(A/N: Thank you for the replies and the follows and favs:))

The next day found Rose in a much lighter mood than the day before. She wasn't half as nervous as she had been. Maybe because now her so called friends knew where they stood and she no longer had to worry about her mother sending her away so Cal's reputation could be stain free. Of course, it still hurt that her mother rather believe someone that's not even related to her over her own daughter, but that was Ruth's problem and not Rose's and maybe someday her mother will see the error of her ways. But for now, Rose was happy to have her mother out of her life.

Jack was on time when picking her up, of course. He still felt guilty for not being there to protect her from Cal, but Rose didn't blame him. She understood that Jack couldn't be with her all the time and she had managed to get away from the arrogant bastard all on her own.

Rose also found that she fit in well with Jack's friends. They all seemed to like her, well all except for Julie, but Rose wasn't too worried about her. She realized that Julie would probably be like this with anyone that was a potential love interest to her cousin, not that Rose had those kinds of designs on Jack. She'd love to know what it would be like to be loved by Jack, but she had no hope of that for herself. Jack was fond of her on a friendship level, but she couldn't imagine him wanting anything more from her than that. A guy like Jack, he'd want a unspoiled girl. Someone who hadn't been damaged like she had been. She could just be glad for his friendship and protection and that she'll at least know what it'd be like to kiss him come English class.

English class was filled to the brim. Everyone was looking forward to doing the Romeo and Juliet scenes, especially Rose. She looked at Jack and noticed just how perfect his lips were. Jack of course felt her eyes on him and blushed, giving her a reassuring smile. He still wasn't sure how comfortable she really was with this. He remembered Lisa and how she couldn't stand to even be in the same room as a man much less kiss him. Of course, Rose wasn't Lisa, he didn't think she was even as damaged as much a Lisa had been, despite her suicide attempt. But still, he couldn't help but worry.

"Are you sure about this?" He asked once again, wanting to make sure that she was comfortable.

Rose simply nodded. "I'll be okay. I'll let you know if I suddenly flashback or something weird like that."

He just took her hand and squeezed it as the teacher stood up from behind the desk.

"Alright everyone. Let's begin. Today, as you know, we begin acting out the Romeo and Juliet scenes. First to start will be Fabrizio and Tommy, the first confrontation between Romeo's cousin and Tybalt.

"I always hated this scene," Rose whispered.

"Why? It lays down the frame work, letting the audience know that the Capulets and Montagues aren't friends and will fight each other over stupid things, like biting your thumb at someone. Which what the fuck is that?"

Rose giggled. "It's a insult."

"Oh…"

In Rose's opinion, Jack was too adorable for words. Finally, it was their turn.

"Rose and Jack, it's time for your scene," The teacher read. "Begin when ready."

Jack took Rose's hand and led her to the front of the class. She swallowed down her nervousness, noticing that everyone was looking at them, especially Madeline and Constance, both looking like they were going to be sick. She just rolled her eyes at them and turned her focus to Jack, making him the center of her attention. This was going to be the first kiss she'll receive after what had happened to her. It'll be her first kiss from Jack. She inwardly sighed, thinking that she could think of much better locations for a kiss from a boy she liked, but she'll take what she could get.

Jack cleared his throat and held her hand in his as if he had just grabbed it, just like in the play. "If I profane with my unworthiest hand this holy shrine, the gentle fine is this: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss."

He moved to kiss her hand and just like in the play and in the movie, Rose snatched her hand back before his lips could touch her skin. "Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much. Which mannerly devotion shows in this; For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch, And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss."

"Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?"

"Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer."

"Oh, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do; They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair."

"Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake."

"Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take," That was when he did it, he slowly leaned in and gently pressed his lips against hers in the sweetest, softest kiss she had ever had. His lips were soft and tasted of oranges, and he smelled of paint, charcoal and sunshine. She nearly forgot to breathe when he pulled away. She had to remind herself where they were as he continued. "Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged."

She swallowed, struggling to remember her line. God, he was such a good kisser. "Then have my lips the sin that they have took."

"Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged! Give me my sin again," He kissed her again and this time she kissed him back, taking his lead making it hesitant, soft, and longing and slow. She placed a soft hand on his shoulder as he wrapped a arm around her waist, pulling her closer against him. She wanted to take the kiss even deeper when she heard someone clearing their throat.

"I think that's enough. We get the idea," Julie, Jack's cousin spoke up, breaking the spell. Jack pulled away, leaving Rose dazed and a bit love struck.

"Huh?" She asked, her lips almost following Jack's, forgetting where they were.

"That was great, Miss Dewitt Bukater and Mr. Dawson. I think that was the best depiction of that scene that I've seen outside of the Baz Lurman movie," the teacher smiled. "It's time for lunch, when we return we will move on to the balcony scene."

"Are you ok?" Jack asked, concerned that the two kisses they shared and sent her back to her attack. To his relief, she just smiled and nodded.

"More than okay. You're a great kisser…"

Jack blushed and chuckled. "Thanks. I'll take that as a compliment."

"So are we eating in the cafeteria today?" Tommy asked, coming up with Fabrizio, who was grinning along with Helga and Julie, who was glaring at Rose.

"Yeah," Jack shrugged. "I guess." He took Rose's hand in his once again. "Or do you want the bleachers?"

"Anywhere you go is fine," Rose shrugged, her mind still hazy from the kiss.

Fabrizio grinned as he and Helga led the way out of the room. "Ah, Amour, .such a beautiful thing. Yes Jack?"

This time Jack remained silent, not denying Fabrizio's claims this time. How could he when he knew exactly what his feelings for Rose were after that kiss. There was no more denying it. No more confusion. The verdict was in. He was really liked the girl. When he kissed her, it was like…well…it was indescribable and it gave him feelings that he had never felt before. It made him want to do things with her that he had never wanted to do with anyone, things you only did with someone you truly loved. He didn't know if he'd ever tell Rose his feelings or act upon them. It really didn't matter. He just wanted to make her happy. Make her smile. Make her last year in high school one to remember happily, despite all that happened to her before they had even met.

"Shut up Fabrizio," Julie snapped.

"Calm down, Julie. Fabri is just being Fabri," Tommy chuckled, even though he had to agree with the Italian. The way Jack and Rose kissed, that was a kiss between actual lovers, not just two friends. Either the two of them were really good actors that had a future in Hollywierd, or there were real feelings there, whether they wanted to admit or not.

They were just about at the cafeteria when they were intercepted by Cal and Madeline.

"Great," Rose sighed, ready to walk the other way, not in the mood for a confrontation, but Jack took her hand in his, silently telling her that everything was going to be okay.

"Why sweetpea, funny to see you here," Cal stepped in her path, fake surprise in his voice. "I was afraid that your mother really had sent you away. What a shame that would have been."

"Don't you mean a shame that it didn't happen? Go away, Cal," Rose glared at her ex, hating him more and more. She really did want to scratch his eyes out. "Or do I need to scream and cause a scene again?"

"I just want to talk to you, sweetpea. That's all. A little conversation between old friends," Cal smirked, so sure that he had the upper hand to intimidate Rose. If he couldn't send her away, he was going to use other measures to keep her quiet.

"The lady said that she didn't want to talk to you. So why don't you just leave her alone," Jack stepped in. He wasn't about to just stand there and let this jerk intimidate Rose like he was trying to do.

"Oh I see, Madeline said that you had a new bodyguard. Your knight in shining armor," Cal snorted. "She also told me something interesting about English class this morning."

Rose's heart sunk, especially when she saw the self satisfied look on Madeline's face. How she had ever thought that she had ever been her friend was beyond her.

"Quite a little slut, aren't you? I wonder if you'll be telling him no too, come…" Cal's words was cut off by Jack's fist smashing into his jaw, knocking him to the ground.

"You son of a bitch," Jack took another step towards Cal, just for Julie to hold him back. She saw the rage on Jack's face, knowing if he hit Cal again, he may not stop.

"Nice friends you have there, Rose," Madeline glared, helping Cal to his feet.

"Shut up Madeline! He asked for it! At least Jack knows what the word no means. The same can't be said for Mr. Hockley!"

"I'm pressing charges for assault," Cal shouted angrily, rubbing his jaw, which looked like a bruise was coming onto it.

"You do that Cal and I'll file charges against you for rape and I'll have my father track down Annabelle Watson. I'm sure that I can convince her to spill what you did to her too!" Rose threatened. She had no idea where this courage was coming from. Jack defending her like he did, or Cal's threat to file charges against Jack, but it was there and she was going to use it. "You know my father Cal? William Dewitt Bukater. One of LA's top lawyers. Not only will he defend Jack against your accusations, but he will be sure that you will end up where you belong. In a prison where someone will be sure to make you his bitch. Do to you what you've done to any girl that dared to refuse your advances."

"That is a lie, Cal would never…" Madeline began.

"Shut up Madeline! You weren't there! You have no idea what Cal did nor do you care! You've done proved that!"

Over his rage, Jack wrapped an arm around Rose, calming her down before she went and slapped Madeline. "It's okay, Rose. I shouldn't have hit him."

"Cal shouldn't have been running his mouth," Rose turned her glare on Cal. "So Cal. What will it be? You walk away and leave me and Jack alone or you make a call to the police station and I spill all about what you did to me and what you did to Annabelle and let my father do his job?"

"No one will believe you. Just like no one believed that little bitch," Cal snarled.

"I believe her," Jack crossed his arms.

"So does my father. Plus I still have that dress you ripped," Rose cursed herself for not going to get examined right away after it happened, but that was water under the bridge. "And after I press charges, who else will come forward Cal? People who were smarter than I was afterward? People that got examined and have proof? How many other girls said no and was ignored and…"

She stopped, her courage beginning to falter. Seeing that it was becoming too much, Jack pulled her to him. "It's ok. That's enough. Let's just get out of here."

"Not until I get an answer," She didn't take her eyes off of Cal, who looked furious.

"Fine. I won't press charges against your little boyfriend here."

"And you'll stay away from Rose for now on. No more of you and your girls there harassing her," Jack spoke up.

Cal rolled his eyes, completely outraged. "Fine. We'll leave her alone."

"Can we go now?" Julie asked, a little impatient, even though a little shaken up by this new information.

"Yeah. Let's go," Jack kept a arm around Rose, steering her away from Cal and Madeline.

"You shouldn't have hit him, Jack," Julie huffed. "You could have gotten in trouble."

"I wasn't going to let him talk that way to Rose, not after what he did," Jack glared at his cousin, still angry. "Why did you stop me from kicking his ass anyway?"

"Because you wouldn't have just kicked his ass, that's why," Julie hissed. "Just be thankful that he's not going to press charges."

"I almost wish he would," Jack grumbled.

"What?" Rose looked at him, not getting him at that moment.

"It'd be worth it Rose, just so you could retaliate against him. Make him pay for what he did."

Rose looked away and nodded, understanding. "He's right though. No one of importance would believe me. I was stupid and didn't get examined and he can just pay off a judge. He's gotten away with it once before. I can see him getting away with it again. I just wanted to get you out of trouble. That was my main goal."

Jack placed a hand over hers. "I know and I appreciate it. Hopefully he'll leave you alone now, anyway."

Rose shrugged. She doubted it. Cal will grow bold again and pick up his harassment. She knew he would, but at least Jack won't be going to jail for defending her honor.

He squeezed her hand, looking into her eyes. "It's going to be okay now."

Rose just smiled and nodded, trying to believe him. She just hated that Cal had tainted something as beautiful as her first kiss with Jack with his hateful words and accusations. The one time she got to kiss Jack and now all she could remember besides the feel of soft lips and the smell of sunshine was Cal calling her a slut. Somehow Cal had managed to ruin the one beautiful moment that Rose had hoped to keep as a nice memory.

On Jack's part, he had inwardly sworn to protect Rose even more than before. He was not going to let Hockley and his crowd harass Rose into quiet oblivion. Somehow, he had grown to love Rose in a way that he loved no other, even though she had been damaged in the way that his beloved sister had been. But unlike his sister, he was able to protect Rose and he would. He didn't care what he had to do to do so. He had failed Lisa, he would not fail Rose. It was a promise that he made to both the girl he loved and the sister that he had lost.