Rosie alarm went off the next morning at its regular time. She turned it off and turned on her music. She laid in bed for a few minutes longer than normal before she dragged herself out of bed and started to get ready.
She curled her hair and put on some clothes and did abit of makeup. She didn't want to seem like she was affected by this situation, so she made sure she looked like she did on a normal day of school. She grabbed her bag and went downstairs and grabbed some cereal.
"I can make you eggs if you would prefer." Dave said. He preferred when she would have a hot meal before school.
"No. I just want cereal and a banana." She said cutting up a banana into her cheerios
"Okay." He said
Rosie sat down and ate in silence.
"You okay?" he asked
Rosie nodded. "Yup."
Dave tilted his head. "I know your not. You sure you don't want to talk about it?"
Rosie chuckled abit. "I just want to get this day over with. I'm expecting a lot of stares and being called into the guidance counsellors office." She said
Dave nodded. "Your principal called already." He said
Rosie groaned.
"You're not in trouble. She wanted to make sure I knew what was going on. I told her I knew and that I was not happy about it." Dave said
Rosie nodded.
"She told me to let you know that you need to go see the counsellor before school and that Mrs. Evans and Sierra will be there also." He said
She groaned again. "I don't want to deal with Sierra."
"Sorry. Not being given a choice." Dave said
Rosie took a breath and nodded. She finished eating and got up.
He handed her a twenty "For your lunch." He said once or twice a week she was given money to get lunch at school.
Rosie smiled and nodded. "Thank you."
She went and brushed her teeth before heading outside. Nolan was just pulling in. She got in the car.
"Morning." She said
"Morning." He said he waited for her to put on her seatbelt before pulling out and heading to the school.
"Did you see the post before it was taken down?" Nolan asked
"Yeah. I reported it." She said
"Good. Just one more person who did." He said
Rosie looked up.
"We all reported it." Nolan said
"Thank you." She said
"How are you feeling?" He asked
"Just ready for this day to be over. I have a meeting with the guidance counsellor, the principal and Sierra." She said rolling her eyes at the last name.
"Yikes." Nolan said
"I don't want to." She said
"Well. Do you have a choice?" He asked
"I can just not go to school." She said
"You can skip today sure, but you'll have to deal with it whenever you go back." He said
"I'll just never go back." She said with a smirk
Nolan chuckled "Not sure that will work out well for you." He pulled into the school parking lot and parked.
Rosie took a breath.
"I've got your back. I'll be with you as much as I can." He said
Rosie nodded and they went inside the school. Everyone stopped talking when they saw her and just stared. She did her best to ignore them. Nolan walked with her to the guidance counsellors office.
"Just remember you didn't do anything wrong. This is all on Sierra." Nolan said
"I'm sure she will find a way to spin in on me." Rosie said
"You have lots of people who will tell the truth. You are covered." He said
Rosie nodded and took a breath
"I will be here waiting for you." He said
"Might be here through part of class. You don't miss class for me." She said
"Fine. But I'm here till the last possible minute." He said
Rosie nodded and went inside the office.
"Miss Rossi. Hello come on in. Have a seat." Ms. Stein said
Rosie sat. She was the last person to show up.
"Couldn't have shown up earlier? Maybe you don't care but I don't want to miss class. I have ambitions that require me to give a shit about my grades." Sierra said
"We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for your choices." Rosie said
"You were the one who was pushing me out of the friend group." Sierra said
"No. You did that all on your own." Rosie said
"Alright. Enough." Mrs. Evans said
Rosie stopped talking.
"Why are we even here?" Sierra asked
"Because you choose to post something on the school website that clearly doesn't belong there and revels some private information about Rosie." Ms. Stein said
"I was just posting the truth. You can google her name and find out everything I posted." Sierra said
"The court records where you got some of that information. Had to be purchased. And takes at least a week to get a hold of. You have been planning this for weeks. Long before things went down yesterday." Rosie said
"What happened yesterday?" Mrs. Evans asked, "Rosie you go first."
Rosie explained everything that happened. She was honest. Didn't leave anything out.
"Thank you. Sierra can you share your side." Ms. Stein asked
Sierra started in on a completely different story. Making Rosie out to be a bully. Rosie bit her tongue to keep herself from talking out of turn but she was visibly upset.
When Sierra was done. Ms. Stein took a breath. "Those are vastly different stories."
"There are several people who can corroborate what really happened." Rosie said
"Yeah. Her friends. They will lie." Sierra said
"Up till yesterday they were your friends too. If it really went down the way you said I would be the one everyone was upset with. And YOU posted my story on the website." Rosie said
"Yeah. Cause you were a bitch to me. Its called payback." Sierra said
"Enough." Mrs. Evans said more sternly.
Both girls stopped.
Mrs. Evans looked at Ms. Stein. "Who is part of their friend group?"
Ms. Stein named a few of the friends. "I believe Rosie and Mr. Shephard have began a romantic relationship."
"We are dating yes." Rosie said
Mrs. Evans nodded. "Lets get Miss Duncan and Mr. Davis in here."
An announcement was made for Cass and Pierce to come to the guidance office and a few minutes later they came seeing Nolan outside.
"Shit. What's going on?" Pierce asked
"Rosie and Sierra with Mrs. Evans and Ms. Stein." Nolan said, "Guessing they need someone who can corroborate what really happened yesterday." He added
The two went and were told to have a seat as well.
"Thank you both for coming. We have two very different stories about what happened yesterday. Thought you two could tell us what really happened." Ms. Stein said
"Miss. Duncan you go first." Mrs. Evan said
Cass told her point of view of what happened, and it lined up with what Rosie had said.
"Mr. Davis. You have anything to add or change?" Ms. Stein asked
"Nope. That's what happened." Pierce said
"What did Sierra say happened?" Cass asked
"Not something you need to worry about." Mrs. Evans said "Is Taylor alright?" she asked Pierce
"She's hurting. I'm sure my mother will call if she hasn't but she's taking a mental health day." Pierce said
"Understandable." Mrs. Evans said
"Cause she's a pussy." Sierra said
"Miss Walsh that is enough." Mrs. Evans said fixing the teen with a glare.
Pierce took a breath to keep himself in check.
"Thank you Miss Duncan and Mr. Davis." You two can go.
Cass and Pierce nodded and left the office.
"Your father know everything that happened yesterday?" Ms. Stein asked
"Yes Ma'am." Rosie said "Told him everything last night. Mrs. Evans also called this morning to ensure he knew about the post on the schools message board." She said
Ms. Stein nodded. "You okay to stay at school today?"
"Yes. I'm not ashamed of my past. Would I have preferred the entire school not knowing. Sure. But I haven't done anything wrong. I'm not hiding." She said with a smile.
Ms. Stein nodded. "Okay."
"You can go to class." Mrs. Evans said
Rosie got up and went out of the office. Nolan, Cass, and Pierce were waiting.
Rosie hugged Nolan tight.
"You okay?" He asked
"She really came up with a nasty story about me." She said almost in tears.
"Don't let her get to you." Cass said.
Rosie nodded and hugged her. "Thank you."
"Just told the truth. If you had been the one in the wrong would have told the truth still." Cass said
"Ditto." Pierce said
The warning bell rang.
"Come on. We are going to be late for class." Nolan said
They all went to their classes. Nolan and Rosie got to homeroom and took their seats together.
Everyone looked over at Rosie.
Rosie took a breath and took out her planner and what she needed for the class.
"Alright everyone stop staring. Its rude." Mrs. Malone said
Everyone looked away from Rosie and Mrs. Malone started with announcements for the day.
"Reminder. The school websites message boards. Are not for sharing rumors, gossip. Or anything about someone's personal life." Mrs. Malone said causing everyone to look at Rosie again.
"For fuck sakes." Rosie mumbled.
Mrs. Malone sighed. "Come on ladies and gentlemen. You would not want people staring at you."
Everyone looked away again. Nolan put a hand on her knee and squeezed.
Homeroom ended shortly after, and Mrs. Malone asked Rosie to stay for a second.
"I'll wait for you outside?" He asked
"Its okay. Just go to your next class." Rosie said
Nolan kissed her cheek and went.
"You okay?" Mrs. Malone asked
Rosie let out a huffed laugh. "Only six hours left of the day."
Mrs. Malone smiled abit. "You need to talk you know any of your teachers, the counsellor or the principal will listen." She said
"I know. Already had a meeting with Ms. Stein and Mrs. Evans." Rosie said "Mind you that was more for them to find out what led to the situation."
"You sure you're okay? You don't need a mental health day?" Mrs. Malone asked
"I could take the day off sure but the quicker I am in people's face the quicker people will just stop staring." Rosie said
Mrs. Malone nodded. "Its highschool. Something will happen quickly, and you will no longer be the talk of the school."
"Don't wish this treatment on anyone." Rosie said
"Go on. Get to your next class. And no more swearing." Mrs. Malone said
Rosie nodded. "Sorry." She got up and went to her next class which was science.
She went through the rest of her classes till lunch. She missed Taylor in homeroom and Phys-ed. At lunch she went and stood in the lunch line to buy herself some lunch.
Nathan came and got in line behind her. "Hey." He said
"Hi." Rosie said
"You okay?" He asked
"I've been asked that a lot today. And every time. I feel a little less fine…" She said
"Lets talk about something else." Nathan said
"What are you going to do now that you know Taylor's feelings?" Rosie asked
Nathan chuckled "I don't know. Pierce made it perfectly clear at one point. His sister. Off limits."
Rosie nodded. "Well. Do you have feelings for her too?"
"I do." Nathan said, "you can tell her that."
"Nope you can when you ask her out." Rosie said
"I don't know. I like her but Pierce.. he is my best friend." Nathan said
"Do you want me to say something to Pierce?" Rosie asked
"No." Nathan said. "I should talk to him."
Rosie nodded. "Lips are sealed. But maybe show up as her friend first. Show Pierce that you care about her and want to be there for her. Her favorite candy is Reece peanut butter cups. And starbucks order is White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino. Three pumps of hazelnut." She said
Nathan smiled and nodded taking out his phone and putting it in his notes app. "Noted."
Rosie nodded.
"Bad memory. I have to write it down." He said
"Same." Rosie said. "I only know it now because I've bought her to many of them to count." Rosie said
Nathan nodded.
They made their way to the front of the lunch line.
Rosie got some sweet and sour chicken with rice and some broccoli. Grabbing two cookies and a bottle of water before heading to the pay. She paid and waited for Nathan. They both went and sat at the table with the rest of the group who was there. Rosie put one of the cookies in front of Nolan.
"So. Sierra has been suspended." Alison said
"How about we talk about anything else." Nathan said.
"What's everyone going for thanksgiving?" Cass asked quickly
"Family dinner." Rosie said
Everyone else pretty much said the same thing.
"My sister is coming to family dinner for thanksgiving." Nolan said
Rosie looked at him.
"You have a sister?" Tara asked
"Older sister yeah." Nolan said
"That's great." Rosie said with a smile
"And you have been invited as well if you can come." Nolan said
"What day?" Rosie asked
"We're doing ours on Thursday." He said
"Yeah. Should be able to. You have been invited to mine on Sunday." Rosie said
"Shouldn't be a problem." Nolan said
Rosie smiled and kissed him.
"Awe. You two are too cute." Leah said
"hashtag couple goals." Cass said with a smile.
Rosie blushed and looked down with a chuckle.
Nolan chuckled abit as well.
"Thanks." They both said
"So, Nathan. Now that you know about Taylor. What are you going to do?" Cass asked
Nathan sighed. "Not sure." He said
Rosie took a bite of her food to keep her mouth shut.
Pierce tilted his head. "Why does it seem Rosie might know something." He said
Rosie shook her head quickly and chewed her food slowly.
"Taylor needs friends right now. Not someone looking to date her." Nathan said.
Pierce nodded. "True."
"And Pierce is going to drop the no friends dating his sister thing is what I hear." Tyson said
"I'm thinking about it." Pierce said shaking his head.
Nathan shrugged. "Not trying to date your sister right now."
"Right now?" Cass asked with a smirk.
Nathan shook his head. "What happens in the future isn't what I'm focusing on right now."
"Guys. Stop. You're not helping anyone." Rosie said
"We doing secret Santa gift exchanges this year?" Nolan asked changing the subject
"You guys do a gift exchange?" Bailee asked. Since Rosie's party had been such a big hit everyone had become good friends. And they had a couple freshmen who were part of the football team and cheerleading team who had become part of the group as well.
"Yeah. Nothing crazy. Twenty-dollar limit." Rosie said
"You don't have to be a part of it if you don't want." Nathan said
"I have opted out before." Pierce said
"I'm in. I was just curious." Bailee said
"Everyone in?" Cass asked
Pierced texted Taylor who said she was in.
"Taylor is in." Pierce said
Everyone agreed.
"Pull names after thanksgiving?" Rosie asked
"Sounds good." Cass said
They finished lunch and threw out garbage before heading off to their next classes.
Rosie went with Nolan. They had math class together. And they sat in their assigned seats which were not together. The two of them were the first two in the class room.
Mr. Bass looked up at her from his desk. "You okay?"
Rosie sighed. "Yes."
"I'm sorry I'm sure you've been being asked that all day." He said
"Its okay. I know people mean well." Rosie said
"If you need to talk my door is open." He said
"Thank you." She said with a smile.
The rest of the class came in and sat down and class started. The girl sitting next to her was the bully from last year. The other girl had failed math last year and they ended up in the same class. She leaned over and whispered..
"Much be nice rags to riches huh?" Whitney said with a smirk.
Rosie ignored her and kept doing her work
"What? You just going to ignore me?" Whitney asked
Rosie continued doing her work.
"Wow. How childish." Whitney said
"I'm sorry did you say something? I don't hear bitch." Rosie whispered to the girl
Whitney's jaw dropped. Mr. Bass came over. "Problem ladies?"
"No sir." Rosie said working on her assignment
"No." Whitney said annoyance in her voice.
Mr. Bass walked away.
"And everyone says your nice." Whitney mumbled
"I'm nice to people who are nice to me. Being nice doesn't mean I have to take "shit from anyone." Rosie whispered.
Whitney narrowed her eyes. "You could have just answered my question."
"Why would I answer a question like that. It was rude." Rosie said
"How was it rude?" Whitney asked with a smirk.
Rosie rolled her eyes and went back to working on her math and ignoring the girl.
Class ended. "Miss Rossi, Miss Farley. Stay back please." Mr. Bass said
Rosie sighed but did so.
"Sir. I'm going to be late to my next class." Whitney said
"Will only be a minute." He said
"You two do not whisper as quietly as you think." He said when the classroom had otherwise emptied.
Rosie looked down.
Whitney took a breath.
He handed them both detention slips.
"Sir I have basketball after school today." Whitney said
"Should have thought about that before you said what you said." Mr. Bass said. "I expect to see both of you there." He said
Rosie sighed. "Yes sir." She said
"Go. Don't be late for your next class." He said to both of them
They both went.
Rosie went to her last class. When she was done she left the classroom and Nolan was waiting for her.
Rosie sighed.
"What happened in Mr. Bass's class?" Nolan asked
Rosie held up her detention slip.
"What happened?" he asked
"Whitney was being an ass. And I… kinda was an ass back." She said
Nolan raised and eyebrow.
"I know. I'm just so tired." She said defeatedly
Nolan wrapped his arms around her.
Rosie hugged him. "I'll take the bus. You can go home."
"I need to do some research in the library for a class. I'll wait." He said
Rosie nodded. "If your sure."
"I am." He said
She nodded. "See you after than."
Rosie texted her dad. 'Staying late. Will be home before dinner.'
'Photography club?' Dave asked when he got the text.
'No.' she sent back before putting her phone away and going into the detention room and sitting at the front. She had never had detention before.
Mr. Bass was at the front. It was his turn to watch over detention. He was impressed that there were only two names on the list. The two he had sent. He was unimpressed that Whitney had not shown up.
"Looks like your classmate chose not to come." Mr. Bass said
Rosie shrugged. "Not my problem."
"No. Its not." Mr. Bass said. "Seems like its just you in detention though." He said
"Does that mean I can go?" She asked with a small smile
"No." Mr. Bass said a small chuckle escaping his lips
"Does it mean your going to lecture me?" Rosie asked
"No." Mr. Bass said kindly. "You can do any homework." He said
"I thought we weren't allowed to do homework in detention." She said
"Well. You're the only one here and you've have a hard day." He said
Rosie smiled abit and took out her homework and started working on it.
An hour passed.
"You can go. But I really hope that I don't have to give you detention again" He said
"You wont." Rosie said packing up her stuff and going out and seeing Nolan standing there his arms crossed.
"Hey. What's up?" She said
"You were the only one in detention?" He asked
"Yeah." Rosie said
"I saw Whitney. She told me she didn't get detention because you were the only one being a bully." Nolan said clearly unimpressed.
"Or you could consider. She was given detention and just chose not to come." Rosie said "And where did you see her? I thought you were going to the library."
"Saw her coming out of the change room and asked her why she wasn't in detention too." Nolan said
"And you just believe what she says?" Rosie asked
Nolan let out a breath. "I'm Sorry." He said
"She has been bullying me since basically day one. You know that." Rosie said
"Yes. I do." Nolan said. "I shouldn't have assumed. I'm sorry."
Rosie nodded. She looked at her phone and saw a text from her dad.
'Why staying late?'
She sighed. "And I'm sure I'm going to hear it from my dad."
"Does this school call about detentions? My old school didn't." Nolan said
Rosie tilted her head.
"I skipped a lot first year. Detentions didn't deter me. Took an in-school suspension to knock some sense into me. And being threatened for being kicked off the football team." He said
"Ah. Bad boy streak huh?" She said with a smirk
Nolan chuckled. "Yup. I did."
"And I don't think the school calls about detentions, but I had to let him know I wasn't going straight home, and he asked why. I could lie but doesn't usually end well for me." Rosie said
Nolan took her bag. "Come on. Lets get you home." He said
Rosie went with him and out to his car.
"Did Whitney tell you anything that was said?" She asked
"Nope." Nolan said
Rosie nodded.
"You want to tell me?" Nolan asked
"She started off with making a comment about me going from 'rags to riches'. Not sure where she got the idea I was living in poverty. Wasn't as… well off and spoiled as I am now but wasn't poor by any means. I ignored her. She asked me if I was going it just ignore her. I continued to ignore her. And she comment that I was being childish." She started. She took a breath. "I than responded with. Did you say something I don't hear bitch.. she than made a comment about how she thought people said I was nice. And I said being nice doesn't mean taking shit from people and she said I could have just answered her question and the conversation didn't get any better." Rosie said "Apparently neither of us whisper very well…" Rosie said
Nolan nodded
"You annoyed with me?" Rosie asked
"I think you have had a hard couple days. Very out of character for you? Yes. But we all have bad days." Nolan said pulling into the driveway. Dave's car was already there.
"Urg. He's already home." Rosie said
"Hey. You have said before that he can be tough, but he's always been fair." Nolan said
"Fair sure. Doesn't mean I like what is fair all the time." Rosie said
Nolan nodded. "Go. Face the music. Get it over with."
Rosie nodded. She got her backpack and went inside.
"I'm home." She said
Dave came to the door. "You're okay?"
"Yes. Sorry. I couldn't respond to the text." She said, "Well I could have on the way home I guess."
Dave hugged her. "Its okay. We can talk now."
Rosie hugged him dropping her bag.
"You hungry?" He asked
Rosie shrugged. "I need caffeine I think." She said
"Come on." He said leading her into the kitchen.
Rosie sat down and Dave got her some green tea and sat across from her.
Rosie started to sip the tea. "I had detention."
Dave took a breath. "Why?"
Rosie told him what happened. And Dave listened when she was done she took another sip of her tea.
"This is the same girl who has been bullying you since last year?" Dave asked
"Yes." She said
"I'm surprised by your actions." He said
"Sorry." She said softly looking down
"Look at me please." He said
Rosie looked up.
"I know you had a bad day. I knew you were not going to have a good day. I know sometimes when we have bad days we do things that we wouldn't normally. But even when we have bad days we need to think before we do things." Dave said
"Yes sir." She said softly.
"I'm not angry." He said. "Just disappointed." He said
"That's worse." She said
"Would you rather be punished?" He asked
"I'd rather go back in time and use my brain and just continue to ignore her." Rosie said
"Well. I'm glad to hear that but unfortunately you cant go back in time." Dave said
"I know." Rosie said.
"So, what are you going to do?" Dave asked
"I apologized to Mr. Bass. I'll use my brain next time. And I'll apologize to Whitney." She said her voice changing to disgust at the end.
"You could sound a little more like you want to apologize to her." Dave said
"Just because it's the right thing. Doesn't mean I have to like it." Rosie said
Dave nodded "Fair enough."
"Can I go take a bath now?" She asked
Dave nodded. "Go ahead."
Rosie went and took a long hot bath. And the rest of her night went as it normally would.