Chapter 21

Over the next few days, Jack hardly saw Rose. She would send him a text in the morning to say she didn't need a ride to school but then when Jack saw her, she kept her head down and refused to meet his gaze.

"I don't know what's happened. We sorted everything out and then Cal appeared and dragged her off. She won't return my calls and avoids me when I see her coming." Jack put his head in his hands. Tommy and Fabrizio sat across the table from him in the crowded cafeteria. They knew their friend was hurting but they had no idea what to do to help. "Plus, it's the prom in a few weeks. I wanted to ask Rose to go with me."

"You're already dating her. Isn't it a given that you'll go to the prom together?" Tommy asked.

"I didn't want to just assume. I wanted to make a big deal about it. Ask her to go, get her a corsage, you know, the works." Jack sighed. "But now, I've no idea what's going on. I told her I'd move with her to New York."

Tommy's head shot up. "You what?"

"What?" Jack was surprised at his reaction.

"You told her you'd move away with her? You've only been with her five minutes." Tommy laughed.

"I love her Tommy. I'd go anywhere for her." Jack admitted. "We've got a connection."

Fabrizio made a face at him while Tommy looked over Jack's shoulder. Jack noticed, and turned to follow his gaze. Realising what he was looking at, Jack stood up and walked towards Rose.

"Rose?" She turned to face him before dropping her eyes down to the ground. "What's wrong? Why are you avoiding me? What happened the other night?"

Rose looked back up. "I can't see you anymore Jack."

Jack's mouth opened. "What? Why not?"

"My mother." Rose sighed. "She told me if I continue seeing you, she won't give me the money that my father left me for college. If I keep seeing you, I can't go to Julliard." Her eyes started to tear up so Jack led her to a bench at the other side of the cafeteria.

"I thought you told me your father didn't leave much money?" Jack asked.

"He didn't. My tuition costs were the only part of his fortune that he didn't blow. He wanted to make sure I lived my dream. But now she's threatening me with it. Telling me that unless I make amends with Cal, I can't go to New York." Rose wiped her eyes.

Jack sat staring at her, unsure of what to say. He was angry because her mother was making her choose between two different things that made her happy.

"It also means that I have to go to the prom with Cal." She continued.

Jack put his head back in his hands. He had dreamt of what his senior prom would be like. Picking Rose up in a flashy car, walking into the large amazingly decorated room with Rose on his arm. They would dance the night away before heading up to Tommy's rented beach house and spending the night there with their friends. But now how could they do that if she had to go with Cal? Everything was ruined.

"Jack, please say something." Rose put her hand over his, willing him to look at her.

Jack looked up at her. He stared into her amazing emerald green eyes, taking in all of her beauty. She still amazed him. Every time he looked at her, he couldn't quite understand how anyone could be so beautiful. He looked her over, trying to think of what to say. It was clear to him that she was just as upset about this as he was. He tried to think of anything that would help, anything that would make it better.

"You have to go to Julliard. We just have to deal with this Rose. There's nothing we can do, but I won't let you give up on this." Jack sighed.

Rose felt frustrated. As much as she wanted to go to Julliard, she loved Jack more. They shared so much, in this life and the last. She nodded though and accepted what he was saying, as much as she hated it. She knew that Jack wouldn't allow her to not go to New York and she knew she couldn't go without that money. It was too late now for her to try and apply for any type of help.

"We'll sort something out Rose. I promise." Jack held her hand, lifting it so he could kiss her knuckles.

She smiled and nodded again, not saying anything. Their moment was interrupted by the bell's shrill ringing indicating the end of lunch. Jack stood up and walked round the table. He pulled Rose to her feet and brought her towards him, wrapping his arms around her. "I love you Rose." He whispered.

"I love you Jack." Rose smiled, wiping a tear from his cheek before turning and making her way to her class. She somehow knew that Jack would make sure that everything was alright, but in the meantime, she had to try and do something to fix this mess she found herself in. In the meantime she would agree to go to the prom with Cal to appease her mother and buy her some time.

Jack watched her walk away from him before making his way back over to his friends who tried to act as though they hadn't been watching the whole thing.

"So? What happened?" Tommy asked.

"Her mom won't let her go to the prom with me. She won't let her see me anymore or she'll cut Rose off. She won't get the money she needs for college. I can't let her do that." Jack sat back down.

"Seriously? Who's she going to the prom with then?" Tommy wondered.

"Cal." Jack stated.

Fabrizio looked at him. "Are you kidding? Cal? She can't stand him."

"I know that and you know that but her mother is more interested in her social standing than her daughters feelings." Jack thumped his hand on the table, startling his friends.

"We'll think of something Jack. Rose won't want to do this any more than you do." Fabrizio encouraged.

"I know Fabri. I just can't think of what to do." Jack racked his brain while standing up. "I've gotta get out of here."

Tommy and Fabrizio watched Jack walk towards the door before he disappeared out of sight.