Chapter 3 Second chance

A/N: Thanks so much for the kind reviews, the favs and follows! There are 2 flashbacks in this story and one nightmare. They are curved. So here is chapter 3.

It was very silent in the car on the way home. Jane was sitting next to me. She drove us back. I was preparing for a fight. This wasn't going to be easy. She didn't say anything about the girl I punched. I promised the principle I would stay out of trouble and I failed. Almost instantly. I could punch myself right know. Luckily, I got a second chance and this wouldn't be mentioned at Yale. Mr. Smith was very understandable.

I had a heavy feeling. I was going to get in a hard conversation about me, punching a strange girl. Why was I always the one losing control? But on the other side I hoped the girl learned her lesson. She insulted my mom. I was waiting until the principal would call me into his office. The freaking second time today. After waiting a few more minutes the door opened. 'You can come in' Mr. Smith said.

I walked into his office and sat down in the same chair from this morning.

'So miss Hathaway. I don't exactly know what happened. Can you tell me?' he asked.

'Uhm, I..' I tried to say.

'Just tell me. We will see how you get punished later. I want to know from you what happened' he said trying to comfort me a little. It helped.

'I just had lunch and wanted to be early for class. That's why I left a couple of minutes earlier. And then I bumped into a girl with blonde short hair' I said catching my breath from the fast talking. 'I fell and got up quickly to see who it was. I said sorry and after that she started to talk about my mom.'

'O, you're mom. I heard she died. My condolences. Go on.'

'She said I was running to her, that's what I wanted of course. After that she started to insult her and I lost my control. So I punched her in the face.' I finished. Mr. Smith looked shocked at me. Why? Because I punched her?

'You could get expelled for this. But I will not do that' he said.

'Huh, don't I get punished for hitting that girl?' I asked.

'That girl is Mia Rinaldi. And no. I also lost my parents when I was younger. Someone insulted them too. Without knowing that they were dead. I know where you are coming from.'

'Thank you so much, Mr. Smith.'

'Promise me one thing young lady, don't ever punch someone again. Otherwise you can forget going to Yale.' he said now sounding very teacher like.

'I will. Thanks for the second chance Mr. Smith.'

'I did call Jane. She will pick you up after school. Now go to class.'

'Bye, Mr. Smith.'

I walked out of the door with a relieved feeling.

We arrived at Jane's home. I stepped out of the car and closed the door. I just wanted to hide right now. I don't want to argue with Jane. I practically ran to the front door hoping I could lock myself in my room for the night. I know I would get hungry if I did. I opened the door and went to my room. I put my bag on my bed and Jane called my name. I just had to go to the living room. When I came there Jane just seemed angry and disappointed.

'What were you thinking when you punched that girl?' she asked not yelling yet. Her voice was louder than normal though.

'Jane, I-' I got interrupted.

'You know what you can put in danger. Yale! You worked so hard Rose. Why the hell would you do that? Are you out of your mind?' she said now yelling.

'You know what? Why the hell are you acting like you are my mom? You are not her! You will never be her' I said yelling too. 'My mom would listen and believe me.'

'I am not acting like your mom. I could never be her, Rose. You know that.' Her voice was softer.

'I just need a break. I am going to my room and don't want to see you tonight. I am sorry. And for the record, the girl who I punched insulted my mom. Your best friend.' And with that I was gone. I hated fighting with people who I loved but this time I was nog going to say sorry. I defended my mom's honour. I felt a need of seeing pictures from me and my mom.

I walked to my nightstand and opened a drawer. In the drawer were a couple of albums my mom made for me. They were my most valuable belongings. I grabbed the one of tope and decided I would sit on my bed. I laid the book on lap. I opened it and when I saw the first picture I felt happy and sad in once. It was a picture from me and my mom in the zoo. The San Diego zoo. I think I was five years old there. We were hugging in front of a cache with pandas in it. I loved those animals. I didn't really look like my mom. She had red curly hair and blue eyes. I had long, brown wavy hair and also blue eyes. In that picture I had short hair. A happy memory struck me.

I walked with my mom hand it hand to the entrance of the zoo. Her hands were warm and kind. I was really happy that day. We hadn't much money to go out. I skipped school that day and my mom work.

'Mommy, when can I see the pandas?' I asked happily.

'Soon, honey. Very, very soon' she said to me.

'I am so excited. Are we there yet?' I asked whining.

'We are almost there. The entrance is close. You see?'

'Yes, mommy.'

When we came by the entrance my mom paid for two tickets. One child and one adult.

'Rose, can you grab a map for me? Then we can go straight to the pandas!'

'I will. Be right back.' I ran to the stand where the maps were. The zoo was very big. I felt so happy. Me and my mom in the zoo was something special. She always worked so hard to feed and raise me.

'Look, mommy. I've got it!' I said

'Good. Where do we go?' she asked taking the map. She unfolded it and looked. 'It is a long way Rosie. We need to travel very far' she said. I giggled.

After 10 minutes we were by the pandas. I tried to look over the fence but that didn't work. I was too short. My mom saw it and picked me up. She placed me on her shoulder.

'How is the view?' my mom asked.

'Perfect, mommy' I answered.

'Miss, do you want a picture of you and your daughter? It is free' a man with a camera asked.

'Sure.' My mom placed me with both feet on the ground. She sat down so she was as short as me. I hugged her and she hugged me back. The man pushed the button of the camera and it was done. The picture printed out. It was an old camera.

'Thank you, sir' my mom said.

'No problem.' The man handed the picture to my mom. After that he walked over to the next family.

'You want to see more animals?' my mom asked.

'YES!' I said screaming of happiness.

'Let's go.'

The morning went fast and before we knew it was time for lunch. My stomach rumbled because I was hungry.

'Mommy, can we go eat?'

'Of course. I see a restaurant right over there.' She pointed at a small place with a few tables outside. We walked over there and sat down.

'You know Rose, there are chocolate pancakes here. Do you want them?'

'Yes, please. I love them.'

We ordered and ate. After 20 minutes we were both done and decided it was time to go further. That day I saw lions, pandas, zebras, giraffes, panthers and a lot more. That day ended very quick. I remember I said something before I fell asleep in the car.

'Thanks for this day. I love you, mommy' I said in a little voice.

'I love you too, Rosie.'

My eyes stung. I only cried on my mom's funeral and for the first time I heard she died. But in the days after I didn't. I wanted to look strong but this night I wasn't. I allowed myself to cry. Before I really noticed the tears were streaming down my face. I put the album back in the drawer and closed it. I laid down on my bed. I couldn't stop. Why was my mom taken away from me?! I will never see her again. I miss her so much. Mom, please come back. I fell asleep crying. Again a nightmare started.

It was the same nightmare as the night before. The girl appeared her back facing me. She pushed my mom. I screamed now hearable for the world. The girl turned to look at me. She had eyes, but they were blank. Just white. She came in my direction. I tried to get away again but I was still stuck. I had a very bad feeling. This would be my end..

A/N: Just wanted to say I enjoy writing this story a lot. I got it all planned out. O, and our favourite Russian will come soon. Roses and Dimitris relationship will build up very slow. So have patience with that. Thanks so much for reading :D!