A LITTLE TOUCH OF ROSE - EPISODE 32

Rosita’s standpoint

Sometimes, the craziest way are the easiest way to fix things. To me, that’s how it is. I didn’t think it would work, but Romi told me that wearing my broken heart on my sleeves would help me get better and make the right decisions. I thought it was crazy when she convinced me to go black and white, but the moment I changed, I actually felt a whole lot better. Not better enough to forget him, but better enough to not cry or act like someone I am not.

Sure, I was back to my old lugubrious and quiet self, but it was better than staying away from everyone and crying. Okay, it wasn’t better since I was ignoring them and putting the blame on them, but it was still better in a twisted way. I mean, if it wasn’t for them convincing me that it was okay to love him, I wouldn’t have loved him.

There, point proven.

I sighed gloomily, knowing fully well that they were only trying to be good friends. The girls loved me, they wanted me to be happy and thought he was what I needed to be happy happy, not just plain happy. I don’t blame them, but I just… It was complicated.

“Can’t you see
How everything you do it takes a hold of me
Every second feeling never-ending til you speak
Yeah some would say they think before they’re in too deep

You got me feeling like
If I were to lose you
Maybe I’d lose myself too

If you were to say goodbye
Wouldn’t ever want another
Baby, I wonder…” The headphone filled my ears from my music player. I’d gotten addicted to the song overnight because the lyrics just seemed to comfort me in a mysterious way.

Have I really lost myself?

Of course not!

Keep telling yourself that.

I wasn’t answering my father’s phonecalls, or Zelda’s and Hezzy’s. I returned their birthday gifts to them, my dad’s destroyed. I even sent a bomb back to him, though he was smart enough to escape before it went off. I was starting to hate them for whatever prank they played on Zed that had sealed his hopeless assumption.

“Do I want you or need you?
I don’t know the difference
I want you to come close
No, don’t keep your distance
If our love is broken
Then I don’t wanna fix it
Do I want you or need you?
I don’t know the difference
I don’t know the difference
Na na, na na, na
I don’t know the difference
Na na, na na, na

At the start
Was looking for excuses to keep us apart
Finding reasons not to let it go too far
I let you in, I must’ve had a change of heart
Cuz look where we are

You got me feeling like
If I were to lose you
Maybe I’d lose myself too

If you were to say goodbye
Wouldn’t ever want another
Baby, I wonder

Do I want you or need you?
I don’t know the difference
I want you to come close
No, don’t keep your distance
If our love is broken
Then I don’t wanna fix it
Do I want you or need you?
I don’t know the difference
I don’t know the difference
Na na, na na, na
I don’t know the difference
Na na, na na, na…” Someone placed their hands over my eyes, earning a loud frustrated groan from me.

Only two people were foolish enough to hold my eyes knowing fully well I had defensive reflexes and could flip them over. And my body was use to shutting down it reflexes when it came to those two, so I won’t hurt them. And since the other one was far away, it had to be Alyssa.

“Alys, how many times would I tell you to…” I paused and sniffed the air, the cologne was not Alyssa’s. A gasp left my mouth.

No, it can’t be…

I grabbed his palms and tugged it off my face, before twisting my body sharply to behold a grinning Terrison.

Holy fucking…!

My mouth parted a little as I stared at my best friend, trying to comprehend what was going on. They were here, they were here? But how… Romi. Romi must have called them or dad sent them because there was no other way. Seeing as they were in the camp, it was certainly not dad but Romi.

They were always coming to me.

“My turn!” Ten shouted before he literally bulldozed Terry out of the way.

Wait… No! Too late…

He squealed dramatically and got me in his arms, instantly lifting me off the table and sending me to a merry-go-round. His own insane way of greeting people. I groaned as the world began to spin around, my already dizzy eyes becoming more dizzy.

“Tenny, put her down before you break her!” Terry barked. He ripped me off Ten’s arms and held me to himself. Ten began to laugh like an idiot. I held on to Terry as I panted, body shaking from the spin. “Seriously, Ten, grow…” He squealed again when he noticed Alyssa coming and went after her.

Alyssa screamed and ran away for her dear life. “Sparkle Princess, wait!”

I exhaled and looked up at Terry who was grinning at me again. “Surprise?”

“Yes, what the absolute fuck are you doing here? And couldn’t you throw him out of the plane when coming?”

He pouted, “I tried, but then I almost died because I couldn’t live without him,” he rolled his eyes, “and mom would remove my balls and sell it,”

“Who would buy?” I snort. He smirked, the one he gave me when he was suggesting “other” things. I groaned and pushed him away from me, causing him to let out his melodious laugh, one that always made my heart thump hard against my ribcage.

Terrison was gorgeous, a challenge for Zedekiah. I could never tell who was more handsome, but he had qualities that made him better than Zed to me. He was open with his feelings, free, kind, outspoken and jovial. We had so many things in common and that laugh of his, Zed had nothing on him. And when it comes to brawn and muscularity, he surpass Zed. He honestly looked like walking sex to me.

Though he was identical to Tennyson, he was more beautiful though Tenny was cuter like most younger twin are. They both had sunflower blonde hair with golden blonde highlight, big sparkly violet eyes and smooth “suck me” warm ivory skin. They both looked like walking sex, with Terry having a high shot of overdose.

Hotness overload!

“Again, what the hell are you doing here?”

He shrugged, “Ten and I are representing our school for that last day competition thing.”

“Wow, why am I not surprise… How did you know I was here?” I narrowed my eyes at him. He smirked before cocking his hips girlishly.

“Alyssa and that cute one haven’t really stopped uploading your pictures…”

“And beside!” Ten shouted, coming out of nowhere and throwing his hand over my shoulders, “Romi works for me,”

“I do?” Romi asked puzzledly.

“What’s with the angel of death?” Terry asked, eyeing my outfit. I shrugged carefreely. “Should we be worried about you murdering people and using their blood as paint?”

“Or using it to make blood orange soup,” Ten laughed. I rolled my eyes and pushed his hand off me while Terry called him an idiot. I remembered then that we were in public and began strolling away. I looked over my shoulder when I heard Sakura scream with fright.

He was spinning Sakura this time while Terry was rushing over me. “Tennyson, put my sister down, will ya?!” I shouted.

“But she’s so cute,” he said with adoration, “and my new wife,”

Doesn’t he have at least three hundred wives?

_______________

I was wrapped up in Terry’s arms as I cried my eyes out to him while Tenny held my hands. So, I ended up in their room and when they asked me how I was doing, I broke down. I really didn’t mean to but I guess I just needed the hug.

“Rosita, everything will be okay…”

“No, it won’t. Ter, he’s avoiding me. He won’t speak to me or look me in the eyes…”

“Wow, you and Zed had sex?” Terry kicked him off the bed with his foot. Ten yelped as he fell.

“Focus, Ten, she needs us,”

I sniffed as he climbed back on the bed with a teasing smirk, “I know, but isn’t the no virgin thing bothering you?”

“Of course it is! That asshole fucked my little sister and dumped her fine ass!” Terry said angrily.

“Little sister? You are only four years older,” I murmured.

“Still doesn’t change a thing,” he growled. I knew he would be more mad because he gave up his love interest in me for him. Terry had always been in love with me, before he met his girlfriend and the love of his life, Anaïs.

He had no chance with me, not just because of my father but also because I could never bring myself to love him. So even though he had move on, I knew he still had some lingering feelings; hence why he flirts with me sometimes even when he claims to be my older brother. I didn’t blame him and I knew he would never make a move on me and hurt Anaïs.

“The whole point is that Zed is just scared as much as you were back then, Ter. He thinks her father don’t want him anymore for her and everyone knows Rosita never disobeys him,” my head raised from Ten’s statement.

“What are you two knuckleheads going on about?” I looked between them. Terry scratched the scruff of his neck nervously while Ten just shrugged.

“It was your dad’s idea, we had nothing to do with it.” Ten said nonchalantly.

“Don’t tell me my dad called and threatened him to leave me alone and then went on to convince his parents to play along so he’d think he has chosen you over him!” I yelled.

“Okay, we won’t tell you?”

“Seriously!” I screeched, “that is the most stupid and ridiculous thing to do to Zedekiah, king of assumptions!” I shouted angrily. “What was he thinking!”

They shrugged, “guess he wasn’t thinking. But you know, if your relationship with him is ever to work out, he needs to stop with the whole assumption thing or one of these days, he’ll think you are cheating or something ridiculous that would ruin your rela… Seriously, how many times will I tell you to stop talking at the same time with me?” They said simultaneously, glaring at each other.

“It’s not my fault your brain can’t stop connecting with my gorgeous mind,” they both said smugly and then glared at each other again. “Seriously, stop that! No, you stop that! I’m telling you now, Fiero, stop It!”

I rolled my eyes and left them to start their argument that would take over an hour before they settle it with a game of roshambo in which Tenny would cheat and Terry punch him in the guts. My mind was more focused on what they said. They were right. With the way Zedekiah was getting, he would ruin our relationship before he even starts. It was clear I always obey my father, but that was because he had never given me orders that went against me. Every single order he gave, it wasn’t bad to me. He should know that when it comes to something I truly love and admire, I would never listen to my old man and he would respect my decision.

On another note, it was generally wrong of him to keep assuming things when thing don’t go his way. Everyone isn’t shallow minded, neither do they work under his mind control. I knew he would never think I’d cheat because I’m Rosita Donahue for fuck sake! But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t assume other stuffs that would hurt both of us.

I sighed and wiped my tears. It was better to just enjoy the camp and not think about the ridiculous boy and his ridiculous ways. I stood up angrily, leaving them to still argue over talking at the same time. Anything, just anything to get my mind off him.

I’m going to get better, Zedekiah, you’ll see!

Sakura’s standpoint

Meena, Yuki and I stared at Rosita as she babbled on about this new clothing line and hot boys website. It wasn’t just weird that she disappeared from camp and then returned, but the way she had been speaking over enthusiastically and talking about boys was disturbing. She also changed her hair to pink, wore pink clothes, shoes, jewelry and even makeup. And when asked if she’s alright, she gives a creepy over excited smile and squeal that she is.

“So I thought, why not get his number? I mean, he’s like Jonas Brothers hot and he has got so much muscles. You know a girl likes a muscular guy, makes them feel safe in a hug or something…”

“Rosita, are you sure you don’t need fresh air?”

“But,” she clapped her hands and squealed, “the whole place is filled with fresh air. We have to stay focus, girls, remember we are representing the school for the camp activities,” she looked around, “just look at all this people!”

“Neesan…”

“No, Sakura,” She stopped me with eyes closed and hands raised towards me, “don’t tell me I’m not fine, I’m absolutely fine. I’m just really excited about having to have fun, you know?”

“We don’t know,” Yuki cried, “you are not fine, Rosita, admit it,”

“Okay students, please gather up your schoolmates and ready for the games. All team must be ready in seven and your different gender leaders must be present,” the instruction echoed in them camp. Rosita jumped to her feet with a squeal. “Alright then, let’s do this!”

“Rosita…”

“As team captain for the girls, it’s my duty to assemble them, be right back!!!” And off she went. I sighed along with the girls. Rosita was appointed game leader for the girls as Darra was for the boys. They are both really good at sport and with this fake enthusiasm, they are bound to help us win. But still, my sister wasn’t okay.

“Will she be alright?” Yuki asked worriedly. “I swear, I’m so close to smacking Zedekiah in the head for this,”

“Tell me about it,” I muttered.

Please, Neesan, be alright.

Please, Zed-senpai, fix this.

Zedekiah’s standpoint

“I’m such an idiot” is not enough to describe how foolish I feel. At first, I avoided her for her father’s sake, but then realised how stupid it was. I liked her, and she might like me but that didn’t mean I would let her go just because her father said so. Then the avoiding her was to decide for myself, talk myself into stopping my crazy assumptions. I could never be with her if I don’t get my priority straight. But in the process of doing so, I hurt her even more.

None of the guys would talk to me, all dislike me and I wouldn’t blame them. I broke her, the new look she was sporting said it all. Black and white, really? That was not her, it was not her at all. I didn’t know how much I broke her until I saw what she did to her hair. And to make matters worse, Terrison was here to fulfill his promise. The whole thing was messed up. I am messed up.

“What in the world…” Odin said, making me raise my head to look at what he was talking about. I followed the direction of his gaze and saw a pink girl?

What the heck?

“Who the hell is that vomit?” Cedric snorted, causing all the guys to laugh. She was talking so excitedly; obviously fake excitement. Her smile was so wide and beautiful, yet plastered on her face in a twisted way that just wasn’t right. Her voice was filled with joy, but her eyes twinkled with sadness and depression.

Pink irises? This girl takes obsession to a whole new level.

“Why is she wearing our school logo?” Jake asked, “never seen her before,”

“Her voice, she almost sounds like…”

“Okay, girls! Let’s join the boys and begin the game!”

“Rosita!” I shouted. “What the butt!” She skipped over to us, with the girls following behind with worry on their faces. Unlike the others who were wearing white rompers and pink sneakers or running shoes, she wore a pink skirt and a short top with a collar and pink high-top wedges.

“Hey guys, so, did you hear that the first part of the game is race? I was able to get the list of the games so let’s plan our games together!” She squealed. I don’t know if I was the only one who blinked, but I can swear I heard everyone’s eyes blinking.

“Rosita, you are not sick, are you?”

She flung her hips to the side, “psst, not a chance. I’m really fine, just excited you know,” she waved Odin’s worry off dismissively, “so, Darra, there are two types of racing, you know that?”

“Uhm… Yeah?”

“The first is the single race, boys first and then girls. Then the second, a girl and a boy for the double tag race. They must be a different runner from the single race. That puts us in a hot spot, huh?”

“Yeah,” Darra murmured, “but Yuki is the fastest runner in the whole school,” Yuki blushed shyly.

“Nope, was the fastest,” Rosita said with a wink, “Sakura is faster, very fast,”

“Really?! Let’s test it! Sakura-chan, race you to the pole at the gate and back!” Yuki shouted and ran off squealing. Sakura sighed, bent down lazily and tightened her shoe lace.

“I did not sign up for any participation, you all did that for me,” she grumbled as she tied her lace.

“Sakura, you are going to…” She raise her finger, silencing Isaac from his worried statement. She stood up straight and cracked her neck.

“Get this straight, I never lose,” and with that, she dashed off. If I wasn’t so worried about the squealing pink girl, I would have gasped at how fast Sakura disappeared. She didn’t start up quick, but she still manage to beat Yuki by three seconds.

“Whoa! That was cool! Sakura-chan! I didn’t know you could run that fast!” Meena said with eyes twinkling with excitement.

“So it’s settled, Sakura will run the single race?”

“No, Yuki will,” Darra said as he made some notes. “We have two fast feet girls, but one guy. Jake will take the single race and Alvin will do the double race. The girl runs first and pass the winning flag to the boy. So, Sakura could run ahead to give him a head start and a chance to win.”

“My thoughts exactly, Darra-kun,” Rosita giggled. “That’s all for today. Tomorrow is a game called pick-up dolls. In the first round, toys are scattered everywhere and you’ll have to pick as much toys as you can. And in the second round, the toys will be littered in the forest and you’ll have to pick as usual. It’s a different person for each round, but must be boy and girl. Who’s your best option, Darra?”

“That’ll be me,” a guy I don’t know said with hand raised, “I’m very good at picking things…”

“So good he picked himself a baby mama,” Cedric said jestingly. Odin nudged his stomach, causing a grunt to escape his lips.

“Okay, then he’ll do the first round,”

“Why not the second? Kanade is really good at picking,” Darra questioned. Simple, because Alyssa is like a dog, can fetch out anything as long as she’s told to for something in return.

“Because, Alyssa is our personal hunting dog. Trust me, she’ll have a lot of toys out before the bell even rings,” I said, looking at Alyssa who was swaying on her feet with a giddy smile. “Lys, stop creeping me out,”

“Look,” she giggled. I rolled my eyes to what she was pointing at. It did not please me to see the twins in muscle shirts and basketball shorts, speaking to their teammates and catching everyone’s attention.

“Talk about walking sex,” Meena squealed. I heard Odin groan as well as most of the guys.

“Do they have to be here? They are distracting our girlfriends. Rosita, what are they to you anyways?” Jake complained.

“Tennyson claims to be my older brother, Terry is my second chance betrothed and self-elected older brother,”

“Second chance what!” Everyone shouted. I clenched my fists on my thighs. She was openly speaking about it, meaning she was starting to accept…

No, Zed, don’t do this again. Don’t assume what she is thinking without being sure.

Don’t overthink it.

_______________

I sighed as I massaged my temples, the game for Day One was over. We came first place at the single races, but then Alvin had to make us fail when he stopped midway through the game to flirt with a cute girl in really shirt skirt and sagging boobs. We officially banned him from every other activity and hope Cedric won’t foolishly do the same.

It was the first time we were actually joining the games. Most times, we never attended, mostly me. And when we do, we just sit and watch the regular students play the game and always come out in fourth or third place every year. It was the first time we took the challenge to represent our school, all thanks to Yuki and Alyssa!

“Zedickolas,” I opened my eyes and raised my head. I was sitting outside the cabins set apart for the higher people, at a table with a giant umbrella. In front of me stood a furious Tennyson.

What’s with people and calling me dick?

“Ten?”

“No, eleven,” he said sarcastically, “what do you think you are doing? What the heck is wrong with you, Zeddick–men I love that name. Aren’t you guilty for breaking a girl like Rosita? Don’t you feel sorry for what you did?”

“I…”

“She’s wearing pink! She is fucking wearing pink! That is not Rosita!” He shouted, exasperatedly throwing his hands up. “Come with me, I want to kill him,” he ordered. I stood up and packed my phones. I pushed them to my bodyguard and gestured for him to stay put.

“But sir…”

“I’ll be fine, he won’t really kill me or she’ll kill him,” I said with a assuring smile. I didn’t give him time to protest, I walked after Ten. I knew he was mad at me, Rosita meant everything to him. He had always screamed that from the very first day they met.

I followed him deep into the safe forest, preparing myself for the punch he was likely to give him. I halted for a brief second when I saw Terry leaning on a tree, arms folded as he looked at a particular tree.

“She can’t even keep up her happy facade. Her excited mask falls right off after putting it on. Tomorrow, she’s going to try another crazy thing until it completely destroys her. Zed, she can’t deal with this, even if she deceives herself that she can. So, better fix this.”

I stayed quiet and watched him stand up straight, dip his hands into his pockets and walked out, walking pass me. I inhaled and walked to the tree once they were gone. As I got closer, I could hear her sobbing, her cry showing me how much I was breaking her.

I poke my head to see her sitting on the ground and hugging her knees, face buried into her arms. The sharp mouthed and witted girl I fell for was crying, a girl that never showed anyone such emotions. The ever strong person I knew was down, all because of me. It was then I understood what she meant when she said I had the power to destroy her, the power to shatter all she has spent years building up.

Rosita didn’t like me alright, she was in love with me. And it took me so much time to break her to realise it.

I’ll fix this.