My Yellow

Part 32 - Rose

The car ride home from the court session was silent. We didn't leave the place until 9pm. Theo and I are now sitting in the company car, parked in the parking lot of FNC. I feel a giant weight lift off of my shoulders. I take a deep breath and shift in my seat. "Rose," Theo says quietly. I look over at him. "You did so well today," He says looking over at me. I give a small smile.

"Thank you," I lean my head back still looking at him. "I couldn't have done it without you," I unbuckle my seat belt. I open the door and step out of the car.  I go to the drivers side and open Theo's door. "Come on grumpy, I want some ice cream." Theo smiles a bit and gets out of the car, sliding the keys into his jacket pocket. He shuts the door and we both just stand there. My heart starts to race. I nibble on my bottom lip, then I intertwine my arm with his. Theo's eyes go wide, but he doesn't push me away. Theo places his opposite hand on my arm and pulls me ever so slightly closer. I feel blood rush to my cheeks. I start walking to the doors, at first dragging Theo, but he soon picks up his pace and catches up to me. We walk inside and I drop his arm. I see Maddy sitting in a chair, laughing. I tilt my head and walk to her, as I do Jiung appears from behind the wall sitting in the chair by her. I raise my eyebrows and pause. I feel someone standing behind me and I turn, my fight or flight kicking in, but it's just Theo, he's staring at Maddy and Jiung too. He places both his hands on my shoulders and turns me around. I watch Maddy put her leg on Jiungs, and Jiung put his hand on her leg, pulling her close. I gasp and cover my mouth. Maddy turns her head and her eyes go wide. She stands up almost falling over, Jiung stands too.

"Rose heyy," Maddy and I stare awkwardly at each other. I blink.

"Hows the happy cou..." Keeho trails off seeing me. He quickly hands Maddy a pint of ice cream and clears his throat. "I didn't think you would be back yet."

"What is.." I search their faces. I have a sinking feeling in my stomach.

"Hey guys ready for the movie night?" Nina says happily walking up to them, Maddy flicks her arm. "Ow! What.." Nina turns to me. She purses her lips together. "Oh Rose you can come if you want."

"You guys knew this was the hardest day of my life and you..." I feel like I'm overreacting. "You guys planned a party without me?" My voice cracks. Why do I feel so bad?

"Everything just has been so weird lately.." Maddy clears her throat. I feel like Shit.

"For you guys?" I laugh. "I am so sorry to make your lives feel weird! So weird that you have to.." I motion to Jiung, then to her. "Hide things from me and hang out without me."

"Rose that's not.." Keeho stops. I look at him.

"We just wanted the mood to be happy," Nina says with a nod.

"Am I not happy?" I ask. "Do I make everything so depressing?"

"Nina shut up!" Maddy hisses.

"We didn't think you would want to be around us today," Maddy shifts. I can tell she's lying.

"On the worst day of my life, you thought I wouldn't want to be around you?" I ask, I feel the tears swelling.

"Come on flower," Theo says quietly. His voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I feel his hand go to my back.

"No," I say shakily. "You guys fucking suck." I say bluntly. Maddy looks like I just slapped her. "First of all, you still could have invited me.."

"I did just know," Nina says.

"Read the room dumbass," Keeho says to her. I stare at Maddy.

"If I genuinely make you feel so shitty you don't want to be around me, then don't be around me." I say with a hiss. "I hope you guys have fun."

"Rose come on," Theo says lowly.

"Actually one more thing," I raise my hand, but Theo picks me up and turns me around, towards the rooms. "No Theo, I'm not done!"

"No," Theo says and turns to face everyone. "You guys are pieces of shit." I raise my eyebrows. He turns to walk out of the room, I look at them, Jiung looks like he was just slapped as well. I stare at Maddy. She isn't looking at me. I walk after Theo, entering our room when he does. I sit down, then lay down on the bed. "Phone," He reaches out his hand.

"Why?" I sit up.

"I don't want you texting them, phone," He says again. I reach into my pocket and hand him my phone, Dea gave it to me during recess. He takes off his jacket and hangs it up. He puts my phone in the same pocket he put the keys. Theo then walks to the bed and turns on the TV, he puts on Coco. I smile a little, then feel my eyes start to swell.

"Why did they do that?" I ask him. "Am I that depressing?"

"No," Theo looks over at me. I feel myself start to cry. "Well maybe," he itches his neck. "I'm kidding. They're being assholes," He reaches for my hand, but I pull it away. He nods and doesn't look away from me. I start to cry harder. He didn't get mad at me for not wanting to be touched.

"But.." I take a breath. "But why? They knew I would want to see them after this, why did they do that?"

"I don't know," Theo takes a deep breath.

"And.." I wipe my eyes and sniff. "Why were they trying so hard to hide it?" Theo stands up and goes to the bathroom, he comes back with tissues. He sits right next to me, I feel his warmth. I wipe my nose with the tissues and stand up. I go to the bathroom and throw the tissues away. I exit the bathroom and go to sit down, when there is a knock at the door. Theo stands up and walks past me. He goes to the door and opens it.

"Oh look a wild asshole appears," Theo says with no emotion.

"Can I talk to Rose please?" Maddy says her voice shaky. Theo looks at me, I pause and shake my head.

"She isn't here, she went to go get ice cream. I will take a message though and not tell her," Theo smiles a small evil smile.

"Just.. tell her to come talk to me. Please," Maddy sniffles. I shut my eyes. She's crying.

"Maybe," Theo looks back to me, I take a deep breath.

'tell her I'll be back in fifteen minutes to talk' I mouth to him. He furrows his brows then turns around.

"She will be back in fifteen minutes, check in then," Theo then shuts the door and turns to me.

"She wants to explain herself," I say quietly. "We haven't had a fight since like middle school, when she stole my boyfriend."

"Oh?" Theo raises his eyebrows.

"Well he wasn't really my boyfriend he was a guy I liked and she liked him too and started dating him blah blah middle school," I laugh a bit and move hair from my face.

"Well I don't think she can steal me," Theo says, then looks away from me. I can tell he didn't mean to say that. I feel my heart pounding.. why did he say that?

"What?" I pretend  I didn't hear him. "You mumbled." Theo sighs and nods.

"It's not important," He laughs a bit and I grin.

"I love your laugh," I say softly. Theo stares at me, his cheeks rushing red.

"Look it's your favorite part of Coco," He points to the TV. I turn to it, then realize what he did, I turn back around but he isn't there anymore, I turn back to the TV, then feel someone behind me, then a hand goes over my eyes. I don't feel scared. "I have a present for you," Theo says softly.

"Really?" I ask with a smile, messing with the sunflower bracelet on my wrist.

"Mhm, open your hands," he says. I do so and feel something cold and glass go into my open palms. "Open your eyes." I open my eyes and see another glow in the dark star. I smile a little and hold it tight. "Thank you Theo," I whisper.

"You're welcome," he clears his throat. "Do you like it?"

"I do!" I lean and hug him tight. Happiness taking over my body. He wraps his arms around me. I pull back a bit, our faces are close. Theo leans down a bit, I lean up. I feel my eyes shut, like we are about to kiss.

"Rose?" I hear Maddy calls from outside the door. Theo lets go of me and clears his throat. I hold the elephant and walk to the nightstand, setting it down. I go to the door and open it, taking in a deep breath.