RPOV

Normally I'd drive myself to school, but my stupid mom took my car to work, so now I have to walk. I couldn't stop thinking about how I kissed Dimitri's cheek yesterday. Why I did that I have no idea. I remember the tingly feeling from the kiss, how it sent electric shocks through me. I sighed.

~Secret admirer~

Once at school, I went to my locker to get a few of my textbooks. But when I got in, I noticed people whispering as I walked by. I didn't think anything of it at first, but when I started hearing my name mingled with the word 'whore,' I got worried. I knew I got in a fight with Avery yesterday, but she couldn't have told everyone I was a whore, could she? But then again, Avery sleeps around to get what she wants. I quickly went to my locker and grabbed my stuff. When I got everything I needed, I left.

"Hey, Rose!" I turned and saw the two people I hated the most. Jesse Zeklos and his lapdog Ralf. I turned and kept walking, but I could hear Ralf and Jesse behind me. "Rose, did you enjoy last night?"

What? I didn't do anything last night. What the hell is he talking about?

"I don't know what you're talking about, Jesse," I called.

"Remember? When you let Ralf and I have a little fun with you." I stopped. Have a little fun? What the hell is that supposed to mean?

"It was at my place," Ralf called. I turned and saw the horrid smirks on their faces. "You, me, Jesse...Remember?" My eyes widened.

They're saying I-I...No!

I shook my head. "I didn't do that. Why would I want to throw myself at you?"

Jesse laughed. "C'mon, Rose, quit the whole dumb act. You really liked last night, didn't you?" At that point, I could hear everyone's conversations, no longer little whispers. Calling me a whore and a slut. I felt my eyes sting. I knew Avery had something to do with this, Jesse and Ralf couldn't have done this on their own.

I turned and practically ran from the mob of kids who surrounded me. I ran outside, I wanted to disappear.

DPOV

Mama dropped me off at school. We said our goodbyes, and I turned to leave. But as I did, someone ran into me. I quickly grabbed the person's arms to stop them from falling, but as I looked, I realized it was Rose. Her eyes red with tears.

"Rose?" I asked, stunned. She looks down, hiding her face. I let go of her arms and she puts some space between us. "Are you okay, Rose?"

It's almost like my dream, I thought.

Rose looked up with a forced smile on her face. "I'm fine, Dimitri. Thanks."

"Rose..."

"No, really," she says, wiping the tears from her eyes, sniffling. "I'm fine."

She quickly walks away.

~Secret admirer~

As I went through school today, I could understand why Rose was upset. Rumors about her being a whore were the main topic among the kids. I even heard a few of the teachers talking about it.

When school ended, I sprinted all the way home. When I got to my room, I looked for the paper that had Rose's number. When I found it, I called her.

"Hello?" Rose's voice said.

"Rose?"

"D-Dimitri? What's wrong?"

She's concerned about me?

"I'm fine, Rose. I'm worried about you." It sounded a little cheesy, at least for me, but I truly was.

"Dimitri you don't need to be worried about me. I can take care of myself."

"I know, I just..." I sighed. "You were crying and it bothered me. I want to know if I can help you with anything."

After a minute of silence, Rose spoke.

"Thank you, Dimitri."

"For what?"

"Being the nicest person ever."

I was happy we were talking over phone, because I was blushing madly.

"You're welcome," I said softly.

"Could I come over to your place?" Rose asked.

"Umm...I don't know, maybe," I stammered.

"I was just wondering. Maybe we could spend the afternoon together."

"Wouldn't your parents worry?"

"My parents don't give a shit."

"Oh. Umm, y-yeah, I guess you could come over." I was uncertain of having Rose come over. But if it'll make her happy...

"Thanks, Dimitri. Could you tell me the address?"

I told Rose the address of the house, she thanked me and hung up. I sat in my room for a moment, stunned. Rose was coming over. To my house. Quickly, I shot up and went downstairs.

"Mama!" I called. She popped her head out of the dining area. "Is it okay if a friend of mine spends the afternoon here?"

"Oh, well, that was short notice," she said. "But okay." I thanked her.

~Secret admirer~

When the doorbell rang, my heart nearly jumped out of my chest. I opened it and saw Rose standing there, and I almost died. She looked beautiful, like always. Having her at my house must've been a dream itself.

"Hey, Dimitri," she said, smiling.

"Hi," I said shyly. I stepped aside and let her in.

"You have a nice house," Rose complimented.

"Thanks," I said quietly. Rose looked around very quickly before asking where the tv was. I took her to the living room. She plopped herself on the couch and I sat on the other side, giving her some room.

"Why're you sitting over there?" Rose asked.

I looked at my hands. "I don't want to intrude on your personal space." Lame, lame, lame, lame, lame!

Rose chuckled. She got up and sat next to me, very, very close. Her arm brushing against mine. She grabbed the remote and turned the tv on.

"Where's your family?" Rose ask, almost breathless.

"M-My mom went to visit my older sisters," I said, almost whispering.

"What about your dad?" Rose asked.

"I don't know my dad," I said.

"You have two older sisters?" Rose said, changing the subject.

"Yeah, and a younger half-sister," I said. "But she's in the hospital."

We stopped after that. We sat there, watching the tv. My heart beating so hard in my chest it hurt. Rose's presence was so strong, her sitting next to me was so powerful. I couldn't focus on the tv with her so close.

RPOV

Once again, I don't know what compelled me to decide to sit so close to Dimitri. His presence, his scent, his beauty...all of it was distracting me. I want to just throw myself at him and hold him. He's like a big teddy bear. I'd glance at him every now and then, and he seemed just as aware as our closeness as I was. I didn't want to move away and hurt his feelings, but I didn't know if being this close bothered him.

"Do you want me to give you some space?" I asked.

Dimitri jumped a little. He looked at me with those chocolatey brown eyes. "No, this is fine." I nodded and looked at the tv again.

Everytime one of us moved, our arms brushed. And when our arms brushed, an electric current shot through me. For years I've loved this guy from a distance, now I'm able to love him up close.

DPOV

If only I could tell Rose how I feel. She's here, she's so close, literally. But I'm too cowardly. Everytime our arms brush together I feel that current.

But I can't tell her. I can't.