The Cost of Perfection | Rosé x Reader

Chapter 13 - Picking up all the pieces

The headlights of the car were beaming bright as the vehicle turned onto a familiar street. Providing a stream of light to the darkened road that lied ahead. The only other source of light coming from the evenly spaced out lamps that sat on the edge of the sidewalks, lining the street on both sides. The neighborhood at peace as all the residents went to sleep.

Jennie was propped up against the wheel, keeping her eyes peeled. Hands glued to the 9 and positions. No music playing. Her focus fully concentrated on finding her best friend above anything else.

She had just ended a call with Rosie's mom seconds ago, checking that off the list of places Rosie could have fled too. If she knew Rosie like she knew she did, there were really only three places in her mind the girl could have fled to. The first was the garden at the school. She's listened to Rosie gush about the place plenty of times before to understand why that was one of the places that Rosie treasured the most. But whether or not it was a place that gave her peace of mind she probably wouldn't go there without you. Not to mention the fact that Homecoming was currently still going on as well. So, based on those odds it was easy for Jennie to rule that out as an option. The second place was for her to go back home. If she didn't seek out you or Jennie then she'd definitely go to her mom or sister. But the call she made earlier confirmed that Rosie hadn't returned home yet either. The third and final option would be the place Jennie was pulling up to just now.

"Thank fucking god!"

A huge sigh of relief left her mouth the second she parked and looked over to see Rosie's mom's car haphazardly parked along the curb. Indicating that her hunch was correct. She gave herself a mental pat on the back for guessing right. At least now she didn't have to send out a search party.

She slammed her car door shut as she hurried out using her phone's light as a substitute for a flashlight. Making the trek in the dark to the back in her heels as she held up the end of her dress. Small grunts of distress coming from her as she pushed against the heavy gate while fighting the crispy breeze that was working against her. She forced herself through the small opening she made then sped across the uneven lawn. The soft grass that covered the ground sucking in her heels with every step she took.

A bit of an obstacle, but she made it to the base of the giant oak tree. The very one that stood tall in the center of your backyard. Growing high enough to reach the heavens and rooted strongly deep within the earth. An ominous shadow casting over the ground from the moon that was shining brightly behind it. It could be intimidating at first glance but it's not like she hasn't been there before.

It had just been a really long time since she last stood in this very spot.

She stood there staring up, both hands on hers hips, taking a second to compose herself after her long walk from the front to the back. The bottom of her heels slowly sinking into the ground below, without her realizing. Her eyes fixated on the structure perched high up in the branches above.

The treehouse that sat there looked more rundown than it did the last time she visited. The paint on the outside was faded and the front facing window was chipped. It hung open slightly allowing the curtains that hung on the rod inside to blow through the open space. She smiled seeing that you hadn't changed out the curtains she picked out for you all those years ago. The memory coming back to her as she remembered how much you fought against her, whining about them being to girly for your taste, but being defeated in the end anyway. A proud smile adorning her face as she stuck her tongue out at you, while you sulked into the beanbag chair across from her, not bothering to argue with her anymore as she hung them with pride.

As she stood there with her arms now crossed, she continued to peer up at the gigantic tree, another thought crossing her mind as she remembered how much she used to make fun of you and Jisoo for playing in your treehouse when you were younger. Only for her to get used to being there when Rosie moved to town. Go figure.