Nolan pulled into the driveway the next morning. Rosie went out and got into his car.
"Morning." She said
"Morning." He said.
They started to drive.
"Did you get to your dad before mine did?" Nolan asked
Rosie shook her head. "He was on the phone with him when I got to my dad."
Nolan nodded. "Hope you're not in trouble."
"Not really no. Nolan. I'm sorry. I should have stayed out of it. Regardless of the outcome." Rosie said
"Its forgiven." He said smiling at her.
Rosie smiled abit. "How were things after we talked?"
"Okay. My parents told me if I contacted my godfather again they would ground me till I leave for collage." Nolan said
Rosie stifled a laugh, "Do you think they are serious?"
"Never seen my dad so angry so yes." Nolan said
Rosie nodded. "Angry at you?"
"At me. At the man who was his best friend for so long." Nolan said. "He wasn't supposed to be talking to me at all. My parents had made a deal with him. My sister hadn't told them for over a year. When she told them she didn't want to press charges. She just wanted to forget about it. An agreement was reached with him. He didn't contact anyone in the family ever again and they would not press charges. Clearly he didn't think they would ever find out he and I were talking."
Rosie nodded. "I'm so sorry Nolan."
"Its not your fault. I should have asked my parents why they weren't speaking to him." Nolan said.
"Its not your fault he is who he is." Rosie said
"I know." Nolan said. "Question. Do you have god parents?"
Rosie shrugged. "Not sure if I was ever baptized."
Nolan nodded.
Rosie took out her phone and texted her dad. 'Was I ever baptized in the catholic church? And if so who are my god parents?'
Dave looked at the text as soon as it came in and smiled.
'Yes. I have pictures if you would like to see. Carolyn was your god mother. god father is Jason Gideon. He and I worked together. We were best friends. We actually basically started what became the BAU.' Dave sent her daughter
Rosie got the text. 'Why haven't I met him?' she sent back
'Never works out. He's a bit of a recluse.' Dave sent her
"Guess I was baptized. My god mother was Carolyn." She knew that Nolan knew who that was. "god father is some guy named Jason. He and my dad were best friends. They worked together. Never met him." Rosie said
"Cool." He said
"What about your god mother?" Rosie asked
"My moms cousin. She's cool." Nolan said
Rosie smiled. "Good."
Pulled into the parking lot at school and Nolan parked in his spot. The two of them got out and went inside and got to class.
At lunch Rosie sat down with her lunch. Pierce and Taylor were already there but they were sitting pretty far apart.
"Okay. What did he do?" Rosie asked Taylor
"How do you know it was me?" Pierce asked
Rosie ignored him for the moment and looked at Taylor.
"Stuck his nose where it doesn't belong." Taylor said narrowing her eyes at her brother.
Rosie shook her head. "Still pestering about who you like?"
"Yup." Taylor said
"Not my fault you made it obvious who it is." Pierce said
"I did not make it obvious, because its not who you think." Taylor said
"Whatever." Pierce said shaking his head.
Nolan sat down. "Whatever what?" he asked
"Your girlfriend is getting in the middle of Taylor and my issues." Pierce said
"Taylor has asked me to get you to lay off. Meaning it is my business." She said "I told you if you kept it up it wasn't going to end well for your friendship. And looks like I wasn't wrong."
"And she is my sister making it my business." Pierce said.
"Have you ever considered if you were such a chauvinistic ass she would have already told you? Rosie said
"Rose." Nolan said trying to calm things down
"I'm a chauvinist now?" Pierce said
"You think just because you are 'the man of the house' it gives you the right to know everything about your sister. Yeah that's pretty chauvinistic." Rosie said ignoring Nolan.
"Rose." Nolan said a little sterner putting his hand on hers.
A few more of their friends sat down.
Rosie took a breath.
Pierce shook his head. He looked at his sister. "Is that why you wont tell me?"
"Part of the reason yes." Taylor said
"Okay. What's the other part?" Pierce asked
Taylor took a breath. "I cant say." She said
"Why?" Pierce asked
"I just cant…" Taylor said
Pierce looked at Rosie. "You care to tell me?"
"Oh. So, you want my involvement now?" Rosie sniped.
"Oh, for fuck sakes." One of their friends said. "This fight has been going on for far to long. Its one of your friends Pierce." She said
"Sierra!" Taylor said. "How do you even know that?" She said looking at Rosie.
"I have said nothing." Rosie said quickly
"Because anyone who doesn't see it is either a clueless idiot or pretending not to know." Sierra said
Pierce was shocked. "Which one?"
"You expect her to answer that at this table? Right now." Rosie said
"Wait. Its someone at this table?" Pierce asked
Taylor got up and ran from the table.
Rosie got up.
"Good job. You have just put a huge rift in an already tense situation. Is it because you're jealous because you like him too?" Rosie said to Sierra as she got up and went after Taylor.
She followed her into the bathroom where Taylor had sunk to the ground and was sobbing. Rosie got down to her and wrapped her in a hug. "Hey. Its okay. I get it your embarrassed. But why? Crushes are normal."
"Because why would he ever like me? I'm just his best friends kid sister." Taylor said
Rosie smiled. "And if he doesn't like you than he's a dumbass. Anyone would be lucky to able to take you on a date and call you their girlfriend."
Taylor smiled abit calming down some.
"You okay? Ready to let me fix your makeup and go back out there." Rosie said
Taylor stood up and took some paper towel and dried her eyes.
Rosie took out some makeup from her bag that she had with her, and fixed Taylor's make up. "Perfect." She said
Rosie and Taylor left the bathroom and went back to the table.
At the table while they were gone Cass looked at the group. "The first person to bring this subject up again until Taylor is ready to talk about it. I will find out your secret and share it with the entire school." She said
Everyone agreed to keep their mouths shut.
"That goes double for you Pierce." Cass said
"I'm her brother." Pierce said
"Right. You're supposed to protect her from embarrassment not cause it." Cass said
When Rosie and Taylor came back to the table the subject was on to something else. When lunch was over went to their next class and finished out their days.
At the end of the day one of the girls went over to Rosie "Have you seen Taylor? She wasn't in last class."
Rosie took out her phone and called Taylor.
Taylor answered. "I don't want to talk right now."
"You okay? You skipped last class. That is not like you." Rosie said
"I cant go to that school anymore…" Taylor said
"Why? Because people know you have a crush?" Rosie asked
"Because everyone is going to know who." Taylor said
"How?" Rosie asked
"Sierra said she is going to tell everyone." Taylor said
Rosie shook her head. "No. She wont." She said
"Rosie. Please don't do something stupid." Taylor said.
"I promise I wont do anything stupid." Rosie said before hanging up
She started looking around. "Anyone know where Sierra is?"
"I just saw her heading outside." Cass said. "Why?"
"Apparently she plans on telling everyone who Taylor likes." Rosie said
Cass shook her head. "No, she will not."
Cass and Rosie went outside.
"Sierra!" Cass said
Sierra came over. "What's up?"
"I know your secret. I told everyone what would happen if it was brought up again before Taylor was ready." Cass said
Sierra smirked. "And I know yours."
"My biggest secret was reveled months ago. I survived. Will you be able to say the same?" Cass said
"To late. Already told him." Sierra said
Cass nodded. "Okay. You're out of the group."
"You cant just kick me out of my friendships." Sierra said
"We wont have to. You broke a major girl code. None of the girls are going to have anything to do with you." Rosie said
"And regardless of their fight Pierce will always defend his sister. So, you will never get with the guy you like." Cass said
"Damn. I didn't see that. I thought for sure you liked someone else." Rosie said
"She likes him too." Cass said "But likes Pierce more."
Nathan came over to them "Have you seen Taylor?"
"She left the school. She is humiliated because Sierra has started telling people." Rosie said
Nathan looked at Sierra. "I thought you said she wanted you to tell me…"
Sierra smirked. "Oops."
Nolan came out. "Well. Its all over the school at this point."
"I suggest you find a different way home." Nathan said to Sierra. "And get used to taking the bus."
Sierra's jaw dropped. "Nathy. Why?" she whined
"Because I don't have dealing with catty people." Nathan said. He looked at Rosie. "Do you know where she went?"
"No. I did talk to her. But don't know where she is exactly." Rosie said
Pierce came over to the group. "I think I know where she might go."
"Why are you still hear?" Cass said to Sierra
Sierra narrowed her eyes. "I know a lot of your secrets too. Don't forget that."
"Difference being we all have friends who will support us if they came out." Rosie said. "You no longer do."
"Even yours." Sierra smirked at Rosie. "I googled you."
Rosie shrugged. "I'm not ashamed of what you find when you google my name. I just have chosen not to tell a lot of people because it's a long ass story. But I don't care if you tell people about it."
Nolan put his arm around her from behind. "She's right. She hasn't done anything wrong. She has nothing to worry about."
"Get lost." Cass said. "Her secret doesn't involve her breaking the law. I would be more concerned about your own."
Sierra went of angrily.
Nathan looked at Pierce. "I didn't know man. I promise."
Pierce nodded. "Its okay. That's not important right now. We just need to find her."
"Where do you think she would go?" Rosie asked
"Our father's grave." Pierce said
"You're her brother. You two need to talk and fix this. Go." Rosie said
Pierce went.
Rosie looked at Nolan. Who wrapped his arms around her. "You're tense." He said
"Yeah. One of my best friends is hurting. And regardless of the fact that my secret isn't something I've done wrong doesn't mean I want everyone knowing" Rosie said
"Pierce is going to figure things out with Taylor." Nolan said
"And you let me handle Sierra." Nathan said. "I don't know what your secret is, but I'll make sure she doesn't tell anyone."
"No. Its okay. You don't need to worry about that. It would come out eventually anyways. I just wish I could tell my friends myself." Rosie said
"And I will make sure you get that chance." Nathan said. "I want to. Its what friends do."
Cass looked at Rosie. "Let him."
Rosie nodded. "Okay. Thank you."
Cass and Nathan went off
"And I need to talk to your parents…" She said to Nolan
Nolan tilted his head.
"I need to apologize." She said
"Their not angry you know." He said
"I know. But still I need too." She said
"Okay. Come I'll bring you." He said
Rosie went with him and went to his place. Nolan knew his parents were both home that day. Rosie apologized and was forgiven.
Mrs. Shephard told them there was cookies in the kitchen and Nolan and Rosie went and got some and some milk and sat down.
Rosie was pretty quiet.
"You okay?" Mrs. Shephard asked Rosie
"Long day." Rosie said
"There is drama at school. One of our friends is really hurting right now because of someone else we thought was a friend and Rosie is kind of in the middle. Because she was asked to help. And now someone is threatening to tell everyone Rosie's story. And not many people from school know." Nolan said.
Mrs. Shephard nodded. "Your past is nothing you need to be ashamed of."
"I'm not ashamed. Just. I know its going to come out. I mean some people may already know if they remember the news articles at the time. Or if they google me. But I just wish I could tell my friends myself." Rosie said
"And Nathan is going to try and get Sierra to keep her mouth shut. And maybe you can get everyone together and tell them. When you are ready." Nolan said
Rosie nodded
Nolan put his hand on hers. "None of our friends are going to judge you."
"Does your dad know about any of this?" Mrs. Shephard asked
"Not yet no. Just started happening at the end of the school day." Rosie said
A few minutes later a text came to Rosie from Pierce. 'She is where I thought she was. She's okay.'
"Pierce found her. Where he thought she was. She's okay." Rosie said
"Good." Nolan said
She texted her dad. 'Do you know when you are going to be home? You away on a case?'
Dave texted back a few minutes later. 'I'm at the office. Catching up on paperwork. Everything okay?'
Rosie sighed. 'I'm physically okay. I need to talk to you though.'
'You in some sort of trouble?' he texted back
'I haven't done anything wrong no. Short story. Someone googled me and is threatening to tell the whole school what they found.' She texted him
Dave sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose when he got that text. 'Where are you right now?' he texted
'At Nolan's' She texted back
'What is the name of the kid threatening to do this?' Dave texted her
'Its Sierra.' Rosie sent
'Your friend?' Dave asked surprised
'Former friend at this point. It's a really long story but she is no longer a part of our friend group and is attacking me because I'm guessing my past is the biggest secret of the group.' Rosie said
'Would you like me to contact her parents and intervene?' Dave asked
'No. Another friend is trying to get her to keep her mouth shut. I just wanted you to know in case it blows up and gets back to you. I wanted you to know from me,' Rosie sent
'Okay. I will be leaving the office very shortly. I can pick you up from Nolan's if you want.' He sent
'Yes please. I'm tried. Not feeling great and just want to cuddle my dog.' Rosie sent.
'I'll be there in 45mins.' Dave sent
"My dad is going to be picking me up with in the hour." Rosie said
"Okay." Nolan said. "Did you tell him what's going on?"
"The short explanation yes. I will tell him everything in person." Rosie said
Nolan nodded.
Nolan's phone went off. 'Is Rosie still with you?' the text was from Nathan.
Nolan texted back 'yes. did you get Sierra to keep her mouth shut?'
'For now. I'm going to have to keep driving her to and from school. But she will keep her mouth shut.' Nathan sent 'Don't tell Rosie that. I don't want her to worry.' He sent
"Nathan has convinced her to keep her mouth shut." Nolan told her
Rosie let out a breath. "How?"
"Well…." Nolan said
"What does he have to do?" Rosie asked
"I'm not allowed to tell you." He said
Rosie took out her phone and called Nathan on speaker phone
Nathan answered. "Can he keep a secret for more than five minutes?"
"I didn't tell her what you have to do but she guessed that the only way she would keep her mouth shut is if there is a favor involved." Nolan said
"So. What is it?" Rosie asked
"Nothing you need to worry about." Nathan said
"Yeah. Telling me not to worry makes me worry more. I want you to remember that your best friends little sister is hurting because of Sierra." Rosie said
"Yeah. And you break her heart and even I wont be able to hold Rosie back from kicking your ass." Nolan said
"I cant protect everyone." Nathan said sounding frustrated
"Don't worry about me. I can handle it. Trust me I have been through far worse." Rosie told him. "What did you promise Sierra?"
"I'm just going to keep taking her to and from school." Nathan said
"No. You are not." Rosie said
Nathan laughed. "Sorry but you don't get to decide that."
Rosie chuckled. "I didn't mean for it to come out so demanding. You don't need to do that to protect me."
Nathan sighed.
Rosie pinched the bridge of her nose. "Nathan. I appreciate you trying to keep Sierra quiet. But I don't want you to be forced to do her this favour just to keep my secret from coming out."
"The second I tell her I'm not going to. She has a message typed up. She is going to post to the school website." Nathan said
"You seen the message?" Rosie asked
"Yeah…" Nathan said
"Okay. So do you think I really need to keep it hidden?" Rosie asked
"Well. No. You didn't do anything wrong. But its your story to tell when you are ready." Nathan said
"Well. I want to be the one to tell the group. I will send out a mass text. I don't want to have to do it this way but its better they hear it from me. Than I don't care if Sierra posts it on the website. She will be the one in trouble. Because that is not the kind of thing allowed to be posted on the website chat boards." Rosie said
"How long do you need?" Nathan asked
"I will do it tonight. I will include you in the text so you will know when its done." Rosie said
"Okay." Nathan said.
"Thank you. I appreciate you having my back." Rosie said
"That's what friends are for." Nathan said.
"I have some of the best friends." Rosie said
"And none of them are going to judge you because of this." Nolan said
"I know." Rosie said
"I do have a question." Nathan said
"Okay." Rosie said
"Sierra got hold of court records from the trial." Nathan said
"Okay." Rosie said sounding annoyed
"Specifically, the transcripts." Nathan said
"Okay." Rosie said "What?" She asked
"What were you and I'm guessing a former friend doing across the court room to each other that was spiteful?" Nathan asked
Rosie started to laugh and banged her head against her arms that were on the table in front of her. "I cant believe that made the transcripts."
"Well, the judge said it." Nathan said
"Yes. She did." Rosie said. "Oh god." Chucking continued.
Nolan's eyebrow raised. "Must have been pretty bad for you to be reacting like this."
"I had two best friends from there. One of them started acting very catty towards me. Smirking when she could tell I was uncomfortable when my dad was being basically attacked on the stand, by the lawyer from their side so I mouthed that she was a bitch. Than the second day of the second part of the trail. My dads co-worker who is basically my uncle was on the stand being asked about how my dad and I interact and such. The same former friend was smirking again, and she mouthed that they were going to win. So, I um. Tired to secretly scratch the side of my head with my middle finger… her mother saw and gasped my uncle on the stand saw and I guess the judge saw as well…" Rosie said. "It was really immature. I was tired and angry. And just didn't react well." Rosie added
Nathan laughed.
"So not funny." Nolan said
"No. It wasn't… But I mean. It was several months ago. And trust me I didn't get away with it. My uncle had a few words with me afterwards. But I mean come on. She was egging me on." Rosie said
Nolan shook his head.
"I think its hilarious." Nathan said.
"I wouldn't do it again." Rosie said to Nolan
Nolan smiled and nodded.
There was a knock on the door at Nolan's
"And sounds like my dad is here to get me." Rosie said. "Thank you again for having my back Nathan."
"Of course." Nathan said before they hung up.
Mrs. Shephard had gone to the door and opened it and invited Dave in.
Rosie went to the door and Dave hugged her. "You okay?" he asked
"Yeah." Rosie said. "Seems like I'm going to need to send a mass text to everyone I don't want finding out from Sierra."
Dave sighed. "You sure you don't want me to get involved?"
"Yes. I can handle it." Rosie said
Rosie hugged Nolan.
Nolan hugged her tight. "You feel a bit warm."
Dave almost on instinct felt her forehead. "You do feel a little warm."
"It's the stress of everything going on." Rosie said, "Extreme stress always has spiked my fever."
"If this is stressing you out this much I really think I need to get involved." Dave said
"Dad. No. It will just make things worse. I can handle it." Rosie said, "I promise."
Dave nodded. "I don't like it but if you are sure. Come on lets get home."
Rosie said bye to Nolan and his parents before heading out with her dad and heading home.
"What would you like for dinner?" Dave asked
"Grilled cheese and tomato soup?" Rosie asked
"Sounds good with the weather starting to get colder." Dave said
Rosie nodded.
When they got home Rosie went and let Sascha out of his crate and outside to use the bathroom and got him his food.
Rosie than went upstairs and dropped her bag on her desk and flopped on her bed. She took out her phone and started to compose a message. It took her a good twenty minutes of typing before she read over and corrected a few errors. By that point Sascha was in her room with her and his head laying on her chest. He sensed that she wasn't okay.
The message read
'Since it seems that I have been backed into a corner and I don't think it is fair for you all to hear from anyone but me I think its time I tell you all my story. I wish I didn't have to do it in text but there isn't really time for anything else.
First off my dad is my biological father. I was born to him. My biological mother passed in child birth with me. When I was two I was kidnapped from here and taken to California and given to another family The Long's. I have very little memory of the time before I was with the Long's. I honestly thought they were my real parents. They were abusive and forced me into believing what they believe (jehovah's witnesses) when I was thirteen me and the two girls I considered my best friends for as long as I remember decided to be idiots and break into a local amusement park and we got busted. We were arrested and finger prints taken. When mine were run though the system my missing persons file came up. Obviously I was sent to live with my biological father who is my dad. There was a trial and the Long's and their lawyer. Who was the one who actually took me from the crib were sent to prison for a very long time. One of my former best friends and her cousin (who went to our school for the first semester last year) conspired to make it look like I had been texting nasty things to the two girls I was friends with. Because their mothers wanted to get custody from my father because in their eyes he wasn't allowing me to continue with my beliefs (everyone I knew were JW's) I didn't believe anything they taught so I didn't continue going to the meetings (church services) upon moving here. The two who were involved in trying to make me look bad got community service and there are no contact orders in place. The girl at the park the night of my party that's the cousin.
I think that is everything. If you have any questions I can answer them. Want more detail, feel free to google my name. I wont be offended if you do.'
Rosie took a breath and pressed send, sending it to the fourteen people she wanted to hear from her including the three who already knew before plugging her phone in and leaving her room. Sascha followed she went downstairs, and Dave was making tomato soup from scratch.
"I sent the text." She said
Dave looked up at her. "You okay?"
"Right now, I'm okay. I had to send it but I'm not ready to see reactions. So, I plugged my phone in and left it in my room. I'll read response later." She said
Dave nodded. "You want to tell me the whole story of what led to this situation?"
Rosie nodded and told him everything that had happened that day.
Dave listened and shook his head. "You told Sierra about your past?"
"Nope. She googled my name. My friends knew there was something I was hiding about my past. I never really talk about it. So, it brings up questions. I have always dodged them. Only two people I told before today were Nolan and Cass." Rosie said
"Hadn't told Taylor?" Dave asked
"No." Rosie said
Dave nodded.
"Some of them might have known because it was in the news. Nolan's parents knew. They told Nolan and I that they had specifically kept him away from the news at that time. They knew you lived in the same area and figured Nolan and I might cross paths and were respecting my right to tell him when I was ready." Rosie said
Dave smiled. "They are good people."
"Very good." Rosie said
"Did you apologize?" Dave asked
"Yes." Rosie said, "How easy is it to get court transcripts?"
Dave tilted his head.
"I guess Sierra got a hold of the transcripts from the trial. Showed them to Nathan. Apparently the judge pointing out she saw what Paige and I were doing across the court room ended up in the court transcripts." Rosie said
"Its pretty easy. There is a fee but if you want to you can get it." Dave said.
Rosie nodded. "That's not fair."
"No. its not fair or right but it's the way it is." Dave said
Rose nodded. "Any chance I can skip school tomorrow?"
Dave took a breath. "We will see what happens tonight. How is Sierra planning on telling the whole school?"
"School websites forum." Rosie said
"That's not what that is for." Dave said
"Oh. I know. I don't care if she gets in trouble for it." Rosie said
"If you had told me that sooner I could have called the school and had them shut it down." Dave said
"I could have. But dad. I'm done. I don't care anymore. I'm so tried of hiding it. I want it out. And if it causes Sierra a suspension or expulsion. Just a bonus." Rosie said
Dave shook his head.
"If she doesn't do it through the website she will just find another way." Rosie said
Dave nodded. He finished up making dinner and served it up for both of them. They both ate.
"You have homework?" Dave asked
"Yeah." Rosie said. "I'm so tired though."
"Get done what you can." Dave said
"Okay." Rosie said. She finished eating and went upstairs and started to work on her homework. Her phone was blowing up from across the room. She had yet to look at it. Dave knocked on her door at nine.
"Yeah?" She said
Dave went in. "Have you looked at your phone?" He asked
"Not yet. I want to finish homework first." Rosie said
"I got a call from Taylor and Pierce's mother. They were worried with you not responding to anyone." Dave said
Rosie smiled abit. She went to her phone. "I know it has been blowing up." She looked at it and jaw dropped.
"How many missed messages and calls?" Dave asked
"Nineteen missed called. Hundreds of missed texts. More than half from Sierra." Rosie said smirking. "She's pissed."
Dave shook his head. "Was that your goal?"
"Well no. Not exactly." She said. "Nathan offered to try and stop her from telling anyone. And she agreed but was blackmailing him to keep my secret. And Nathan was going to go along with it." Rosie said. "I wasn't going to allow that to happen. She got what is coming to her."
"What was she using as blackmail?" Dave asked
"Nathan has been driving her to and from school since he got his licence. He said he wasn't doing that anymore after she started to be an ass. She agreed that she would keep her mouth shut as long as he kept doing it." Rosie said
A notification came to her phone from the school website that she had been tagged in a post. She looked at it and sighed. "Well. There is the post on the school website." She said
"Report it. Now." He said
Rosie did so. "Done."
"Can I see it?" He asked
Rosie showed him.
Dave sighed.
"I mean its all true…" Rosie said
"I can see that. Doesn't mean its right." Dave said
"Its not right or fair but its what it is." She said repeating what he had said earlier in the night.
Dave nodded. "How's the homework coming?"
"Have a bit more. I know its after nine…" She said
"You have had a lot going on today. Its okay." Dave said
Rosie sent a mass text to her friends. 'I'm okay. Trying to get through my homework. Will talk tomorrow.'
She went back to her desk and continued on her homework.
Dave kissed her head. "Come talk to me when your done." He left her room
She finished it at just past ten. She put her stuff away and went downstairs and found her dad watching the news.
"Done." She said
Dave smiled. "Good." He got up and gave her a hug.
She gave him a hug "I don't want to skip school tomorrow after all. I'm not going to let anyone scare me away from school." She said
"Okay." Dave said "You should get ready for bed than."
Rosie nodded. "Okay. Night." She went and took a shower before crawling into bed and falling asleep right away.