Wilting Roses

Chapter Six

The End

Sometimes, the end of the world is not started with a war, or a giant catastrophe. But by a sudden realization that something inside you has irrevocably changed and in this way your personal world is shattered and you are left standing in the ruins of it, wondering what went wrong, and why you cannot enough care to fix it.

Two months. Two long tortuous months of Alice's latest shenanigans, all aimed at me. She was hardcore insistent that she would help hook me and Edward up subtlety, but subtlety was not one of her skills. And it didn't help that she had roped Bella up into her schemes as well. Almost everyday at lunch was torture.

"Hey, Bella, do you want to go help me pick up my package from the office?"

"Rosalie can help you. She's stronger than Bella," Alice suggested to a slightly put off Edward and I.

"Uh, okay," he said at the same time as I.

...

"Hey, Bella, can you tell me more about that book you were reading?"

"Rosalie's also read the book. And she tells the plot way better," Bella insisted to a confused Edward and I.

"Uh, it's okay, never mind," he said.

...

"Hey, Bella, do you wanna try that new ice cream flavor with me after school?"

"I'm actually lactose intolerant," Bella waved off.

"But if you want girl company, me and Rosalie, can provide it to you," Alice said slowly, winking at Edward on my name. I winced. God, this was so embarrassing.

"Uh, no that's fine. I wanted to go with Bella," a downcast Edward mumbled under his breath.

...

"Bella, I was thinking the movies this weekend..."

"Sorry, Eddy," Bella faked looking put out. "I've already seen it."

"But I didn't tell you what movie I wanted to watch," Edward furrowed his brows.

"It's okay. I've uh, seen all of them," Bella quickly stammered.

"But I already bought the tickets. I can't return them."

"Well, you know who hasn't seen a move recently. Rosalie. And she was just talking about how much she wanted to go see one," Alice chimed in helpfully.

"Uh, okay. I guess I'll go with Rosalie," a bewildered Edward watched as Alice hissed out a triumphant 'yes' and high fived right in front of him with Bella. Way to be subtle.

I sighed. I couldn't protest their efforts or else they'd really wonder if I liked him and I didn't want my cover to be blown.

Alice flashed me a look and I sighed again, trying hard not to roll my eyes.

"Really excited for that movie," I murmured to him behind my sandwich.

"Right." He looked down contemplatively at his food, probably wondering why his friends were acting so weird.

A trip to the movies with Edward went as expected. Awkwardly. Don't get me wrong. He was pretty chill the whole time. Getting me popcorn and buying drinks. He acted and treated me nicely. But I felt awkward because this was supposed to be a date. Alice had stormed into my house three hours before I was set to meet with him and got my wardrobe ready for him. She picked out a cute outfit, did my hair, and even instructed me on some pick up lines that would work for him.

I had merely nodded my head and smiled tightly at her, promising her she'd hear all the dets later. But there wouldn't be much of a story to tell because I didn't want to do this stupid date with Edward! God! I would give anything to get out of it. Alice of course had mistook my reluctance for nerves and had given me a drink to help. But all the drink made me do was want to drink more so I could forget about this stupid date with Edward for the next three hours in the dark theater.

I just hoped the movie would be good enough to get my mind off of how awkward I felt around him.

We met at the movie theater and sat down a reasonable distance from the screen. Commercials were playing and we sort of just sat there. I shoveled popcorn into my mouth to have an excuse to do something instead of fiddle with my fingers and fidget in my seat.

Edward was crunching on some chocolate, eyes thoughtfully on the screen before they turned to me. "Do you know why Bella keeps avoiding me?"

Avoiding him? As if. I wish she would. "She's not avoiding you. She talks to you, and she gives you her attention. That's not called being avoided."

"But she says no every time I ask her to hang out with me, or to spend a little more time with me. I don't understand why." Of course he would notice that. He wasn't blind. And now Alice had put me in an awkward spot.

"Maybe it's because she doesn't like you romantically, and doesn't want you to get the wrong idea. So she says no." I crunch loudly on my popcorn as he sits there and thinks my words over. I know for a fact she doesn't like him, but I can't tell him me and her were talking about him. That would sound rude. And a little bit convenient to have this info now.

"Well, shit. That's depressing. I thought...I thought maybe she liked me." There was real disappointment and pain in his voice. I would have comforted him if I wasn't so evilly hopeful he would entirely give up on Bella. "Why is it the one girl I actually like doesn't like me back?"

"Life sucks. Don't get hung up so much over Bella. She's only one girl. You have a ton of other girls who would love to date you, and you wouldn't even have to try hard to get them to want to spend time with you."

"I know. But I don't want them. I just want her." He played with his chocolate wrapper.

I wet my lips, feeling an intense curiosity over come me. Why was it that he found her so like-able? I myself didn't know why I liked her. Maybe he could offer some clues.

"Why her? What makes her special?"

Silence before he shrugged. "I don't know. I never saw her in that way before and then when I saw her in that white dress at that party, she just looked like the very embodiment of a muse. And just...I can't get that image out of my head any more. Usually I go for musically talented girls and I know Bella doesn't have any musical skills, but just seeing her as a muse, as the very embodiment of creativity and music, I fell for her. And I want to get to know her more. To spend more time with her." He heavily sighed as he told me.

I wasn't the least bit surprised by his answer. It was a very Edward-y one. All artsy and shit. But I was disappointed because it would make it harder for me to decipher my own feelings for her. She certainly looked hot in that dress- I should know as I picked it out- but I had liked her before as soon as I had set my eyes on her. Love at first sight? The phrase floated into my head. But that couldn't be. Those things didn't exist. Only in books and rom com movies. My life was neither. And besides, was there really any point in thinking about this? The deadline for the end of my crush was coming up and I couldn't be more excited. In just two more days, two more, I would finally be free of these complicated and ridiculous and unwanted feelings for her.

Thankfully I was spared from having to say anything to Edward's dilemma, not that I had a clue as to what to say, because the movie started.

The movie was passable and when it ended I thanked Edward for the tickets and we went our separate ways. He looked gloomy like he had a cloud over his head. No doubt he was sad that Bella didn't like him the same way he did her. But I knew boys could be very persistent in trying to get the girl and she still wasn't safe.

Alice immediately texted as soon as I got home. Then when I took too slow to figure out what to say to her, she called. Ugh, I was not in the mood to talk to her and have to listen to her prattle on about my 'date' with Edward. Gross. No offense to him, but I could never date someone so mopey as him.

"How did it go?" Alice squeals into my ear as soon as I pick up.

"Normally."

"Oh come on Rosie! Now's not the time to clam up. Spill! Me and Bella helped you do this, so we deserve some answers! Right Bella?"

"Uh, yes."

Oh great. So Bella was also on the other end.

"What's Bella doing at your house?" I diverted instead.

"She's helping me test out some new makeup."

"Oh, so you've found a new victim for your latest fashion trends." I knew what that process looked like. Alice had tried it on me but I quickly shut that shit down. And now Alice had found a new victim. Poor Bella was probably strapped to the chair as Alice basically used her as a barbie doll to try new hairstyles and makeup and clothes on.

"Bella, do you need help?" I asked.

"I'm okay for now. I think," she said quietly. There was some muffled whispering from Alice and then Bella said with forced enthusiasm: "Actually, I'm having a lot of fun!"

"Bella, you don't have to lie just because Alice blackmailed you into saying so."

"I did not Blackmail Bella!" Alice huffs scandalized.

"Actually, you did," Bella retorts.

"I guess that cake I offered to buy you is off the table," Alice says and Bella gasps. "I held up my end of the bargain by saying I was having fun. There were no other conditions!"

"So bribery now, is it Alice? My, how the mighty have fallen. Can't even scare Bella into lying, so you've got to fatten her up."

"You know what- the two of you- just, whatever," she grunts and puffs. "Rosalie, stop distracting me. I want to hear what happened on the date."

I grumbled unhappily into the phone. I had been hoping to lure Alice on one of her long winded tangents but I hadn't succeeded. "Nothing much. We talked about normal stuff." I didn't mention him moaning and moping about Bella's disinterest.

"That's it? No kiss or anything?"

"No."

"Not even hand holding?"

"No," said in the same dead monotone as my last no.

"Rosalie," Alice sighed in exasperation at my name. "Did you even try? What about those tips I gave you?"

"Look," I rubbed the bridge of my nose. "I'd rather not talk about it."

"Okay, we don't have to talk about it now." Alice recognized my no nonsense tone. She knew better than to try to sway me. "We can talk later."

"No. Not even later."

"Okay," Alice says in a small voice when she realizes how bad a mood I am in, and I hang up.

I'm sorry for the bad date, Bella sends me that text and it makes the corners of my lips lift up. What a sweet girl. I go to shower and change out of these clothes. I smell like popcorn, oil, and Edward's cheap despair.

Two days after my failed date, I wake up in a chipper mood, rising before my alarm clock even rings. Today is a special day! Today is the day my crush shall end!

And I can go back to my normal life of no concerns, of being the ice queen. Of not having to worry about every little touch Bella gave me and the way my heart would jump. Not worry at her smiles that made me feel breathless. Not worry about saying something dumb because of her presence. And not having to hate Edward for liking Bella. He could have her.

I hum to myself as I get dressed and wash up in the bathroom. When I come skipping downstairs Jasper does a double take, in disbelief of how early I am up, and in what a good mood.

"Good morning, Jasper," I smile at him as I sit down in front of him with my bowl of cereal.

He doesn't say anything at first, just lets the piece of toast hang out of his mouth. "Are you feeling alright? Are you sick?" he places a hand on my forehead and I allow him to, in too good of a mood to slap it away.

"Yes. I'm feeling super, actually. Today is going to to be a great day!"

He stills looks bewildered by my state but then shrugs and continues eating. "Do I wanna know what has you so happy?"

"It's nothing serious. Just woke up on the right side of the bed."

"For once," he mutters under his breath, before a small smile curls up his lips. And for the first time in a while we share breakfast and a long conversation together.

Except everything sours when I get to school, for all good things do come to an end. I swear, some higher power must have it out for me, because they won't let me have any peace or respite. Won't let me live my life normally.

Bella greets us once me and Jasper pull our car into the parking lot and exit. She's just come out of her truck and my thoughts go to how cute she is, and on how soft her hair looks today in it's braid. Immediately my stomach seizes up at those thoughts and I go pale in the face.

No.

No, no, no, no, no!

The crush was supposed to be over! It has already been three months! Yet here I stand, still thinking of Bella as cute, still wanting to be close to her, to want to touch her. To have her be mine.

I felt like my stomach had dropped out. Like my bones were too weak. I couldn't walk. I had to lean against my car for support.

"Rosalie, are you okay?" Bella asked in concern as she saw me slowly sliding to the ground onto the snow. But I couldn't answer her. I wanted her damned poisonous voice out of my mind! The crush was supposed to be over. It was supposed to be done. I had waited so long...so long and it was still here! I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. I could feel the screams of frustration building up in the back of my throat. I raked my hands through my hair, pulling angrily on the roots.

"Rosalie, are you feeling sick?" Jasper was confused about my sudden switch in demeanor. He bent down next to me, offering his hand to pull me up. I slapped it away and stumbled to my feet, pushing past Bella so I could run, run away from this bad nightmare.

I ran into the school, not knowing what to do, or how I should react, how I should take this. I very well felt like the last semblance, like the last hope for having my stability returned to me had been ruined. Had been crushed. My heart squeezed in my chest painfully. Maybe I had miscalculated the dates?

I entered the girls bathroom. Two girls were in front of the mirror, fixing their makeup, but I couldn't have them here. "Get out!" I snarled at them and when they turned to see who it was, they quickly gathered their stuff and silently walked out.

Then I turned the tap on and stared into the rushing water, trying to get my bearings. Trying to control the world from swaying. The bell rang for the school day to start but I still didn't budge. Maybe the first day of a crush didn't count. Maybe tomorrow would be the day it would be over. Yes, it had to be. I couldn't just lose hope.

The door swung open and I let a low growl leave my throat. "This bathroom is mine right now. Leave!"

"Relax, it's just me right now," Alice said as she let herself in. I didn't look up from the water but I felt her wrap her arms around my waist and place her cheek against my back. "What happened?"

I felt a lump grow in my throat. There was no way I could tell her the truth. But I needed reassurance. I needed hope given to me. "Alice..." I licked my lips, uncertain. "How long does a crush last?"

This wasn't what she was expecting to hear because it took her a while to find her tongue. "What-is this about Edward?"

"Just answer my question."

The rushing sink water filled our momentary lapses in silence. Alice's arms tightened in their hold on me. "There's no telling. It varies from person to person."

"So not three months?" My voice caught in my throat and I bit my lip as my eyes watered. I was shaking. I knew I was. But I couldn't stop it. Alice's arms held me together.

"Rosalie, sweetie," Alice said in that gentle caring voice of hers. Her tone helped to soften the blow of her devastating words but not enough. "That's just a myth. An online myth."

I felt...so dumb. I felt foolish. Felt...just felt like everything had gone to hell. I wasn't even trying to be melodramatic, I literally felt like this was the worst thing ever. Finding out that my unwanted crush was here to stay and that there was no telling for how long.

My silent tears mixed in with the sink water as I lowered my head so my hair could hide my crying face. I didn't want Alice to see me breakdown, didn't want her to see me weak.

"Shhhh, it's going to be okay. Maybe Edward will get over his crush on Bella sooner than that." Sweet Alice misunderstood the real reason for my tears but I wasn't going to correct her. I just let her hold me until the tears and shaking stopped.

A/N: I'm gonna try and aim for at least monthly releases for this story, butttttt, we'll see how that goes.