(A/N: Thank you for the replies, favs, and follows! I really appreciate it and for those who don't reply, thank you for reading:))
Rose rubbed the sleep out of her eyes as she woke up the next morning. For a second there, she was confused about where she was. No sounds of the ocean. no sand, and no blue sky. Then she remembered Jack taking her to her father's and what had happened afterward and the decision made that she was to stay with her father for now on. She hoped that was the case anyway. Her luck has been so non-existent, there was a chance that her mother could force her to return, which she won't. She'll go back to the cave on the beach if she had to.
"Rose, sweetie. It's six-thirty time to get up. I brought you a pair of my jeans and a sweater since it looks like we're the same size," Katarina knocked on the door, her voice hesitant. She probably didn't want to wake her up.
"Just leave them outside the door. I'll get them," Rose yawned, not ready to get up and get her day started, yet knowing that there was no choice. If she remembered correctly, Jack was picking her up for school today, which reminded her that she should call Trudy and ask for her help. She grabbed her cell off of the bedside table and dialed Trudy's number. She knew that she couldn't do it that morning, but maybe later…
"Hello?" Trudy answered, sounding rushed.
"Trudy, it's me. Rose."
"Rose? Oh my goodness, where are you? Everyone is looking for you."
"I'm at my fathers. I need you to do me a favor. Can you get to my room and gather the new clothes that I had brought the other day and bring them to school with you?"
"I don't know if I'll have time to do it just now."
"How about after school then? You can bring them to my dad's house."
"I'll see what I can do. Rose are you ok? I heard about what you accused Cal of."
Rose sighed, hating that she had made the one person from her old life that cared worry. "I'll be fine, Trudy. I just can't go back to my mother's."
Trudy could only nod, not wanting to tell Rose what she had overheard her mother talking about, how Ms. Ruth was looking into places to send her troublesome daughter. "I'll get your things for you, Rose. Don't worry. "
"Thank you, Trudy," Rose could reach through the phone to hug her.
Once she had hung up, she went and took a shower, then retrieved the clothes that Katarina loaned her from the hall and quickly dressed. Today was the beginning of her new life. She just wasn't sure if she was ready for it.
…..
Jack pulled up in front of the huge mansion at seven thirty sharp, just like he had said. It would have been a pleasant ride this pleasant morning if it wasn't for his cousin's constant nagging and shouting about how foolish he was being for a rich girl that probably was using him for some sick form of entertainment. Jack just ignored her, knowing good and well that wasn't the case. Julie couldn't be more wrong.
"Are you finished?" Jack put the car into park.
"No, I am not," Julie glared.
"Well get over it. I will not have you making Rose feel uncomfortable."
Julie just rolled her eyes as Jack got out of the car and ran up to the mansion's door and rang the bell.
He was asking for a broken heart, she just knew he was and she was determined to make sure that he didn't get it. She would not see her cousin hurt, especially by a White Star Academy swell.
Jack only had to wait a few minutes for Rose to appear after ringing the doorbell. She smiled when she saw him.
"Your chariot awaits," Jack grinned, using a fake british accent, causing Rose to laugh, almost forgetting how nervous she felt. "Nervous?"
"Yes. I rather stay here and hide in one of the rooms forever," she sheepishly smiled. "But that's what they would want, right?"
"Right and we don't want to give them what they want. Show them that they can't get to you, Rose," he gave an encouraging smile, holding out a hand for hers. "I'll be right by your side."
She slid her hand into his and pushed back her nervousness. As long as Jack was with her, she had no reason to fear anything. He had shown that he was her champion in all of this. "Lead the way."
Smiling he led her to the car, where Julie, who did not look happy but remained quiet, was waiting. She slid into the back since Julie had the front as Jack got into the drivers seat, and they were off. Fifteen minutes later, they were pulling into a parking space on the school lot, which was full of cars and students. So far, there was no sight of her old crowd.
"I hope Tommy is here with my textbook. I can't believe I had left it at his place last night," Julie huffed, getting out of the car.
Jack got out and grabbed his portfolio before opening the back seat. Rose had been quiet on the drive there and Jack knew that she was stewing in her own nerves. He held out an encouraging hand to her. "Coming Rose?"
Rose looked at Jack, then out the back window, her fear was now at an all time high. "I don't know if I can do this."
"Hey, of course you can. What happened to that girl that I picked up this morning. The girl that wasn't going to let them have what they wanted?"
"She came to her senses and went fleeing to the Bahamas, where she doesn't have to do any of this," Rose nearly sobbed. "I'm sorry Jack. I can't."
Jack frowned in concern and motioned for her to scoot over. He got in the car and took her hand in his. "You feel your hand in my hand, right?"
Rose simply nodded, feeling embarrassed and guilty. He was being so nice to her and she was giving him a hard time. What was wrong with her? Why couldn't she just be brave and get out of the car? She winced as she remembered her mother's slap and her friend's denials of what Cal had done to her. She looked away as a tear slid down her cheek. A gentle hand tucked under her chin and gently lifted her face so she could look into his eyes, so full of gentle concern and friendship.
"My hand is going to stay right where it is. Tightly wrapped around yours. You're not in this alone, Rose. I'm right here with you and I'm not going anywhere. I promise you, alright? It's going to be okay. Do you trust me?"
"Of course," Rose sniffed.
"Well trust me on that. I'm not going to leave you alone and there's nothing that they can do to make me leave your side. They can't hurt you. Not as long as I'm around."
Rose looked into his eyes and knew that he was telling the truth. He was never going to leave her side. No matter what. "Okay. Alright."
Jack just smiled and slide out of the car, keeping her hand tightly in his. She took a deep breath and followed.
"Is she alright?" Julie frowned, not getting at all what was going on between Jack and Rose. She had thought that somehow her cousin had started dating the girl, but there was something else there that she couldn't put her finger on. It was like Jack was guarding her from the world or something.
"She'll be fine," Jack answered, helping Rose out of the car and onto her own feet, which felt a bit weak.
Rose looked around for any signs of her old crowd. Sure she saw other kids from White Star Academy, people she had never spoken to before, satisfied with her own little clique, but there was no sign of her old friends or rather Cal's fan club.
"Jack! Tell me you have the English syllabus," Fabrizio came running up, dragging Helga and Tommy along behind him. "I cannot find it anywhere!"
"It's in my backpack. I'll let you look at it in class," Jack answered. "Guys, this is Rose. Rose, this is my best friend Fabrizio DeRossi, his girl Helga, my other friend Tommy, and of course, this girl you rode here with is my cousin Julie. She's also Tommy's girl."
"Welcome Rose!" Helga greeted happily. "We all may seem a bit overwhelming at first, but trust me, we're rather friendly."
"All except Julie," Fabrizio snorted.
"Shut up, DeRossi," Julie glared at her cousin's best friend.
"Tommy and Fabrizio are exchange students. They're spending their last years of high school here in the states," Jack explained, knowing that Rose noticed their accents.
"I'm from Italy," Fabrizio grinned happily. "We make good food. You come to my house for dinner sometime, no? You and Jack."
"I'd love to," Rose blushed, realizing that going somewhere with Jack could look like a date.
"And I am from Ireland. You are going to love it here, Rose. You want to go to a real party? Just give me a ring. I throw the best," Tommy winked.
"Rose!" Rose looked up to see Trudy heading in her direction, a large shopping bag in hand.
"Trudy!" She waved her friend over.
"There you are! I got your clothes. Mrs. Ruth had an early morning meeting, so I was able to get in and out rather quickly," Trudy explained, causing Rose to hug her.
"Thank you Trudy! You are a life saver!" She took the bag from Trudy and realized that she should make some introductions of her own. "Oh Trudy, you know Jack and everyone, right?"
"Of course," Trudy blushed when Jack smiled at her. Trudy forced her attention away from Jack and back to Rose. She leaned in and whispered. "Don't return to your mother's Rose. She's planning to send you off to that place they sent that one girl. Heck, it may not even be wise to be here."
Rose's eyes widened at that news. It wasn't that she was surprised. She wasn't. It was exactly what she had expected, but Trudy did make a valid point. It may not have been wise to return to school after all. She looked at Jack, feeling his hand tightly wrapped around hers and drew strength from that. Jack wouldn't let anyone take her anywhere that she didn't want to go. She trusted in that.
"It's ok, Trudy. I'm going to be staying with my father for now on," Rose nodded. "But thank you for letting me know."
"Rose! Rose Dewitt Bukater!" A familiar voice called out. She looked to see Madeline and the others looking at her as they got out of their cars, ready to head in her direction, probably hoping to drag her back to her mother's so she could be sent away and never heard from again. She grabbed Jack's arm with her free hand.
"I think it's time for us to get to homeroom, yeah?" Jack nodded, Pulling Rose ahead of him, blocking anyone's path to her. "Jules, lead the way."
Julie just frowned, knowing a dodge when she saw one. "Okay." She turned around and headed towards the school.
Rose had the urge to look to see if they were following, but Jack stopped her.
"Don't look, Rose. That'll let them know that you're avoiding them. Just keep straight ahead."
Rose just nodded, swallowing down her fear and ignoring their calls to her. She kept her eyes on Julie's retreating back, being sure to follow her. Five minutes later, she was in homeroom, surrounded by Jack and his friends. Jack sat next to her and slid his portfolio onto her desk.
"Want to take a look?" He asked, hoping to take her mind off her former friend's impeding arrival.
"Sure," Rose smiled, interested in Jack's work. She had been itching to see his drawings, she just didn't want to seem rude by asking. She gasped when she opened the portfolio and saw the artwork inside. It was drawings of people, going about their lives. The emotion on their faces and the details…
"Jack, this is exquisite work…"
"Jack has a real talent, no?" Fabrizio grinned, watching the redhead look at his friend's art. "Of all of us, he has the real talent."
Jack blushed. "Don't be so down on yourself Fabri. Your poems here has Helga a constant puddle of water."
Helga blushed. "You should hear some of Fabri's poems, Rose. They are so romantic."
Rose gasped when she came across the picture of herself. Judging from the fancy dress, it was the night of the dance and was based off when Jack had first noticed her. The details, like all the other drawings was immaculate, from her hairstyle, to the way she held her hands, to the sadness in her eyes. "Jack, you have a gift, you do. You see people." He had definitely seen her.
Jack blushed in response. He hadn't meant for her to see that one picture. But now that she had, he couldn't help but feel shy about it.
"Mark my words, the boy-o will own his own gallery some day. One day we'll all be saying, we knew the famous Jack Dawson when he was a nobody high school student and now he's charging us one thousand dollars a picture," Tommy nodded.
Madeline and Constance entered and their eyes widened to see Rose sitting in the back with Jack's group, totally surrounded. Both girls frowned and went to their normal seats.
"So you got through homeroom," Jack smiled, noticing how the girls hadn't even bothered to try to approach Rose.
"Let's see how I fare for the rest of the day," Rose nervously swallowed.
The rest of the day was the same. Jack made sure to always be by Rose's side after each and every class and helped her avoid her former friends and Cal. It was lunch when Madeline was finally able to corner her. Jack and Rose had entered together, but another student needed Jack's attention so he had to step away for just a second. He told her to go on straight to the table where his friends were sitting, but Madeline had intercepted her before she could get there.
"Finally, you are alone," Madeline crossed her arms. "I see that you're not heading over to our table. Just like you didn't sit with us in homeroom or meet us in the parking lot before first bell. You're always with that Dawson kid and his friends. What is it, Rose? Avoiding your friends now?"
Rose took a deep breath. She can do this. She can face Madeline and Constance and be just fine. She needed to show Jack that she could be strong after all. That his help wasn't for nothing.
"Let's just say, after you ambushed me at my mother's and sided with Cal, well I realized that you aren't my friends. Not really. So I won't be meeting with you, sitting with you, or having anything to do with you anymore. I'm making new friends. Friends that know something about loyalty and standing up for one another. Something you have no idea about," Rose glared at her once best friend. Painfully, she wondered how it had all come to this. Madeline and her had once been inseparable. The best of friends. She had never thought that she would have betrayed her the way she had. It hurt her terribly to know that this was the way things were now. That when it came down to it, her best friend wouldn't be there for her.
"Loyalty? You call kissing up to the lower classes loyalty?" Madeline looked at her, flabbergasted.
"Well, it's more loyalty than taking the side of the man that raped your supposed best friend is. Go kiss Cal's feet some more, Madeline. I'm sure that he misses you."
"Oh Rose, how you have fallen. Your mother is right. You do need the help of…"
"My mother is just as sick as the rest of you are! What she says or wants no longer matters. You and your .crowd…leave me alone," Rose made to walk pass, but Madeline blocked her path. "Rose, you can't just go around spouting things that aren't true! You can ruin Cal's life!"
"Cal's life?" Rose felt herself began to lose it. She felt as if she was made of jelly. As if she was barely holding herself up. The cafeteria was too loud, too crowded. She couldn't breathe, much less move. It was a warm hand wrapping around hers that sent strength coursing through her again. That made the world stop spinning, that made everything return to a normal level.
"Is everything okay here?" Jack asked, taking Rose's hand in his. He had seen Madeline intercept Rose. He had watched as Rose held her own as much as she could, and only stepped in when he saw Rose's face pale and she looked as if she was going to be sick.
"What are you? Her bodyguard?" Madeline frowned, annoyed.
"You can say that ," Jack held his ground. This girl may be able to get to Rose, but she wasn't going to intimidate him. "Actually, I'm her friend. Just making sure that no one is giving her a hard time."
"Whatever," Madeline huffed, storming back to her table.
"Are you alright? I'm sorry, Rose. I shouldn't have left you alone like that…I'm…"
"It's okay. That had to happen sometime," Rose sighed, feeling exhausted all of a sudden. Everything was manageable again, but she still felt a little crowded. "Do we have to eat here?"
"No. We can go out on the bleachers. It's quiet and no one will bother us there," Jack sighed. "Do you want to get a bagged lunch and go there?"
"That would be nice."
Keeping her hand in his, Jack purchased two bag lunches and led the way out to the bleachers that overlooked the football field. True to what he had said, it was deserted, leaving it just the two of them.
"Is this better?" Jack asked.
Rose simply nodded, relieved to be out of the building for awhile and away from everyone's judgment and glares. "I'm sorry Jack."
Jack frowned. "Whatever for? You didn't do anything."
"For being the reason that you're not sitting with your friends right now."
"Don't worry about it. They understand. I come out here most of the time anyway, so they're used to it," Jack shrugged. "Don't worry about a thing, Rose."
A comfortable silence fell between them as they ate their lunch. Looking at Rose, Jack had the urge to just wrap his arms around her and hold her close, protect her from everything and everyone, but he didn't know if that would be welcomed after all that she had been through. She looked so sad and alone right now. He wished that there was something he could do to make her feel differently.
Rose on the other hand was thinking about her former friends. How things had been when they were kids and before Caledon Hockley had come into their lives. They had been the been the best of friends. Nearly inseparable. Sure, they couldn't do all the normal little girl things at her house because of her mother and her need for prestineness, but Rose always found herself at one of their houses, ready to play dolls, dress-up, or tea. They had pajama parties and went to the movies and birthday parties together. She had thought that they would be a part of each other's lives forever. That they were her sisters and no matter what, they would defend her to the death, just like she would have them. Even when they started noticing that boys can be fun too, she always thought that no matter what, they would remain sisters. How wrong she had been. How brokenheartedly wrong.
Jack had just opened his portfolio, when he saw the tears in Rose's eyes. She had been silent the whole time and he hadn't wanted to push. He had thought that she just needed to think, get her thoughts in order maybe. He hadn't been expecting the tears. He put everything down and scooted close enough to her that he could place a hesitant arm around her shoulder, unsure if such a move would be welcomed. He got his answer when she leaned into his embrace, accepting the offer of comfort. He brought his other arm around her and held her close and said nothing when she buried her face against his chest and just sobbed it all out. Heartbreaking sobs of loss and loneliness.
Finally Rose was all cried out. She still felt lost and alone. Friendless now that he had lost the friends that she had thought she'd have forever. Then she realized that she wasn't alone. In fact, she was being held in a pair of strong, gentle arms, against a strong chest. Jack. Again to her rescue. He must think that she was a real crybaby. She knew that she should pull away. She was through crying and was no longer in need of the comfort, but he smelled so nice, of charcoal and cologne and something else that was completely his own. And his arms, they made her feel safe and cared for. To be honest, she could just stay right there forever in Jack's arms. But she knew that she couldn't.
And obviously, so did he. "Are you alright? Done crying?" His voice was warm, gentle, full of concern, making her want to melt into him even more.
She nodded. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," He gently stroked her hair, marveling at how soft it was and how good it felt to have her in his arms like this. To be honest, he didn't want to let her go.
"What you must think of me," Rose sniffed, wiping away at her tears, still not pulling away from him.
"I think you're pretty awesome, to tell you the truth," Jack smiled, a slight blush heating his cheeks.
"Everything ok here?" Julie asked, walking down the bleachers along with Tommy, Helga and Fabrizio, who just had a knowing smile on his face.
"Everything's fine," Jack let go of Rose, who also pulled away at the same time. Not because they were embarrassed, just because they didn't want Jack's friends to jump to any conclusions and on Jack's part, to keep the peace with Julie. She was barely tolerating Rose's acceptance into the group. He knew that she wouldn't accept anything more than friendship between himself and Rose so easily.
"We knew you'd show Rose the bleachers," Fabrizio winked, wanting to encourage a love match between his friend and the lovely redhead.
Jack blushed. "It's not like that Fabri. I just thought I'd show Rose some of the quieter spots of this place when it gets overwhelming, like it can get in the cafeteria."
"Whatever you say Jack," Fabrizio chuckled.
"Cut it out, Fabri. You're making him blush," Helga giggled.
"Ignore them, Rose," Jack frowned at his best friend.
"Ah, amour," Fabrizio sighed, feeling rather romantic. He pulled out a small notepad and began scribbling down a poem, inspiration again hitting him.
Jack just shook his head and glanced at Rose, who was looking at him with a strange look in her eyes…as if she was actually considering something, but then the look was gone and she smiled at the situation. "Is he always like that?"
"Yeah. Mr. romantic. He sees romance any and everywhere," Jack chuckled.
Tommy sat on Rose's other side and tapped her on her shoulder. "Hey, Rose. Why don't you come with Jack to my beach party Saturday night? It's more like my annual welcome back to another year of torture party, but it'll be fun."
Jack smiled. "That's a great idea Tommy." He was a little surprised that Tommy would openly invite Rose, knowing how Julie felt about her. He was glad that no one was letting Julie influence them when it came to accepting Rose into their group of friends. "How about it, Rose? Be my date?"
Rose blushed at the idea of a date with Jack. "Sure. Okay, I'll come."
"Awesome," Tommy grinned. Remember, bring your swim suit and perhaps a change of clothes and perhaps a sleeping bag. Sometimes, we party so much, we don't have the energy to drag ourselves back to our houses."
"Remember that one time, Jack? We all fell asleep and Julie woke up with a crab in her hair," Fabrizio laughed.
"That was not funny, Fabrizio," Julie glared, not happy at all. She was going to have words with Tommy later on. Even though she knew that Jack would have probably invited Rose anyway, whether Tommy did or not. She just hoped that he didn't invite anymore White Star students.
"Look at the time," Jack got to his feet. "Time to return to English. Didn't she say we were going to begin Romeo and Juliet today?"
"Yeah," Rose blushed, remembering that her and Jack were partners and were assigned the roles of Romeo and Juliet. They were to choose a scene to do together for next class. Rose already had a scene in mind. In fact, it was her favorite scene in the movie. To act it out, along with the handsome, lovely Jack…but what if he didn't want to do it?
He held out a hand for hers, unaware of her churning thoughts. "Come Rose. We have some work to do when we get back."
She took his hand, noting just how perfect his hand felt in hers. As if it was made for her. She let him pull her to her feet and smiled. "Lead the way."
Back in the classroom, Rose and Jack sat close together, studying the textbook. Rose tried not to notice how good he smelled again. But she couldn't help it. She leaned in some more and breathed in. It was amazing, any other guy she wouldn't feel this comfortable around, but Jack was different. She trusted him. She knew that he wouldn't do anything to hurt her or make her uncomfortable. Which was why she wasn't freaking out over Romeo and Juliet.
"So which scene should we do? Which ones do you like? I'm only acquainted with the balcony scene." Jack questioned, aware of her closeness. He had to admit that he liked being so close to her. She smelt nice, like roses, which suited her, since her name was Rose. He liked her more than he should really, but he'll keep that to himself. He didn't want to spook her by confessing that he felt more than friendship for her. Right now, he was just happy to be her friend and to have her trust him as far as she did.
"The balcony scene is so cliché though. I bet everyone is doing that. I always liked the scene where they first met and had their first kiss and the scene before he goes into exile and visits her in her room."
Jack nodded thoughtfully. "The teacher won't let us do the bedroom scene, plus it's a bit inappropriate for a classroom setting. But if you're ok with it, we can do the first one you mentioned."
Rose looked at him, seeing the concern in his eyes. He was worried for her. He was worried that kissing him might send her reeling back into what had happened with Cal. Somehow, she felt that it wouldn't. Jack was so different from Cal. Different build, different look, different everything. Besides, she trusted Jack above anyone else. He would never do anything unless it was okay with her.
"I trust you Jack…"
"I know you do, Rose. But do you trust me enough to do that scene?"
"Yes. I do. Besides, I'll have to kiss someone again someday and I rather that be someone I trust and know would never go beyond my boundaries and I know that person to be you. I think it's enough to do this scene justice."
Jack studied her face, looking for any signs that she was lying or forcing herself to do this to prove that she was over what Cal had done to her. Finding none, he nodded his head. "Ok, fine, but if you start to feel uncomfortable, I need you to tell me right away and we'll stop and skip the kissing scene, alright?"
"Alright," Rose smiled, placing a hand over Jack's. "You are such a good guy, Jack."
"I just want you to be comfortable."
"I am with you…"
Just then, the bell rang, signaling the end of class. Rose's next class was in the opposite direction of Jack's, so he couldn't escort her this time, much to both of their chagrin. Cal hadn't approached her yet and she had a feeling that it was because she was never alone. But now she would be.
"Are you going to be ok?" Jack frowned, not liking to leave her alone and contemplating if there was anyway he could get her to her class and make it to his own on time.
"I'll be fine. Really," She lied, not wanting Jack to worry.
Jack sighed and looked over to Fabrizio, about to ask him which way he was heading, but Fabrizio was already out the door. "Don't let them intimidate you, alright."
Rose nodded, hating that she was to be by herself, for even a little bit. It was foolish of her to think that Jack would be able to be by her side all day. He had a few classes to himself. There was no way he could be with her all the time. She just hoped that Cal didn't corner her and if he did, she wouldn't have a melt down like she had in the cafeteria with Madeline.
Unfortunately, Rose's worse nightmare came true. Cal did end up cornering her, right after class was over and Rose was heading for her Art Expressions class. Madeline and Constance were with him and none of them looked too pleased with her.
"There you are Sweetpea," Cal stepped into her path, Constance at his side with Madeline behind her, giving her no escape. Rose looked around, but saw no one familiar face to fish her out of the situation.
"Don't call me that," Rose glared, trying to gather what strength she had to face him.
"We all have been looking for you. Your mother. Your friends. Me."
"And you all can disappear. I don't want anything to do with any of you," Rose crossed her arms. "Just leave me alone."
"Really, Rose. You are being a baby. Your mother is on her way to pick you up think a nice little vacation," Constance began.
"I'm not going anywhere with her or with you!"
"Yes you are, sweetpea. We're going outside to wait for your mother and then," Cal reached to grab her.
Rose stepped backwards, trying to get out of his reach, just to bump into Madeline. There was no escape.
"Now don't make this difficult. Come with us peacefully and…," Cal grabbed her shoulders not too gently.
She was trapped. She struggled to get out of Cal's grip, but it was of no use. He had her and he wasn't going to let go. She looked everywhere for help, but the hall was almost empty, the students filing into their classrooms. So there was only one thing she could do, one other option. She opened her mouth and screamed as loud as she could.
Shocked, Cal let her go and Rose pushed past him and Madeline and ran. She didn't know where she was running, just as long as it was away from the people who were so determined to torment her. She ran until she got to the end of the hallway and spotted a janitor's closet. Not thinking, she ducked inside and waited until she heard their running feet go past and down the stairs. She stayed in there, panting and terrified, knowing that she was missing class, but caring less.
Remembering what Cal had said about her mother being on her way, Rose was almost ready to dismiss that claim until her name came over the intercom, requesting for her presence in the office.
Oh no. what was she going to do now? Her mother was here withdrawing her. Ready to send her away. There would be no Romeo and Juliet with Jack. No Tommy's party. Only a life of misery, distrust, and disappointment. She was a fool to believe there could be anything else for her. It was over. Cal had won.
That was when she remembered her father. He probably didn't know that her mother was here. He would stop her. He had promised to keep her safe and at this point, he was the only adult that she could trust.
With trembling fingers, she searched for her phone and dialed her father's cell that he had given her just that morning. She didn't even have to wait for the phone to stop ringing.
"Rose?" Her father's voice came through loud and clear.
"Father, mother's here at school. She's going to send me away," Rose sobbed, her terror clear in her voice.
"Rose, don't go anywhere. Stay where you are. I am on my way. Don't worry, you are not going anywhere," William DeWitt Bukater soothed his daughter, leaving the courthouse and getting into his car. "JFK High, right?"
"Yes…I'm hiding in the janitor's closet right now. She had sent Cal to try to drag me to her car, but I got away."
"Good girl. Listen, it'll be ok. I am going to call the office and demand that Ruth not be able to withdraw you. I'll be right there."
"So you want me to go to the office?" Rose didn't want to. She didn't want to be anywhere near her mother. She just wanted to go somewhere safe and hide and never come out again.
"I'm sorry sweetie, but yes. Don't worry. It'll be alright. I'll take care of everything. I promise," William said before hanging up.
Turning off her phone, Rose stepped out of the closet, surprising the poor janitor who came to refill his supplies.
"What are you doing in there, young lady?" The man questioned.
Rose sniffed. "Hiding."
Without a further explanation, she headed for the office. She was almost there when she heard a familiar voice call her name.
"Rose!"
"Jack!" She ran to him and threw herself into his arms, sobbing, the last thirty minutes hitting her hard.
"I got worried when you didn't show up and then they called you to the office," He held her tight, not liking how she was trembling. "What happened? What did he do?"
"I can't explain right now. My mother is here wanting to send me away. I called my father.. He's on his way but he said to get to the office. That he'll take care of everything," Rose sobbed. "I barely got away from Cal."
"Oh Rose. I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault," Rose sniffed. "What if they send me away."
"Your father won't let them, remember? He promised," Jack pulled away and rubbed her hands, trying to calm her. "It's going to be ok, Rose. Let me walk you to the office. I'll wait outside."
Rose simply nodded and followed Jack to the room labeled principal's office.
"I'll wait right here, Rose," Jack promised.
Rose simply nodded and entered the office to find her mother yelling at the principal.
"What do you mean I'm not allowed to withdraw her? She's my daughter! I can do whatever I want!" Ruth DeWitt Bukater yelled. She then turned her cold glare onto her daughter. "There you are, at last! I hope you are happy with all the trouble you are causing! I had to cancel my two o'clock for this!"
"Don't you mean all of the trouble you are causing, Ruth?" William Dewitt Bukater stepped into the room and stood behind his daughter, placing a protective hand on her shoulder.
"You! I should have known that you had something to do with this!" Ruth hissed in outrage.
"Have something to do with what? Protecting my daughter? Something that you should be doing instead of taking the side of a rapist," William glared at his ex-wife. "If I had known what kind of mother you turned out to be, I would never have let you talk me into not fighting for custody."
"That accusation is completely false! I have no idea why Rose is determined to slander young Mr. Hockley's good name, but…"
"Enough! I have had enough Ruth! It is over! Rose is now under my complete guardianship, which means you will not be sending her anywhere and you and Hockley are to stay away from her!" William stepped forward to confront his ex-wife.
Ruth laughed derisively. "Your guardianship? Since when? I have been Rose's primary guardian since our divorce how many years ago? While you were off with your new family and ignoring your daughter, I was doing the hard work, so don't you dare come in here pretending that you have some right…"
"But I do have a right, Ruth. It says so right in these papers," William hand her large envelope. "Open it up and read it my dear. It tells you in detail how our positions have changed and that Rose for now on will be living with me and Katarina and we have the say of where she lives and where she goes to school. Not you."
Ruth looked at her ex-husband before opening the envelope and reading the contents. Her face paled as she finished reading. "When did this happen? Why?"
"Late last night, early this morning. I'm friends with a family judge and she was kind enough to hear my case. Of course, when I told her of your treatment of Rose, well she immediately gave me full custody and legal rights and stripped you of yours and by the way, since Rose is with me now, I no longer have to pay you child support. It's good to have friends in high places."
"You bastard and let me guess. You believe her baseless accusations against Mr. Hockley."
"Of course I do. She's my daughter and the pain in her eyes, it's very clear to me that she is telling the truth and I am disgusted that you would take the side of a boy that has already been accused once over the word of your own daughter! What kind of mother does that? Regardless, Rose is now away from your harmful influence and intentions and she shall remain that way. As for Hockley, well that is Rose's decision if she wants to press charges, and if she does, she has my full support and I will do all that I can to make sure that punk get what he deserves for even touching my daughter. Nothing you say or do will stop me. Is that in anyway unclear?" William stared his wife down, who could only step back and stammer in defeat.
"I…well..I never," was all Ruth Dewitt Bukater could get out.
William walked up to the desk and handed the secretary some papers. "Miss. Dewitt Bukater's updated information. If there's any problems, call me at the number listed."
"Yes sir," the secretary nodded.
Ruth turned her cold glare on Rose, who stepped behind her father. "I hope that you are satisfied. I do hope that sense returns to you before you ruin poor Caledon's life. You're being very ungrateful Rose."
Having enough, William walked up and roughly grabbed Ruth's wrist. "That is enough! Our daughter has been traumatized enough and all you can think about is that monster! Get out, before I get a restraining order and have you arrested and stay away from Rose until you're ready to apologize and start behaving the way that is appropriate for a mother!" He pulled her to the door and practically threw her out.
Ruth didn't bother saying anything else. She just spun around and left, washing her hands of the entire situation. Sending Rose to this school had indeed been a bad idea. She should have sent her to boarding school from the start! Driving home, all she could think of was poor Caledon Hockley. Hopefully Rose will return to her senses and not slander the poor boy.
Back in the principal's office, William had wrapped his daughter in a comforting hug. "It's alright. She's gone now and no one will be sending you anywhere."
"Where those papers for real?" Rose questioned, not able to believe that things had progressed so quickly.
"Of course they are. Like I said, it's good to have friends in high places. Now, do you want to go home with me or your young man outside there to drive you?" William smiled, having noticed Jack standing outside the office before he had entered.
"Oh right, Jack's waiting for me. You wouldn't mind if I rode home with him, would you?" She didn't want to hurt her father or anger him after he had come to her rescue, but she just couldn't resist the chance to spend more time with Jack.
Her father just smiled, a little relieved to see that what his daughter had gone through hadn't completely destroyed her willingness to spend time with the opposite sex like most victims. Not that he wanted her to jump into a serious relationship, but to at least to have some clue on just how damaged she was. Maybe it won't be such a long road after all.
"Not at all. In fact, Jack has a standing invitation," her father smiled, kissing her head. "I'll see you when you get home."
Rose watched him go, breathing a sigh of relief. She stepped out of the office and sure enough, there was Jack.
"I take it everything is ok?" He went to her, taking her hand in his.
"They're great. You were right in telling me to talk to my father. If I hadn't, who knows where I'd be off to right now. She was going to withdraw me, but he came in and stopped her and said that I'll be staying with him for now on."
"That's great. Now that's one less thing you have to worry about," Jack grinned, but his grin faded as he remembered that she had a confrontation with Hockley earlier. "Are you ok, though? After having to talk to that pig bastard…"
"I'm fine, now. I'll admit, I was a bit freaked out, but I'm ok," Rose nodded, touched that he was concerned.
"I'm sorry Rose. I'll meet you after class for now on. That's what I should have done from the beginning or find out which way Tommy and Fabri go. They can escort you when I can't."
"It's ok, Jack. I can't expect you to be by my side all the time and having a round the clock bodyguard would just draw attention. Besides, it was going to happen sooner or later."
"I still hate the thought of him anywhere near you, though," Jack looked into her eyes, not at all knowing where he was going with this. He just knew that his feelings for her were quickly growing and he had nowhere to go with them. He certainly couldn't tell her. Not yet anyway.
Her eyes glanced up into his and she was mesmerized. It was like he was looking into her soul. She was tempted then to step in and kiss him…just to see what it was like. But something held her back. She couldn't necessarily say what, but something told her that this was not the right time or place to start anything with Jack. Maybe it never would be. After all, shouldn't Jack have a girl that wasn't so damaged?
"I better get you home," Jack broke the spell, stepping back a little, yet keeping her hand in his.
"My father says that you have a standing invitation by the way," Rose smiled. "And I agree…"
"Well, that's good to know," Jack chuckled. "First time that I have actually impressed a girl's dad without trying."
Rose just laughed and let him pull her towards the exit. Despite the last hour or so, she felt at peace. Like everything was going to be okay. Her mother was out of her life and so was Cal and she had a friendship with a handsome boy to explore. No, life did not look so bleak anymore. Rose almost dared to hope that it would actually get better.