Chapter 2 – Aftermath
The next day I woke up just wearing pyjama bottoms and Dave's shirt from last night. I just went downstairs and sat on the couch, staring at the TV and not taking in what was on. Daddy put a plate with a full English breakfast in front of me and sit down.
"Hey bud, thought you might be in an English mood today." He said with his lil' grin, obviously trying to cheer me up. After a couple of seconds he sighed and put his arm around my shoulders. "I take it your not feeling too good?"
"I dunno daddy. A lot changed last night. I mean, I was almost raped! By Oliver! I'm just feeling so confused and nervous…" I told him softly, a few tears leaking out. He pulled me closer and wrapped his other arm around me.
"It'll be alright bud, give it time. Dave was there in time, and thank god for that boy. I dunno what I would have done to that Oliver boy if he hadn't been stopped." He held me for another 10 seconds before pulling away a bit and looking me in the eyes. He sighed. "Honey, I know you probably don't want to deal with this now, but I really need to know what you want to do with Oliver. Do you want to press charges?"
"I… I don't…" I started sobbing. Dammit, why can't I be strong about this!
"I know you were friends' miles, but after what he tried to do last night that boy deserves more than just a slap on the wrist or a beating! What if he tries to do it again?" There was a knock on the door stopping my dad from going on. "Think about it for me." He walked over and answered only to have Lilly rush past him and quickly pull me into a hug. She then held me at arms length.
"Nope, no better today." She said sadly, and then she got a twinkle in her eye. "But I've brought something… I mean, someone, who might cheer you up" She whispered in my ear after pulling me close again. She let go and grabbed the breakfast before going to sit at the counter. I turned to the door only to see Dave standing there with a bouquet of snowdrops, white roses, daisies, clematis, and thorn-less red roses. I gasped, wondering if Dave knew the meaning behind each flower.
He stepped closer towards me and handed me the bouquet. "I wanted to make sure you're alright after last night… Erm… I got you theses… The snowdrops mean hope, the white roses mean innocence and purity, the daisies mean innocence and purity, the clematis means mental beauty, and the red roses mean… well… I'm sure you get the idea." He finished, blushing. I followed his example, knowing exactly what it means.
"Thorn-less roses mean love at first sight, and red roses mean Love." Lilly finished for him. "He asked the lady this morning before finally buying them." We stood there awkwardly for a minute looking at the floor before my dad cleared his throat.
"Well, how about we eat? I thought you might be coming round this mornin', so I made plenty extra. Breakfast Dave?"
"Erm… if you're sure Mr Stewart, that would be wonderful." I just love that boy's accent! It wasn't your royal family accent, but still had that British quality.
"Yeah I'm sure, take a seat; I'll just get it for ya now." Daddy told us before getting another two plates. Dave and I sat awkwardly on the couch.
"So… I see your wearing my shirt." He said nervously. I blushed again. Man I wish I would stop doing that!
"You… You can have it back tomorrow…" I started but he quickly cut me off.
"No, that's not what I meant!" He blushed and looked down. Yup, we definitely do that way too much. "I mean… You can keep it if you want, I don't mind at all." I snuggled deeper into it.
"You sure?" I asked quietly. He nodded and I gave him a quick hug. "Thank you." I told him as daddy set the plates down in front of us and we started eating. We spent the time until Lunch just talking and getting to know each other, but I had a Hannah concert in the afternoon so dave had to leave for me and Lilly to get ready. We headed upstairs and when we entered my room I leant against the door and sighed dreamily.
"Crushing much?" Lilly asked me sarcastically, to which I just threw a pillow at her. "Ow! C'mon, it's not like it's not true!" she said. I sighed again before heading into my closet. "And I know you know exactly what those flowers meant!"
"C'mon Lilly, he could have just thought they'd look nice!" She snorted and waved a hand in front of my eyes.
"Hello, Earth to miley! My cousin is totally crushing on you!"
"Yeah, but he's what, two years older than me?"
"Two? He's only sixteen, and even then he only turned last month!" I gotta admit I was a little bit shocked.
"Sixteen? He looks about seventeen at least!" I told her.
"See, perfectly in dating range. And because he started school a year late, he's in our year and even in our school." She told me smugly as I let out a little squeal and jumped up and down. "Anyway, should I wear the purple or pink wig tonight?" and with that all talk of boys went out the window.