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UPDATED/EDITED: Again I have edited this, but there still might be some errors or funky sounding sentences. If you see anything wrong, don't be shy! Please point it out so I can fix it.

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-&-

Chapter 9

       Dad was in his office and on the phone when I slipped my shoes on and walked quietly down the stairs. He would probably be busy for most of the night, and I didn't bother telling him I was leaving.

       I would be back before he was done. Believe it or not, my dad was the CEO at his very own company. They did something with cars- I think, but I never paid enough attention to notice, and that was mainly because he never talked about it.

       At home, it was 'family' time, or at least that's what he liked to say. But sometimes, he would be stuck in his office for hours and barely came out to see the light of day. Dad had a lot of money, there was no denying that, but we never really used it.

       As a matter of fact, our house was a modern two story that held four bedrooms in a middle-class neighborhood. All the money he made went to Luce's current, and my waiting, college fund. He didn't believe in greed, or over-spending and hardly ever used his income for personal reasons. I respected that about him.

       I closed the front door softly behind me and hurried down the porches steps. It was a short walk to Trey's house, and I enjoyed the cool afternoon breeze as it blew pass me. I smiled, it was mid-October and winter was just around the corner. I was excited. I loved the cold, and the snow. The white on the ground and trees cast a pure haze over corrupt things, like a slate wiping itself clean. I wished that were true.

       I squeezed Rex's jacket to my chest, like I could memorize his scent with that simple gesture. I liked Tate's hoodies, but they never smelled anywhere as good as Rex's. I never wanted to let the worn-down leather go, but I knew I couldn't keep it. It wasn't mine, Rex wasn't mine. No matter how badly I wished he was.

       I paused at the end of Trey's driveway, my eyes wide as they gazed up at the two-story home. Never in my entire life did I ever think I would be at the Trey Maguire's house, much less his friend. I could feel the blood drain from my face. I was friends with Trey Maguire, with the Big Four- with Rex. How in the h-e-double hockey sticks did that happen?

       I clutched his jacket tighter to my chest and took in a heavy breath before walking up his driveway and onto the porch. It was cute, really. There was a sofa-swing and a couple of cushioned chairs that made me smile. But I was just stalling. I shook my head and let out a defeated sigh before ringing the doorbell.

       At this point, I honestly wanted one of Trey's parents or siblings to answer the door. I could just give them the jacket and tell them I borrowed it from Trey's friend and then leave without a problem. I didn't want to see that worry on his face, or explain everything that happened. I just wanted to forget about it, not relive it.

       "I got it!"

       My breath hitched as that familiar voice shouted from behind the door, but before I could drop the jacket and make a run for it the door opened. I froze. "Hey, look man, I'm sorry we did that to your car. It won't happen again- Roza?"

       I stared in wide eyed horror at Rex who stood in the door way with a shocked expression on his face, one that probably matched my own. All I could think of was our conversation in the car and the kiss I pressed to his cheek. I dropped my gaze to the floor as heat suddenly enveloped my entire face. So much for avoiding him.

       "What are you doing here?" His voice was surprised, but not angry as it reached me through the blood pumping widely in my ears. I swallowed nervously.

       "I-I uh... I forgot to give you your jacket." I stammered nervously as my eyes stayed glued to the door mat. I wasn't sure what look would be flashing through those dark chestnut eyes of his, and I didn't think I wanted to know. Oh God, I could only imagine what he was thinking.

       I kissed Rex Turner on the cheek, the Rex Turner. I don't think anyone has ever done that before, no one would have even dared. B-but we were friends now, right? He couldn't want to necessarily kill me... Right?

       "Okay, well uh-" He paused uncertainly, and he reached up to rub the back of his neck awkwardly- like I showed up at the wrong time. Like he didn't want me there.

       "Here. Sorry, I didn't mean to keep it." I quickly shoved the jacket into his hands and turned on my heel. I had screwed up whatever friendship we had just built, and now he seemed just as awkward as I did. I was off the porch and walking hurriedly home before either of us could blink.

       "Hey! Rose wait!"

       I didn't want to wait, I wanted to forget this ever happened. I wanted to go home, crawl under my covers, and never come out. I wanted to do that very much.

       "Rose!"

       I barely had time to scream before his thick arm wrapped around my waist and jerked me off the street- right out of the way of a car clearly going over the speed limit that I hadn't even noticed. I gulped. Oh, my God.

       "Damn it, Rosalyn! Are you trying to get yourself killed?!" Rex had pulled me tight against his firm chest and glared down at me with hard chestnut eyes. My legs felt like jelly as he held me to him, and not because of the way his touch made me feel.

       I shook my head viciously and, just like the weak-willed girl I was, tears pricked the corner of my eyes. Today has been very stressful, and as I have explained before, I don't do well with stress. I needed my medicine.

       Before I realized what he was doing, Rex wrapped his other arm around my waist and hugged me tightly to his chest, his chin resting on my shoulder. "It's okay Roza, you're okay. Nothing's going to hurt you with me around. I promise." His voice was that soft murmur he gave me in the bathroom, and just like that, I curled up into his chest and held tightly to him.

       I hadn't realized he was still clutching his jacket in his hand until he draped it back over my shoulders. "You didn't have to return this. I was letting you keep it." I shivered as his strong fingers reached up and tugged gently on the ends of my now clean and soft hair, before curling my own into his plain black t-shirt.

       "But it's the only one I see you wear and I-"

       "I want you to keep it, okay?"

       I blinked up at him, my eyes wide in complete adoration. He wanted me to keep his jacket. My heart fluttered in my chest. I gave him a slow nod. That dark chuckle of his echoed in my ears and brought goosebumps to my arms as he pulled back to stare down at me.

       He's been a lot huggier since last night. I kind of loved it. I hadn't realized how close we were standing until a wolf whistle reached my ears, and Rex's head snapped up- the somewhat happy expression he wore instantly vanished.

       "What the fuck are you looking at?" He snapped at who I was sure was one of the boys.

       "Oh nothing, just you know, our own cold-hearted Rex hugging the girl from down the street." Trey's voice teased behind me, and I instantly cringed. I knew he was only joking, and his and the others teasing always made me blush, but it also pissed Rex off. And that was when he usually stopped talking to me.

       "I-I should probably go home-" I muttered softly as I moved to step out of Rex's arms. I wanted to get away while he still wasn't mad. Even though he said earlier that it was never me he was mad at, I couldn't help but feel like it was. And he was fixing to turn at any moment.

       "No, don't." I instantly froze when Rex's hand wrapped around my upper arm and pulled me gently back towards him. My heart pounded in my chest and the butterflies in my stomach came to life. He didn't want me to go. "I'm stuck here all night with these idiots, stay a while and keep me sane?"

       I could only stare wide-eyed like a gaping fish and nod as another 'almost there' smile reached the corner of his full lips. His dark chestnut eyes flashed down at me before his gentle grip led me back to Trey's porch.

       "There's my Princess!" Trey opened his arms to crush me into a giant hug, but Rex was in front of me before I could blink. I couldn't see the look on his face, but if Trey's expression was anything to go by- I could tell Rex wasn't smiling.

       "Sheesh, I was just going to give her a hug." The giant mountain held his hands up in surrender, but shot me a sneaky wink anyway. I smiled.

       "Just don't." Rex snapped before tugging me up the porches steps and pushing me into Trey's house. My smile faltered. So much for being okay with me being friends with the others.

       Trey's house was slightly bigger than mine, but that was only because of the music room he told me they had upstairs- and it was a lot homier too. The minute I walked in I felt like I had stepped into a cocoon of warmth and love that I never wanted to leave.

       My house never felt like this.

       "And he calls her Roza, it's so-o-o cute." We heard Denton chuckle from the living room just off the entrance, and I felt a blush quickly rise to my cheeks. What is that supposed to mean? They all had their own nicknames for me, why is Rex's any different?

       "That little fucker-" Rex growled next to me, his dark eyes glowing in anger.

       "I mean, come on, did you see the way he threw me this morning? All because I wanted to hug his girl-"

       "Denton!" Rex's voice boomed across the lower half of the house and fire shot from his eyes as he burst into the living room, his hold on my arm gone as he launched himself at the unprepared twin.

       "Holy fuck! Brett! Help me!" Denton practically screamed, which was actually pretty funny. I couldn't help the small bubble of laughter that escaped my lips when he jumped over the couch to avoid a furious Rex.

       "You got yourself into that shit bro, don't look at me. You're fucked." Brett chuckled and hopped off the couch to avoid any bloodshed.

       When his bright blue eyes cast a look over at Trey and I, he shot me a smile and sauntered right over. "There you are kid. You had us worried sick at lunch. You're alright now though, right?" I nodded and rolled my eyes when he reached up to ruffle my hair like I actually was a kid.

       "Don't hug her, man. Rex has eyes like a hawk." Trey grumbled behind me and I frowned. I didn't want Rex hurting them just because they wanted to hug me. He was so fudging confusing and it made my head spin.

       "Rex, man, I swear on my life I didn't know she was here-"

       "Shut the fuck up!" Rex's voice was practically a growl before he jumped at the very frightened Denton again.

       I turned around and tugged gently on Trey's sleeve who was watching the two fighting with blatant amusement shining in his bright green eyes. "What's up, Princess?" He asked softly when he finally tore his gaze away from the struggling boys.

       "Can you stop them? I don't want Rex hurting him." He blinked down at me, his eyes soft as they slowly washed over me. A small smile pulled at his lips before he let out a small sigh.

       "Okay, but just remember that you're the party-pooper here."

       I smiled a 'thank you' at him as he rolled his shoulders a few times, braced himself and launched into the fight. Rex had finally pinned Denton to the floor, and had his fist raised to punch his lights out when Trey finally shoved him off and sat on his chest like the big boulder he was.

       "What the fuck, Trey!"

       The big mountain leaned down and whispered something so quietly to Rex I don't even think Denton heard- who was sitting on the floor and glaring at the two like they just broke his favorite toy. Rex's eyes snapped to mine and he gave Trey a slow nod before shoving him off with little effort.

       Rex stood up, brushed himself off, and gave Denton one last glare before walking back towards me. I smiled up at him as he stopped in front of Brett and I, his hard expression slowly softening until that small smile touched his lips. I wanted to melt in those tummy turning chestnut eyes of his and never come out.

       "Holy shit-" I barely heard Brett's voice behind me, and when I turned to look back at him curiously he was staring at Rex in shock.

       "Brett? What's wrong?" I asked softly when his face suddenly paled. His blue eyes shot down to mine before quickly looking back at the living room.

       "The living room is trashed!" He groaned and ran a heavy hand down his face, like the fact that the screwed-up room would get him in serious trouble- even though it wasn't his house.

       I turned back to look at Rex with a raised eyebrow, but whatever Brett had seen was obviously gone. Rex's face was still soft and his dark eyes had started to brighten. I had to force my gaze away from his- I was too afraid he would see right through me. See how much I completely adored him.

       Brett was right, the living room was trashed. Cushions were thrown all over the floor, feathers from the decorative pillows floated uselessly in the air, there was a coffee table turned over, and even a broken lamp sitting on the floor.

       When did all of this happen?

       "You guys clean this up. I'm going to show Rose the music room." Rex's face fell into that hard mask of his, and his voice wasn't any softer- but when he reached over and grabbed my arm, his touch was gentle.

       "Come on Rex! You're the one that-"

       "Just do it!" He snapped at the pouting Dimajio who was still sitting on the floor before dragging me out of the living room.

       "We should help T'." I mumbled as we made our way up the stairs.

       He stopped and turned to face me, his eyes hard once again "They can do it Roza, they're used to cleaning up our messes." I still shook my head and glanced back down into the messy room that the other boys had already started to clean.

       "I want to help. Can we, please?" I blinked up at him pleadingly, and even though he clenched his jaw and his eyes flashed in anger- he nodded.

       "Don't be mad at me. I just don't want to make them do it on their own." I grumbled when he let go of my arm and started walking back down the steps.

       He sighed, and before I knew it he had wrapped his hand loosely around my wrist and was pulling me along with him. "I'm not mad. I just don't like cleaning." His dark voice came out as a gruff grumble that made me laugh. Rex turned away to try and hide that 'barely there' smile, but I saw it anyway. My heart fluttered.

       All three of the boy's eyes widened when they saw us walk back into the living room and start putting the cushions back on the couch. I shot them a smile, but Rex only glared and cursed under his breath as he began picking up the broken lamp.

       "Come on." He finally growled once the living room had finally been put back together. I couldn't help the smile that lit my face as he grabbed onto my wrist and started dragging me back towards the stairs.

       When we reached the top of the staircase and started down the hall, Rex's hand slid gently down my wrist until he was grabbing the palm of mine. Sparks shot up and down my spine. I tried not to gape in awe at the sight of his large hand basically wrapped around my smaller one. Even though we weren't technically holding hands, the warmth that radiated from his palm on the back of my hand made my knees weak.

       I wonder what it would be like to actually hold his hand. I'm sure it would feel like something close to heaven. Just being next to him without him angry or shouting put me in a sort of heavenly trance. I wouldn't mind if this never ended.

       "This is the music room, Roza." His voice was soft, gentle even, as he pulled me through an open threshold.

       I was stunned by the room, but not enough to miss the disappointment and sudden lonely feeling surging through me when he dropped his hand from mine. The music room was fairly big, and had more stereos than I thought existed. C.D. racks lined one wall and a giant TV sat proudly on the other.

       Stereos hung in each corner of the room with their wires all connecting to the biggest sound system I had ever seen. The giant radio-like-thing reached from floor to ceiling and held more CD, AUX, and CPU ports than I could count.

       "Whoa." My voice was breathless and rather airy as it left my lips in an awe-filled whisper.

       "Do you like it?" I nearly jumped when Rex's voice murmured in my ear, the soft tone almost seemed worried- like he really cared what I thought about the place.

       "It's amazing." Was all my silly brain could come up with- but it was the truth. The room truly was amazing. I felt like I could sit in there for hours and sort through all the music without ever getting bored.

       "We all pitched in the money to set it up, but Rex thought of the idea and designed it all." The deep, happy voice of Trey announced as he walked in behind us.

       I turned to Rex with my eyes wide in awe and admiration, but his gaze was pointedly avoiding mine. I felt a smile pull at my lips. "It's amazing, Rex." I told him truthfully, the awe and amazement I felt filling my voice. His only response was a grunt, and a very small smile.

       I loved his smile.

-&-

       All five of us spent the rest of the afternoon in the music room- picking random CDs to listen to, or watching Denton make a fool of himself on their Just Dance mat. I totally forgot about my father, and how I was supposed to be back at home sleeping until my phone rang two hours later.

       "Hello?"

       "Rosalyn? Where are you? Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?"

       I bolted straight up into a rigid sitting position as his worried voice filtered through the phone. I had been lying on the floor and trying not to laugh as Denton tried to keep up with the moves the game kept throwing at him. It was insanely funny to watch.

      "I'm so sorry! I forgot to tell you that I started feeling better after my nap and I went to a friend's house."

       Rex, who had been sitting on the couch right above me glanced down at me with those beautiful eyes of his and a raised eyebrow. I mouthed 'dad' at him, and he nodded before looking away, but I'm sure he was still listening.

       "You went to a friend's house? I- I didn't even realized that you had..." His voice trailed off quietly like he didn't want to finish his sentence, but I already knew what he was going to say. The painful lurch it put in my chest made me frown. I knew I didn't really have friends, but hearing my own father say that was painful nonetheless.

       "I'll be home in a little bit, love you."

       "Love you too." I hung up the phone and let my hands fall back into my lap, my eyes locked on the small device's black screen. He was probably jumping ecstatically in the living room right now. He always said I needed to start making