Hayley was up early the next morning and downstairs in the kitchen where Dave and Hunter were already sitting drinking coffee.
"What haven't started on breakfast?" Hayley asked with a smirk
"We are ordering in. Rosie had been sent to the store to get what we needed and well you know how that ended." Hunter said
"Oh. Okay. Well I texted Nolan. At Rosie's request last night. He is coming over at nine." Hayley said
Dave chuckled "I am not surprised."
"That boy would walk through fire for her." Hunter said
"She would tell you that man." Hayley said
Hunter nodded. "You're right."
"Are you okay?" Dave asked Hayley. "I know seeing what you did scared you."
"It did. But she is okay. I'm okay." Hayley said
"You sure?" Hunter asked
"Yes. And if I'm not I will talk to my therapist." Hayley said
"Okay." Hunter said
Slowly everyone but Rosie came down. At nine on the dot there was a knock on the door. Dave went and opened it. "Morning. Come on in." He said to Nolan.
"Morning." Nolan said coming in.
"She is still in bed. If you want to risk pissing her off you are welcome to go wake her up." Dave said with a smirk.
Nolan chuckled. "I'll go check on her." he said going. He gently knocked on her door.
Rosie groaned "The house better be on fire." She said.
Nolan went in. "Nope. Think the car fire last night was enough for you." He said
Rosie sighed and shifted over on her bed. "You can lay with me but quiet. I need sleep."
Nolan chuckled and climbed into the bed with her cuddling her. "Don't think your dad will care?"
"Don't care if he cares. The door is opened." She said snuggling into him.
Nolan smiled and held her.
About an hour later Hayley knocked on her open door. "Food is here. I have been told to come get you both."
Rosie sighed. "Here? Ordered in?" She asked
"Yeah." Hayley said before she left them be.
Rosie sat up. Nolan got up. "Come on. I bet they got your favorite." He said
Rosie stood up stretching abit and rubbing at her neck.
"Hurt your neck?" He asked
"Just sore." Rosie said
The two went downstairs and sat at the table.
They all ate.
"How are you feeling today?" Dave asked her.
"Tired. Sore." She said
"Anywhere more than just sore?" Hunter asked
"No." Rosie said
"You get hurt?" Callie asked
"I was in a car accident last night. I'm okay. Just sore." Rosie said
"Was it your fault?" Callie asked
"No. Other driver was at fault." Hunter said
"Have you heard anything about him?" Rosie asked
"I spoke to the officer already this morning. He told that he will be physically fine." Dave said
"Good. He should pay for the choices he made that led to me almost… to the accident." She said changing the ending of her statement around her little sisters.
"Accidents happen don't they?" Callie asked
"I don't think it was intentional exactly, but he did something he shouldn't have done that led to the crash." Hunter said
"Something very illegal." Dave said
"Was he driving to fast or something?" Callie asked
"Or something." Hunter said. "Lets not talk about this. Lets just enjoy breakfast." He said
They did so. When they were done the twins cleared the table. Rosie got up and Nolan did so too going with her back to her room where she sat down on her window seat and looked out the window.
Nolan sat down across from her. "How are you feeling?"
"Just sore. And tired. So glad I'm okay." Rosie said, "I almost died Noel."
Nolan nodded "I saw the news. I saw what was left of your car. You got out in time that's all that matters."
"I only got out because someone pulled me out." Rosie said
"Oh. Do you know who it was?" Nolan asked
"No. I was to in shock I didn't even really see someone." She said
Nolan nodded and hugged her. "Its okay."
Rosie hugged him and moved so she was leaning against him. He put his arms around her and just held her as she closed her eyes. There were very few places in her life where Rosie felt completely safe and could completely relax of course she felt safe at home but another one of those places was in Nolan's arms. It didn't matter where they were as long as she was in Nolan's arms she felt safe.
About an hour later there was a knock on the front door. Hunter went and opened it. There stood all of Rosie's friends.
"Hi. We just wanted to make sure she is okay." Cass said
Hunter smiled "Of course. Come on in. She and Nolan are in her room." He said
The group of nine teens came into the house and went up to her room.
Rosie heard the several feet coming upstairs. "How much you want to bet that's all our friends?"
Nolan let out a little laugh. "Probably."
The nine of them came into her room. "Hey." Taylor said
"Are you really okay?" Nathan asked
"Yes." Rosie said "Just sore. I was checked out by a paramedic."
"Yeah. After you were told to by dad." Hayley said coming in the room.
"Regardless I was checked out." Rosie said, "But its sweet of you all to come and check on me."
"Like you wouldn't do the same if it was any of us?" Abby said
Rosie smiled
"That's what friends do." Tyson said
Rosie nodded abit. She went to move out of Nolan's arms, but he held her close. "I think I need you to stay right here." he said
Rosie smiled "Oh?"
"I need you to stay safe." Nolan said
"You know it wasn't my fault right?" Rosie said
"I know. Which is why I want to keep you here forever. When there are stupid people out there who drive drunk." Nolan said
"Cant live our lives in fear." Rosie said "I have been to hell and back and survived. I am okay."
"Yeah. Someone was filming in the area and got clips of the accident." Ian said
They all looked at him.
"Wait. What?" Rosie asked
"Yeah. Some youtuber was filming something and had the camera on that spot when the accident happened. Filmed the whole thing. Its up on youtube already." Ian said
"Am I in it at all?" Rosie asked
"For like a second. Shows you getting out of the car and than goes off you. I think they probably figured you wouldn't want to be filmed in that state…" Ian said
"Well you mean when someone pulled me out of the car." Rosie said
Ian shook his head. "No. Just you climbing out." Ian said
She got up and went over to her computer and went on Youtube. "Who is the youtuber?"
"Are you sure you should watch it?" Nolan asked
"Why shouldn't I?" Rosie asked
"I think you have been through enough…" Nolan said
"Not your decision to make." Rosie said.
"I'm just wanting to protect you." Nolan said
"I get that but it's a video." Rosie said she looked at Ian. "How do I find it?"
Ian looked between Nolan and Rosie not sure what to do.
"Ian. I swear to fucking god tell me." She said
Ian went over to the computer and typed in the search bar finding it.
Nolan sighed.
"Sorry man she is scarier than you when she is pissed." Ian said
Nolan smirked abit.
Rosie watched the video and flinched when she saw her car getting smashed. The car had hit the passenger side of her car. Its why she was alive right now. Than she saw herself get out of the car and than the camera changed position.
Nolan got up when she flinched and went and put his hands on her shoulders.
"I-I don't get it." Rosie said
"What?" Simon asked
"Someone pulled me out of my car. I was to in shock to move…" Rosie said she rewound the video and watched herself climb out the car again.
"Sometimes our memories get messed up in trauma." Nathan said "I was in a car accident when I was thirteen with my dad and cousin I still don't remember 90 precent of what happened. My dad doesn't remember much more than I do. My cousin remembers every detail."
"But I -know someone helped me out of the car and a few minutes later pulled me away from where I was standing right before it blew again…" Rosie said
"Well we don't see you after. Maybe someone did pull you away. A bystander or something." Cass said
Rosie found the youtuber's Instagram account and sent a private message.
'Hey. I was the girl in the car accident. I was wondering if you had any raw footage that you didn't share. Anything you would be willing to send me? I just want to see it. I have no plans of sharing it online anywhere.' She sent not having much hope that they would even see it.
Nolan didn't like she had sent that. He didn't want her to get any more footage. She didn't need to see it in his mind. "You sure you want to see more?" he asked
"Yes." Rosie said looking up at him.
Nolan let out breath and nodded abit.
"Noel. I -need to see this. I cant explain it, but I would not have got out of the car without help." Rosie said
Dave knocked on the door of her room.
Rosie looked up.
He held up his phone. "Its your grandpa."
Rosie took it and put it up to her ear.
"Hey grandpa." Rosie said
"I tried calling your phone, but you dad told me it was destroyed in the accident." Grandpa said
"Yeah. I'm okay. But how did you hear about the accident?" She asked
"Your mom came to me in a dream last night and told me." He said
"Oh." Rosie said
"Said something about keeping you safe but that's she did all she could." Kele told his granddaughter.
Rosie teared up. "Oh. That makes so much sense." She said
"What does Nizhoni?" Kele asked
"I was in shock. I couldn't get out of the car. And someone helped me. Someone was filming a video for social media in the area and got clips from the accident and it shows me just getting out of the car. But I -know someone helped me. I never imagined…" she said
"That it was a spirit guide?" Kele asked
"Yeah. It's the only thing that makes sense…" Rosie said
"She is always watching over you Nizhoni. She will protect you in anyway she can." Kele told her
"Yeah. She saved me. I would have died if I didn't get out of the car when I did." Rosie said
"Your dad tells me you don't seem hurt. You are okay right? You are not pretending to be okay?" Kele asked
"I'm sore. But otherwise physically I am okay. Promise." She said
"Okay. Good." Kele said. "Are you going to come visit this summer?" Kele asked
"I definitely can. But I want you and Becca to come here and visit too." Rosie said
"We can definitely arrange that." Kele said "I will talk with your dad and arrange it."
"Okay. I'm excited for that." She said
"I want to meet that man you are dating." Kele said
Rosie smiled up at Nolan. "I want you to meet him too."
Nolan smiled and nodded.
"He wants to meet you too." Rosie said
"Good. Well I will let you go. Your dad says your friends are all there." Kele said
"Yeah. They all came over to check on me." Rosie said
"That's a good group of friends you have." Kele said
"The best. I would not have made it more than a week at school without them." Rosie said looking at all of them.
The call was ended, and she gave the phone back to her dad.
"That person who helped you wasn't actually a person?" Dave asked
"I guess not." Rosie said
"I'm glad she was there for you when I couldn't be." Dave said
Rosie smiled and nodded.
Dave kissed her on the top of her head before going off.
"Dad!" She said
Dave chuckled.
She saw she had a response to the message she sent, and it included all the raw footage and a message.
'I hope you are okay with me sharing what I did. And I am glad you are okay. Here is all the footage.'
Rosie sent back 'Thank you. And you don't see enough of me to really know who I am so its fine.'
She looked through the footage till she found the part where she got out of the car and when she moved away from the scene. She took a breath and let a few tears fall.
"I'm missing something. Who helped you?" Tyson asked
Rosie chuckled. "Um. A spirit is the best way to explain it."
"I think we all know. She is half native. From her mother's side. Part of the beliefs that she has experienced more than once at this point is her mother being there in spirit." Nolan told the group.
"Wow. That much be so strange and so amazing." Taylor said
Pierce put an arm around his sister.
"It really is." Rosie said "And there are lots of ways you can contact dead loved ones. Depending on what you believe."
Taylor nodded
"Carefully." Cass said "I have tried to find someone who can help me contact my grandfather and it didn't end well. Lost a lot of money in the process."
Rosie nodded.
"I think my papa knows someone who might be able to help. His best friend from collage is into all that stuff." Hayley said
"Yeah. He mentioned to me someone he knew but I never really asked more questions because I have my connection if I have questions." Rosie said
"I will get you the information." Hayley told Taylor.
Taylor nodded and wiped at her tears. Pierce pulled her in for a tight hug.
"Sorry. I'm okay." Taylor said
"You never have to apologize for missing your dad." Cass said "A lot of us have lost someone we love. We get it."
"And those of us who haven't still understand it has to suck." Abby said
Rosie's video chat started to ring. And she looked. "Well I guess its gotten to London." It was Emily calling.
"You going to answer?" Nolan asked
"No. I'll call her back later." Rosie said
She closed the computer when the it stopped ringing and moved back to her window seat. Nolan sat back down behind her.
Cass picked up Rosie's camera on her desk and snapped a picture of the two of them with a smile. "Your future kids are going to want to see how damn cute you two have always been."
Rosie and Nolan chuckled "Slow down there." Nolan said
"I said future. I meant far future." Cass said
"Yes. Very far." Rosie said "But lets talk about who went on their first official date last night." She said with a smirk
Taylor smirked. "Yes. Lets."
"What? Who?" Tyson asked
Rosie looked at Hayley with a smile.
Everyone looked at Hayley.
"Wait. What?" Cass asked
"Your parents caved?" Tyson asked
"Yeah. I still cant believe they did." Hayley said with a smile looking at Pierce.
Pierce smiled and nodded. "I'm glad they did too."
"Why do I feel like Rosie had something to do with that?" Nathan asked with a smirk
"Not really." Rosie said
"Not really or no?" Hayley asked.
Rosie and Pierce exchanged looks.
Pierce let out a breath. "She just helped me get a chance to talk to your papa and dad alone."
Hayley looked up at Pierce.
"Don't be angry. I just figured if I spoke to them myself. Make sure they knew what the intend of the date was that they might be willing to let me take you out." Pierce said
Hayley looked between Rosie and Pierce. "And neither of you thought to tell me."
"Not my place." Rosie said quickly.
"Well. I didn't know if you would be pissed about it…" Pierce said
"Pierce you're an idiot." Taylor said
"Should I have told you?" Pierce asked Hayley.
"Yes!" Hayley said
"Okay. I'm sorry." Pierce said sincerely.
Hayley sighed "Forgiven." She looked at her sister. "You didn't think you should tell me? This is when you dragged me out to go skating when I didn't want to isn't it?"
"Yeah. And no I didn't think I should. And I was told not to." Rosie said
"You would be pissed if I did something like this to you." Hayley said
"Not if I knew your reasoning came from a good place. I just wanted to help you get to date sooner. And it wasn't my idea. I just helped." Rosie said
Hayley sighed..
"It was my idea." Pierce said, "If you want to be angry be angry with me."
"I'm not angry just feel like an idiot." Hayley said
"Why?" Pierce asked
"Because I though they actually just decided I was mature enough for it." Hayley said
"They never would have said yes if they didn't think you were ready for it. No matter what Pierce or I said they agreed because they knew you were ready." Rosie said "Pierce just proved to them he was a good guy and that he would take care of you. They didn't tell you that you -had to date Pierce. Right? So it could have been anyone."
"Well. No. They said just had to be someone they knew." Hayley said
"Same rule I was given." Rosie said, "I promise you that they didn't just cave because Pierce put on the charm." She said with a chuckle.
Pierce chuckled "I wasn't trying to charm them. Just really wanted to take you on a date. And I would have waited regardless."
Hayley smiled "Okay."
"We okay?" Rosie asked
"If you let me borrow that dress for my next date." She said with a smirk.
Rosie chuckled "Done."
"Ooh. Do I have to plan a fancy date?" Pierce asked
"Yes!" All the girls in the room said
Nolan laughed. "Welcome to dating one of the girls in our group."
"Yeah. You fuck up they all will know." Nathan said
"Its like they hold town council every time we piss them off." Simon said with a smirk
"Of course." Rosie said with a smirk.
"We have a group chat with just the girls for that exact reason." Taylor said with a smirk
Pierce shrugged "I guess that's what I agreed to when I took her on a date." He said with a smile
Hayley smiled at him.
"So enough of the cute stuff." Cass said, "Tyson you have some news to share?"
Everyone looked at Tyson.
"I got my acceptance to the culinary institute of America." Tyson said
Everyone cheered and congratulated him.
"On that note. I have made my final decision. I am going to Penn state. With a football scholarship. Covers tuition." Pierce said
Everyone congratulated him as well.
"I guess we will be on the same team still." Simon said, "I got into Penn as well."
There were cheers for him as well. And the two guys high fived.
Nathan spoke next. "I'm going to Florida state." He said
Everyone congratulated him as well.
Everyone looked at Cass the only other person from their friend group graduating as well.
"I'm still waiting to here from my top choice. The fashion institute in New York. But I have been accepted locally." Cass said
"I'm sure you will get in." Rosie said
"I hope so. I really need to get as far away from my mother as I can at this point." Cass said
"What? Why? What is going on?" Rosie asked
"Its nothing." Cass said
"That's bullshit." Abby said
"She has just been extra annoying lately." Cass said
No one really believed her, but they dropped it. It wasn't long before everyone headed out to head home. Cass and Nolan were the only ones left in Rosie's room. Hayley had to go do homework.
"So. What really is going on with your mom?" Rosie asked
Cass sighed.
"Come on Cass. We have been friends since we were in diapers. I know what your mom is like." Nolan said
"And I have been here when you have needed to vent. I know what she is like." Rosie said
"She is just being extra sweet and nice to me lately." Cass said
"That's a bad thing?" Nolan asked
Rosie let out a breath. "Who did you catch her with?"
Nolan looked at Rosie eyes big.
Cass's jaw dropped "How?"
"People don't suddenly become extra sweet and nice without a damn good reason." Rosie said
"Who was it in your life?" Cass asked
"Man who was raising me. Caught him with someone from the congregation." Rosie said
"Did you ever tell?" Cass asked
"Nope. Happened about two weeks before I got out of there. Honestly its why I convinced my friends to sneak into the amusement park. I wanted to get caught to force myself to tell her to minimize the trouble I would be in." Rosie said
"You never told me that." Nolan said
"I didn't tell anyone. Till right now." Rosie said before she looked at Cass. "Was it with someone you know?" She asked
"Yeah." Cass said
"Are you going to tell your dad?" Rosie asked
"I don't know." Cass said "My dad has put up with so much shit over the years with my mom. This will not be put up with. He will be gone. And than what does that do to my relationship with both of them."
"But when your dad finds out. And he will find out." Nolan said, "How is that going to affect your relationship with him?"
Cass nodded "Rose you would tell?"
"At the time I was really torn because of the situation I was in its why I did something that would force me to. Now. If I walked into that. I would be livid, and scream and yell and I would a hundred precent tell the other. Regardless of who it was. Cheating in any relationship isn't okay. But when you are married. And married for so many years. No just not okay." Rosie said, "And its not fair of your mom to make you keep this secret."
Cass looked at Nolan. "What would you do?"
"After picking myself off the ground is shock. I would tell my dad." Nolan said
"Yeah. I was in shock for a few day. Because regardless of their issues. I never thought either would cheat. I thought divorce maybe but not like this." Cass said
There was a knock on her bedroom door and Hunter came in without Rosie being given a chance to say anything.
"Ah. Thought it was just you and Nolan in here." Hunter said
Rosie smiled "No. I know the rules."
Hunter smiled. "Well Noel, Cass will you be joining us for dinner?"
"Thanks for the offer. I cant. I have to head home. Family dinner." Nolan said
"I think I should be getting home too." Cass said, "But thank you."
"If you need a place to hide out for a few days. You can always stay here." Rose told Cass.
"I might take you up on that." Cass said before she and Nolan headed up.
Hunter looked at Rosie. "Everything okay with Cass?"
"Family issues." Rosie said
"Ah." Hunter said
"Its okay I said she could stay for a few days if the need be?" Rosie asked
"Of course." Hunter said, "She's not in any danger right?"
"No." Rosie said, "And she can just leave she's eighteen."
Hunter nodded. "You know if there is something I can do to help you let me know right?"
"Of course. But honestly Cass has to do something. And the fallout while its not fair might fall on her and she might just need to get out to let her parents figure their own stuff out." Rosie said
Hunter nodded. "Well dinner is ready." He said
Rosie and him, went downstairs and they all sat and ate.
"Everyone done their homework for the weekend?" Dave asked
Everyone except Rosie said yes.
Dave looked at Rosie. "Rose?"
"I have a bit to do. Will be done tonight." Rosie said, "Planned to do it this morning but when everyone shows up I have to play host."
Dave nodded. "Okay."
"How are you feeling?" Hunter asked
"Still pretty sore. But otherwise okay." Rosie said
"I have already been in contact with insurance and the other drivers insurance." Dave said
"Yeah. He was yelling." Callie said
"Callie don't interrupt." Hunter said
"We will go get you a new car sometime this week." Dave said
Rosie nodded abit. "Its not a big rush."
"You're not in a rush to get a new car?" Hunter asked
Rosie shrugged.
Everyone finished eating and table was cleared, and everyone went to go. "Rose. Stay please." Dave said
"I've got homework. And I would like to take a bath too." Rosie said
"Five minutes." Dave said
Rosie sighed and sat down at the table.
"If you would like to not drive for a bit that's okay." Dave said "We will need to replace the vehicle soon because of insurance but it can sit in the garage. One of us can drive it to keep it in shape."
Rosie looked down.
"Its okay that you are wary of driving right now." Hunter said
Rosie nodded abit.
"But you know not to hide your feelings from us." Hunter added
"You're right. Sorry." Rosie said
"Its forgiven." Dave said
"We love you and just want the lines of communication to stay open." Hunter said
"Okay." Rosie said
"Go on. Get your homework done." Dave said
Rosie got up and hugged them both before going upstairs and working on homework taking a bath around midnight her time she noticed Emily online and she video chatted her
Emily answered. "You should be in bed." She said with a smile
"Just finishing up homework. Saw you were online. And since I didn't answer earlier." Rosie said
"How are you feeling?" Emily asked
"Sore. And tired. Just wanted to check in since you called." Rosie said
"Well. Thank you. I appreciate that. But now you need to go to bed." Emily said
"Okay. Have a good day." Rosie said
"And you sleep well bubbles." Emily said
Rosie smiled abit and they hung up. She closed everything and climbed into bed. Sascha who had not left her side since the night before climbed up on the bed with her and they both went to sleep.