A week went by and Rose spent it ignoring Jack's calls. She drove herself to school and also made sure to be gone before he could show up at the door. She switched seats with Helga so she wouldn't have to sit with Jack in Literature class and she avoided him in the halls. In art class, she outright ignored his attempts to talk to her. It was hard, but her anger wouldn't let her do anything else. A week later, and she was still too angry to even try to talk to Jack.

What really angered Rose the most, was how much she missed him, despite being mad at him. She missed his voice, his touch, just being in his presence. But her own stubborn pride kept her from being ready to forgive him.

It was Friday and she was eating with Trudy and her friends, still avoiding Jack. She glanced over at her normal table and felt a pang to see Jack sitting a few seats away from their friends, obviously depressed. She was tempted to forgive him at that moment. Go back to the way things used to be. Hasn't she punished him long enough?

Maybe. But what if he lied again?

"Have you at least tried to talk to him?" Trudy asked, catching the direction of Rose's gaze.

"No. I'm just not ready," Rose shrugged, forcing herself to look away and concentrate on her sandwich.

"It's been a week though. Shouldn't you at least try?" Trudy urged. She knew that Rose was miserable without Jack. Just the fact that she didn't bother wearing make-up for the past week and she hadn't smiled or laughed at least once was proof of that.

"I don't know. It really hurt that he didn't trust me...trust in our relationship enough to tell me the truth about where he really was going to be. Why did he hide the fact that he was meeting with Meghan over the weekend?"

"Well, you won't know if you don't talk to him," Trudy bit into her hamburger. "You're still crazy about the guy, Rose. If you don't mind me saying. You owe it to yourself to at least give him a chance to explain."

"Maybe you're right," Rose sighed.

Trudy just smiled. She hoped that Rose took her advice and talked to Jack. They were such a lovely couple. Besides, everyone made mistakes.

"Hey, Rose," Madeline approached the table, looking bored. It was obvious that she would rather be elsewhere than there.

"Madeline. What can I do for you?" Rose asked, keeping her voice civil.

Ever since Constance's arrest and her truth came out, Madeline had been more mellow and had stopped defending the memory of Caledon Hockley. Finally, she had seemingly admitted the truth. But the damage to her friendship with Rose had been done and there really was no going back.

"Look, I know we're not friends and we don't usually attend the same parties or even run in the same circles, obviously. But there's a frat party happening tonight and...well...someone would love it if you attended. I promised him that I would ask if you'd go."

"Frat party?"

Madeline nodded. "California State. Phi Cappa Phu."

"And who do I know from that fraternity that is so eager for me to attend?" Rose frowned, trying to think of anyone she may know that would be attending that University.

"Seriously? You've really forgotten all about him? Jack Dawson is a hottie, but he couldn't have made you forget about all of your exes," Madeline snorted.

Rose glanced over at Jack and bristled at the mention of exes, becoming angry all over again. "Just tell me who it is."

"Matthew Calvert. Remember him?" Madeline smirked.

Rose's eyes widened. Of course she remembered Matthew! He had been her very first boyfriend! She had been so into him, up until he had left for Kentucky University. They had broken up because Matthew didn't believe in long distance relationships and she had been completely heartbroken. She had never really gotten over him until Jack.

"Matthew's in town?"

"He transferred to California State. He's been back for a good while now. I told him that you were involved with someone else, but he didn't seem to mind. He still wants to see you at the party tonight. I can pick you up. It'd be like the old days, back at White Star. What do you say?"

Normally, she would say no. A night with Madeline was not her idea of fun, at least not anymore. Plus there was the fact that she was in a serious relationship with Jack. But she and Jack were on the outs at the moment and she could use a night of fun. Plus, it'd be great to see Matthew again. He had been her first love and more than that, a friend. Why not go?

"Sure. Alright, I'll go. A party is just what I need anyway," Rose agreed.

"Cool. I'll pick you up at eight," Madeline nodded before heading to her own table.

Trudy stared at Rose in disbelief. "Did you just agree to attend a frat party with Madeline? You hate her!"

"I don't actually hate her. I just don't like her. And yes I did. I can use a party right now and since I'm not talking to Jack, I wouldn't feel comfortable attending Tommy's. Besides, you heard her. Matthew Calvert is in town," Rose shrugged. "It'll be nice to see him again?"

"But you have a boyfriend, Rose."

"I'm just going to talk to Matthew, not date him, Trudy. Besides, if Jack can spend the weekend with his ex, I can attend a party with mine," Rose got up, ready to leave. She was not in any mood for a lecture. She knew perfectly well what she was doing. "Besides, Matthew's an old friend as well."

"It's still not a good idea," Trudy chewed on her bottom lip, knowing that she was in danger of angering her best friend, yet she was unable to stop herself.

"I don't see why not. Look, I have to get to class. Talk to you later," Rose waved, making the mistake of glancing over towards Jack's table. Jack was looking at her, his face pleading. She resisted the urge to go over to him and turned and walked out the door.

Another reason for being angry at Jack. For remaining handsome despite this rough patch in their relationship. Those blue eyes made it very hard to remain mad at him. But she would remain mad, and she'll go to that frat party and just forget for a few hours. There was no harm in that.

…..

Jack watched as Rose left the cafeteria. It's been about a week since he had spoken to her last. She had ignored all of his attempts to speak with her and explain himself. He didn't know what else he could do but wait for her to talk to him, which looked like it would never happen.

"She still not talking?" Fabrizio asked, stuffing a fry into his mouth.

"No she's not. She may never talk to me again," Jack sighed, staring dejectedly at his food. "Not that I'd blame her."

"I told you not to lie," Julie shook her head, feeling sorry for Jack. "But it's been a week. Surely she must be over it by now."

"Did you not see her look at me and then turn and walk out? Of course she's not over it," Jack shook his head. "Let's face it. I blew it. Meghan wasn't even worth it. All she wanted was an excuse to make her stupid boyfriend jealous."

"Instead she made Rose jealous," Julie snorted.

"Do you want me to talk to her?" Derrick offered, feeling bad for his friend.

"No. Let her be mad as long as she needs to be. I deserve it," Jack sighed, getting up from the table. "I better get going."

"Hang in there Jack. She will forgive you," Fabrizio reassured his friend. At first, he had been angry with Jack for doing something so stupid, so needless. But now, seeing how sad his friend was, he only pitied him.

"Yeah, Jack. It was only this one time. It's not like you're a habitual liar,"Helga also tried to reassure him.

"I'm sure that you two are right. She'll be back sitting with us next week," Jack tried to give an optimistic smile that he just didn't feel.

He walked outside and saw her on the bleachers, reading her favorite book The Bronze Horseman. He used to tease her about reading the book so many times. The cover was now bent and worn from all the times Rose had read the love story.

He wanted to go up and talk to her so bad. It's been a full week since he had heard her even say his name. She wouldn't even give him the time of day in art class. There had to be some way to get through to her. Obviously giving her space wasn't working.

Maybe he should try again. What's the worse that can happen? Her telling him to go away?

Taking a deep breath, he walked over to her, but didn't sit down, knowing that he wasn't really welcomed.

"You're reading the Bronze Horseman again?" He asked, using the book as a conversation point.

"Obviously," her tone was cold and she didn't look up at him. She was still angry.

"Look, Rose. Give me a chance to explain, alright? I didn't mean to lie...I just panicked...I didn't want you to worry about me meeting up with Meghan. I never meant to hurt you."

"What do you want, Jack?" Rose sighed, not in the mood to talk to him. She looked at her watch and saw that there was only five minutes before the next class began.

"To talk to you. To explain myself and fix this."

"Well, I don't want to talk to you. Not right now anyway."

"Rose...fine. Fair enough. But you're at least coming to Tommy's party tonight, right? He's your friend too."

"I have other plans for the evening. I'm sure you will all have fun without me," Rose closed the book.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get to class."

She stood up and walked away, not looking back. Jack sighed and sat down, staring at the ground. That hadn't gone how he had hoped. He at least wanted to get her to come to the party tonight. But he couldn't even do that.

Right at that moment, he wondered if she was ever going to forgive him. If he really had destroyed what they had by that one lie. Only time would tell.