Chapter Forty: I'll Be There For You by Bon Jovi

They went to the room, and Rose called Jack. "You in the hotel?" Jack asked.

Rose crashed down on the bed. "Yes."

"How was the bus ride?" Jack asked.

"Full of traffic," said Rose. "But I had snacks."

"I love that you always travel with snacks," said Jack.

"Yeah, you do," said Rose. "When you weren't making fun of me for having a whole snack bag."

"I'm sorry," said Jack.

Rose saw Emily out of the corner of her eye and suddenly got a little uncomfortable. "Listen, I'll call you back later."

"Okay," said Jack. "Love you."

"I love you too," said Rose. They hung up. "What?"

"Hmm?" Emily asked.

"You're thinking something and you're not telling me. What is it?"

"I just… I don't want you to think I'm judging your relationship or anything," said Emily.

"I know that," said Rose.

"I love you," said Emily. "We've been best friends since kindergarten. I just want the absolute best for you."

"I know," said Rose.

"That said… I'm just not fully convinced Jack's good enough for you," said Emily.

Rose sat up and sighed. She wasn't mad or upset or anything - Emily just didn't understand. "Listen, I love you," Rose began. "But you have no idea what I've been through the last few years."

"I-" Emily began, but Rose continued.

"I lost everything. My father, my home, my school, everything. And I know you were there for me through it all, and I'm so grateful for that, but you couldn't possibly know what that was like. But Jack does. He understands how I feel about things without me having to tell him. He understands me in a way no one else does."

"I'm sure he does," said Emily. "But Rose, you're seventeen years old!"

"I'm just luckier than other people who grow out of their relationships," said Rose. "Listen, I heard you, and I love you for caring, but I know that this is right. And let's say, hypothetically, it doesn't work with Jack and I, everything would be okay."

"I guess that's true," said Emily. She stood up and gave Rose a hug. "I don't want you to be uncomfortable talking to him or doing things with him. If you love him-"

"I do," said Rose.

"Then I approve," said Emily. "Not that you need my approval."

Rose smiled. "Thanks."

They were at practice a few days later, and they were practicing their tumbling. They made a line, and finally it was Rose's turn.

"Come on, Rose!" Someone cheered.

Rose took a deep breath and backflipped. She did three flips, but then landed badly on her ankle. "Ow," she said, trying to hold back the tears. She wasn't sure if it even hurt that badly, or if it was PTSD from her last ankle injury.

"Rose, you okay?" The coach asked.

Rose nodded quickly. "Can I just have some ice?"

Someone handed Rose some ice, and she went to sit on the side of the mat. She sighed and looked at her phone. After a few minutes, she texted Jack.

R: Hey.

J: Hey. What's doing?

R: Fell badly on my ankle. AGAIN.

J: Is it hurt?

R: I don't think so. I'm just icing it now.

J: Sorry babe.

R: Thanks.

J: Bright side, you're day's about to get better.

R: What?

J: Look outside.

Rose looked out the door and saw a familiar face. Jack was standing there in a light blue v-neck and jeans. He smirked and waved at her.

She forgot immediately about her ankle and ran out the door. "Ouch," she said, grabbing onto his shoulder for balance. "The ankle."

"You okay?" Jack asked.

Rose looked up at him and nodded. She put her hands on his cheeks and pulled his head downward to kiss him. They met in a passionate kiss before Rose pulled away. "I have to go back in."

Jack nodded. "I'll take you for dinner after."

Rose smiled and kissed him. "Perfect."

"Go back in," said Jack. He kissed her cheek and watched her walk away as her hand slipped away from his.

Rose finished her practice and met Jack outside. "Hey," she said with a smile, and Jack took her hand.

"Hey," said Jack, and he kissed her cheek. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," said Rose. She kissed him again. "So, what's been going on?"

"What do you mean?" Jack asked.

Rose looked at him and arched an eyebrow. "Helga and Fabrizio."

"On the outs again," said Jack. "How did you know?"

"Helga sent me an angry text asking me why I encouraged them to get back together," said Rose. "I figured something happened."

Jack stopped walking. "Helga blamed you?"

Rose nodded. "Yeah."

"You know that's ridiculous, right?" Jack asked.

Rose shrugged. "Maybe it's not. I did encourage Fabrizio to get back together with her."

"So what?" Jack said. "That doesn't mean your responsible for the problems in their relationship."

"I guess," said Rose.

Jack looked at her thoughtfully and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. "It's not your fault," said Jack. "Helga just needs someone to blame, and it's not fair to you."

Rose nodded. "I know," she said quietly.

Jack wrapped an arm around her and kissed the top of her head. "So what's been going on with you?"

"Not much," said Rose. "Eat, sleep, cheer, repeat."

"How's the ankle?" Jack asked.

"Icy," said Rose. She looked at him and giggled. "What did you do today?"

"That's a secret," said Jack. They walked for another minute before Jack stopped.

"Where are we?" Rose asked.

"Salad place," said Jack. "I know how you like eating salad before cheer competitions because you want to eat something light so you don't get a stomach ache or get sick or anything." He looked at her, and they both laughed. "I know you so well, Rose."

"I know," said Rose. "It's crazy that we've been together for a year and a half."

"It's been the best year and a half," said Jack. He took her hand in his as they walked in. They ordered and sat down with their food and started to eat.

"So, now that we're in college, what do you want to do over winter break?" Rose asked. She looked at him and noticed the change in Jack's expression. "What, what is it?"

"I'm just… worried," said Jack hesitantly.

"About what?" Rose asked.

"Paying for college," said Jack. "I've been working for a few years now, and I can't even afford a single year of college. Pratt's expensive."

"I thought you got a scholarship," said Rose.

"I did," said Jack. "Not a full scholarship, though. I still have to pay a lot."

"We," Rose corrected him. She put her hand on his thigh. "We're in this together… for now and for always."

Jack nodded. "I don't want to be a burden," he said. "I don't want you to have to take care of me."

"We take care of each other," said Rose. "You take care of me, and I take care of you. And you'd never be a burden."

"Then what do you call this, Rose?" Jack asked. He was upset; he didn't want Rose to have to deal with him, to be responsible for his burdens. "I have absolutely nothing. You have nothing but your money. And now I'm going to take that away from you?"

"You're not taking it away from me," said Rose. "It's yours too."

"But-" Jack began.

"Stop!" Rose cried, and she touched his cheek. "Stop it!"

"You don't have to do this," said Jack. A tear trickled down his cheek.

Rose wiped it away. "I know," she said quietly. "I'm choosing to."

"Listen, I'm going to get a better job, and I'm going to provide for you." He looked at her and wished he could give her everything. "I'm going to make this up to you."

Rose smiled. "The only thing I need is your love," she said. They wrapped their arms around each other and kissed.