

  Everyone started to cheer and dance, they made plans where they would go for lunch and the places to hang out.

  Well, we would have a thirteen minutes break, a two hours lesson which was cancelled and a fifteen minutes break afterwards. Which meant we really had a lot of time, before the English lesson would start!

  Li
nette was looking at me with a big smile. She also seemed to have a plan.

  But I … a thought came into my mind.

  I mean we had a lot of time, and … I could stop by the Orphanage!

  Neither Tyler nor Elise would know about it, and I could start my research without problems.

  Yes, this was the solution!

  The school bell started ringing, and the whole class rushed out of the room.

  Mister Anderson also did leave. Every single person was in a rush to get out of here…

  I watched the little silhouettes, as they vanished before my eyes.

  The classroom was quiet now.

  And I’ve gotten a little heart attack as Linette appeared out of nowhere.

  “We should go out too.” She suggested.

  Her offer made me happy but … I really needed to go to the orphanage.

  “Er … Linette, there is something I would like to check out.” I carefully said.

  Her brown eyes started to sadden.

  “Oh … sorry, I thought you wanted to …” She muttered shyly.

  Feelings of guilt started to build up as if I said something wrong.

  “What do you want to do? Can I join in?”

  She tried to hide her disappointment, and yet again, I needed to decline her offer.

  Or should I take her with me?

  But what if she really knows Tyler and she would tell him?

  “THERE IS THE BITCH!” Someone yelled.

  Linette and I got startled, we looked at the door where the voice was coming from.

  Four girls were pointing at me, and they started to come closer.

  “So, you are the ugly ass, arrogant bitch?”

  A girl said, she pushed Linette away and stood before me.

  “HEY! Don't push her!” I said the anger started rising.

  “Ha-ha! She tries to tell us what we should do?”

  She shoved me up from my chair and grabbed me hard on my shoulder.

  “LET HER GO!” Linette screamed.

  “Shut your ass!”

  Another girl kicked her in her stomach, which made Linette gasp.

  I started to shiver, I really wanted to help her, but my memories flashed back, I was taken back to the time when Thomas punished me.

  Frightened and helpless, that’s how I felt.

  `You are not a weak child. You are a grown girl; you can fight for yourself.` The calm voice of my father came into my mind.

  He was the one who helped me get over my anxiety pills.