Chapter 3

The entire car ride home, I stared out the window. Looking, but seeing nothing. My mind hadn't quite processed everything. The reality of it all just hadn't sunk in yet and I was content to keep it that way for as long as possible.

Rose kept quiet, giving me my space. I couldn't have asked for a better friend than Rose. Most people looked at her and saw a mean and conceited snob. But I knew better. Underneath the façade, she was a fiercely loyal friend who would do anything for the ones she loved. Not many got to see that side of her and I was grateful to have her in my life.

I'll never forget the day we met. It was the summer before sixth grade. That was an awful year for me and I had become quiet and withdrawn. The fun-loving kid with a smile for everyone had vanished and my so-called friends had vanished with him. They no longer wanted anything to do with me and I was drowning my sorrows in an ice cream cone at the park. Since it was only a few blocks away from home, I was allowed to go by myself, of which I took full advantage.

I spent more time there than at home that summer, never talking to or interacting with anyone. Those days were spent in solitude. Eating ice cream or people watching or staring into space, whatever, it was done in the confines of Hilltop Park.

I was a scrawny kid back then. I got picked on a lot, particularly after I stopped engaging in any sorts of activities with my peers. Kids that had previously been friends began to join in the teasing. It hurt, but I tried not to let it get to me. What did it matter, anyway? Nothing mattered to me anymore. I was eleven years old and life no longer held any joy for me.

As I headed towards my favorite bench, the one with the best view of the valley below, my ice cream was suddenly knocked from my grasp. I could only watch as it flew steadily to the ground and landed upside down on the concrete.

I heard several snickers and looked up to face my biggest tormentor, James, and a few of his sidekicks. "Hey Emmett, why don't ya watch where you're going," James mocked as he roughly shoved me aside. Before I had a chance to react, one of his buddies punched me in the gut. This wasn't the first time I'd been beaten up and I knew it was pointless to fight back. I braced myself and silently prayed that they'd get bored with me and move on.

Awaiting the next punch, I closed my eyes. But, something was off. Too much time had passed with no contact. I hesitantly reopened my eyes to see what the hold-up was. Everyone was turned away from me and looking at the prettiest girl I'd ever seen. Apparently the guys thought so too and James' mouth was agape as he openly stared.

I had never seen her before, but I was undeniably grateful for her impeccable timing. I tried to stealthily back away from the group while they were distracted. But no such luck. Although his eyes were trained on the girl, James reached back and grabbed hold of my wrist.

The girl continued to stride forward until she was directly in front of James and me. She was tall, taller than any of us, with long flowing blonde hair. She was curvy and fashionable. She looked like a freaking supermodel.

"Hey baby," James said, recovering his swagger. "Lookin' good. I'm James." He looked her up and down as he spoke, unabashedly checking her out. Without missing a beat she cocked her arm and punched him square in the jaw. As he fell back, dropping his hold on me, she icily replied, "I'm Rose. Nice to meet you, James."

Rose took over James' hold on my wrist and pulled me along behind her. My own mouth was now open, in shock. I'd never seen anyone stand up to James, let alone a girl and a pretty one at that. I followed her out of the park and down the street, neither of us speaking a word. When she finally halted I tried to stutter out my thanks, but she put a gentle hand on my chest and stopped me. "Just forget it," she said firmly. And that was that. Our friendship had begun. We never talked about what happened that day. But, James quit harassing me and Rose and I became inseparable.

"Hey Em," Rose said softly, pulling me out of my reminiscence. "We're here."

Hand in hand we headed up to my apartment. It was time to face reality. I didn't want to. I really didn't want to. But, it was necessary. And with Rose by my side, I just might make it through this.