Rose POV
I could not believe this was happening. I snuck out of my house to go to a party that my friend Mia had suggested. She knew I was really down on myself lately since Jesse and I broke up. I just could not believe he had cheated on me and had the balls to lie to my face when I saw it myself.
"Ohhh yeah baby! mhhmmm, fuck! Harder baby!" some girl's voice came from my phone after I answered Jesse's call. This cannot be what I think. He would never do that to-
"Fuck babe you feel so good!" my train of thought got interrupted by none other than Jesse's voice. I look over at Mia who is sitting right next to me and can hear everything that is going on. We both just stare at each other in horror until Jesse speaks again. "Turn around and get on all fours." "Ahh bab-" the girl's voice is interrupted by my shriek. "JESSE FUCKING ZEKLOS WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"
"SHIT" is all that reaches my ears before everyone is quiet. Silent tears stream down my face and Mia looks like she is about to go over to Jesse and tear him a new one. "Babe I swear it's not what you think. I... uh we were just...I sw-" "Stop." I cut him off before I could hear him say anything else.
"Fuck. You. Jesse. We are done, got it? Done. Don't call me again- I never want to hear your voice for as long as I live." I could see Mia staring at me, eyes tearing up, full of pity.
"Babe ple-" Mia took my phone and slammed the end call button, making sure I never had to hear what he was going to say. I was so grateful for her. We sat there in silence for what felt like hours, but must have only seen a couple of minutes.
"Rose...are you okay?" Mia practically whispers at me, knowing that I am about to break. I shake my head, "No. I don't think I am" and I broke down into sobs. Mia sat with me the rest of the night, holding me as I cried myself to sleep, wondering why I wasn't good enough for him. The next day in school, he came up to me saying nothing happened and it must have been a dream or my imagination. He had no idea Mia was there with me so the look on his face when she punched him square in the jaw was priceless.
And now here he was, walking up to me as I sat at the makeshift bar at some party I never intended on coming to in the first place. Mia had left me temporarily to go dance with some guy after I told her I would be fine.
As he walked up to me, I noticed all the things I had loved about him: the bad-boy vibe he naturally gives off, with his short blonde locks, gray-blue eyes and muscular body. He was wearing a pair of dark blue jeans and a dark green button-down shirt; everything he wore screamed money. He was easily the hottest guy at school, but now his looks repulsed me. I looked down at myself, thinking that I looked okay, but when I saw Jesse's eyes taking me in I knew I looked great. I had on a tight black dress with a halter top, not showing too much cleavage, but with how tight it was I did not need it to. It hugged everywhere down to mid-thigh. I had on gold bangles and a pair of black stilettos. My hair was down in soft waves and curled at the end by my butt. I had on light makeup, going for the natural feel, but with bright red lipstick.
"Hey baby, you dress up just for me?" Jesse said as soon as he was in front of me. I was looking anywhere but him, so he grabbed my chin and raised my face so I would have to look him in the eyes. His grip was light but still rough at the same time, telling me he was in control. But there was no way I was having any of that.
I ripped my jaw from his hold and sneered, "Like I would do anything for you. Go find the whore you were fucking the other night." I knew it probably wasn't a good idea to anger him, but I couldn't help it. I stood up to walk away when he grabbed my arm. "You aren't going anywhere. You are going to sit here and listen to me" Jesse growled at me, his fingers digging deeper into my skin. His eyes blazed with anger and I knew the rumors about him having a temper.
I really didn't want to start anything so I just meekly nodded.
Jesse let out his 1000 watt smile- one I used to adore, but now it made me nauseous. "Good babe. You're learning. Now stay here while I go get you and myself a drink. I think we will both be needing one." He said as he walked me over to the couch. He winked at me when He finished and I got the urge to run as far away from him as I possibly could, but in the heels and already a couple of shots in me, I knew I would not get far.
While Jesse walked away, I slid off my shoes and found Mia. As soon as she saw me she knew something was wrong. She came running over to me, leaving whoever she was dancing with. "Sweety! What is the matter? Are you okay?" she asked me rapidly. She noticed how my eyes kept flickering towards where Jesse was and the bruises that were already beginning to form on my arm. Her eyes widened and she nodded. "Give me one second okay sweety?" She said, and I just nodded, not knowing how my voice would work at the moment.
Mia ran over to the guy she was dancing with before and murmured something in his ear. His face turned serious and with a swift nod he headed towards Jesse while Mia ran back to me.
"Don't worry, I just asked Micky there to distract him for a while, let's get out of here." Mia said as she grabbed my handed and started dragging me towards the door. Luckily Jesse never noticed and I was already in the car with Mia on my way home.
"Do you want to talk about it?" my friend asked me, knowing not to push it. I just shook my head as silent tears ran down my face. We drove the rest of the way in silence.
Once we stopped in front of my house Mia turned to me, sadness and understanding glinting in her eyes. "You're leaving aren't you?" she whispered quietly making me look down at my fidgeting hands. She just nodded when I didn't answer.
"It's okay, I understand. I know there is a possibility you won't go, but I have a feeling that tonight is the last time I am going to see you for a while. I just want to say... I love you and you have been the best friend I could ever ask for. I hope to see you again someday." When she finished her speech we both had tears silently rolling down our cheeks. She reached over, kissed my hair and gave me a small goodbye hug. I never planned on running away but for some reason I had a feeling in my gut that I would be leaving tonight. "I love you too Mia. Thank you... For everything." I said quietly as I opened the door to her car and got out.
As soon as I got in the house, I knew there would be trouble. The kitchen light was on and that could only mean one thing: mom as home and she knows I was out.
Before I could get a step into the hallway, she was there. Janine Hathaway, the best bodyguard one could ask for and assigned to the mayor of this shitty town in Montana.
"Where the hell have you been Rosemarie?" She half growled half shouted at me. I knew I should be grateful to have only one parent who can punish me, but I wasn't. Not when I knew nothing about my father and just assumed that he hated me and didn't want me so that is why he left. Mom never did anything to let me know so naturally, I assumed the worst.
"Having the second worst night of my life, if you must know. Janine." I responded, knowing it would infuriate her that I called her by her first name, but that is what she gets by calling me by Rosemarie instead of Rose.
I know she sees everything: my bloodshot eyes, the bruises on my arms, the heels in my hand, and my tear-stained face. She does nothing to acknowledge my pain. All she does is make it worse.
"You are grounded for two months. Get to bed. Now." I stared at her in disbelief. How could she really not love me enough to care about me? But then I remind myself that she never has. She never cared for me and never will.
"Fine. Sorry, Mother." I spat the word at her, but she just stares at me stone-faced. I go to my room and slam the door, lying on my bed.
My sobs are louder now, deafening in the silence of my room. After a while, I know what I have to do. I grab a two big duffel bags and start.
I pack my favorite clothes, a pair of sneakers and a pair of heels, and some jewelry I might need. After shoving my hair brush, toothbrush and toothpaste into the side compartment of one bad I look around for my money. I get it from my jewelry box, the spot behind my mirror, taped under my bureau, and from behind a pile of stuffed animals. I never knew when mom might come in and take it, deciding I am too irresponsible to hold such cash. I finally grab my wallet with my license and debit card and head downstairs. As quietly as possible I grab my keys and head out the door, knowing I didn't wake mom because I was still breathing and not having her dig a six foot whole to bury me in for sneaking out again.
As soon as I started my car, I got out of there and headed for the bus station, knowing she would track my car.
As soon as I got there I got a one way ticket to Portland. The attendant looked at me strangely but it was probably because my makeup was black eyeliner and mascara with deep purple lipstick that complemented my skin tone very well, plus I was in a to-die-for outfit. I had changed from my sexy dress to a pair of black, high waisted skinny jeans with rips all up the legs, a light pink crop top that showed more than a little skin, and killer black leather jacket with my favorite pair of combat boots.
As soon as the bus came I hopped up and got on, not knowing what I was going to do next. I settled in my seat as the bus began moving. I wished I hadn't tossed my phone so I could at least listen to some music, but I knew my mom had GPS enabled on it and I did NOT want to be found.
I stayed awake for half an hour until my exhaustion caught up to me.
As I woke up, I noticed the sun was up really high. I checked my watch and noticed I had slept for... 11 HOURS?! Wow I knew I was tired but I didn't think I was that tired. Only 30 minutes to go, I told myself as I let out a big yawn.
The rest of the trip was rather short and as I stepped off the bus, I noticed just how nice it was here. Then it hit me. What am I going to do? I mean sure I have enough for a while, but not forever. Oh god, what am I going to do?
I was standing outside the bus terminal with most likely a look filled with fear when I heard a chuckle from behind me. Keeping a hold on my bags, I turn to face the man who chuckled, and boy was I glad I did. He had beautiful hair, styled artfully messy, with emerald green eyes that shined and a devilish smirk that entranced and unnerved me at the same time. He was dressed in black slacks, a button down gray shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbow while he smoked clove cigarettes.
From the look on his face he knew I was checking him out, but I was not going to embarrass myself. I am Rose Hathaway! Nobody fucks with me! I give him my best death glare and by the way he seemed to pale a few shades, but kept the smirk I knew it was pretty effective.
"You are a feisty one. I like it." He said looking me up and down. I would say he was checking me out, but it was more than that. He looked like he was assessing me. What the hell could this creep want?
Not knowing what to do I did what I am known for, gave him my sarcastic smile and snarkiest attitude. "Well unless you are going to stand here undressing me with your eyes all day, then I have somewhere to be" I snapped at him. He did not appear phased at all. "I know you have nowhere to go Little Huntress. But I do think you could be a valuable asset to me. Come with me and you won't have to worry about anything from your old life." He looks at me expectantly when he finishes talking. Like I am going to bow down and swear loyalty to his creepy ass. Yeah that will happen when Hell freezes over.
He let out a full laugh and I realized that I accidentally poke my thoughts out loud. I looked down embarrassed. I was intrigued by his idea but I have no clue who this guy is.
He seemed to know what I was thinking when he spoke again. "Don't worry Little Huntress I will take care of you. You're one of my girls now. You can tell me your story on the way."
I look at him trying to see if he was giving off any creepy vibes but he didn't. Before agreeing I had one question, "Little Huntress?" I was wondering where he came up with that name, and was not expecting the answer I got.
"I have a feeling you hunt boys and eat them for breakfast, plus in the future I know you will truly earn the name Little Huntress." He winked at me and had a sly smile on his face. Like He was predicting my answer, which I guess he was.
"Okay," I sighed," lets head off to whatever hell you want to bring down on me."
He chuckled and I thought I heard him say under his breath, "More like the hell you will bring down on other people, Little Huntress."
I had no idea how right he would be.
