Pretending. [H. S.]

Chapter Eight

A/N: Guys,  do me a favor and watch this video. I was crying  so hard watching it and I don't care if you've seen it already. Watch it again then! xo
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ahSIW5hOonk

Rose's POV

I just sat down on my bed as Jonah walks in.

"Are you -  are you gonna call him?", he asks slowly, his deep voice making every word sound like a question.

"No."

He nods and a sly grin forms on his lips.
I role my eyes at him,  then look down at my hands.

"Rose", Jonah mumbles as he sits down next to me. He buries his face in the crook of my neck. "I'm sorry", he whispers.

"For what, little brother?" I grin. When we were younger,  he couldn't stand me saying 'little brother'.

He groans,  followed by a chuckle. "I'm not little." Then,  he sighs. "If you like that asshole and he likes you - I mean,  I don't wanna seem like I'm all for him but... The way he looked when you said he's not worth it - guys don't look that way when a girl says that,  especially not bad boys. He must really like you. Anyway,  that doesn't mean I won't protect you to the point where it gets annoying and that I don't wanna punch him,   of course,  but - "

"Jonah", I interrupt him. He looks at me.

"Thank you,  but frankly,  I don't think I mean anything to him. He - kissed another girl after he kissed me last weekend and I do not want that,  okay?"

Jonah's eyes widen. "You guys kissed?"

"Yeah,  why else would he come running after me?" I force a chuckle, but my brother's eyes darken and I know that I shouldn't have told him.

"Actually,  I was gonna say you should call him but now... Well. Don't." He says those words through gritted teeth.

I nod. "I wasn't gonna call him anyway." I press a soft kiss onto Jonah's cheek and smile at him. "It's late. Let's get some sleep and talk tomorrow."

"Yup", he says, lifting himself off the bed. Before leaving my room,  he kisses me on the forehead. "I love you." Then,  he adds with a grin: "Little sis."

I chuckle. "I love you too,  little brother."

After he left the room,  I let out a deep sigh and change into my pyjama,  consisting of a black satin short and a red tanktop with a lacey pattern. I pull my hair into a ponytail, so I can wash my face and brush my teeth.

Eventually,  I lay down in my warm bed and pull the blanket up to my chin.
Unfortunately, that doesn't mean I fall asleep.

Even though my eyes are closed and I try and try,  I just can't. Too many thoughts on my mind,  maybe. Too many pictures of my mom and dad the day they died,  of their smiles. Too many words said by... Him. Too much pain.

Too much confusion because of -
Suddenly,  my phone rings,  interrupting the short sequence of pictures on my mind. I pick up without even bothering to check who it is that calls me this late at night.

The realization of how stupid and dangerous that is doesn't hit me until I've hit the green button.

"Rosalie", I answer whispering. My eyes dart to the clock on my wall above the door: 2.13 am.

"Rose, look,  I can explain,  I-", a deep,  raspy voice blurts,  too quick for me to follow right now because I'm tired and sick of everything and I just want to sleep.

"Harry, it's freaking 2 am", I hiss quietly. Note to self - check who's calling next time before you pick up.

"Yeah,  I know", he says quietly. He sounds apologizing and desperate and sad and mad all at the same time. "Can you listen? I only need two minutes but I swear to God,  Rose,  I can explain."