Catalyst

~Rose

Ugh, it's been a strange, strange week.

First, Lissa has been acting different, scary to say; darker. She threw out most of her wardrobe and half of her shoes. She's been spending the night at my place a lot more and when she can't she invites me to spend the night. Nothing new, but it's been more frequent, try everyday rather than just once or twice a week. Second everyone's been avoiding me. I don't know why— wait who am I kidding I do know why, it's because I invited Jesse to her party. The party we've been talking about for months. Third I haven't seen Christian in weeks! Fourth I've been getting lectures like crazy and I didn't even do anything. Ever since Abe came to court Saturday my mom has been extra harsh on me and everyone else just because.

I'm laying upside on my bed looking at the ceiling, Liss left earlier; she has a meeting with Tatiana today. The only person that's not avoiding me is Adrian and I'm going to visit him later after dinner. I tried calling Mia, but she's avoiding me, Eddie's on guardian duty, Christian is … somewhere and Dimitri's with Tasha and training guardians. Today I am completely alone.

All of a sudden my phone rings and it plays the familiar ringtone Bruno Mars "Locked out of Heaven" I answer the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey Rose," Jesse replies.

"Hey…" Rose trails off.

There's an awkward silence for a second before Jesse asks "Hey do you want to hang out at my place?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Ok, see you later."

When they hang up and Rose stands up and put her on her black mid-calf boots and a black pullover hoodie on top of her white tank top. Rose looked in the mirror slightly rethinking her green skinny cargo pants before saying whatever closing her bedroom door and going down stairs. When she reaches the bottom step her phone goes off with a text. It's from Adrian.

'Hey Little Dhampir still coming over tonight?'

I smile and reply back 'You know it.'

I leave the house and when I'm almost to Jesse's place (Jesse texted the directions soon after hanging up) I unexpectedly run into Lissa who was no doubt heading over to my place. I just love Lissa's outfit she's wearing neon pink skinny jeans with black lace leggings underneath, matching neon pink blazer with a white oxford shirt underneath, pink tie and black pumps. She also wore her hair in a high ponytail today.

"Hi Liss, how was your meeting with the Queen?"

"Ugh the same as always. More and more boring royal stuff. I'm sick of it," Lissa says grumpily.

Did I mention Lissa's new attitude in addition to her new style?

Lissa looks at me strangely for a minute when I don't respond and asks where I'm going.

(I'm not used to this Lissa. Even though most of the time she's the same fun and loving Lissa she's starting to have moments where she acts completely out of Character.)

"I'm going to visit… Jesse," Rose says tentatively.

"What? Why?" Lissa asks confused.

I told Lissa about how I gave Jesse my number after Mia's party and Lissa thinks it's a bad idea to see or even talk to Jesse. But I'm not sure I disagree with her.

"You can't go Rose," Lissa states.

That shocked me. Lissa never told me I couldn't do anything before. I look at Lissa and her expression immediately turned apologetic. She didn't mean to nor realize how controlling she sounds.

"I'm sorry Rose," Lissa says dejected.

"It's ok Liss."

"If you want to visit Jesse it's your business and I shouldn't really have any say in what you do."

I felt in the bond how sad and confused Lissa felt. I know that her Christian's relationship did not end well and that she's still coping.

"It's fine. And I want to hear you what you think about this. You are my best friend right."

"Yes. And your right," Lissa smiles up at me. "So, I'll see you when you come back later ok."

"Yeah," Rose says before continuing to walk.

~Lissa

I have no idea why I just said that to Rose and I'm still a little weird out by it. I decided to push my worry aside as I reach Rose's place. I've been sleeping over Rose's all week. Because I just need to know that at least someone can stand to be around me. I knew it wouldn't be easy breaking up with Christian because I do love him, but not the way I used to. I want to be friends, but I know that Christian and I aren't like Adrian and Rose who are best friends now. Christian and I will never be like that. I walk inside and lock the door and go upstairs to change. When I walk back downstairs in black lace leggings and a half black and silver top I lay on one of Rose's sofas. I lay there for a moment before picking up my phone and calling a number I wrote on my hand earlier.

"Hey, you've reached Carly, please leave a message and I'll get back to you later."

Beep. "Hi Carly I thought about what you said today and I'll be there."

~Rose

Ding dong! After ringing the doorbell a second later Jesse answered the door hair slightly ruffled. I had to admit he looked HOT. Jesse answered the door wearing a white v neck American eagle shirt, hot pair of American eagle jeans, American eagle rope bracelet and dark blue all-star converse shoes.

"Um, hey."

"Hey, do you want to come in?"

"Sure."

When I walk in a room that I suppose is the living room. I sit on the plush black sofa facing the TV. Jesse then sits next to me. For a while we just sit there both staring at the TV screen. There's some weird cartoon on, I don't even think their speaking English. I inwardly sigh and lean back more into the he sofa. While I sit here I decide to let my mind wonder. What is Mia doing? I haven't talked to her all and honestly it's starting to worry me. I tried to talk to Eddie, but he says he's busy. Yeah, busy avoiding me. I'm brought out of my thoughts by someone calling my name.

"Rose, Rose?"

"Uh, yeah?"

Jesse looked amused "Are you ok?"

"Yeah."

"So…what've you been up to since Mia's party?"

"Well ever since Mia's party Mia has been avoiding me like the plague."

"That bad, I figured she'd forgive you after you tell the truth."

"Well I didn't… tell her the truth."

Jesse smirked, "Bad girl. Maybe you should send her a sympathy card."

"You're a jerk," Rose says turning her head away from Jesse.

Jesse see's the look on Rose's face before he realizes that Rose is really upset about Mia being mad at her.

"But seriously Rose I think you should apologize. Make things right."

Rose looked at Jesse and grinned she didn't think Jesse would actually give her advice and good advice at that, "Thanks."

"No problem. I'm used to these types of things, girls fight over me all the time."

Rose pushed Jesse lightly, "Please. Don't be cocky."

Jesse stands up "Hey you want something to drink?"

Rose nods and Jesse goes over to his mini fridge.

"Soda cool?"

"Yep."

Jesse walks back over and hands Rose a coke before sitting back down, "so were you nervous," Jesse starts causing Rose to look at him, "about coming over?"

Rose sits her soda on the coffee table in front of them.

"Honestly yeah I kind of was."

"Why?"

"I mean we hated each other's guts and now we're hanging out? I was a little skeptical after giving you my number."

"Well don't be," Jesse turns to look back at Rose, "Know that you did the right thing, that you did it for a reason."

Rose can't help, but notice how tense the room became. She didn't reply as Jesse stared at her, but when she did turn her head and meet his eyes she immediately noticed how close he was to her. Jesse moved closer.

This can't be happening! Rose told herself. Abruptly Rose turned her head away from Jesse. She could feel Jesse sit back against the sofa. Without thinking Rose asked, "Do you want to play a game?" Rose knows its weak, but things aren't going the way she expected and to avoid things from being awkward... well too awkward.

"Sure, how do you play?" Jesse asks as Rose turns around to face him.

"Here are the rules: We're going ask 21 questions and whoever is asked has to answer every question."

"Ok, well you go first."

"Were you about to kiss me?"

Jesse answers without hesitation "Yes."

Before Rose could ask why Jesse was asking her the next question, "Are you and Lissa really best friends?"

This question was unexpected, "Yes, why?"

"I know you two seem really close, but because Lissa's royal..."

"But Lissa's different than other Royals; she's not snobby or stuck up."

"Well what about me? Am I snobby and stuck up?"

"Not your turn," Rose says laughing.

They keep playing the little game until the last question.

"Were you nervous about me coming over?" Rose asks.

Jesse smirked "Yes actually. I thought you'd change your mind."

"Well, I didn't," Rose says softly.

The room was suddenly intense and Rose can feel herself closer to Jesse as she looks into his eyes. Jesse leans forward a bit. Rose tilts her head a little and Jesse asks, "Did you… want me to kiss you?"

Rose puts her arm around Jesse's shoulder then pushes Jesse's head down mashing their lips together and melts.

Jesse is a very good kisser. The last time I kissed Jesse in an abandon room when we were in school and that had been sloppier, but I have to admit Jesse has improved a lot. Jesse licks my lips asking for entrance, but it's not granted. We kiss more because I just can't find the strength to detach myself from Jesse's lips. Jesse licks my teeth begging for entrance. I can't take it anymore; I pull my lips away from Jesse and sit back.

Before Jesse could try to pull Rose back towards him Rose stands up, "Hey Jesse I think I'm going to go now," Before Rose could stop herself Rose gives Jesse her man eater smile and says, "Call me later."

"Will do," Jesse says smirking at Rose.

I can't believe I just kissed Jesse…. and I liked it.