Thanks for the reviews.
Rrrrrvraaarrrnnnrrr!
Rose's cell phone vibrated noisily against her computer desk. She picked it up and smiled, Warren had texted her. They had been spending the past few days in near constant contact. IMing, calling, texting, they'd done it all. Yet, every time she saw Warren's name light up on the little plastic screen, she felt strangely pleased.
Rose typed a reply, her fingers flying over the miniscule keys, then briskly snapped her phone shut. She immediately reprimanded herself for allowing such hopelessly romantic thoughts to fly through her head. Instinctually, she opened the calendar icon in her phone and glanced at the upcoming week. September 3rd glowed painfully bright, as though the back-to-school date could intimidate her through the power of its little LED back lit screen. Rose drummed her fingers nervously on the desk, contemplating what move to make next.
She picked up the phone again and dialed Warren; his number already ingrained in her head. He answered on the first ring.
"Hey, its me," said Rose softly, sounding almost relieved, as though she wasn't quite sure he'd answer. There was a certain intimacy in the way she assumed he would know who it was.
"Oh, hey," said Warren. She could sense his smile over the phone.
She took a breath; "do you want to hang out?"
Rose let the breath out in a sigh as he answered in the affirmative.
A few hours later, Rose strolled into her apartment, giggling to herself. She slapped a hand over her mouth to stop the girly sound, but she couldn't quite get the smile off her face. She stopped short. There was someone sitting at her kitchen table. Clad in a black suit and dark sunglasses, she knew he must be from EVIL.
However, she was not in the mood to be scolded. He glared at her, brows furrowing beneath the sunglasses. She glared right back.
"Dude," said Rose, "lose the shades."
He hesitated, but reached up and slid them off his nose as a peace gesture of sorts. Or perhaps, he thought, she would be easier to deal with if he appeased her wishes. Rose couldn't help but to notice he had a handsome face, but it carried such a worn expression that any lightness that lovely face once held was just a memory.
"Rose-" he faltered. It seemed like he hadn't come armed with the typical speech straight out of EVIL for Dummies.
She bent over and pulled off her shoes, but kept her eyes trained on his face, widened in a way that suggested he continue.
"Listen, Rose…" She listened, waiting for the rest. "As you've probably guessed, EVIL sent me here." He spoke in a clipped, formal tone that was not entirely unpleasant to her ears. "They just sent me here to remind you of your mission, of why you were selected. They think you're getting a bit-" again, he faltered.
"…A bit what?" asked Rose, anger replacing the lightheartedness she felt a few minutes ago.
He looked extremely uncomfortable, and raised his hand, scratching the back of his neck. "A bit off task."
Rose crossed her arms across her chest defensively. "Listen, buddy, you think you're going to come in here and tell me I'm off task? I'm working my ass of trying to seduce this guy; this is practically prostitution and you're going to tell me I'm off task? Well, news flash, I don't know when the last time you ensnared a guy was, but it's a lot goddamned harder than it looks, so please don't-"
"Rose, enough!" His face transformed into a hardened mask, one that had seen too much to be dealing with angst filled teenagers. "I didn't want to come here and have to deal with you, but they sent me. That's my job, and this is yours, so stop acting like a fucking child and just do it."
Rose's mouth fell into a perfect, shocked O. The man grabbed his sunglasses and marched out the door, closing it quietly behind him. She felt nauseous, or like crying, but knew neither one of those things would make her feel better. But mostly, she realized she was upset because she knew the man was right. It seemed that everyone else was making important observations about her flawed character but herself.
A few nights later, Rose and Warren lay side by side on his bed, fingers interlocked, watching TV. Rose felt great, her hair was perfect, her jeans were sexy, the underwear beneath them were adorable and her shirt gave the appearance she actually had some curves. Not to mention she had Warren right where she wanted him. Warren, however, was not flyin' as high as Rose was. He rolled onto his side, facing her.
"Rosey?" She turned her head so she could meet his eyes.
"What's up?" she asked, feeling nervous at the expression on his face.
"Its just going to be hard going off to different schools, you know?"
She grimaced, not quite sure how to proceed. "Well, maybe we'll see each other more than you think."
He laughed and wrapped his arms around her waist, "well, alright Captain Cryptic." She froze, suddenly hyperaware of how close their bodies were. If Warren noticed, he didn't show it.
"Rose," he murmured into her neck, "I really like you."
She pressed a little closer, melting into his embrace, but grinning wickedly. Perfect, she thought to herself.
Warren, doing the gentlemanly thing, requested firmly that he walk her home. "Rapists and whatnot," he insisted.
Rose gave him The Look, but let him accompany her nevertheless.
The cool night air whispered past her skin, making her shiver, but Warren with his space heater-like qualities kept her from getting chilled.
When she was all tucked in bed, face washed and teeth brushed, Rose flipped through her cell phone. First, to reply to a final message from Warren (goodnight xD) and secondly, to set her alarm for 6:00 AM. Tomorrow she was getting up for school, and the real challenge would begin.
Sky High next chapter, yay, woo, etc.