Copyright © MonMoncheese
All Rights Reserved
70 Published 06.14.2020

•••

ROSEANNE

"As long as you know that, I will feel slightly at ease." He continues and a smile betrays my lips.

I don't say anything as my mind drifts to him.

He's always letting me know that he cares about me, but what have I done?

I haven't been the best person to him.

I knew that.

If anything, I have hurt him.

Fiddling with the string of my sweatpants, I grow guilty at my actions.

He deserves better than what I'm giving him.

So much better.

In the midst of the silence, I blink into reality. Tightening the hold on my phone, I call out his name.

"James."

"Yes?" His voice rings through my ears.

Letting out a small breath, I utter quietly. "You can trust me too."

My voice is so low that I can barely hear myself, but I go on. "You don't have to worry about me all the time."

He is always worrying about me and I don't want want it to be about me all the time.

James is important. Way too important to me.

And I should let him know.

"I care about you. And..." I bite my lip as I try to find the right words to say. "I worry about you too. But James, you shouldn't always worry for me."

"You deserve to be cared for." I end with a whisper as I feel a wave of guilt come over me.

"Then you do it for me." I can hear a hint of anger as he speaks but I grow confused at his answer.

"What?"

"You worry for me and let me worry about you as much as I want." He says as if it were the most casual thing ever and I have a sudden desire to smack my forehead.

"Nooo, that's not what you're supposed to say." I tell him. "James, I want you to also care for yourself. Don't focus too much on me-"

"Why?" He cuts me off, anger now evident in his voice.

But why is he getting angry?

I just want to tell him that he shouldn't worry so much about me, and that I care about him.

Looking down at the bruise on my arm, I continue speaking.

"Because you're always worrying about me, and I worry about you. You also have to take care of yourself." James lets out a humorless chuckle and my eyebrows knit together.

"Princess," he clicks his tongue and I focus on his words. "I will always worry about you. Nothing is going to change that. So whatever you're tying to do to stop me from caring for you, I suggest you give up because it's not going to work. Not now, not ever."

There is a slight pout on my lips as I close my eyes. "I just want you to be happy." I mumble.

"Princess," James lets out a sigh. "I am happy."

Why can't he understand me?

I just want him to stop worrying about me so much, he should take care of himself too.

And if James worries less about me, maybe... just maybe whatever I'm feeling for him will hurt less in the end.

"Are you sure?" I ask him.

"You make me happy." He breathes out. His voice causing a shiver to run down my spine. As the feeling slowly fades away, I think over his words and my eyes squint as I repeat them quietly.

You make me happy.

Those four words are the ones that I repeated...

With a cheeky smile on my lips, I speak. "Did you just copy my words? It has my copyright, you know?"

James groans and lets out a strangled sigh. "Rose, baby, why did you have to ruin it? We were having a moment for a second."

"I"m just saying." I shrug.

I can hear James huff in the background and I grin.

"Don't pout, Stranger." I cooe feeling a sudden surge of happiness.

"Damn," he curses. "You ruined the moment, but I'm not even mad."

"That's because you loooove me." I press my back against the pillow.

James suddenly clears his throat before I hear him utter something. "Yeah."

Frowning at his stranger behaviour, I part my lips to ask him what's wrong, but I decide to leave it alone.

Was it because I told him that he loves me?

I know that James cannot love me, not someone like me.

But it's okay if he lies. I'm just thankful for his friendship.

With a smile, I tease him. "James, don't get too serious, it's just me, your one and only, your wife-" James lets out laugh, but I keep going.

"Your true love, the mother of your future kids-" I raise my voice a little as jis laugh slowly dies down. "That's all me."

"I see," He drawls out slowly. "And since we're on the topic, why don't we discuss it?"

The cocky tone in his voice makes me grow suspicious.

"Discuss what?"

"Of how many children we want, of course." My heart stops for a second as he says that.

That little-

Not knowing what to say, I mumble a random number. "Four."

"Four?" He repeats after me. "You want four kids?"

My eyes grow wide at his words and I find myself freaking out.

What am I supposed to say?

"Uhh, I- wait, why are you asking me this? How many do you want?" I try to change the topic.

"Well princess, it takes two to make a baby, so you and me-"

"James!" I exclaim, shutting my eyes as I have the sudden desire to disappear.

"Yes?" His tone is sweet as he answers and I glower down.

"Don't play innocent, you know what you were just saying."

"I do know, now I'm not done so I will continue. I simply asked how many kids you want because what you say matters to me." Slapping a hand over my face, I let out a groan.

"It doesn't always take two to make a baby, there are other options, you know?" My voice is muffled as I speak.

"I do know, but I prefer the natural way."

Feeling a sudden heat rush to my cheeks, I tightened my hold on the phone. "That's it, James, I have to go, bye."

Before I hang up, I hear James burst out in a laugh, but I simply end the call.

Hearing the familiar beep, I drop the phone on the bed and take a deep breath. But the burning sensation in my cheeks never fades away.

Grabbing a pillow, I smash my face into it and let out a scream. It goes on like that for a few seconds before I remove the pillow from my face, my hair completely messed up.

Letting go of the pillow, I sit there on the bed, simply dying of embarrassment as I think back to his words.

It takes two to make a baby.

Gripping my hair, I slightly tug at it. "Whyyy!" I whine. "Why can't you just stay silent, Rose?"

Removing both hands from my hair, a pout makes it's way to my face.

James is going to be the death of me.

•••

Entering through the gate, I wave at the guard in duty today.

Receiving a smile, I continued my way on the sidewalk.

It was a bit warm, but I didn't want to take my blazer off, so I would just have to cope with it.

Increasing my pace, I move faster.

James had texted me earlier during the school day to let me know that he would pick me up as soon as he got out of practice. Even though I told him that picking me up isn't necessary, he cut me off and made me promise that I would wait for him. After that, he left because his next class was in a few minutes.

Nearing my house, I walk through the path that leads to the main entrance and pull the handle.

Pushing the door open, I slip inside and close it behind me.

I didn't want to make James wait so I run up the stairs, my school bag slowing me down because of it's weight. By the time I'm on the hallway that leads to my room, my heart feels like it's going to burst.

I need to do something about my lack of energy before someone else notices.

My chest rises heavily while I continue walking, but I ignore it.

Stopping by my room, I twist the knob and open the door. Wasting no time, I simply close it behind me and lock the it.

Walking towards my bed, I place the bag in it. Taking a seat on the bed, I take off my shoes and place them next to each other. After taking off my socks, I stand up and walk towards the closet.

The weather seems to be warm today, so I need to wear a short-sleeved shirt.

Switching the light on, I enter the closet and scan the rows of cloths before me. After a while of browsing, I grab a turquoise shirt and a pair of washed jeans before walking out of the closet.

Standing in front of the bed, I remove my blazer and place it over the bed. Moving my hands to the top of my dress shirt, I begin to unbutton it down until I reach the last button, taking it off, I'm left standing with a tank-top.

Grabbing the shirt, I throw it over my head. Pulling my skirt down, I leave it on the floor and put on the pair of jeans. As I button my pants, I attempt to pull them up to prevent them falling, but it's no use. They're baggy on me.

Taking a belt from the hook rack, I slip it under the belt loops and tighten it.

Standing in front of the body length mirror, I glance at my reflection. My eyes slowly trail down to my body but they widen when I see the bruise on my arm.

"I forgot about it." I mumble.

I can't wear this shirt. Otherwise, James will ask questions if he sees it.

I think about applying makeup over it, but there would be no use, especially if it rubs off.

Walking back to the closet, I take off my shirt and place it back on the hanger.

I stand there inside, simply trying to find something that wouldn't attract James' attention.

Rubbing my arm, I glance down to the bruise. 

I should just wear a hoodie.

Making up my mind, I walk towards the sweaters section and grab the first hoodie I see.

Throwing the black hoodie on, I pull out my loose hair that seemed to have gotten stuck underneath the hood.

Heading towards the shoe section I grab a random pair of converse. Holding them with my fingers, I turn the light off and walk out of the closet. Placing the pair of shoes on the floor, I reach down to pick up my skirt and socks from the floor. Grabbing the rest of my uniform from the bed, I take it to the laundry basket inside the bathroom.

Walking out into my room, I head towards my dresser and pull out a pair of socks.

As I take a seat on the bed, I lean down and put both socks on before grabbing the pair of converse. After tying the shoelaces, I smooth down the jeans and stand up.

"Finally." I let out a breath.

Turning around, I unzip my school bag and take out my phone. Turning it on, I check the time.

It's already been 12 minutes and the extra 20 it takes me to walk home from school. If he gets out early today, he should be coming soon.

Putting the phone inside my back pocket, I decide to leave my room.

Shutting the door, I continue walking until I reach the stairs.

Holding the rail with my right hand, I take my time going down, knowing good and well that fatigue would take over me. Taking the last steps, I feel my heart beat rapidly.

Calm down, Rose. It's just the stairs.

Feeling my phone ring, I pull it out from my back pocket and turn it on.

New Message from Husband

04:37 p.m.

I'm here, princess.

04:38 p.m.

Already?

04:39 p.m

Of course, now hurry up, there is someone eager to meet you.

Reaching the door, I make an abrupt stop.

I have to remind my parents and my brother.

Typing a quick message to Nate, I hit send, unsure of when he would reply back.

Opening the door, I catch sight of James leaning against the passenger side of the car. Closing the door behind me, I catch the way James looks up from his phone and our eyes meet.

He mouths something and I to manage t read his lips.

Princess.

A smile grows on my lips just as my phone rings again.

Glancing at it, I see my brother's name on the screen but I decide to check it in the car. Holding it in my hand, I start walking towards the car. From my stance I manage to see something move inside the car.

James turns around just as the small figure moves and opens the door slightly.

He seems to be saying something, because I hear bits and pieces of his sentences.

At the sound of my footsteps, James turns back to me and I stop in front of the door.

A bark catches my attention and I turn towards the inside of the car, but the figure moves before I can see anything.

"Hey, baby," I look back to James as he looks down at me. Grinning at him, his face softens as his eyes lower to my grin.

His palm comes in contact with my cheek and cups it. "I missed you." He says softly and I find myself leaning into the warmth of his hand. "Me too." I murmur.

Caressing my cheek with his thumb, his eyes run across my face and I take my time to gaze at his own.

He always looks so beautiful.

Removing his hand from my cheek, it moves towards my hair and he holds a lock of hair in his hand. "I like them, the curls."

I blink twice at his words.

"You do?"

"Mhm." He nods his head and lets go of the lock of hair in his possession.

"Thank you." I thank him quietly, slightly embarrassed by his words.

"Don't grow shy on me," he tugs at my cheek and I scowl at him in dissaprovement. "Come on, get in." Opening the door, I hear another bark before a small puppy appears before my eyes.

My mouth opens in excitement as I stare at the cutie before me.

"Theo, move aside so that Rose can sit down." I hear James tell the small puppy and he quickly moves to the driver's seat.

Smiling at Theo, I quickly get inside the car, James no longer in my mind as I stare at Theo.

Hearing the door shut, I call out the puppy's name.

"Hello Theo," I extend my hand just under his nose so that he can smell me, but he licks me instead.

Letting out a chuckle, I bring my hand towards his head and scratch it. "You're so cute." I cooe at him and he barks.

As the driver door opens, Theo comes to my lap so that James can take a seat. Putting my phone down, I focus on him.

Using both of my hands, I pick him up to my eye level and he attempts to lick my face.

"He likes you." I hear James say and my head turns towards him. "Normally he takes a few hours before growing accustomed to a stranger, but it's very clear that he likes you."

Putting Theo down, I kiss his head. "You like me." I cry out. "I like you too, Theo."

Letting out a small bark at me, I pout at his cute face.

"I love him." I turn to James, who's already looking at me.

"I can see that, princess. It makes me happy that you two like each other." His lips grow into a smile as he glances between the two of us. After another minute of playing with Theo, I bring the seatbelt over my chest and buckle it.

Taking notice of my actions, James also buckles up and starts the car.

With one last look at the two of us, he begins to drive away from the house.

"Alright, you two, let's go to the park now."

○○○

HIIIIIIIIII.

HELLO, MY LOVES.

HOW ARE YOU?

I hope you are doing well, now that I'm here to brighten your day. 😂😂 Sorry. On a serious note, I wish you a great day filled with my looooove.

Okay, okay, on to the thing I wanted to tell you.

So, I haven't been able to answer the comments, but some wonder about how many chapters this book will have. I will get to your comments, though. Do not miss me too much.

DRUM ROLLS, PLEASE.

1

2

3

To answer your question, this book is probably going to have 100+ chapters.

DUN DUN DUN.

*insert creepy piano music*

MWAHAHAH.

I'm evil.

Are you guys mad or happy about that? I feel like I might get mixed feelings from you. (I'm actually kind of scared of your reactions).

This book still has so much to give, so many things to tell. James and Rose's love story hasn't even started yet. And so many more things have to be told. Especially Rose learning to love herself. Personally, I would say that it is not close to being finished.

Basically, I kind of knew the book would be a little long, I just wasn't sure how long. I'm still not exactly sure how many chapters it will have, but it's definitely more than a 100.

BUT YES, I WANTED TO TELL YOU THAT.

You can tell me your thoughts, I will read them. Oh, and feel free to give me your opinions.

That's Rose again. Same girl. But that is her today when she went out with James.

Alright, my babies. REMEMBER, I LOVE YOU. 💕💕

BYE NOW. BYEEEEEEEE.