Chapter 29

Rosie stayed with us until about eight that night, when her Dad came to pick her up. I walked her out to the car.

"Bry, this is my Daddy. Riley Robey."

"It's nice to meet you sir."

I shook his hand as he stuck it out the car window.

"Bryan, I can't tell how happy I am that my little girl found a friend. And that you shielded her from that boy."

"It was nothing...I'm glad to have met her too."

"Thank you all the same since Raven died we...we haven't really had the best of luck."

"No sir, I understand...trust me...we've been through some stuff too."

"Well...goodnight son, you and your family take care."

I watched them leave our driveway. I waved until they were out of sight down the street. Mom came outside and wrapped her arms around my neck.

"You know even though I was upset about your nose before, that was a brave thing you did...standing up for her like that...reminds me of your Daddy."

"Mom?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think Rosie will ever tell me about her mom?"

"I don't know baby...it's a really touchy subject for her...I'm sure she'll tell you when she's ready."

"Yeah...it's just she seems so...mysterious."

"Girls are...and we are entitled to our secrets."

"Maybe...if I told her mine she'd-"

"Oh no, don't you dare."

"But Harvey knows and he's my friend mom."

"Harvey's also known you since you were born...it might shock Rosie."

"You told Dad."

"That's different..."

"But it's not though!"

"How about when Rosie tells you about her mom then you can tell her about your powers?"

"Really!?"

"No!"

"Mom!"

"I'm serious now Bry...don't tell her anything."

A few weeks went by and my nose finally healed. Harvey actually did a great job fixing it. Rosie ate lunch with us everyday. Each day I learned a little more about her. Since coming to Bellwood she was diagnosed with OCD, and MDD, major depression disorder. She was also filled with tons of anxiety and trauma. She still didn't go into detail, but she mentioned her mom was killed in front of her. Since moving she went to a hospital and was in there for six months; where they prescribed her several different types of medication. As well as therapy. Due to all of that she missed most of early days of the 8th grade.

Her favorite color is green. She loves plants and animals. Science is her favorite subject, just like me. She says her Dad tells her all the time she looks just like her mom. She's absolutely amazing. I'm starting to pay more attention to her than to Harvey. Harvey told me he felt like a third wheel so he started dating Lola. That was a surprise to me. He never seemed intetested in her before. They make goo goo eyes at each for most of the lunch period. Rosie and I just talk. I also don't know why Harvey felt so left out, she's just a friend.

It was Friday, our school's homecoming. We were all in the bleachers cheering. That's when it happened. It changed my life forever. The cheerleaders were in on the gym floor cheering their hearts out. The band was playing and everyone was so joyful. It was like any other day, and any other homecoming pep rally I've been too.

"Hey, check out my girl Lola down there!" Harvey shouted and pointed. Lola was also a cheerleader. Her dark brown hair was tied up in a high ponytail with a green bow on top. She was dancing next to one of her friends, and laughing.

"She's the cutest girl down there..."

"Yeah okay Harv."

"Sorry...guess I struck a nerve, Rosie is the cutest in your book right? Man when are you gonna grow some balls and just ask her out!"

"Ssh!"

We both turned and Rosie made her way up the steps to join us.

"Sorry I couldn't find you guys."

"Speak of the cutie...there she is Bry."

"Man shut up!"

I pushed his shoulder. Lola did a backflip down on the gym floor.

"Whoo!" Harvey shouted loudly and whistled. I tried to ignore his antics. I thought pretty soon he would dump Lola, or she him, but no they've been together for almost 2 months. That's the longest Harvey has been with any girl. I think it's a record. Rosie gasped and suddenly trembled. My smile disappeared as I turned toward her.

"Rosie...are...are you okay?"

She didn't answer me.

"Rosie?"

Suddenly there was a loud explosion and part of the roof blew off our gymnasium. The students and teachers screamed. Fire engulfed the west exit and the roof was trying to cave in. The gym grew dark. The emergency lights tried to kick in; only they kept flashing on and off.

"Lola!" Harvey yelled over the crowd. Her legs were caught under the ceiling debris, and her head was severely bleeding. She let out a shrill scream. Her friends tried to aid her. I took Rosie by the hand and followed Harvey down to the floor.

"Students this way!" I heard Principal Don's voice call out somewhere.

"Help me please!" Lola cried out.

"Bry!"

I let go of Rosie to help Harvey move the debris. I discreetly used my powers. Harvey picked her up bridal style and she held him around the neck. She was crying. There was another explosion. This time the back wall. There were students there.

"No!" I screamed. I didn't know what was happening but by now I knew we were under attack by something. That's when I saw it. Through the opening of the roof was some sort of space ship. Through the opening in the wall stepped out these 8ft tall deer-like bovines. They walked on two legs and carried weapons. They spoke in some strange tongue to one another. They were dirty and covered in spit and ash. They snapped like wolves at each other and anyone that was near.

"They found me..." Rosie breathed.

"What!?"

"I...I...can't stay here!"

"Rosie!"

She took off running in the opposite direction through the crowd of people.

"Rosie!"

"Bry!" I turned and Harvey had put Lola down, a piece of red hot ceiling came crumbling down on top of me. Harvey jumped on me knocking us both out of the way.

"We have to get out of here!"

"No Harv! Not without Rosie!"

Suddenly someone pulled me up. It was Stan.

"Get out of here you two!"

"He's right Bry, come on!" Harvey stated and picked Lola up again.

"I...I'm sorry Harvey..."

"What?! Bryan don't... don't!"

I took off running after Rosie.

"Bryannnn!" I heard him yell after me.

Our school hallways were mostly empty. I heard what sounded like lasers coming from our cafeteria. I then heard Rosie scream.

Those creatures had her pinned down. I stormed in and used my telekinesis to move the tables hitting each one of the creatures into a wall. Rosie was hiding behind a booth.

"Bryan! What are you doing?! Go away! Please go away!"

"Rosie I-"

Suddenly one creature grabbed her from behind, another grabbed me.

"Get off her!"

Another one of the creatures punched me in the stomach right in my insulin pump. I grunted loudly.

"Leave him alone!"

"Ew evah yllanif dnuof uoy Ssecnirp!" shouted one of the creatures.

He then took a small needle like laser to Rosie's chest. I watched in horror. She screamed loudly. It was then I saw her true form take shape. She was a halfling alien. Half anodite, half Florauna.