It felt like nothing happened when I got back to school that following week. Sure, I had a shit ton of work to make up in the week that I was out, but everything else seemed as if the world kept on going without a care in the world. It was weird, to say the least.
The only thing that was different was that Rosie wasn’t in her usual space, waiting for our Art History class in the hallway of the Arts building. She was never late, and only was ever absent whenever she felt sick. When it came to her art classes, she made sure to make them to all. Today, she wasn’t there, and I only knew that because of the week before.
I had tried to visit Rosie in the hospital during the week, but her guardian made it nearly impossible for anyone to visit her. I don’t blame him; he doesn’t know anyone that Rosie associates with, which means he could think I’m Prescott for fuck’s sake.
After our art class–the one where Rosie would normally sit next to me–our professor called me up to his desk once the rest of my classmates were dismissed.
“Micah,” Professor Ross began to say. He sighed as he crossed his hands on op of his desk. “I was informed this morning that Rosie will not be returning to class for the rest of the semester.” Something told me that was going to be the case. I know this is was a decision made against her will. “Because the project is set to be due in just a couple of weeks, I will allow an extension for you to wrap things up on your end so that you are able to earn a final grade for the project.” I nodded my head as I left the classroom, sighing at the realization that this time was different. I really hope Rosie is okay.
“Micah!” I hear Dani’s voice shout across from the library. The librarian at the front desk shushes her, in which Dani ignores her and walks toward me. Tanner is seen apologizing to the librarian on Dani’s behalf. The usual.
Dani and Tanner walked up to my table, sitting on the chairs across from me.
“Dude, you actually made it to school this week?” Tanner asked. I nodded and sighed as I closed my binder.
“I couldn’t afford to miss any more classes,” I began to say, scanning the library as I did. Micah, she’s not coming. “Plus, I was just told by my Art History professor that the project me and Rosie were working on now needs to be done by myself.” I looked at them; I wasn’t surprised that they seemed uncomfortable when I mentioned her name.
“How is she doing?” Dani was the first to ask. I shrugged my shoulders, being very nonchalant with the topic.
“I don’t know,” I began to answer. “Her FBI agent guardian had her hospital room on lockdown and didn’t let anyone see her.”
“That’s suspicious,” Dani commented. “It’s not like she’s the Queen or something–“
“Dani,” Tanner nudged her on the shoulder. I looked at Dani, feeling bothered by her comment.
“Who the fuck knows what she told him abut her life in college,” I spat out. “Maybe she’s kept her whole life a secret and anyone that he doesn’t know is considered a threat to her safety.”
“I think it’s shitty that someone that suppose to know her and her life doesn’t even know her friends,” Dani continued to comment. “You would think that in situations like this, he should know who’s there for her and who’s not.”
“You don’t know Rosie,” I stated, stern and loud. Dani took a moment to just look at me, as if she was trying to find answers in the facial expression I had on my face. As usual, Tanner tries to diffuse the tension between Dani and me.
“I think Dani is just questioning your friendship with Rosie,” Tanner added. I looked at him, feeling even more annoyed and confused now. Not helping dude.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I questioned, looking at both Dani and Tanner. “Well?”
“We saw you at the party with her,” Dani finally spoke up. “You guys were… close.”
“We were dancing,” I defended, knowing exactly what Dani was talking about.
“Nah, you guys had some fuck me eyes on,” Dani bluntly said. “You see her more than just a friend.” I immediately shook my head.
“Absolutely not,” I quickly said, trying to dismiss the discussion. “She’s not my type—“
“Bullshit,” Dani spat out, leaning toward the table. “And something tells me her little relationship with that rich boy is the reason why she didn’t tell her guardian about you—“
“Fuck off, Dani,” I said as I slammed my hand in the table. It made Dani jump in place; she wasn’t expecting me to react like that.
“Alright, alright; let’s chill out,” Tanner intervened again. “How you tried calling or texting her?” He asked me.
“Out of service,” I sighed as I answered, leaning back on my chair. “Guess it’s what’s best; Prescott doesn’t have any contact with her.”
“Is he getting charged for aggravated assault?” Tanner asked. I didn’t answer, not because I didn’t know the answer, but because I knew what the answer was going to be. Tanner got the hint and sighed. “That’s fucked up.” I shook my head, trying to get the image of Rosie in the alley out of my mind. I took a deep breath and let it out, getting up from my seat.
“Watch my stuff, I’ll be back,” I said, walking away from the table.
“Where are you going?” Dani turned around and asked.
“I need some air,” I said, not turning back.
…
I immediately walked out of the library and swallowed the bile that came up, thinking about Rosie’s condition. It nearly killed me not knowing what was going on with Rosie, and it saddened me knowing that the last image I have of her is the one her laying face down in the dirt, unconscious and bloody. The image couldn’t erase itself from my mind, and eventually I felt sick to my stomach.
“Roe,” I said in Rosie’s ear as the music played loudly at the party. She turned around, now facing me and dancing. “Who taught you like to dance like that?”
“I’m Puerto Rican,” Rosie explained. “We were naturally born with these hips. She placed my hands on her hips as she danced, hypnotizing me with the moment of her hips. She was hot, she was sexy, and I wanted nothing more than to–
Rosie stopped dancing once her phone vibrated in her pocket. She quickly took it out and looked at her screen. Her face had completely changed in the process.
“Roe,” I said to Rosie, which made her immediately lift her head up. “Everything’s okay?” She smiled and nodded, starting to dance in place as she spoke.
“I’m going to take some more photos and talk to some of my friends,” she smiled as she said. I watched her walk away before returning to the DJ booth, playing the next song.
I should’ve went with her. I should’ve just stayed by her side and protected her and have been there for her. My head starts to spin, and the image of Rosie in the alley keeps popping up in my head, scarred into it at this point. I couldn’t hold it in anymore and ultimately threw up in the bush next to the library building. Sick. Angry. Defeated. Worried.
Letters From Liz. 