The girls both sat down.
Dave and Hunter made them a quick lunch and sat down with them to eat.
"Can I have the group over?" Rosie asked
Dave and Hunter looked at each other and nodded.
"Sure." Hunter said
Rosie sent out a mass text.
Everyone said they would be there if their parents let them out of their sight.
Abby sent 'I'll be there. Can I bring my um… boyfriend?'
Rosie's eyes went wide. 'Simon?!'
'Maybe *big smiley emoji*' Abby sent
'Yes. Yes 100 times yes. OMG Yes!' Rosie sent
She showed Hayley the texts
"Well they have been on a couple date." Hayley said
"Yes. But saying boyfriend." Rosie said
"I think this whole thing probably scared a lot of people." Hayley said
"Yeah." Rosie said
They finished eating and cleaned up before there was a knock on the door.
Rosie walked to the door and opened it. It was Nolan. Rosie hugged him. Nolan hugged her tight.
He could feel how tense she was. "Hey. You're tense."
"Yeah. I'm just. So unbelievably frustrated." Rosie said
"Just the shooting?" Nolan asked
Rosie scoffed "No. But all connected to Matt. Long story. And you will be told. But once everyone is here."
Nolan nodded and led her to the living room. "Sit with your back to me." He said
Rosie did so. Nolan sat behind her and started to rub at her neck and shoulders. Finding a large knot.
"Wow. You must be in a lot of pain." Nolan said
"Meh." Rosie said
"Why must she be?" Dave asked
"Dad I'm fine." Rosie said
Nolan pointed out the large knot that was visible on her upper back.
"Rosie. How long have you had that?" Dave asked
"I don't know." Rosie said
"Well how long have you had back and or neck pain?" Dave asked
"I dunno." Rosie said
"Lie." Dave and Nolan said at the same time.
Hunter chuckled from the other room.
Rosie sighed
Nolan leaned in and whispered something to her.
"Um. A couple months…." Rosie said
Dave was curious what the young man had said but he wasn't going to question it. "Months? Rosie. Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want you to worry." Rosie said
"You know I can get you an appointment with a massage therapist who can work that out for you." Dave said
"And can help with you shoulder." Nolan said
"Shoulder?" Dave asked
Rosie sighed.
"She didn't tell you? Her shoulder has been bugging her since she irritated it rock climbing." Nolan said
"Nooooeeellll." Rosie said
"You should have told him." Nolan said
"I don't like you two working together…" Rosie said
"To bad." Nolan said with a smile.
Dave smirked.
Rosie shook her head abit.
Nolan continued to work at the knot.
There was another knock at the door.
"You sit. I'll get it." Dave said before going.
Before long the entire group was there, and Hayley joined as well.
"I'm going to keep working at this while you talk." Nolan said
"She got a knot?" Cass asked
"Biggest knot I have ever seen." Nolan said
"Caused by today's stress?" Nathan asked
"Not only that." Rosie said
"She apparently has had back pain for a couple months." Nolan said
"Geeze. Tell everyone why don't you?" Rosie said
"Yup. Because if you are under this much stress that causes a knot the size of a golf ball and don't tell anyone. I will." Nolan said
Taylor shook her head "Aren't boyfriend great?" she said
"They are lucky they are cute. Right?" Rosie said
Taylor chuckled
Nolan and Nathan shook their heads.
"You're lucky I love you to put up with you." Nolan said with a smile.
"Is this what I have to look forward to?" Abby asked Simon
Simon chuckled. "If you are stubborn about taking care of yourself. Probably."
"Okay. Enough with the cute gushiness. What happened?" Cass said
Rosie sighed. "Noel. Its hurting please stop."
Nolan stopped.
"I was going to the bathroom, and I saw someone come into the school who wasn't supposed to be there. And I saw the look on his face and recognized that he was hurting and angry and I remember feeling that way when I was first here, and I remember that I was really suicidal. So when I saw a bulge in his coat pocket I just knew. I knew it was a gun. And I knew if I didn't do something our school would become a statistic and I figured that I was at least one of his intended victims. So I went and I talked to him. It was close enough to the office and I spoke loudly to make sure someone heard. Mrs. Evans heard something going on and came out and I was able to tell her without saying it out loud that he had a gun. And he decided that everything that had happened to him in the last few years started because I showed up and he pointed the gun at me. Its not the first time I had a gun on me but this time I had full control of my body, and I pushed the gun away from me and Mrs. Evans intending to push it down as well, but he pulled the trigger and dropped the gun. Thankfully the bullet hit the wall. Mrs. Evans restrained him after that. Sent me into the office and police where already on their way because I guess someone in the office knew what was going on and called a lockdown." Rosie said
"I don't know if anyone needs you to say it but just to be sure. Who?" Pierce asked
Rosie took a breath and looked at Hayley.
"Matthew." Hayley said seeing what her sister needed to do.
"Fuck." Nolan said. He got up and ran his hands through his hair.
"Noel. Please stay calm." Rosie said in tears.
"How can I? He was my best fucking friend since I was three years old, and he held a fucking gun on the love of my life." Nolan said
"Noel. That love of your life needs you to be calm." Pierce said.
"We were all friends with him. Right now we need to be here for her." Nathan said
Nolan sat down behind her again and wrapped his arms around her. "Sorry. I just. I cant believe I could have lost you." He said softly
Rosie leaned back against him. "I'm okay. And believe it or not having the gun on me is not the reason I want to go and rip his head off."
"He did something worse?" Cass asked
"Well my safety to me yes is very important, but I hate him more for what he did to someone I love very much." Rosie said
Hayley looked down.
"Hals?" Cass said seeing her looking down.
"What did he do to you?" Pierce asked
Hayley shook her head.
Everyone looked at Rosie.
"She has to tell you guys. And for the record. She didn't do anything wrong." Rosie said
"I cant…" Hayley said
"Yes. You can. We are your friends." Cass said softly
"Matt blackmailed me into continuing to date him. It was behind everyone's back because my parents wouldn't let me date anyone. Least of all him." Hayley said
"Blackmailed you. With what?" Taylor asked
Hayley looked at Rosie.
"Um. Pictures we have all seen at this point. I guess she didn't get enough of a look at them and thought it was me and…" Rosie said
"Me." Simon said
"Yeah." Rosie said
"He also claimed there were videos of the two of you." Hayley said
"Videos? He has videos of me and that girl kissing?" Simon asked
"I didn't see any videos. He was acting like he would show me, but I didn't want to see… I assumed he was telling the truth because he did have the pictures." Hayley said
Simon nodded.
"And he was claiming these videos were not just of you and well he was saying Rosie. But whomever. And you doing more than kissing…" Hayley said
"Are you saying there are sex tapes of my boyfriend and some girl?" Abby asked
"I didn't see any videos. I don't know if there are. I just." Hayley said in tears.
"Okay. Abbs. No. There are no sex tapes of me." Simon said.
"How can you be sure? Matt took those pictures of you and that girl kissing." Abby said
"Because all I did with that girl was one kiss. That is the picture he got." Simon said
"Pierce you look particularly angry." Rosie said
"Well yes. Matt was once one of my best friends too." Pierce said
"You're sure that's all it is?" Taylor ask with a small smirk.
"Yes Taylor I am." Pierce said
"Okay. Sorry." Taylor said
Nathan looked at his girlfriend. "What do I not know?"
"Hrm. What? Nothing." Taylor said
Rosie looked at Pierce and saw him blushing and her jaw dropped.
Pierce saw "Damn. Nolan your girlfriend is to intuitive. Rosie don't." He said
Nolan looked at Rosie. "What did you figure out?"
"Nothing." Rosie said definitively was not her news to share but it was good.
Everyone looked between Taylor, Pierce, and Rosie.
Taylor was looking down smirking. Pierce was shaking his head and Rosie had her hand over her mouth. Oh the fucking irony.
"So. Anyone have any questions about today?" Rosie asked trying to bring the conversation to anything else.
"I want to know what the secret that you have figured out is." Hayley said
"Don't know what you are talking out." Rosie said
"Did Matt say anything?" Pierce asked helping her change the subject
Rosie told them the conversation that was had.
Nolan kept his arms around her.
They talked about a few other things.
"Hals how are you doing with all this?" Pierce asked
Hayley shrugged. "Just wish I had picked a better person to go on a first date with."
"Well he was just your first." Cass said "I know you have only pretty healthy examples of first dates turning out but for most of us. It wasn't good."
"You can say that again." Nathan said
"But hey the second person you went on a date with is pretty fantastic." Taylor said with a smile
"She is the best." Nathan said smiling at her
"I know someone who I think would be a good person for you to date. I know someone he has a major crush on you." Taylor said
Hayley looked at Taylor "What? Who?"
"Not telling." Taylor said
"Why not?" Hayley asked
"Not my place to tell you." Taylor said
"Rosie do you know?" Hayley asked
"Haven't been told about anyone having a crush.' Rosie said
"Anyone else know?" Hayley asked
They all shook their head. Rosie looked at Pierce quickly. He was blushing again. She looked down and smirked. Suspicions confirmed.
"What's that face?" Nolan asked her
"Hrm? What?" Rosie said
"You were smirking. You know who it is." Nolan said
"Like I said no one has said anything to me." Rosie said "Besides even if I knew that guy would be shit out of luck for a while." Rosie said
"Yeah. I wonder if I can convince them to let me date sooner." Hayley said
"Give them a few weeks to calm down from all this and I'll see if I can help you with that." Rosie said
"Really? But I'll have to know who the guy is." Hayley pointed out
"He can tell you himself when he knows you can date." Rosie said
"But what if he doesn't?" Hayley said
"Than little sister he is not worth your time. I think if there is a guy who has a crush on you, and he doesn't come out and tell you himself then he is not worth your time." Rosie said
"Did Nolan tell you that he liked you?" Hayley asked
"Yes. But not for awhile apparently." Rosie said
"Well. I'd like to point out how pissed you were that we didn't tell you about everyone who was on the list of people who liked you." Cass said
"Yeah. So shouldn't you do your sister a solid and tell her?" Nathan asked
"I don't know who it is." Rosie said
"Bullshit." Nolan said
Rosie leaned her head back shaking it.
"Taylor you know though." Nathan said
"I do…" Taylor said, "But I agree with Rosie he should talk to her himself."
Hayley sighed. "Fine."
"How is your mental health?" Abby asked Rosie
"Um. I think I'm still in shock honestly." Rosie said
"What about you Hayley?" Pierced asked "You didn't go though the same thing, but you did get hurt."
"I'm angry that I let a stupid guy manipulate me to the point of almost ruining my friendship with Rosie. And all of you." Hayley said "And wondering if he came to the school with the gun because I did break up with him…"
There was a chorus of "Its not your fault Hayley."
"He didn't blame you when he was talking to me." Rosie said
"Its not your fault either." The same people said to Rosie
"It was Matt's choice." Taylor said
"Matt has always had an issue with accepting his own mistakes are his. So don't take on the guilt that should be his and his alone." Nathan said
"And you didn't almost ruin anything. I don't blame you for what Matt made you do." Rosie said
"And none of us do either." Pierce said
"Fine. But change of subject." Rosie said. She looked at Abby and Simon. "How long have you two been boyfriend and girlfriend?"
Abby chuckled.
"Get used to it Simon. These girls stick there nose in -everything." Nathan said with a laugh
"And share -everything." Nolan added
Simon chuckled.
"Yes. So you might as well just answer." Cass said with a smirk
"Um. Its been a few hours I guess." Abby said
"I think what happened today scared the crap out of us. And we were done beating around the bush about it." Simon said "We have been on a few dates. Thanks to Rosie." He said with a smile.
Rosie shrugged.
"You are really good at helping couples get together." Taylor said before looking up at Nathan with a smile.
"And good at tearing apart friendships…" Rosie said
"Hey. No. I don't want to hear you blame yourself for any of this again." Nolan said
Rosie sighed.
"Promise?" Nolan asked
"Okay. I promise." Rosie said
Nolan kissed her cheek and smiled.
Rosie smiled
They kept talking as a group for abit.
Nolan got a text to his phone. He looked at it.
"Well. School is cancelled for the rest of this week." Nolan said
Everyone looked at the school website and saw that this was in fact true.
"We should all go tobogganing." Abby said
"Yes!" Cass agreed
Everyone agreed.
They talked more Dave ordered pizza for everyone and they ate and talked abit more and everyone headed out. Hayley went upstairs.
Pierce and Taylor were the last to leave
Rosie smirked at Pierce "Oh the irony."
"Stop it." Pierce said
Taylor laughed.
"Never." Rosie said laughing.
Pierce sighed.
"Why the hell didn't you say something sooner?" Rosie asked
"I was trying to be respectful of the rules she has about dating." Pierce said, "And I don't think your dads, or her mom would like me very much if I was part of the reason she broke the rules." Pierce said
"Good god why do you have to be so 'mature'" Taylor asked
"It comes from being the oldest." Rosie said, "I get it."
"Thank you." Pierce said
"But oh. I will be bugging you about the irony for a loooong time." Rosie said with a smirk.
Pierce shook his head. "I'd expect nothing less from you."
Taylor and Rosie laughed.
They all hugged, and Pierce and Taylor headed out.
"Irony of what?" Dave asked when Rosie closed the door.
Rosie jumped. "Dad! Don't do that!" she said almost in tears
"Oh bambina. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." He said as he went over and hugged her tight.
Rosie let out a breath she was shaky.
"You're on edge because of what happened today." He said
Rosie nodded abit
"Its okay. Completely normal. Come on. Lets go sit." Dave said leading her back to the living room and sat with her. He got Hunter on their way from the kitchen and Hunter came to join them.
The younger five were already in bed
"You ready to talk about everything that happened?" Hunter asked her softly
"Well you know everything. There really isn't anything that I didn't tell Will and his partner." Rosie said
"Well. How are you feeling?" Hunter asked
"I'm on edge. Things that normally don't startle me do. And I know everyone is telling me that I'm not at fault and yes I know Matt made the choice to come to the school with a gun but maybe if I had seen what was going on. If I was a little nicer to him. More understanding…" Rosie said
"Rosie. He was a bully to you. He liked you and he didn't handle it right. No one. Would expect you to be nice to him after what he did. And still when he came to the school today you went and tried to be nice and talk to him and help him not make the biggest mistake." Dave said
"Only because I didn't want my friends to be shot. And my school to be a statistic. There were eleven school shootings in the USA last year. Ten the year before. Six the year before that. Its just getting worse." Rosie said
Dave hugged her tight. "I know bambina."
"Its really scary for parents. I'm guessing more so for student." Hunter said
Rosie nodded abit
"But you cant live in fear. You have to live your life." Hunter said
Rosie nodded.
"You and your friend will need to rally together and be there for each other while you are all dealing with this. Especially you and Hayley." Dave said
Hayley came into the room. "Hey.
"Hey peanut." Hunter said
"Can I talk to you two. Um. Alone." Hayley said
Rosie got up and went upstairs
"Where did you tell us you were going when you were going on these dates?" Hunter asked
"Different places. Extra boxing. Hanging with friends. Library." Hayley said
"We dropped you off at these places." Dave said
"Yes. And he would pick me up from there." Hayley said
Dave and Hunter nodded
"How many times did you do this?" Hunter asked
"Dozens." Hayley said
"I just cant believe you managed to get this past both your mother and us." Hunter said
Hayley looked away.
Dave tilted his head. "Hals. What is it?"
"Nothing." Hayley said
"Yeah. I saw that too. You're hiding something." Hunter said
Hayley shook her head.
Dave let out a breath. He had known that things seemed a little off with Helen earlier. He figured she was just in shock with everything and the thought of how things could have ended so differently but now he was wondering. Did she know more about this dating than she let on. But he was not going to come out and say that. Because if he was wrong…
"You sure? Dave said softly.
If what he was thinking was true it was not Hayley's fault, but he knew it would take a lot for her to admit it. Helen was her mom.
Hayley shook her head
"You sure Hals?" Hunter asked. "We all just want you to be able to talk to us. Your mom, dad, and I."
"I cant. If I tell you its going to tear my family apart." Hayley said in tears
"What ever it is I'm sure its not as bad as you think." Hunter said. "Dad and I are solid."
"Its not you and dad. Its about mom…" Hayley said
Dave took a breath. "Hayley. You've got to tell us."
"What about mom peanut?" Hunter asked "She sick?"
"No. Mom knew…." Hayley said
"Knew what?" Hunter asked.
Hayley looked up at Dave.
Dave nodded. "Knew you were involved with Matt?"
Hunter looked at Dave wide eyed before looking back at Hayley "No. Right? There is no way."
"Sorry papa…" Hayley said almost silently
Hunter looked at Dave. "You knew she knew?"
"I just figured it out while we were talking. I knew Hals needed to be the one to bring it up. Because I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around it too. And if I was wrong." Dave said
Hunter nodded before looking at his daughter. "What exactly did she know?"
"She knew that I was dating him. She didn't know that he was black mailing me. I told her that the issues with Rosie were not that bad..." Hayley said
"Did she know what he said to Rosie?" Hunter asked
"No. I told her that it wasn't my place to tell her…" Hayley said
"How long has she known?" Hunter asked. He was angry.
"Um. Its been a couple months I guess." Hayley said
"What exactly did she say in regard to telling me?" Hunter asked
"Not to. That you would never let me… because of Rosie. And that Rosie's issues with him shouldn't have to affect me." Hayley said
Hunter nodded. Dave put a hand on Hunter's leg to calm him some. He had every right to be angry, but he knew that if he left him to be angry it wouldn't end well.
Hunter took a breath when he felt Dave's hand on his leg.
"Hayley. Thank you for telling us. I know that was -really hard. You did the right thing. And we are really proud of you. We love you. And what your mother did. Is -not your fault okay?" Dave said
Hayley nodded. "Are you going to stop me from seeing her?"
"I couldn't if I wanted to. There is a court ordered schedule." Hunter said, "But I don't think keeping you from your mom is going to do anything good."
Hayley nodded and got up and went to her room.
Hunter looked at Dave. "I knew something was off. For months. Helen has been almost avoiding me. And than today I just figured she was reeling with the fact that there was a boy with a gun at our daughter's school, but it was like…"
"You and I were the only ones really asking questions?" Dave asked
"Yeah…" Hunter said
"I like you thought she was just scared about the same thing. I didn't know you two weren't talking like normal though." Dave said
"Yeah. I kind of just figured we were all busy." Hunter said
Dave nodded. "I would never have believed something like this would be the case with our family."
"I thought the same way. That we all coparent so well." Hunter said
Dave nodded. "Do you want the night to calm down? Or do you want to call her now?"
"I don't even know what to say." Hunter said
Dave took his hand. "Come. To bed. We can call her tomorrow."
Hunter nodded and went with him to bed.
