Rose

The next morning, I opened my eyes to the dimly light room that was only brightened by the sunlight managing to shine through the blocking curtain.

The aching pain in my skull was like a balloon under the bones being inflated and pressure mounting. I yawned, clicking my back a little as I stretched under the thick duvet.

I groaned softly, rubbing my eyes. I wrapped myself under the duvet, nausea adding to my headache. My stomach lurched and churned.

Drinking was a bad idea

My throat felt like sandpaper and when I coughed, a rough feeling was left in my throat. My eyes struggled to cope with the light.

I exhaled, dragging myself out of bed as my bare feet touched the cold ground.

Damn, I forgot to turn on the radiators

My body felt so heavy that it was a wonder how I was standing. My head spun and I rubbed my forehead, sighing once more to myself.

Walking into the bathroom, I went straight to the sink, turning in the tap and splashing cold water on my face, waking myself up. It felt refreshing.

I dried my face with a towel before picking up my toothbrush and getting ready for the day.

An hour later, I walked downstairs to see the guys all lounging in the living room, watching TV.

"Ah!" Jordan said, a large grin on his face. "Sleeping beauty is awake." I rolled my eyes, still in pain. I came closer, my eyes going over to Cris who was too busy scrolling on his iPhone.

"What time is it?" I asked, curiously, my eyes glimpsing outside.

"Almost 12. . .are you gonna make us breakfast?" Dax asked hopefully, his eyes looking over at me.

I shook my head, picking up my bag that was on the floor not too far away from one of the couches. "No, I'm going out."

"Where to?" Cristiano's deep voice questioned, his head snapping up and his eyes directly looking into mine. I licked my lips, tensing up a little.

Clearing my throat, I responded whilst pulling a strand of my hair behind my ear. "Not that it's any of your business; to see a friend."

"I'm surprised you had any," he said, making Jordan snort and snigger a little. I rolled my eyes, giving them my best sarcastic look.

"Yeah, funny coming from someone who's fluent in bullshit," I retorted, giving him a fake smile as I swung m bag over my shoulder.

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed."

"I wish you would act like my egg," I said, my eyes giving him a sardonic look. "And just like, bleed out of here. . .yeah, minus the cramping."

"Anyway," I exhaled, giving him an insincere smile. I lifted up my high waisted jeans. "I'm leaving so, make your own food but don't burn the house down. I'd hate to toss you guys into a fire."

I turned, going straight to the shoe rack and putting on some white Converses. I then slipped on the coat, sorted out my bag and left the loft.

Leaving the house, I walked down the stairs and noticed Jacob walking to the gym.

"Morning - I mean, afternoon," I greeted with a kind smile. He cleared his throat, looking up at noticing me. He gave me a small smile and walked into the gym, shutting the door loudly behind him.

What's his problem?

I decided not to overreact and sighed, leaving the building.

To get to my destination, I read the piece of paper in my pocket with a scribbled address. I realised I knew the area and decided to take public transport using the bus. I'd get there in around half an hour.

Arriving, I got off the bus, glancing around the area before noticing a block of flats. The area actually wasn't too bad. A little quiet but it seemed alright.

I quickly jogged, noticing that someone was going in and I thanked them as the old man held the door for me.

He went to his apartment and I looked around, taking the stairs to find door number 26.

Walking down the corridor, I could hear a few sounds from other people's flats. It seemed that the walls were pretty thin.

Then, I turned, walking a little to find door number 26, finally. Licking my coated lips, I pushed away all nervous thoughts and raised my hand, knocking on the door.

I took a step back, adjusting my hair and fixing my shirt. I exhaled slowly, waiting for the door to open.

When it did swung open, a recognisable woman stood in the door way, extending the space between herself and the door as she noticed me. She looked surprised and my eyes immediately went down her body before going up to her eyes. I raised an eyebrow.

"What the hell are you wearing? That better not be what I think it is."

"Shh!" She hushed, taking my arm and pulling me in, shutting and locking the door behind us.

She took me, leading me into a living room and making me sit onto her couch without me being able to look around in the surroundings.

"Rose! What are you doing here?" She asked me, her eyes filled with surprise as she gave me a shocked look.

I rolled my own eyes, "what do you think, Tori? You didn't give me your address and number for no reason."

She chuckled lightly and I gave her a smile, placing my bag down. "I would've called in advance but I don't have a phone right now."

"It's fine," Tori replied with a kind smile. "But we're gonna have to uh. .reschedule. I'm kinda in the middle of something."

I looked down at her clothes and back to her face. "Tori," I softly said, shaking my head. "I literally saw you last night and you've already slept with him?"

She groaned before hushing me again. "He's in the bedroom," she whispered, her eyes filled with seriousness. "Look, Rose-"

"Tell me, Tori. Give me another good reason."

"Rose, he said he's changed and he even bought a house for us. He said that he's gonna take care of us and we can be a family again!"

"No," I firmly interrupted, groaning at her. "Did you not hear anything I said last night?" She bit her bottom lip and sighed again, rubbing her forehead.

"Tori!" I almost exclaimed, moving her hand away and looking at her forehead. She jerked her head away, slapping my hand away gently. "No, it's not what you think."

"He hit you? Hell no. Where's this shitty ass, worthless mother-"

"Tori?"

Both of our heads snapped up and Tori stood slowly, her face falling. "Hey, babe," she gently said, pulling a strand of her hair behind her face. "Um. . .this is my friend, Rose. I forgot that we were meeting up today."

"You're the girl from last night," he acknowledged, his eyes burning into mine as his eyebrows narrowed.

The man was extremely tall. So tall that it made Tori looked tiny near him. He had no shirt on so his athletically, well built upper body was shown off. He only had trousers on, showing off his low, toned V line.

I licked my lips, standing too. "Yeah, I am," I confidentially said, giving him a disdainful look, my eyes going from head to toe.

He scoffed, giving me a despising look. "Get her out." My face scrunched up.

"She's my friend," Tori defended though her voice was quiet.

"Didn't you hear me? Get your slut out!"

"I thought we established this yesterday," I said, taking a step closer to him as I challengingly looked into his eyes. "If you want to see what a real ho looks like, go down to a strip club. I'm sure you've been there millions of times."

His fist clenched by his side. Tori noticed too and she tensed up, as if she knew what was going to happen if I pushed any more buttons.

"Rose, please um. ." Tori sighed, her eyes glancing over at her bully. "I'll catch you later."

I looked at her and sighed, scoffing gently at him. "I've known guys like you and she definitely deserves better." I picked up my bag, putting it on my shoulder before turning and leaving, slamming the door behind me.

I groaned softly, running my hand through my hair.

I took a step before hesitating and going back, placing my ear against the door.

"-don't want the slag in my house again, Tori."

"She's not a slag, Riley."

"Sorry, I meant bitch."

"Stop! You drive away every friend I ever have! This is another reason why I-"

"Why you what, Tori? Don't even, because you know how badly you need me. And you know how badly you want me now."

I couldn't hear for a few moments before I heard the sound of moaning.

I moved my head away and sighed, looking at the door.

Great

When I got home, all I wanted to do was punch away all my feelings.

I opened the front door and shut it behind me with a sigh, smelling the aroma of takeaway.

"Gage," I said as I took off my shoes. I expected him to be there but he wasn't. It was only Dax and Cristiano sat playing a game on the television.

"Where's Gage?" I questioned, putting my bag down as I stretched a little.

"Kitchen," Dax responded blankly, his eyes fixed on the television.

"Why do you need him?" Cris asked, his eyes never leaving the screen. I rolled mine, "just play your stupid game."

Leaning over, I took a few chips from the oily, damp wrapping of paper, eating them.
I spun on my heel, walking into the kitchen to see Gage, making himself a coffee.

"Hey," I softly said, my eyes meeting his as he turned, facing me. He leaned against the counter, stirring his coffee. His grey eyes looked into mine, making my breath hitch, before moving away.

"What's up. . .Disney Princess?"

I rolled my eyes playfully, giving him a small smile. "What I've realised living here," I started, my eyes never leaving his as I honestly spoke. "Is that, you guys are a family and look out for each other. Protect each other. Even protect me. Always protect me, even when I don't need it."

I went on, exhaling softly. "I'm so used to having to protect myself or stand up for myself that it's. . .weird to have someone who actually wants to keep you safe. I find that hard to trust. I know I can  trust you guys. .but I guess you could say that I sort of have a trust issue."

"You're different, Rose," Gage honestly told me, his eyes glimmering. "You're so different. It's a good different. And I get it. But this protection isn't going anywhere. It doesn't necessarily have to come from me. We all want to keep you safe."

I smiled at him, placing my hand on the island and leaning on it a little. "You're a sweet gentleman, Gage. That's what I like about you." He smiled back, his twinkling eyes gazing at me. "So what's up? You wanna box?"

I nodded, giving him a hopeful look. "Please?"

He sighed, rolling his handsome eyes. "Come on then."

~~~

What's gonna happen next . . ?

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