Category: Black Sheep in Society.

It was too cold for Rosie to stay in her apartment that night. We had just left the campus as she was trying to catch up on all the work she missed when she was in the hospital. My folks were out of town with Reagan and Dylan as they traveled to their dream colleges, so I felt a lot better offering Rosie to stay with me for the night instead of in her ice box of an apartment.

“Micah, I’m fine,” Rosie tried to fight me on this. I rolled my eyes at her.

“No, you’re not. Just take the damn offer,” I responded back to Rosie. Rosie rolled her eyes as a response and continued to follow me in my direction. I guess I’ll take that as a yes.

We got back to my place around 10 that night. I opened the apartment door and turned on the lights. Rosie looks around the apartment, which really made me confused. Roe, you were just here a couple of weeks ago when you–

“Nice place you got here,” Rosie randomly said. I didn’t fight her on this; I nodded my head.

“Thanks, my parents really know how to decorate a place,” I teased Rosie for saying such a weird thing about the decor. I laughed just to let her know that I was joking. “Let me find something for you to wear to sleep.”

“I can literally sleep in my jeans and shirt,” Rosie stated. I gave her an annoyed look. “Okay, fine!” She finally gave up and sat on the couch. I smiled and headed toward my room to get Rosie some sleep clothes.

“I hope this is fine,” I came out of my room and walked toward Rosie in the living room. She jumped up like she was scared. It took me back a bit; I didn’t know how to react to Rosie reacting so hard on me walking in. Without saying anything, I handed her the clothes, which she took slowly.

“Thanks, Micah,” Rosie said. She stood there awkwardly; I did too. Fuck, why is it so damn awkward? Rosie sighed and broke the silence. “Sorry, I’m just… a little jumpy. More than usual.”

I know, Roe. I wanted to tell her that I knew what was making her so jumpy. I know why she’s not completely herself. She feels fragile like she’s still on her last legs of survival. I don’t know if I’ll get back the Rosie I know back. The Rosie I’ve gotten for the last week and a half has been just an empty shell of her old self. I fucking hate Prescott Jones for breaking her. Hurting her. Making her believe that shit was fucking normal to experience.

Still, I don’t know what I should say next. I don’t want to fight with her if I say the wrong thing; even more so, I don’t want her to run out of here while it’s literally 13 degrees outside.

“Come to the bathroom,” I simply told her.

…

Rosie sits in a chair that I put in there so she can be comfortable. She kept looking at me as I went back and forth, to and from the bathroom. I carried my wireless speaker into the bathroom and connected my phone to the speaker. I turned on the LED lights on the speaker and turned off the bathroom light.

“Micah, what the fuck are we doing in here?” Rosie asked, which made me smile. That sounds a lot like Roe. I turned around to face her and then picked up the tray I bought into the bathroom from the floor. Rosie watched me and my every move; it was interesting to see her so watching me so intently.

“Do you smoke?” I asked her. She didn’t shake her head no, but she was definitely thinking about what she wanted to say. “I ask because I do,” I continued, beginning to roll up.

“I remember back at the Lounge,” Rosie started as she watched me. “Did you buy this weed from there?” I couldn’t help but smile and laugh.

“Nah, this is from Tanner’s brother,” I answered as I sprinkled the weed onto the rolling paper. “I usually cop my bud from him.”

“Who’s Tanner?” Rosie asked. Before saying something smart-mouthed, I realized that I never introduced her to Dani and Tanner, which I felt terrible as soon as I realized.

“Tanner’s one of my closest friends,” I simply answered.

“Is he the really tall guy with the blonde hair? Always with that short white girl that you’re always yelling at?” I looked at Rosie, kinda shocked that she knew who I was talking about. Does she know more about me than I realized?

“Yeah, Tanner and Dani. They’re a couple, but Dani’s more like family. My parents are best friends with her parents.” I overexplained. I looked at Rosie to see if I was boring her to death. Surprisingly, she was listening to what I was saying. She nodded her head at my explanation.

“So you guys were like friends at birth?” Rosie asked. I chuckled as I finished rolling up the blunt and placed the flame over it to light it.

“She’s technically older than me. She was born in 2017; me in 2018,” I said as I hit the blunt. “But we did grow up with each other.”

“That’s cool,” Rosie blankly said. After hitting the blunt several times, I passed it to Rosie. She hesitated at first, not wanting to grab it.

“It’s okay if you wanna smoke, Roe,” I reassured her. Not trying to stereotype Rosie, but when I first met her, she gave off the vibe that she smokes bud in order for her art to come alive. I know some of my best tracks came out of high moments, smoking on the roof when my parents were asleep at night. Eventually, she took the blunt and started to smoke it. She took a couple of pulls of it before she spoke.

“What if I told you that smoking this broke my sobriety?” Rosie randomly asked. My eyes widen, almost yanking the blunt out of Rosie’s hand. She starts to laugh. “I’m totally kidding, dude!”

“It was mad convincing,” I responded, still trying to calm myself down after the scare. “You never even spoke or drank with me to know if that was true or not.” I hit the blunt a couple of times and pass it to Rosie, who’s now more relaxed and chill about smoking.

“Nah,” Rosie simply said before hitting the blunt. “I just don’t like to always drink or smoke weed. Shit isn’t really that fun.”

“Did you use to do it a lot?” I asked. I was curious to know more about Rosie’s life. Why was she the way she was and what was her normal routine like? I found myself wanting to know even the littlest things about Rosie. She was interesting to learn about, and she always had a way of telling you a story that really wasn’t the entire story. Rosie was the queen of being that way; it was like I thought I knew everything there needs to know about Rosie and then she hits you with a curveball. It was usually something I never would have guessed about Rosie.

Rosie shook her head no to my question. “It was never really my thing. I also never had the money to buy it, so I just stayed away from it…”

She passed me the blunt and I sparked it up to keep the flame going. I was too focused on lighting the blunt and didn’t even realize Rosie was watching me as I did so. I hit the blunt and looked back at Rosie.

“My ex-boyfriend was a junkie,” Rosie said out loud. I felt like she didn’t mean to say what she said, like it was meant to be a secret she was meaning to keep to herself. “He would get all stupid and high and drunk and think he was a man. I once found him passed out near the Girard Point Bridge and when I tried to get him back to our place, he nearly decked me in the face, thinking I was trying to steal his trash-ass drugs.”

“Roe,” I wanted her to stop but she kept going. I wanted to know and now that I know, I wish I didn’t. But she didn’t stop, and a part of me allowed her to keep going because this was the most I gotten to know Rosie since first meeting her.

“I… don’t tell this to everyone, but I stayed with him for most of my years as a teenager. There was no one telling me how guys should treat ladies and shit like that. I thought that shit was normal, until I learned it wasn’t.” Rosie confessed into the smokey air. She stopped talking and looked at me, in which I passed the blunt back to her.

“Your parents didn’t do anything?” I asked.

“My parents didn’t give a shit,” Rosie answered. “They were too busy dealing with their own issues to even care about me. That’s why I seeked it out through guys and shitty relationships.” Rosie passed the blunt to me and I declined.

“Finish it,” I told Rosie. I felt like she needed it more than me at this point. She nodded her head and pulled the blunt once more.

“It’s why I don’t go back to Philly to visit and shit. Why go back to the place where you felt like shit, were treated like shit, and had everything good turn into shit?” At this point, it very much felt like Rosie was talking to the air, confessing everything that had been bottled up inside her for what felt like years.

I understood Rosie in a sense. Rosie felt like a lost girl more than anything, just trying to make her way through life and keep afloat. I felt like my life was built in a similar way: live another day to keep your parents proud! I love my family, but I always felt like the odd one out, the one that can’t do anything right, the black sheep.

“Sometimes I wish my family didn’t care about me,” I admitted. Rosie looked at me, and I looked at her before continuing with my thought. “Maybe then it would’ve been easier to kill myself when I was younger.”

“Well,” Rosie began. She shifted in her seat and crossed her legs up onto the chair. “I’m glad that you didn’t follow through about it. And I thank your family for caring about you enough to let you know that if you did kill yourself, they would be completely missing as a family without you there. You are an important part of this society.”

“You too, Roe.” I looked at Rosie with sincere eyes. I meant what I said; Rosie’s life felt so important to me because she is important. I don’t think I’ll ever understand why she would allow Prescott to treat her so badly. Rosie deserves the fucking world after living a shitty past couple of years, and to not have her family support and care for her… I can only imagine how heartbroken and lonely that could feel.

“Am I though?” Rosie asked in the air. “Nobody would truly miss me if I was dead.”

“I would,” I said immediately to cut her sentence off. “I would fucking lose my shit if I found out anything bad happened to you. I lost my shit when you got put in the hospital. Like, fuck Rosie.” I couldn’t keep my thoughts in anymore, and this would’ve either make the tension go away, or make Rosie run away. “No one gets me like you do. No one; not even my best friends and family. Just you. You just fucking get me.”

“And you just fucking get me too, Micah,” Rosie said with a smile. She leaned over to grab the tray from the bathroom floor and I gently placed my hand in her palm. I looked at her, who was now looking at me.

Micah, don’t. I don’t want to listen to my mind in this moment, even though I knew it was the smartest thing to do in a situation like this. I knew I didn’t want to be like the other people in her life; use her, then abuse her, and then she’s back at square one and not trusting anybody with herself. I wanted to show her something different. I wanted to show her just how fucking amazing and frustrating and awesome and beautiful she is–

“Micah,” Rosie said, gently. I snap out of my thoughts and focus on her. “Do you mind if I rolled the next blunt?”

I don’t answer her back right away. I keep looking at her under the LED lights from my speaker. Her eyes are low, but still open enough so that I could see her dilated pupils.She has freckles that mainly run down her cheekbones, nearly touching her jawline. She has one single beauty mark near the corner of her mouth. Her nose piercing is placed weirdly on her nostril; something tells she she didn’t get it done at a shop by a professional. It still suited Rosie perfectly though.

For fuck’s sake, am I falling for Rosie Delgado?

With my free hand, I place it along Rosie’s hair and brush her hair back with my fingertips. She doesn’t move or fight. Nothing was said. We just kept looking at each other. I quickly looked down and took my phone out, which Rosie looked confused about. I played a song on the wireless speaker, blasting the song in the small bathroom with Rosie and I. I look back at Rosie and let the music just play with the lights flashing all over the dark bathroom. I cupped her face with my hands and closed my eyes before slowly kissing her on the lips. To my surpirse, she deepens the kiss; her fingers are now running through my locs. I never thought I’d be sitting in my bathroom, making out with Rosie. I don’t know if it was just the weed talking, or maybe this was always meant to play out this way. I don’t question it, and I take this moment for what it’s worth; even if she doesn’t remember ever kissing me like this, I know I won’t ever forget.

How can I? She just gives me even more reason to fall in love with her.

“So are you rolling, or…” Rosie asked after we broke up the kiss. I look at her ot get a good reading on her face. Is she going to run away? Is she ging to think I just kissed her for the hell of it? Micah, she kissed you back, bro. I couldn’t help but think about what the fuck we were going to do after our high wears off. I didn’t care in that moment, and she seemed like she didn’t as well. Maybe we both know this was just a night where we can not think too hard about our lives outside this bathroom. I smile at her, and she smiles back at me.

“I got you, Roe,” I said as I softly kissed her on the lips before grabbing the tray to roll up.

Rosie: For fucks sake, Micah, I’m not contagious.

The remark makes Micah smile. Even with Rosie in the condition she is, she’s still able to be the Rosie Micah knows and loves. He walks over to Rosie and pulls a chair toward her bed.

Micah: Hey, Roe. How are you feeling?

Rosie: Doped up on painkillers, but I’m pulling through.

She looks at the flowers in Micah’s hands.

Rosie: You have a date after this or are those flowers for me?

Micah: *looks at the flowers* Oh! No, these are for you.

Micah hands them over to Rosie, who takes them from him. He notices the bandages wrapped around her wrists when she does.

Rosie: Thank you. You didn’t have to…

Micah: It’s the least I can do, plus my mom picked them out.

Rosie smiles and rests her head on the pillow behind him.

Rosie: How’s art history going?

Micah: It’s alright. We have a presentation next week on renaissance art.

Rosie: *scoffs* I’m gonna fail that fucking class…

Micah: You’re not gonna fail, Roe. You’re literally in a hospital bed; there’s nothing much you can do.

Rosie doesn’t answer back. Micah looks back towards the front door, then turns back around.

Micah: You got connections.

Rosie: *rolls eyes* That’s Hudson and his partner… Work partner; not romantic.

It makes Micah laugh out loud, and Rosie follows. She winces in pain when she laughs too hard. Micah puts his bed on the bed as a reflex.

Micah: You’re okay?

Rosie nods. There is a pause before she speaks again.

Rosie: Hudson’s my guardian. He works for the police department in Philly.

Micah nods, listening to Rosie as she speaks.

Micah: Does he know your parents or something?

Rosie: No.

Micah doesn’t push Rosie. He stays quiet.

Micah: He’s protective of you, huh?

Rosie: *scoffs* He has to be, he’s a cop.

Micah: No, I mean he really cares about you if he’s here guarding your room…

Rosie doesn’t answer back. She adjusts in her bed, making her arms more visible to Micah. He shuts his eyes for a moment. Rosie notices and becomes annoyed.

Rosie: I know you’re just dying to ask about them, so go ahead.

She lifts her arms as she speaks. She plops them back down when she finishes her sentence. Micah watches her.

Micah: I think the least I deserve is some answers about what happened.

Rosie: *sarcastically* Wow, that’s so entitled of you to say!

Micah: I’m serious, Roe. What am I supposed to think when you show up at my house the way you did?

Rosie: I was hoping a friend would just help another friend in need–

Micah: Yeah, if you had a flat bike tire or something, not when you’re badly beaten up!

Rosie: What do you want from me, dude?

Micah: The fucking truth, Rosie! Why are there police officers guarding your door like someone is still out to kill you? Was someone trying to kill you? Shut you up? Rosie, I went fucking bonkers when I couldn’t help you! Do you even remember what happened that night?

Rosie doesn’t answer back.

Micah: I know you don’t because every time I tried to help you out, you kept blacking out. I’m not trying to make you relive the experience, but not knowing what happened to you pisses me off because–

Rosie: Why do you care so much anyway?

Micah: *annoyed* Just in case you didn’t hear me the first 500 times, I care about you because you are my friend. I tend to care about my friends.

Rosie: Well stop caring.

Rosie adjusts in her bed, exposing your bandaged wrists. Micah looks at Rosie.

Micah: You know, when I was 16, I had this self-belief that my family would’ve been better off without me. I was nothing but a problem child that kept getting expelled for petty little shit. I felt this energy from my friends and family that I was a nobody. Plus, on top of that, I was getting bullied in school, blah blah blah…

Micah holds up his arms. Rosie looks at them. She notices the raised skin in thin lines on his wrists. She looks up at him.

Micah: My sister, Dylan, found me in the bathroom. She still knocks on the bathroom door to this day whenever I use it.

Rosie doesn’t say anything.

Micah: You don’t deserve to have people in your life that don’t care about you.

Rosie’s face softens. She doesn’t say anything to Micah.

Micah: I may not understand completely, but I still care about you, a lot. Like, deadass Roe you’re, like, my best-fucking-friend. I hope you allow me to be at least a friend to you… if best friends aren’t your type of thing.

This makes Rosie smile, which puts Micah at ease. Rosie takes a deep breath. Her face is now worried. Micah waits whenever Rosie’s ready. He’s taken back when she sees Rosie sticking her pinky out towards him. He looks at it, knowing whatever is said between them stays in this room. He wraps his pinky finger around Rosie’s. Micah’s body numbs in a feeling he hasn’t felt since–

Rosie: I’m sorry for lying to you. It’s something I just can’t tell anyone.

Micah tilts his head, trying to comprehend where she was going with this.

Rosie: I met Prescott on some rich boy’s dating site. He was sweet. Ambitious. Caring. He spoiled me in ways I had never been spoiled before by a guy. He took me to important events, fancy dinners… I was living a life I wanted to be a part of, but things always have a price behind them…

Micah doesn’t move or say anything. He just listens.

Rosie: After a while, we had… this agreement. I needed money to get by here and the bookstore wasn’t cutting it anymore, and before you say some shit like “Rosie, you don’t gotta do that for money if you aren’t comfortable”; I was. I did this shit back in Philly to get by. I agreed to do this, like, it was my fucking dream to get what I wanted without strings attached, but…

She sighs.

Rosie: He started to see other girls, and I got wildly jealous. I tried to hit him where it hurt and see some other guy– not like another celebrity– just, some regular guy. That’s when it first started. But, he always was sorry and took care of me. I forgave him because it was just part of the agreement, even if his jealousy lead him to do it more…

Micah was growing furious. He didn’t want to show Rosie, but he was only able to hide so much.

Rosie: Hudson called me on my cellphone that night. Prescott smashed my phone. I got angry, then he got angry, and that’s when things got bad… *sigh* and now we are here.

Micah: Did he… you know…?

Rosie: No. That was a part of the agreement.

Micah is in awe. He gets up from his seat, holding his hands on his head.

Micah: Rosie, what the actual fuck! Why would you put yourself through something like that?!

Rosie: *defensive* So you’re saying it’s my fault that a man nearly-beaten me half to death, is that it?

Micah: This wasn’t the first time he put his hands on you, Roe! What would’ve happened if he deadass killed you that night?! Just fucking tossed you in his garbage like you were fucking leftover caviar or some shit?! *realizes* You had bruises for weeks prior to this incident. You were out of school or weeks! He told you to not go to class anymore, huh?

Rosie: You don’t even know what the fuck you’re talking about, so just shut the fuck up!

Micah: Why would you cover up for some asshole like him?

Rosie: Get out of my room!

Micah’s eyes widen.

Micah: You’re still in love with Prescott Jones, aren’t you? *angry* Even after all he’s done to you, *puts at Rosie’s wrists* make you do, you still fucking love that son-of-a-bitch. *scoffs* I swear when I see his dumb car on campus again, I–

Rosie: Don’t!

Micah: Why not? He fucking thinks he’s the man for beating up women, let’s see if he can keep that same energy with a man!

Rosie: *pleas* Micah, please don’t! I’m begging you just–

Rosie starts to cry, which throws Micah off at first. Micah is dumbfounded. He grabs his things from the chair he was sitting in.

Micah: Take care of yourself, Roe. Not some asshole that clearly doesn’t care about you. The Rosie I know told me that.

Micah walks towards the exit of the room, not looking back at Rosie.

…

A couple of weeks pass by, and Micah is seen sitting in the library writing in his lyrics book. He is preparing for the New Year’s Eve event at the Oxygen Lounge; the same one Tanner told him about before the holiday season. His phone vibrates on the table; he quickly picks it up.

Micah: Yo, I’m in the library, I’ll call you back… Yes Tanner, tell Dani I’ll bring the equipment over tonight after class… tell her to chill, sheesh…

Micah looks out the library window while he’s on the phone. His eyebrows scrunch together when he sees a familiar white Porsche parked outside.

Micah: Yeah, yeah… no I hear you bro…

He walks Prescott get out from the driver’s side as the passenger’s door opens. Micah is at a loss for words.

Rosie exits Prescott’s car.

— End of Season 1 —

Micah, Dani, and Tanner hang out in the Student Center building during their break. Tanner is eating a bag of chips while Dani studies. She repeatedly looks at Tanner, annoyed at the noise he is making.

Dani: Babe?

Tanner stops to look at Dani. Dani smiles.

Dani: I love you, but you and that bag of chips need to chill.

Tanner closes the bag and places it in his bag. Across the couple sits Micah, who hasn’t said a word since being there. Dani looks at Micah.

Dani: Dude, are you okay? I would’ve heard some wack clap-back from you by now.

Micah doesn’t say anything back. He keeps looking at his phone mindlessly. Dani looks at Tanner for assistance.

Tanner: Bro?

Micah finally looks up.

Micah: What?

Tanner: Are you okay? You haven’t been yourself lately.

Dani wears a worried look on her face, which isn’t like the spunky, loud-mouth girl she is. Micah looks at Dani, and Tanner looks in her direction.

Tanner: *to Dani* You know?

Micah: *intervenes* Yeah, Dani; do you know?

Dani sighs and puts her book down on the table in front of her.

Dani: Your mom told my mom what happened over the weekend.

Micah: Of course she did.

Dani: Our moms are best friends, dude; don’t blame your mom–

Micah: *annoyed* Whatever, Dani, might as well just blurt it out.

Dani looks uneasy; Tanner keeps looking at Dani and Micah, confused in what’s happening.

Dani: Look, I’m sorry that happened to you.

Tanner: Is someone gonna tell me what happened?

Dani: Micah?

Micah huffs, putting his phone in his pocket and sitting up straight in his chair.

Micah: A good friend of mine was beaten up by their partner and they showed up at my house. We took them to the hospital; end of the story.

Dani: Dude, her eye was swollen shut! What kind of monster would–

Micah: *annoyed* Shut the fuck up, Dani! I don’t need you talking about the details when clearly, it’s none of your business in the front place!

Dani: Well you’re just sitting here acting like nothing happened when really, she needs to go to the fucking police about that!

Micah: You don’t think I know that? She won’t, so what’s the fucking point?!

Tanner: Wait, wait, wait…

Tanner tries to keep the peace between the two friends. He takes in a deep breath before saying anything else.

Tanner: Micah, if it was as serious as it was, why didn’t you call the police?

Micah: Because I know her. She didn’t want any attention on her about this–

Dani: Fuck that noise; only people in power shut their victims up.

This makes Micah even more angry. Dani notices the shift in behavior.

Dani: … Did she tell you who did that to her?

Micah gets up from his seat and exits the area. Tanner is heard calling for Micah, in which he ignores.

…

Micah is seen walking inside of the hospital front door with a small bouquet of flowers. He nervously walks to the front desk.

Micah: Uhm, hi… I’m here to visit Rosie Delgado…

The receptionist looks up from the desk.

Receptionist: What’s your name, sir?

Micah: Micah Kamalani.

The receptionist types something on the computer. A sticker prints out from a printer and is handed to Micah.

Receptionist: She’s in Room 703.

Micah: Thank you.

Micah walks towards the elevators, nervous to see Rosie for the first time.

…

Micah walks down the long hallway on the 7th floor. He stops when he sees a police officer in front of Rosie’s door. He immediately stands up in front of the door. Micah looks up at the officer.

Micah: I’m here to see Rosie.

Officer: No one is allowed inside Ms. Delgado’s room.

Micah: *annoyed* What are you, her bodyguard? If so, where the fuck were you when she was–

A door behind the officer opens; it was the man that showed up at the hospital the night Rosie was admitted. He looks at Micah. Micah reads the badge around the man’s neck, it reads “Detective Sam Hudson”. Micah looks back up at the tall, dirty-blonde haired man.

Hudson: Are you Micah?

Micah nods. Hudson excuses the officer to the side to let Micah go through. Micah walks into the room to see Rosie sleeping soundly in the bed. The color on Micah’s face vanishes.

Hudson: She’s just resting, son.

Hudson walks p to and gently wakes her up. Rosie opens her eyes and looks at Hudson.

Hudson: Hey, kid; you have company.

He helps Rosie adjust herself in the bed. Micah stands there with the flowers still in his hands. He looks at Rosie, whose eye looks a lot better than it did the night she came to his house. Her bruises are still visible, but she’s looking a lot more like the Rosie he knows.

Rosie looks at Micah. Micah freezes in place. Hudson looks at me and back at Rosie.

Hudson: Kelly and I will be outside near the door if anything.

Hudson walks away from Rosie, and nods towards Micah. He exits the room. Micah still stands in place.

I can’t keep my legs from fidgeting. They keep bouncing in place as I sit in the waiting room of the hospital, looking around for any sign of a doctor that is taking care of Rosie. I had no choice but to let my parents take control of what was happening. What the fuck was I suppose to tell them? My mother looked at me and at Rosie and instantly turned white in the face. My father told my sisters to go to their room before he told my mom to start the car. He tells me to take a robe from the bathroom and put on Rosie. I gave her mine. He carried Rosie down the stairs and into the car, and I followed behind. My mom called Dylan’s cellphone, telling her and Reagan to stay in the house and that we should be home in a couple of hours. I sat in the backseat with Rosie, holding her with a blanket over her to keep her warm.

My mind comes back to the present when my mom walks over to me. I look up at her, hoping the doctor at least told her something.

“Is she okay?!” I asked. My mom sighed. She didn’t answer my question.

“What the hell happened, Micah?” she asked me, concerned.

“I don’t know! She came over looking like that and I was trying to help,” I tried to explain, but my mom wasn’t hearing me. She just wanted answers. I wanted them too. “Ma, is Rosie okay?”

“Do you know her parents? They need to be here,” she asked. I didn’t know what to say; I was so confused about everything that was happening already.

“She’s not from New York, she lives by herself, I– is she okay?!” I was annoyed that my mom wouldn’t answer my question. She looked at me, annoyed.

“Did she look okay hunched over in our living room half-naked, Micah?” she blurted out.

“Well, we are in a hospital, Ma, the one fucking place she should be okay in!” I yelled out. My dad walked toward us, trying to keep the peace between my mom and me. We always didn’t see eye-to-eye much. My dad says it’s because my mom and I think so much alike, our personalities just tend to clash. I just think my mom is overprotective and very stubborn at times.

“Hey, hey! Let’s not make this about us now,” my dad scolded. My mom gets up from her seat, stressed and nearly in tears.

“That girl came over time and time again to help Micah with his work and to see her the way she is now, I just…” She starts to cry. My dad tries to calm her down by giving her a hug and rubbing small circles on her back. Rosie needed someone to protect her, and I couldn’t even do that. I get up from my seat, frustrated and angry. My dad watches me walk away.

I walk out the front of the hospital and go inside my pockets, hoping I had a loosie in there. Of course, I fucking don’t. I spiral in place, not knowing what to do or think.

“Fuck!” I yelled at the top of my lungs. I didn’t care who heard me. I wanted nothing more than to beat the shit out of the one person I know who would do this to her. It was obvious that it was him. I’ve had this hunch for weeks and I hate myself for not saying something about it sooner. Now, she’s in a fucking hospital; traumatized and so fucking broken. I fear that Rosie won’t come back from this, and that’s what makes me want to bash this motherfucker’s face on the sidewalk.

He didn’t deserve her. Rosie deserves the fucking world and he’s nothing but scum. I suddenly become sad. Yeah, and she doesn’t deserve you either, Micah. You didn’t even see that she was hurting. Before I allowed myself to spiral, my dad calls out my name. I turn around to see him walking toward me.

“Hey, bud,” he greets me. He puts a hand on my shoulder and squeezes it. “You know how your mother gets. She’s just worried about you.”

“I know,” I quickly answered. “I hope she doesn’t think I did that to Rosie,” I admitted. I didn’t think my mom would think I would harm a girl like that, but there’s literally no other explanation besides the truth.

“She doesn’t think that,” my dad reassured. “She’s just concerned for your and her’s safety.” I don’t say anything back. At this point, I just want to know if she’s okay.

…

A nurse came out from the doors that led to the hospital rooms in the back, but none to ever come out and speak to us about Rosie. I was getting mad at this point; we’ve been here for hours and we couldn’t get answers or any updates on Rosie.

“Yo, what the fuck is up with Rosie Delgado?” I yelled out, surprising my parents.

“Micah,” my mom whispered at me. I wasn’t hearing it.

“No! We’ve been here for hours and we haven’t gotten a single word about her, like what kind of fucking hospital are you running here?” I get up and work to the receptionist. My parents try to pull me back toward my seat as I tried to resist.

“Micah, calm down!” my mom warned me. I couldn’t help it anymore. I just needed to know if my fucking best friend was severely injured or not.

It wasn’t until I saw a man come in, racing towards the receptionist desk.

“I’m Detective Sam Hudson, Philadelphia Police Department,” the man said. I looked at him, scrunching my eyebrows as he spoke. Philadelphia? As in the city Rosie is from? “I’m here to see Rosie Delgado.”

What the fuck is the police department in Philly doing here? Fuck, is it that serious that the police from her hometown have to get involved? I couldn’t help but eavesdrop; I was already sitting so close to the desk and I needed to know more.

“And what is your relationship to her?” The receptionist asked.

“I’m her guardian,” the man answered. What? The recpetionist lead the man towards the back door towards the hospital rooms. Nothing was making sense to me at that point. I really did not know Rosie the way I thought I did. Maybe she really is a person that I don’t know anything about. Maybe there was a reason this happened to her tonight. Maybe I’m defending someone who really is the bad guy in all of this. I rolled my eyes, frustrated at what was happening.

At this time, my mom got off the phone and sighed. She grabs her bag and gets up from her seat.

“I’m going to the bathroom; I’ll meet you guys out in the car,” she said to my dad as she left the waiting room.

“Wait, what? We’re leaving?! We can’t leave Rosie here!” I argued with my dad. He tried to calm me down before we were going to be escorted out my security.

“There’s nothing more we can do, Micah,” he began. “Her legal guardian is here and he will take care of her.”

“What the fuck! I need to know if she’s okay!” I wasn’t leaving that fucking hospital without any answers. “I need to know what the fuck happened! She needs to tell me who did this shit to her!”

“Micah, please,” my dad was growing annoyed at my behavior, and I didn’t fucking care. “We need to go home. Now.”

Before I knew, I was trying my best to get to the back door as a ple of desperation. I just wanted to fucking know if she was okay, that she wasn’t going to fucking die in that hospital room due to her injuries, that she wasn’t in some sort of severe coma or some shit. I just fucking needed answers.

I didn’t get those answers tonight. Security was called, and I was forced out of the hospital.

…

We got home and I immediately stormed into my room. I slammed the door shut, frustrated and exhausted. I took a deep breath in and out. I shut my eyes and opened them up. I looked at the ground where Rosie’s dress laid. I slowly walk to it and pick it up from the ground. I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I sobbed, and couldn’t stop.

I’m so fucking sorry I failed you, Rosie.

I wanted to do nothing more than run to the bathroom and vomit. My stomach churned. I couldn’t believe what was in front of me. I leaned down towards Rosie and begin to pick her up. She was so fragile, barely the girl I saw on campus at the bookstore with her snarky remarks and comebacks; the girl that knew the answer to every question in our Art History class; the one who enjoys the Peanut Butter cup swirl milkshake just like as much as I do.

I lift her up as best as I could into my house, closing the front door behind me.

“Rosie? Hey? Can you hear me?” she didn’t answer me back. I didn’t expect her to. She was fucked up; I didn’t even know if she was conscious at that point. I carried her up the stairs to the apartment on the second floor. Once we got up there, I immediately took her to the bathroom. I turned her on the toilet as I ran the bathwater in hopes to clean her up. She immediately kneeled toward the ground and puked into the toilet bowl. I quickly held her hair back. I was so confused about what happened to Rosie tonight. It broke my heart to see her in this condition. She was unrecognizable.

“Rosie?” I try to look at her, but she drops her head low. I lift her from the ground and help her get into the bathtub. She sits there, still in her dress and matted hair. I went under the sink cabinet to grab washcloths to clean Rosie up. Her nose was covered in dry blood. Her upper lip was cut. Her eye was swollen shut. I look at the rest of her body and notice the new bruises. I also notice the old ones I’ve noticed on her weeks before. My gut feeling was right and I felt so fucking stupid for not helping her when I had the chance.

I gently placed the washcloth on the cuts that were on her face. She winced in pain and panicked once she realized I was sitting there.

“Hey, hey. It’s me, Micah. You’re safe, I promise,” I tell Rosie, trying to calm her down. Fuck, man; what really happened to you? She takes deep breaths and looks around. She holds her head in her hands, which I immediately prevent from happening. “Let’s keep your head up, Roe.” God forbid she passes out from a concussion or something. I run the faucet and take the empty glass from the sink to fill it up with water so she can drink something.

“Here, drink some water.” I hand the glass of water to Rosie, which she begins to drink. I can see the trace of blood on the glass when she stops. She looks at me and begins to shiver. I yank the towel from the shower rod and place it on the sink as I help Rosie up from the tub. I wrap the towel around her and walk her to my room where she could change into something warmer. I sit her down on my desk chair as I go through my dresser for some clothes. I take out a sweatshirt and sweatpants and turn around towards Rosie.

“Here, you can wear these and get out of those clothes,” I said as I hand her the clothes. She doesn’t take them. “Rosie?” I call out for her. She slowly lifts her head up. She’s not gonna be able to get dressed by herself.

“Hey, Rosie… Is it okay if I help you put these clothes on you?” I asked politely. She doesn’t answer even if she’s shivering intensely now. “Come on,” I slowly stand her up to unzip her dress from the back. “I’m going to take off your wet dress, okay?” She doesn’t answer. I unzip her dress slowly and gently slide the straps down her arms. The dress drops to the floor and I look back up towards Rosie. My eyes widen. What the actual fuck happened to you? She was covered in various colors of bruises. Her hips were bruised the worst; I squeezed my eyes shut at the sight. They open when she screams. I panic at the noise.

“Stay away! Stay away, please!” Rosie cries out, backing away from me.

“Shh, Rosie; it’s okay, you’re safe–“

It was too late. She was panicking and I tried to calm her down. When I tried to cover her body with the towel at least, she scratched my face with her nails. I immediately reacted to the pain, holding my face.

“Fuck! Roe, please calm down, you need to put some clothes on,” I pleaded. She grabbed her wet dress from the floor and ran out of my room. I was afraid she was going to hurt herself; she was barely able to move on her own in the first place. I ran after her, trying to calm her down until I heard her scream in the living room. I ran toward the living room and stop as soon as I see Rosie. She’s on the floor, hands over her head, sobbing.

My mom and dad stand near the front door, shocked to see her there, and me holding my face.

Fuck.

Prescott texted me on this particular night. It was weird; I am usually the one that texts him first. I didn’t think much about it. He must want to talk about what happened a couple of weeks ago. I haven’t seen him since and, I can’t lie, money was becoming extremely tight. I didn’t realize how much I depended on Prescott’s money until I realized picking up “dates” was the only way I could get extra money. He hated when I did it, but I needed the money. I needed to survive.

It was cold on this particular night; the Fall was turning into the winter and the cocktail dress I wore to Prescott’s place wasn’t helping. I walked up to the front door of Prescott’s building, expecting to be greeted by his very rude housekeeper. This night, Prescott personally opened the door. He smiled at me. It was a relief that he was smiling. I smiled back.

“Hey Rosie,” Prescott softly said. He closed the door behind us and then kissed me on the cheek. I immediately smelled the alcohol on his breath. I turned around, facing him.

“Hey. You’ve been drinking?” I asked, curious at what could possibly be the reason he was drinking alone on a Friday night.

“Yep,” Prescott happily answered. I didn’t question it afterward. He simply took my hand and guided me towards the bifurcated staircase. I didn’t question his intentions. I needed the money and if we’re being honest here; I really missed his company.

He opened the door to his study. Books surround the walls of the room, a grand piano sits in the corner of the room. His blackwood-made desk is full of paperwork at the moment. I was curious on why we were in here today. I didn’t question him about it though.

Prescott went towards the mini bar area of the study, pulling out two glasses. He pours scotch in them; I know this because it’s his favorite to drink. He walks over to me and hands me one of the glasses. He lifts his glass, ready to cheer for something.

“What are we celebrating?” I asked. His million dollar flashes and my legs start feeling weak. Fuck, you’re attractive.

“You are now looking at the proud owner of one of the most prestigious companies within the Joneson firm,” he proudly said. I gasp, happy to hear that his hard work has finally paid off. I place my drink on the table, wrapping my arms around Prescott to congratulate him.

“That’s amazing! I’m so happy for you!” I said and tended to kiss him quickly. When I kissed him, he deepened the kiss; his tongue slid into my mouth. It was hot of him to do. I didn’t question him. I attempted the kiss, wrapping my arms around his neck and running my fingers through his hair. He broke up the kiss and walked over towards his desk and looked at all the paperwork on it. He brushed off all the paperwork, which scattered around the study. I smiled as he smiled. I walked over to him and began to kiss him again. He lifted me up into his arms and placed me on the desk. It was any girl’s dream to be fucking a multi-millionaire in his place of work. I felt on top of the world when I was on top of him that night.

Then I was thrown down when my phone rang in my purse. I was nervous; there was no reason someone should be calling me right now. Fuck, if it’s Micah I swear to God… I didn’t get to my phone when it rang for the third time. Prescott walked over to my purse, annoyed at the constant ring of the cellphone. I didn’t know who it was, but I was already scared to see Prescott’s mood immediately shift.

“Babe–” I called for him. I hoped he would come back to me. I hoped he would just want to be with me for the night, embrace me and love him the way I loved him. He didn’t.

Prescott turned my purse and dumped out everything from it. I was in shock.

“Prescott, what the fuck?” I was angry that he would invade my personal belongings like that. He grabbed my phone off the floor and looked at the missed calls. His laugh echoes the room.

“This is a new name,” he calmly says. I don’t know what he’s talking about. I panic, quickly getting up and walking toward Prescott. He doesn’t give me back my phone when I try to get it.

“Prescott, give me my phone back,” I demanded.

“Why? So you can text the next guy that you’ll be on your way when you collect your money for tonight?” Prescott mocked. I didn’t answer him back. Half of it was true; I needed his money, but I swear I was also here for him. I tried to reach for my phone again; it was no use. “So what does Hudson do? What services does he pay you for?” Prescott continued. I scrunched my eyebrows, confused. I felt the oxygen leave my head. Prescott doesn’t know Hudson.

“Hudson is my–” I started to say. I jumped up, startled when I see Prescott throw my phone across the study and shatter once it hits the wall. “What the fuck are you doing?!” I said, angry as fuck.

“I’m sick and tired of all these fucking phone calls you get from these guys! First some guy named Micah, now Hudson? Who else are you fucking for money?” Prescott spat.

“I’m not fucking anyone else, asshole!” I didn’t mean to call him an asshole. I was upset that I didn’t have my cellphone anymore and that I couldn’t afford to get another one. I was panicking; I needed the money from Prescott tonight. Maybe that’s why I didn’t leave after that happened.

Prescott grabbed me by my dress and backed me against the wall. I winced in pain as my back hit the bookshelf. He grabbed my face with one hand, never letting go of my dress with the other.

“Prescott, please! You’re hurting me!” I yelled out. He squeezed my face tighter, making it harder to breathe. “Prescott!”

“Let me tell you something, Rosie,” he began. Everytime I tried to get out of his grip, he slammed me back in place, disciplining me by slapping me on the face. “You are just a nobody. You will never mount to anything great in life, and you’re just an easy fuck.” I began to cry, not because of his words, but I was genuinely afraid of Prescott when he got this way. He grabbed my face when I wasn’t looking at him. “Do you understand, Rosie? Am I making myself loud and clear?”

“Prescott, I–“

I don’t remember what happened after that, all I remember was holding my face as my nose and mouth bled. I was on the floor at this time. Prescott stood in front of me. I couldn’t hear what he was asking me; my ears rang after he had punched me. I immediately felt the wind come out of me. I gasped for air. I held my stomach, choking on my own breath. I looked up at Prescott. He kneeled down at me, taking his hand and wiping the tears and blood off my face. He kissed me as I cried.

I ran over the Brooklyn bridge that night. I couldn’t feel the pain in my body at that point. I just needed to get far away as possible from the city. I didn’t know where to go. I had nowhere to go. My body was not mine that night, and it didn’t care how many fucking bridges I burnt. It was the only place I could think of for help.

I run up the stoop of a house and began knocking on the door. I began to bang on the door, crying as I felt completely hopeless in that moment.

“Micah! Please!” I called out. My voice was hoarse. I felt sick to my stomach. All I could do is continue banging on the front door, hoping he was home this particular night.

The door opened and sobbed once it did.

“Rosie?!”

“Ugh, fuck my life.”

I gathered my duffle bag from the train tracks and walked behind one of the pillars as the D train passed by, going towards the city. It’s literally about to be midnight and these trains are passing by like it’s rush hour. Once it speeds by, I get out from behind the pillar and place my duffle bag back on the tracks. I take out a couple of paints and begin to spray the wall. This was the best time to practice my art on a larger canvas, plus it seems like no one has found this spot beside me.

I needed to come out here and get my mind off of things. It’s been a while since I had a chance to come here and just do what I love doing. I look at the mural of all the drawings I’ve done since moving to Philly a little over a year ago. Some are faded from the cruel New York weather, and some are partially covered in dirt and debris from the passing trains. I don’t mind, though. It’s just nice to know I haven’t got caught and arrested for vandalism yet. Shit, imagine if you did? Hudson would flip out on you, bitch!

Hudson is the parent I never had; in a way, he’s been more of a parent-figure in my life more than my actual parents ever were. We met when he was working on a missing person’s case; his daughter’s case to be exact. He had a feeling she was roaming around the streets of Philly as a runaway. I was taken in after I tipped him off when really I was trying to escape my shitty boyfriend and his junkie ass friends. At that time, we needed each other. I really wish I was able to be a better person for at least him. He’s the reason I was able to come to New York and go to college. I wish I was able to come to him with things when I needed advice. But, I’m too ashamed. You’re just a fuck up, Rosie.

I get back to my place around 2 o’clock in the morning. The streets are fairly quiet besides that one screeching couple that always fights at this time of night a couple of buildings down from mine. I closed the door behind me and dropped my bag near the door. I wash my hands in the kitchen sink since the bathroom one still needs to get fixed. Fuck; Rosie, we need money to get that fixed. I dry my hands and walk toward the tiny couch in the open area and sit down.

I look around the place at what I call home. I got this place from the guy who owns this building; he was looking for someone to take the place when he found out he could rent it out to poor, desperate college students who can’t afford to live in a dorm on campus. I lived in worst places than this. This is the closest feeling to home for me.

So it bothered me when Micah looked at my place like it was a piece of shit. I roll my eyes at the thought of Micah; fucking asshole. I couldn’t understand what his motive was at times; it’s like he gets off on looking after me like I’m some troubled-ass girl. Something always threw me off about the way he just became friends with me. I hated feeling like I was some sort of project for people to feel good about the good deeds they do. I’m a grown-ass woman and I don’t need people looking after me.

I am always taking care of myself, even when I was younger. My parents were these two self-centered people who decided a child would solve all of their marriage problems. My father cheated on my mother more times than I can remember. My mother couldn’t keep her hands away from drugs. Then there was me, a kid that had to learn how to cross the streets on my own because I needed to go get milk and cereal to eat. I learned how to tie my own shoes. I learned what was right and wrong. I taught myself how to live this life, and that’s why it pisses me off when people waltz into my life and think they know what’s best for me, especially Micah Kamalani.

I look at my phone and my stomach immediately turns. There’s articles about Prescott getting taken in by the police after what happened the other night. I squeezed my eyes shut, and opened them as I let out a deep breath.

“Prescott,” I pulled him towards the bathroom to get some privacy. I saw him smiling, and he immediately begins to unbuckle his pants once I close the bathroom door behind us. “What are you doing?”

“What do you mean? You pulled me in here,” Prescott answered.

“Yeah, to tell you that I never agreed with this,” I admitted. Prescott scoffed and began to tighten his belt. “You had no right to bring your friend here thinking I was just this rag doll you throw around and share with other people–“

“Rosie baby,” Prescott interrupts me. “I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but I pay you to be whatever I want you to be. You agreed to that.” Prescott grabbed my face, squeezing it tight and hurting my jaw. I tried to wiggle out of his grip, but he’s too strong.

“Prescott, stop!” I screamed out. Before I could get out of the bathroom, he slams the door in front of me, in which part of my hair gets caught on the door. I yelp in pain. He doesn’t care.

“Tonight, I want you to be a good girl for me and our company today,” Prescott softly said as he kissed my cheek. I pushed him away, which gave me time to leave the bathroom in a hurry.

I walk into the living room to see Prescott’s friend sitting on the couch, man-spreading and his arm extended on the back of the couch. I stop when I see him.

“You need to leave,” I sternly said. the guys gets up from the couch and laughs in disbelief.

“What?” he said. Shortly after, I hear Prescott coming into the living room area.

“You need to leave my apartment,” I said once more. Prescott comes up to me and grabs my wrists, pretending to be affectionate towards me. He squeezes them tightly. I swear I can hear my bones crack in place.

“She’s just playing, man,” Prescott said. He pushes me to walk towards my bed, and I begin to panic. I begin to yell and scream, in which his friend backs away.

“Look, man I’m out of here. Your escort is so entitled,” the guys aid and began to walk out. Once he left, Prescott saw red.

I jump up when the wind knocks something over from my nightstand. I walk over to it and pick it up. I don’t know why I can’t sleep in my own bed tonight, but my body just slides down the side of the bed and I start to cry. I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I don’t remember how I went from the pizza shop to this part of Brooklyn. It’s like my feet kept going, running in fear and in need of answers. I didn’t care where the fuck I was going, and I know that if Rosie really is okay and I just show up at her place, she was going to be even angrier at me. I didn’t care. I needed to know if she was okay.

I finally get to the building where Rosie lives; I was kinda confused about why it was so quiet. Maybe it was someone else? I mean, it’s not surprising if it was since Prescott is known to be with multiple girls. I walk towards the long staircase leading up to the door that I saw Rosie standing near that one day. I can’t lie, I was nervous to go up there and see if she was okay. What if she was badly bruised? What if she was just passed out on her bed with no one there to help her? I guess my emotions were the ones moving my feet upwards, towards this apartment that didn’t really look like an apartment. That can’t be where she lives. Maybe she just hangs out here.

I reached the door and felt my stomach turn. I softly knocked on the door. No answer. I knocked a little harder the second time. No answer.

“Rosie!” I shouted, not caring if the neighborhood was going to hear me. I banged on the door harder; every minute that I didn’t get an answer made me anxious and worried for Rosie. Like, I haven’t fucking seen her in like two weeks, she’s ignoring my texts, and now this? I’m angry she would even let someone like Prescott Jones into her life. Celebrities truly only care about their own image, and I can imagine Prescott doing whatever it takes to keep his image as good as possible.

I keep banging on the door until, finally, the door swings open. I look at the person standing there. I am genuinely confused.

“Roe?” I questioned. Rosie stood there just as confused to see me here. I already know how bad this is going to go. She never invited me to her place, yet she’s going to wonder how the fuck I was able to find her place.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Rosie spat back. I’m not surprised. I truly did not know how to answer. Her apartment threw me off guard. It wasn’t one of those modern Brooklyn apartments most old movie theaters get turned into. For lack of a better word, her apartment looked like shit. I couldn’t imagine Rosie actually living here, but the environment says otherwise. There’s a full-size bed on one side of the apartment, followed by a futon in the middle of the room and a small TV on a coffee table. She definitely lived here, and I didn’t understand why.

“Are-are you okay?” I barely could get the words out of my mouth. Because of that, Rosie looked like she was going to yank them out for me. She really didn’t want me to find out about her apartment.

“What do you mean if I’m okay?! What the fuck are you even doing here?!” Rosie grew louder. I can see the neighborhood begin looking up towards the long staircase. If this was the place Prescott typically comes to see Rosie, I needed to get her out of the street yelling like that. It’s bad enough that Prescott coming here makes this a hot spot for the media.

I pushed her inside her apartment and closed the door behind us. Rosie came charging at me, and luckily I was prepared for a pissed-off Rosie. I grabbed her by the wrists before she was able to push me. I was prepared for her to fight back, but instead, she winced in pain. I immediately let go of them. I glanced at her wrists before she was able to hide them in her sweater. What the fuck is going on, Rosie?

“Are your wrists okay?” I asked. I couldn’t think of anything else to ask.

“Are you stalking me or something?” she blurted out. It made me angry that she would think of me so lowly until I realized she doesn’t know that I knew where she lived. She didn’t give me a chance to respond back to her dumb question. “Stop being a fucking creep and looking up people’s addresses when you’re bored!”

“Maybe if you knew what you were talking about, maybe then you wouldn’t sound like an entitled bitch,” I snapped back. I used this opportunity to finally let her know why I was here. “I saw on Twitter that Prescott was–“

I thought I was going to get the opportunity. I then realized I am dealing with Rosie Delgado: the most stubborn girl I have ever met.

“You and this Prescott thing! I swear I don’t know why you have this vendetta against him, but I have nothing to do with him!” She proclaimed. I didn’t even bother answering her back; I went ahead and said what I wanted to say.

“I saw Prescott walking into your apartment a couple of weeks ago,” I stated. She finally stopped talking to listen to me, even if she scoffed immediately after.

“Oh really? Is that the story you’re going with?” she teased.

“Prescott drives a white Porsche; I only know that because it’s constantly parked on campus and whenever I see him coming out of it, you do too. Seriously Rosie, if you’re trying to hide your relationship from the world, the least you can do is–“

Rosie never truly lets me finish my sentences, which pisses me off. Maybe half the shit that comes out of her mouth can be prevented if she just would fucking listen for once in a while.

“You living your life through another celebrity is pathetic, bro; like just say you wanna suck his dick or something–” Rosie said. I couldn’t hold back my anger or frustration anymore. It’s like this girl isn’t letting me tell her that I’m here because I was afraid that son-of-a-bitch hurt her. She would rather hide his actions than tell someone who cares about her.

“Nah, some other girls are already doing that for him,” I snapped back. She didn’t like that and I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at her. “You know, for someone that’s not dating him, you sure look angry thinking about Prescott having his dick sucked by other chicks.”

“Is Kalia one of them? Is that why you’re so obsessed with him?” Rosie always had something to say, and at this point, I saw them coming from a mile away.

“Nah, I was just online when I saw that asshole got arrested after a ‘dispute’ here last night. What happened? Caught your man with another woman and you guys had a fight?” Rosie charged at me and I immediately blocked myself behind a lone table in the middle of her apartment. She grew frustrated and gave up; she huffed and stopped chasing me around the table.

“You know what’s not cool, Micah? Saying that we’re friends and yet you make my life a living hell by not respecting personal boundaries!” Rosie argued.

“Boundaries? Roe, I haven’t seen you in weeks! You haven’t said a word to me since that day in the lounge, and you expect me to not worry about you?” I admitted to her.

“Dude, I never told you where I lived! You just showed up here like you were invited and–“

“I saw you and Prescott here one day after my doctor’s appointment,” I finally said. She stopped talking, which was new considering she hasn’t let me finish a goddamn sentence since I got here. “I thought maybe this was just your secret hangout spot or whatever, I don’t know. But…” I looked around the bare-empty apartment and back at Rosie. I was truly concerned at that point for her. “… You actually live here. Why didn’t you just tell me? Do you think I would judge you or something?”

It hurts to think that although I’ve told her so much about my life, I barely knew hers. I wasn’t asking to know every little thing about her, but it would’ve been nice to know my goddamn best friend–

Best friend? Really Micah? You don’t even know her.

Before I could gather my thoughts, Rosie is pushing me towards the front door, clearly upset at me. My feet naturally went towards the direction that she was pushing me.

“Just get the fuck out of here! Stay out of my business and out of my life!” Rosie yelled out. When we reached the front door, I turned around, looking at Rosie.

“Roe, please–” I started to say, but of course, Rosie always has to have the last word.

“Don’t fucking call me that! As a matter of fact, don’t fucking call me ever again! We are not friends!” Rosie slammed the door in my face. I didn’t even bother fighting with her. I mean, what was the point in trying to reason with someone like her? She was going to do whatever the fuck she wants to do.

Then why the fuck do I care about her so much?

Is this my revenge or something?

This has been the second week Rosie hasn’t been in our Art History class. I couldn’t care less about this class, but doesn’t Rosie need this class for her major? Our professor enters the room and everyone quiets down. I look down at my phone, hoping Rosie texted me back, but I don’t have much hope. She hasn’t texted me since we had that huge fight in the lounge a couple of weeks ago.

I felt like shit leaving campus that day without apologizing to Rosie. I should’ve just sucked it up and been the bigger person. Rosie, from what I’ve learned from being her friend, gets extremely defensive. She will try to hurt you and insult you to not make it about her anymore, and I can’t sit here and lie and say what she said about Kalia and I didn’t hurt. But, maybe it hurt because it was the truth.

That’s when I realized that Rosie’s defensive mechanism was to hurt people when people hurt her with the truth. She was dating Prescott Jones, and she didn’t want anyone to know; not even the one person she trusted.

I just didn’t understand why would she have such a strong opinion on the lifestyle Kalia has. She didn’t even know Kalia, yet she hated her like she did. She hated her before I even really became friends with her; like is Kalia an ex of Prescott’s or something? She wasn’t, and she never acted like she was, so what the fuck was it about Kalia and her life that ticked Rosie off?

I envied Kalia’s life because I knew I couldn’t be the type of boyfriend her life requires. I’m not put together, I’m covered in tattoos, my hair is all over the place, and my fashion crosses over to angsty emo with a hint of baggy and homeless-looking.

“Micah?” my professor called out. I looked up.

“Yes?”

“I asked if you heard from Rosie lately. Is she alright?” my professor asked. What the fuck was I suppose to say? Yeah, she’s just being her moody and stubborn self and probably doesn’t want to be in the same class as me anymore!

“She’s alright. She’s been really sick. I’ll share my notes with her.” I quickly said. My professor didn’t even question it; he continued with the attendance sheet. I was growing angry now; if she was really avoiding coming to class because she’s still mad at me, then that’s really pathetic of her. Like, I could’ve just dropped the class–

What the fuck are you talking about? Dropping a class for a chick?

I would if it meant she would come back to class and pass for her major.

…

“My dad doesn’t hate you, babe,” Dani laughed as she told Tanner. I couldn’t help but laugh at Tanner’s straight face.

“Your dad literally gives me the death stare every time I come over,” Tanner responded.

“I give you the death stare too; it runs in the family,” Dani protested.

“Oh yeah, your mom invented resting bitch face and passed it down to you,” I teased. Dani nodded her head, agreeing with me. Tanner doesn’t move. I laughed it off and continued to scroll through my phone while we wait for our pizza to come out.

“Besides, my dad is happy if you keep me happy, and buying me pizza makes me happy,” Dani tells Tanner. He smiles and kisses her on the forehead. I make a gagging noise just to fuck with them. Of course, Dani rolls her eyes at me, calling me a hater. I looked back down at my phone, laughing.

“So, Tonya said that there’s another gig in a couple of weeks at the lounge,” Tanner said to me. I looked back up, away from my phone. “She asked if you were going to perform.”

“Eh, I’ll think about it. It’s been hard lately to find time to make any new music anyway,” I responded back, not really interested in doing another gig at the lounge; not after what happened last time with Kalia.

“Dude, it’s for their New Year’s Eve event. You know that’s the biggest event of the year for them,” Tanner explained. That still wasn’t convincing enough. I felt like the Oxygen Lounge wasn’t the same now that Rosie knows about it. It felt like it was now a place where Rosie and I became friends, and with us not being on great terms, I couldn’t think about the Oxygen Lounge.

“I don’t know, I’ll see. When’s the deadline to sign up?” I asked.

“November 29th,” I widen my eyes in disbelief. That was literally in a week and a half.

“I can’t, I really don’t have anything prepared,” I responded. Dani huffs and puffs, like she always does, at my answer.

“You’ll find time,” she started. “You always do anything. It’s not like you to miss an important event like that.”

I had no energy to go back and forth with Dani, so I was happy that the pizza came out at the right time. I take a slice of pizza and immediately place it on a paper plate. My phone vibrates on the table. I was hoping it was Rosie; I just need her to answer my fucking messages.

“Man, you’re like glued on your phone lately; you texting another chick now?” Dani teased. I brush it off immediately, not really caring about what she was saying. It wasn’t Rosie. It wasn’t even a message; it was a notification from Twitter. My eyes widen. I felt sick to my stomach.

Heir millionaire Prescott Jones was taken into custody after a violent encounter broke out in South Brooklyn late last night. Reports say the incident involved and a woman in her early 20’s.

I’m internally panicking. Rosie.

There’s light snow from the past weekend’s snow shower on the grass on the campus. Micah walks out from one of the classroom buildings; he’s officially on his break between classes. He immediately begins to walk towards the Campus Center, the building where the bookstore is located. He is on a mission to talk to Rosie, but his two friends call out for him.

He turns around and waits for Dani and Tanner to catch up.

Dani: Where are you going?

Micah: I was going to get a drink from the bookstore real quick…

Dani: There are literally vending machines in every building though.

Micah: Maybe I want something that isn’t in the machines, Dani.

Dani rolls her eyes; Tanner laughs as he snacks on a bag of chips.

Dani: Well, hurry up; we rented a room in the library to study and our time is about to start.

Micah: I’ll meet you guys there.

Micah continues to head toward the Campus Center.

When Micah walks into the building, he immediately walks toward the bookstore. He looks at his phone for the time. He looks back up at the front door of the store as they open. It’s Rosie.

Rosie: Micah?

Micah: Hey, Roe… nice seeing you after like a week.

Rosie walks away from the bookstore; Micah follows her.

Rosie: I’ve been busy with other shit.

Micah: Oh? Like what?

Rosie: Just things, Micah.

Micah stops following Rosie. He notices something weird about Rosie’s appearance.

Micah: Hey.

Rosie stops walking and turns around. Micah walks up to where she is and respectfully tilts her head. There’s a bruise on the side of Rosie’s neck.

Micah: You good? That looks painful as fuck–

Rosie leans away from Micah, popping her collar up to hide it. She turns around to keep walking. Micah follows behind.

Micah: Hello? Roe? I’m talking to you–

Rosie: *annoyed* For fuck’s sake, just drop it! It’s not even that deep!

Micah: Well you still better get that shit looked at before the rabies in the animal that bit you gets in your body.

Rosie rolls her eyes and walks into the lounge room. Micah follows.

Rosie: Don’t you have somewhere else to be?

Micah: Oh, you mean the study session we had planned for a week straight already but someone keeps postponing? Come on, Rosie, this test is going to be–

Rosie: *yells* Get the fuck off my back, Micah! I’m fine, everything is fine, and all I want to do is be left the fuck alone!

Rosie turns around and faces away from Micah. Micah rolls his eyes.

Micah: Whatever. Call me when you’re not in a mood.

Micah walks out of the lounge room. He makes his way to the library where his friends are waiting for him.

As he walks out of the building, Micah checks his phone; Twitter specifically. He scrolls through the different tweets and trending topics. He stops in place to read something on his phone.

Prescott Jones gets cozy with another heir millionaire, Cecelia Green in a luxury lounge in NYC! Is this the next power couple in business?

Micah’s eyebrows cock up. He looks back at the campus center where Rosie is.

Micah: Nah, fuck that.

Micah goes back into the building to go back to where Rosie is. He power walks into the lounge room, where Rosie is still hanging out in.

Micah: Roe–

Rosie audibly sighs.

Rosie: Yo, dude I swear to God just–

Micah: Listen, you gave me shit about Kalia and now it’s my turn to give you shit about that douchebag.

Rosie: Who?

Micah: I read the headlines. He moved on to a new girl? Man, fuck that dick–

Rosie: I don’t know who the hell you’re talking about.

Micah: *annoyed* Prescott Jones, Roe. I know you two were dating.

Rosie looks at Micah directly now in the face.

Rosie: I don’t know what drugs you’re on today, but I wasn’t dating Prescott Jones.

Micah: Bullshit.

Rosie: *angry* Stop assuming shit, Micah! I’m so sick and tired of you pushing this agenda on me like–

Micah laughs out loud, cutting Rosie off mid-sentence. It upsets Rosie.

Rosie: What the fuck is wrong with you?

Micah: *not amused* You know, you should’ve been an actress because you’ve been really convincing this whole time. *serious* I know you and Prescott Jones were a thing. I saw you at the Placy Gala. I called you by name and you answered back. I’ve seen Prescott’s fancy-ass car in the shitty parking lot outside the library and every time it’s there, you come out of it. So please, Roe; don’t lie to me.

Rosie doesn’t say anything at first until she smiles in his face and giggles.

Rosie: You think you know me because I helped you with a couple of class assignments when you were skipping school after your dumb ex dumped you? Do you think because you saw some girl with brown curly hair at some snobby gala that it was automatically me? Sorry to break it to you, man, but you don’t know shit about me. Just because your business was out in the open for the world to see, doesn’t mean everyone else lives the life you lived. Get a fucking grip, Micah. Don’t read into everything, maybe that’s why Kalia dumped you in the first place. You assume shit that has nothing to do with you.

Rosie and Micah are now face-to-face, not moving a muscle.

Rosie: Also, just a little reminder since you don’t get the hint. When I don’t pick up my phone, it means I’m fucking busy with my life. Maybe you should try to actually live yours now that you don’t have Kalia telling you how to live it.

This angers Micah, but it mostly hurts him. He doesn’t move, but Rosie walks past him and toward the front door of the lounge. Micah turns around before she opens and leaves.

Micah: That’s pretty shitty of you, Rosie. Maybe you were right, but maybe the reason why you don’t have any friends is that you’re shitty toward your friends.

Rosie sticks up the middle finger at Micah and walks out.

…

Dani: And that’s how you get to “y”, smartass.

Dani and Tanner argue over a math problem they are trying to solve. Micah sits across from them, not paying much attention.

Tanner: But that’s not the way the Professor wants us to do the problem!

Dani: He should only care about getting the right answer! *to Micah* How did you solve it?

Micah stares into space. He doesn’t respond.

Dani: *calls out* Micah!

Micah: *annoyed* What?!

Dani: Why are you so distracted? We agreed to study for our Math test.

Micah: I agreed to meet you guys here, I didn’t say anything about studying.

Dani: Then what was the point of helping to pay for the study room?

Micah: *annoyed* I really don’t have the energy to deal with your shit, Dani. So please, just let me be.

Dani: Eww, what crawled up your ass today?

Micah: *stands up* The stick that is always up yours!

Dani: *stands up as well* Go fuck yourself, Micah!

Micah: Is that all you can say? Huh? Huh?!

Tanner gets up and breaks up the fight.

Tanner: Both of you calm down please before we get banned from the library!

Micah sits back down in his seat and looks at his phone. Dani and Tanner look at him.

Tanner: You’ve been on edge all day, man. What’s wrong?

Micah doesn’t say anything. Dani sucks her teeth and starts to pack her books in her bag.

Dani: I’m not staying around to hear more about Kalia…

Dani walks out of the study room and slams the door behind her.

Tanner: Is it about Kalia?

Micah: *randomly* I’m sick of bitches assuming they know me. Like, I’m a nice guy! I’m a great friend! And what do they do? Assuming I’m trying to fuck them or something when I’m being a friend!

Tanner: Who is it?

Micah looks at Tanner and shakes his head.

Micah: Nobody. Seriously a nobody.

Micah goes back on his phone, not paying attention to what Tanner is saying at this point.