A/N: Here's the second chapter of the story. Please enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, New Moon, or Eclipse.

A Rose

For The Poor Boy

Chapter 2

Rosalie

When I was able to come out of the trance Emmett seemed to put me in, I half-ran over to my mother and father, where they had just entered the convention room.

As we took our places, I couldn't help but smile whenever I felt a little tickle on my neck. How many sweet kisses had he placed there, murmuring my name softly?

Every so often, my mother would have to tap me on the shoulder, "My goodness Rosalie, knock that smile off your face. You're starting to look like an airhead." Then she would scoff and turn her attention back to Mr. King, who was giving a business speech that would turn into small talk and finger foods. During the appetizers, my father would sneak over to his table, commenting on the décor and hoping to spot a moment with him. That moment would be spent making chitchat on business that might lead him to a promotion for being such a "go getter." Pathetic.

My skirt was stuffy and the sleeves on my blouse were so starched, that they were almost itchy. Ugh!

But as my mother always says, "beauty IS pain" or "Uncomfortable, sweetie? Then, FAKE it." As Mr. King continued talking while flustering his hands everywhere and using words like "corporate" and "economy" and others that I didn't care to remember.

Instead, I thought back to the only thing that could ever bring me true elation…Emmett. Even the thought of him made me flush. He was just the type of person that brought tears to your eyes from laughing so much, or the person whose single smile can brighten your day. The type of person who was just so…lovable.

Love? Love him? Of course not. He was just a fling. Something that would be over in a few months, days even. But then, no one ever made me feel like he can. And a part of me warned me that I was lying about the idea of Emmett as a fling. My heart. I'd been in heart stopping situations before, but none of them compared to the impact this had on me.

But before I could contemplate my current awe-making situation, my mother shook my arm, puffed my hair and pulled me up. Stage 1: Smiling, nodding, and clapping complete. Stage 2: Snacking and sucking up; underway.

As the guests gathered around the appetizer tables on the stone patio, I stood under an oak tree that shaded a wide area. I leaned against the dark trunk, my arms folded against my chest. Thank goodness my hair naturally fell in slight waves, or my hair would had been curling from the heat.

I sighed to myself; do I have to decide where my love rests right now? No, now, Rosalie, you just float…I had my eyes closed and my thoughts had been a million miles away, with Emmett, of course. So I hadn't heard the snapping of twigs or the crunching of leaves, but I did realize there was another presence when I heard, "Hello, Rose."

At first I thought it was Emmett, disguising his voice in hope of surprising me. But I realized that this voice was to weak and trying to be sultry. Emmett's was naturally seductive and deep. Who was this imposter?

With one look I had him sized up: arrogant, player, bossy, did I mention arrogant? He was wearing simple jeans and a fitted blazer, but I could tell that his outfit was more than a thousand dollars. I had grown up with boys like him. I might not sound modest when I say I'm…for lack of a better word, gorgeous, but that's what I had always known. Rosalie: the golden girl. Smart, beautiful, always on board, very wealthy, and not show-offy. And the slightly less attractive description: party girl, easy. But when I was with Emmett, he made me feel that no matter what I looked like, he could and would always hold feelings for me. That certainly wasn't the case with this guy.

I cocked an eyebrow at him, showing him that was the only greeting he would get for now. Realizing this, he said, "I'm sorry, my name is Royce, Royce King." He added a smile.

I turned my lips up slightly, but I was still upset with him for ruining the reminiscing I was doing.

"Hi," I finally spoke, "my name's Rosalie Hale." I put emphasis on my first name because I wanted everything that Emmett and I shared to be kept confined between the two of us.

"I know," he seemed awkward, and I wasn't trying to do anything to help him feel less uncomfortable. "Um, so, are you enjoying yourself?"

He seemed earnest, so I turned to him for the first time and said, "Of course, stuffy old people who only talk about business and spend their time sucking up to some old guy who's probably going to make his decision on how hot his employee's wife is. I'm having a blast." I felt sorry for being so bitingly sarcastic, but it was the truth.

I figured he would make a face at me or scold me on my rudeness, but he just laughed, though it sounded almost bitter. "Yes, Mr. King can be very…superficial at times." I had barely heard the rest of what he said considering the shock and embarrassment I was in; I had just insulted his father and I didn't feel the least bit of guilt.

I felt my face go red for the second time that day, what was happening to the Rosalie Hale who stood firm, the one who never let anybody get under her skin? I knew the answer, but I wouldn't admit it until it was almost too late…I was in love.

But my attention snapped back to Royce, who stood there under the tree with a patient smile on his face. "Um, I'm…sorry. Really, I didn't-"

But he had cut me off, waving his hand in a way that looked like he was literally pushing away what had been previously said. I let out a nervous laugh, but internally, I was trying to regain my cool composure.

"Well, I guess we'll talk later, Rosalie," and dismissing himself before I could respond, I was once again left to wander through my thoughts alone.

When my parents sauntered over towards me, hand-in-hand and big fake smiles plastered on their faces just in case anyone was still looking. "Sweetie!" exclaimed my mother, her voice sickeningly sweet, "what are you doing here all alone?" Her tone was high-pitched and squealy, like a teen girl who just got asked out by the most gorgeous boy in school.

I rolled my eyes discreetly and looked over their shoulders to see Mr. King intently watching every move. Let's weigh out the outcomes: if I decided this charade wasn't worth it, which it wasn't, nonstop bickering would ensue. But if I kept up the doll-play, then my mother would unhitch herself from my back and I would finally get some alone time…though, not completely alone.

Fine. I smiled widely, matching the enthusiastic gestures my parents made. "So, Rosalie, how have you been?" my father asked, though his eyes were distracted.

"I'm fine. Great actually, and you?" I felt sick just hearing my own self, but in the distance, I noticed Mr. King smiling in approval at our seemingly close contact.

"So, are you ready to go? Mr. King has to catch an early flight so, unfortunately, the party has to end sooner than expected." Her words sounded like they were lines being delivered by an amateur. A show. Which it exactly was.

"That sounds fine, I hope you told the Kings I enjoyed myself." I sent a happy glance on the direction the Kings' were sitting in, and Mr. King caught my attention. He nodded happily that we were getting along happily.

"Of course we did. Now, if you're ready, let's get back to the car…" that being said, my mother caught my father's left arm and wrapped it with her own right one. God, I hope I'll never end up like that. But that was the same path everyone expected me to follow, and if by some miracle someone where to change that, I'd thank the heavens and promise to never imagine backhanding my mother again…well, only sometimes.

In the car, my mother and father finally released each other and floated to opposite sides of the car. I sighed as I took my natural place in the middle.

When we arrived back at our mansion, we neatly unfilled from the car and set off to the front doors of the house. But as soon as we stepped inside, my father set off t his office towards the back of the first floor, my mother took residence in the master bedroom on the second floor, and I departed to the third floor, where my mini-suit awaited me.

A/N: So, did ya like it? I hope so. Please, though, leave a review giving your thoughts. Reviews are highly appreciated! Thanks…now, 1…2…3…REVIEW!