A rose should be red: Part 1 - Secrets

by Akaku Red

  Without any hesitation, all of them disappeared as soon as he finished.

  Even those big guys, who were much wider and muscular than him, hurried away without looking back.

  I didn’t understand anything anymore, and the situation was confusing and terrible.

  Dean twirled me around so that I could face him.

  “I am sorry. I didn’t want you to suffer. Did he do anything more? I am sorry I was late.”

  His cold gaze was off, he looked at me with concern, and his almond eyes shined brighter.

  It didn’t seem fake.

  “N-No... Thank you for helping us out!”

  Linette pushed him away from me.

  “Stop acting like a hero, it all happened because of you anyway!”

  Before she could say anything else, I stopped her.

  “Linette that’s enough! He doesn’t seem to know anything. And he helped us. You shouldn’t push him like this!”

  Dean looked down and smiled.

  “You didn’t change at all.” He muttered.

  This made me shiver hard.

  Some memory wanted to come back, but as Linette talked again, it vanished.

  “But he planned this!”

  “You always meddle in when it clearly has nothing to do with you! But to make you happy, I will stay away from Jenny. So, you can keep on crushing on me, in secret.”

  Linette was getting red. Her face was beaming.

  “Fuck you, Dean!”

  She yelled as she grabbed my arm and pulled me away.

  I needed more than a moment to let this situation sink in; I needed time …

  Without any words, we strictly got to chemistry class.

  Being late again, this time, we got a punishment. Well, who wouldn’t see that coming?

  Chapter 5

  The seemingly most interminable school day in life has ended. What did I learn?

  Nothing… except that I should be punctual, and I should avoid any possible interaction with those crazy fangirls and fanboys of Dean.

  Anyway, before I could keep on with my research, I needed to do my homework and my punishment-task due to my lateness, first.

  Tomorrow would be Friday, and I really didn't need more tasks for the weekend.

  School should be out of my mind in my free time.

  Also, Linette didn't mention the incident with Dean. She acted as if it never happened.

  Maybe Dean said something, which made her recall something terrible?

  But what did he mean with ‚crushing on me‘?

  Did she have a crush on Dean?

  Maybe she was acting this way because she liked him?

  Anyhow… she was angry after he said those words.

  It made me worry, but I was afraid to ask.

  If I was an average person… I would ask her normally and … I would protect her like any other normal girl.

  But I am not normal, and I couldn't even move my body, after being touched like that.

  I couldn't even speak up, as the girls bullied us. It was like I was the little child again, who couldn’t defend herself.

  Everyday … I was getting reminded that I was an abnormal human being.

  A Coward!

  I really needed to get stronger…

  “Did something happen?” Tyler asked as he was driving me home.

  I didn't really look for him these days since we didn’t talk with each other… Today, I looked with him carefully, and wow!… did he look especially good?

  He even applied the gel to his hair, and they were slicked back.

  His forehead was showing, and seeing his full face was anything but stunning.

  Handsome the way his brows were rising, his eyes shining and how his full lips parted as he talked.

  Also, his white shirt matched his body well, his sleeves were rolled up, and as he was holding the steering wheel, his muscles flexed a bit.

  “Jenny, did something happen? You look concerned.”

  I looked back into his deep blue eyes.

  “No, everything is fine.”

  He sighed after hearing my answer.

  “We didn't talk for a while.”

  I agreed to his comment and to distract myself from his handsomeness. I started playing with the hem of my jersey.

  “Are you mad at me?” He asked.

  I didn't answer for a moment, but then I gathered my courage.

  “I overheard a talk between you and Elise. I didn't hear much, but she was mad. Since that day, you kept your distance.” I finally said.

  “Is this why you are worried?”

  Yeah … this was also a reason why I was worried. But this wasn't all. I had a lot of things in mind.

  Things I couldn't speak out aloud.

  Tyler stopped the car.

  I looked out the window, thinking we arrived home, but it wasn’t the case.

  He stopped by a boardwalk near the river.

  Before I could ask why we were here, he smiled and answered my unspoken question.

  “Your mum will be home late again, and I want to spend time with you. So let’s get going.”

  The talk before was forgotten! The excitement started rising because I rarely got outside.

  Most of my time, I was spending at home, and if Elise had time, she would go out shopping with me.

  It was Tyler who made it possible for me to see beautiful views, like this.

  I loved the river flow, it reminded me of the time in Florida, even though it wasn’t a sea.

  It had something magical …

  I just liked the atmosphere and the sound of splashing water…

  Without any hesitation, I opened my seatbelt and got out first.

  I heard some branches cracking under my shoes.

  The boardwalk wasn't bricked; it had its normal ground. It was a little uneven, but crossing this path was relaxing.

  As I looked around, I noticed the streetlights from last time.

  We were on the other side of the river.

  I searched for the restaurant we went months ago, but from my point of view the buildings seemed little, and it was hard to notice any difference.

  “If you are searching for the restaurant, I am pretty sure it’s that one.” Tyler was standing next to me and pointed at a building between all of the grey ones.

  “Really? I can’t see any difference.”

  Again, I tried my best, even squinting my eyes, but my vision didn't get clearer at all.

  “You need to squint your eyes a little bit more.” He said.

  Huh? But if I would do that, my eyes would be closed!

  Then I realised!

  I opened my eyes and sighed …

  He was making fun of me.

  Tyler started laughing.

  “You are mean.”

  “No, I just wanted to impress you.”

  Because of him, I started to pout, which made him smile even more.

  I wanted to be mad at him, but his smile … made me not so angry.

  “Would you mind taking a walk with me?”

  He stretched out his hand. I was pretty sure. Every other woman would have taken it … take him.

  But I looked away.

  “Please.”

  “You always tease me!”

  “Sorry … I am trying hard to hide this side, but when I am with you … it just comes out.” He sighed.

  Now I turned and took his hand.

  With a smile on my lips, I tightened my grip.

  “Okay, I will accept your apology! And you don't need to hide your true self, BUT you should stop treating me like a little ‚spoiled‘ child.”

  Tyler stiffened for a second.

  His deep blue eyes changed its colour. It looked lighter … nearly like the blue sky.

  The feelings of longing and desire were written on them.

  It was mesmerising.

  “I never saw you as a child.” He whispered.

  His words were breezing over me with a little gust of the cold
air.

  It sent chills up and down my spine.

  He noticed my reaction to his words and again, I saw a change in his eyes, now it got darker, and he was eyeing me with a lustful desire … with hunger, which took away my breath.

  It was incredible, and I felt dizzy.

  Tyler closed his eyes and took some deep breaths as if he was absorbing this moment and relishing the reaction of my body.

  Before he opened his eyes again, he turned to look at the river.

  “We should start our little walk.”

  I couldn't say anything at this moment. I was just speechless about the emotions I had felt.

  It was too overwhelming …

  At least I didn't need to do anything since Tyler was the one leading.

  We walked through the path next to the streetlights, till we got to a spot near the river.

  He laid his jacket on the ground so that I could sit on it.

  I thanked him while I made some space, so he could also sit next to me.

  At first, he was hesitant, but then he did it.

  We were close again.

  It was a different feeling sitting next to each other like this than in his car.

  Nothing was between us.

  My right side slightly brushed his body.

  I was the type, who would create a big distance, but … somehow, I missed his company, and now I was enjoying him being near me.

  It was quite for a while before he broke the silence.

  “I missed this.”

  He muttered.

  His words were like a big hug, which warmed up my body.

  Again, my heart started beating faster because it made me think that he felt the same I did.

  “Yeah…”

  Birds were flying above us, and one of them got on a street light, they started to sing, and the water of the river splashed a little, by the wind which was breezing slightly.

  The atmosphere was calming.

  “Elise does have a hard time managing everything. She got a little mad at me but … anyway she just wants you to live a good life.” His arms were stretched on each side, to hold his upper body, and his long legs were crossed.

  He looked at the sky while talking.

  “She is stressed, and I think she needs some time out. I even told her to take some vacation, but she got angry … She doesn't want you to be alone.”

  “I know…”

  I pulled my legs close to my face, so I could lay my head on my knees.

  My gaze followed the stream of the river.

  “I know she is doing everything to make me happy. But why would she … err… forget this.”

  I stopped myself because these words weren't meant for Tyler.

  “Jenny, I already told you! You can tell me about your worries …” His voice sounded concerned.

  I slightly turned my face so that I could look at him.

  A strand of his hair, loosened and dropped down his forehead, making me want to stretch out my hand and put it back in place, but I resisted the urge to do so.

  “It’s nothing, really.” I assured.

  I couldn’t tell him about my concerns… I had a feeling that Elise hid some things from me.

  And I couldn’t tell him about, because he also had some secrets.

  He sighed loudly; his gaze saddened … he looked disappointed.

  “Tyler, I don’t want you to worry about me. I just don't understand many things, and I have a lot of questions. But this is my problem, and you shouldn't overthink it.”

  I thought, with these words, I could make him a little less worried, but he just looked more disappointed.

  “That should be me saying it! You shouldn't worry much! And I really want to help you!”

  While he said those words, he stretched his hand out to me, but before he could touch me, he let it sink back on his side as if he had forbidden himself to do this.

  “I really want you to be happy.”

  I smiled.

  Happiness is when people love, care, and cherish each other.

  Especially when you have the people around you.

  To see him like this… to hear those words coming from him, it made me happy.

  “I already am. I have a beautiful mother, new friends … and I have you.”

  As I said it, he looked at me with sparkling eyes.

  His brows rose, and he swallowed hard.

  His gaze was on me, as if he was under a spell, then he moved closer.

  The invisible line that existed a second ago was removed.

  He gave me a little peck on my cheek and stroke my hair behind my ear.

  These little touches made my heart skip a beat.

  “Yeah … You have me.” He whispered.

  His forehead touched mine.

  A tingling sensation shot through my body, as his nose brushed over my cheek.

  I raised my head to make a little distance, but he moved with me.

  Our breaths were melting together.

  I was surrounded by his manly scent.

  “I am an inherently greedy person, Jenny. I really am…”

  “Why would you say something like this?”

  I closed my eyes and waited for these feelings, which were rushing through my body, to stop.

  “I won’t be able to rest until I have everything…”

  “That’s indeed, greedy!”

  I chuckled, which made him sigh.

  “Your voice … Your hair, your eyes and lips, and your heart. All of you…”

  He whispered those words, which made me swallow hard.

  As long he was around me, my mind went blank, and I couldn’t think straight.

  I tried to understand the meaning behind his words, but before I could come to a conclusion, he said something which made me worry.

  “Please, don't get mad at me … And don't hate me.”

  I raised my brows, my eyes still closed.

  “Why would I? You didn't do anything bad.”

  His hand was placed softly on my cheek. I felt his thumb brushing over my lower lip.

  I stopped breathing because of his touch.

  But as I didn't get an answer, I slowly opened my eyes.

  His gaze was captured on my lips, yet this time … somehow, I could control myself.

  I lifted my arm and pulled his hand away from my face.

  Then I slid to the edge of his jacket, so there was enough space to breathe in the mild air.

  “Why are you having these thoughts? I don't want you to think like that. I don't hate you, nor do I hate your job. I like being around you, and I really appreciate your company. In fact, I really do like you, and I just hope that you stop having these dark thoughts.”

  Tyler looked at me with sorrow, written in his eyes.

  It made me startle.

  Why does he look so regretful?

  He noticed my concern and shook his head just to change his expression.

  A little forced smile sneaked on his face.

  “Sorry, sometimes … I worry too much.”

  “I don't want our conversations to end with an apology. Let us talk about something else.”

  I really wanted to change the topic because I didn't like to see him troubled.

  He looked like he had something deep, hidden in his heart, which made him suffer.

  Which made him think, that I would hate him…

  “Do you really enjoy me being around you?”

  I sighed, was he really that insecure?

  “Yes, I do! And I am sure there are plenty of women who would think the same.”

  Again with these words, I wanted to make him feel better… but he looked way more disappointed than before.

  “I don't care about any other woman, but you.”

  My stomach started to tug, and my heart was tripping over itself.

  He wrapped his left arm around me and pulled me closer so that my head touched his chest.

  I could hear his irregular heartbeat, and I felt his deep
breaths.

  Hesitatingly, I let my arm slide around his back and hugged him too. My body did that automatically, without thinking much.

  His scent was fresh, and it matched his masculine appearance … he was perfect.

  I was sure, the woman he would get would be the happiest in the world.

  “Are you using perfume?”

  His voice brought me back to reality.

  “No … Why do you ask?”

  His hand moved down to my hips.

  The burning sensation started rising again, and it got through every corner of my body.

  “Your scent is like a rose.”

  He stopped for a second before he kept on talking.

  “More like yourself. You are like a beautiful red rose, with little thorns on its steam, yet you still don't know how to use them. You are … just so beautiful.”

  My cheeks were burning hot.

  But even if he said those words, my heart knew that it wasn't like that.

  I didn't feel beautiful, and I never thought I was.

  A red rose was one beautiful flower, and I wasn't even a beautiful human being.

  Those were sweet words to say, even nice to hear. Although I knew they weren't true.

  If I resembled a rose, then my petals would be all fallen off … maybe I had five on them because they made me look alive. But my stem was defiantly broken, and the five petals were the people around me, who kept me going.

  We stayed silent for a while, and I nearly had fallen asleep if he didn't start talking again.

  “Would you like to accompany me to a celebration? My boss had his thousandths case, and he wants to celebrate it. He even booked a hotel for this; he wants us to dress up.”

  “Isn’t this just for the employees?”

  “No, it’s a gathering with our partners.”

  I raised my head just to find him looking down at me, with a little smile on his lips.

  “Since I don't have one, I would want you to go with me.”

  “Why? You could get anyone to be your partner.”

  He sighed.

  “I don't want anybody. I want you.”

  My heart couldn't take it anymore. He was too much.

  “S-Stop it! You and your words.”

  His smile grew bigger, and it could take away any woman’s breath.

  “I am just telling the truth.”

  “B-But still you could ask me normally, without the sweet talk.”

  He lifted his hand, just to place it on my cheek.

  “Do you want me to go alone, while everyone else is going with their partners?” As he said it, he tried to cover his lips.