"Calling Sister Midnight, you've got me reaching for the moon, calling Sister Midnight, you've got me playing the fool . . ." -Iggy Pop

Chapter Twenty-Five: Sister Midnight

It was a bright, sunny day, the kind that had only a few clouds floating throughout the sky but otherwise . . . it was just blue. It was the exact kind of day for a good stroll across the beach, or just a walk to the ice cream parlor with the one you love. But some, however, were spending it inside, looking out through the windows instead of staying outside. Some, like Rosalie, were working on that day, standing at the register to help people buying records check out.

Rosalie had gotten the call she was now with a job a few days earlier - she was happy to finally be busy with something, something to distract her from the realities of life. But no matter how hard she worked, no matter how much she talked to the customers . . . she couldn't take her mind off of Carlie. She thought constantly of her now, more than her own mother - she knew Carlie was related to David through blood.

Rosalie still didn't know why she had taken her, however; she did happen to know that the boys had something to do with it, but they failed to tell her anything. She was used to that by now.

"It's such a lovely day, isn't it?" Rosalie jumped and gasped as Cindy stood in front of her. Cindy smiled and Rosalie ran a hand over her face, realizing she had just been zoning out. "Whoa, I didn't mean to scare you. You okay?"

"Yeah . . . fine," she replied. "I'm just tired."

"Oh. Well . . . I just wanted to tell you that Marko asked me out on a date." Although Rosalie wanted to cringe at the thought of the boys and the history she was getting to with them, she didn't. Instead, she smiled even though she didn't want to, and decided to be happy for Cindy.

"That's great! Do you know where he's taking you?" Rosalie asked. "Or is it just one of those things that, you know, just happens?"

"The second." Rosalie nodded, still smiling.

"Well, I'm very happy for you!" Cindy's cheek lit up with a faint blush as she looked down at the ground.

"I'm just really hoping this isn't a dream."

It's a nightmare for me.

Rosalie shook her head and smiled once more, taking Cindy by the shoulders and looking her over.

"It's not, I promise." Rosalie went back to her work behind the counter, which was just wiping down the counter with a cloth and keeping an eye on the customers to make sure they didn't steal anything.

"Well, how's your love life been?" Cindy asked, watching Rosalie. "I hope it's been good for you, too."

Rosalie stopped what she was doing, and let out a soft sigh.

"I don't know what to say about it. I really like someone, but . . ."

"But . . .?"

She shook her head, looking down at the counter.

"It wouldn't ever happen."

"And why do you say that?"

"Because, Cindy, I barely know Dwayne." She shut her mouth after that, and Cindy went silent for a few seconds.

"So, you don't like Alan?" she asked quietly.

"I don't. Not that way."

". . . You really like Dwayne?"

"I think I do. At first I had a little crush on Paul, but I really think Dwayne is who I would want to be with." Cindy smiled a little, flipping through one of the music magazines on the counter.
"I can hook you two up."

"No, don't do that."

"Why?"

"Because . . . just don't. I'll figure it out, okay?"

"You sure?"

"Yes." Rosalie paused for a moment, looking at the clock. "I get off in a few hours - do you want to go out or something afterwards?"

"Sorry, I can't," Cindy said, with a huff, "Dad's making me work the night shift, until midnight. If you're still up by then, we can hang out if you want."

Rosalie nodded, then leaned against the counter.
"I'll find you if I'm still awake."

"Okay. I'll see you later, Rosalie." Cindy sent her a smile before walking away, and Rosalie went back to cleaning the counter. Her mind, however, was still occupied with other thoughts.

Rosalie walked out of the store, leaving her boss to close up as she tucked her hands in the pockets of her jeans. The night air was warm, the smell of the ocean drifting through it along with the smell of fried food from the boardwalk.

I see you.

Rosalie sighed, then shook her head lightly as she walked along the railing of the boardwalk, keeping her eyes trailed on the ocean beyond the horizon. She didn't feel like talking to Dwayne - no, not tonight.

You haven't spoken to me in days.

Leave me alone.

She let out a gentle sigh, wondering if she should just go home and lock herself in her closet.

Don't do that.

Well, you don't do that.

Do what?

Read my mind - look, it doesn't matter. Just go away.

She stopped with a sigh by the railing, leaning against it with her eyes entranced by the beauty. Despite the protests she had given earlier, Rosalie wasn't surprised to find Dwayne standing next to her, his hawk eyes trailed on her.

"I don't try to hear your thoughts, Rose." Her chest rose quickly, and her breath was loud as she exhaled. "Talk to me."

"And why should I?" she snapped, her face going red from anger, "Tell me, why should I? Ever since I first got here, all you guys have been doing is leaving me confused, and wondering who I really am! Why should I talk to you when you all refuse to talk to me."

Dwayne went to speak, but Rosalie cut him off as he opened his mouth.

"Shut up. Just shut up! For once, I'm going to be the one doing the talking, and you're going to listen. How do you expect me to react when I learn the woman who raised me as her own is related to the man who showed me who he really was? How the hell do you think I'll act after hearing something like this? Just give it an hour and be alright? If you think that, then you really aren't as smart as I once thought."

Her eyes welled with angry tears, and her jaw set as she glared up at Dwayne.

"Rosalie."

"No." To his surprise - and hers - she extended an arm to hit him on his exposed chest. He didn't move once, but his eyes narrowed as he glared at her.

"Stop. Now." But the problem was that Rosalie found herself unable to stop herself - she couldn't keep her hands still, or her anger held within, and decided rather to take her anger out on Dwayne than out on something else.

She hit him three more times before Dwayne roughly grabbed her wrists, pinning her in place as he looked down at her. She struggled against his chest as his grip tightened, until finally . . . she stopped.

Tears fell down her cheeks and a light sob fell from her mouth, her eyes clenching tightly before leaning on Dwayne for support.

"I'm sorry," she whispered between her quiet sobs, and she felt Dwayne's grip loosen. "I . . . I don't know what happened."

Dwayne didn't say anything, and Rosalie pulled away. He didn't pull her back, and she used her hands to wipe away the fallen tears.

"I've got to go." She turned around to leave, but was surprised when Dwayne reached out to grab hold of one of her wrists. She froze in place with a sigh, her back stiffening. "Let me go. Please."

He didn't say anything, and Rosalie scoffed as she turned around.

"Are you just going to-"

She was cut off, but not by his voice. Instead, she found herself pulled towards him until their bodies were pressed closely together, and Dwayne's lips were on hers.