Milestone

Episode 2

In class

Teacher: Alright class, no lecture today. This is a free day.

Rose (thinking): Finally, I can get some reading in.

She pulls out Stephen King's "The Talisman" and starts to read where she left off at.

Jessie (walking up to Rose): Ooooh, the Talisman. That's a great book.

Rose (glaring evily at Jess): Which I' trying to read, you know?

Jessie: Oh, right, sorry. I'll leave you to it, then.

Rose (thinking): Why is she so annoying? Can't she see that I'm reading?

Jessie (thinking): Rose, I wonder why you like to be alone so much.

Rose gets to the next chapter of the book, and she silently applauds herself for it.

Rose (thinking, smiling): Yay, chapter 5!

Jessie (thinking): You're a pretty weird girl, but I still want to be your friend.

Rose (looking back at a staring Jess): Uh, why are you looking at me like that?

Jessie (looking away): Sorry, I was thinking. I didn't mean to stare.

Rose: It's alright, I can understand that. (she smiles) I do that all the time.

Jessie: Did I get a smile out of you?

Rose: Uh, no, shut up! (she turns around and sinks her head in the book)

Jessie: You can't deny it, hun, you smiled. (she smiles)

Rose (thinking) Hun?! Who does she think she is?!

Jessie: Hello, you still there?

Rose (turning back almost violently): Just leave me alone! (she quickly covers her mouth, thinking) I actually just said that out loud?

Jessie (thinking): I'm getting to her, which must mean something.

Rose (thinking): Why does she bother me so much? She trying to be nice and I just hate it for some reason. (out loud, turning back) I'm sorry I snapped at you, Jess, I was out of line.

Jessie: It's alright. I can forgive you. (she smiles)

Rose (looking at her own desk, thinking): Why does someone I don't like have to be so nice to me?

Jessie (looking at Rose, thinking): I know I'm getting to you, cause you actually apologized, and I didn't think you'd ever do that.

Rose (thinking): I can feel her glaring at me right now. It's kind of creepy. What does she want with me?

Jessie: Hey, Rose, do you want to play hangman?

Rose (surprised, looking back): Um, not right now, but thank you. (she looks at her book again)

Jessie (thinking): You're a tough one to crack, Rose, but I'm going to be your friend, weather you like it or not.

Rose (smiling, thinking): I've never been asked to play things before. Wait, no, this is what she wants! Don't give in!

The bell rings and Rose grabs her things and quickly walks out of the room. She heads to her normal table and sits down, opening her lunch bag. She bites down violently at her sandwich, tearing a small chunk of it off.

Rose (thinking): I can't believe that woman! She just trying to get under my skin!

Jessie (walking up to the table): Can I sit here?

Rose (smiling, for some reason genuinely): Of course! (she drops her sandwich and her mood automatically changes)

Jessie: Thank you. (she sits down)

Rose (thinking): What the hell was that?! I hate her, why did I just say that?!

Jessie: So, what do you do for fun?

Rose (looking at her): I read and write in my free time.

Jessie: Don't you hang out with friends or anything?

Rose: Well, I, don't really have friends. (she gets up and starts walking away)

Jessie (running up from behind her): Wait, Rose! (she gives Rose a big hug from behind) I had no idea you didn't have friends, I'm sorry.

Rose (surprised, blushing): I...it's okay. (she pulls away from Jess) I need to get to my next class, I'll talk to you later. (she runs off)

Jessie (thinking): Rose, you are a poor soul, stop pushing away and let me be your friend.

Rose (thinking): What the hell was that?! Ugh, that makes me so mad! But why?! That was a nice thing, and I strangely liked it! Just forget about her, Rose, you have better things to worry about.

To be continued...