Opposites

Chapter Twenty

It was about a month before Hero was aloud out of the hospital, he was still fragile and weak, but he was getting back to some sort of normality. Of course, Harriett was running to his every need and Hero thought it was great and played on it a little. I decided that I would stay with Hero until he was properly on his feet, to take some of the stress of off Harriett.

It was my turn to cook, I did end up having to cook for the other frat boys, and whoever else they invited over. I ended up cooking for nine people. It wasn't so bad, because Harriett and Kath said they'd help me, Amy on the other hand stayed well away up in Hero's bedroom with him to my dismay, but I thought better of it to be jealous. Even though I called him my boyfriend, we have not actually had that talk yet, I just said it because it was easier.

"I think it's ready," Kath stated looking in the oven at the roast chicken.

I looked in myself and let out a giggle. "You don't cook, do you?"

"Kaitlin does the cooking," Kath laughs.

It was fun cooking with the guys, Kaitlin would come in from time to time to talk but then would soon disappear to talk to Jason and Bradley again. Harriett would often go off to check on Hero, every time coming back to inform us that Amy sat in the chair whilst Hero laid in bed, which made me feel a little bit more comfortable.

"Okay, I'll see if Hero wants to eat down here or up in his room," I announced to the girls before darting out the kitchen and up the stairs.

I made it to the top of the stairs and I was outside Hero's room, the door was shut and I heard giggling inside. I put my ear up to the door and heard the conversation between Hero and Amy.

"So, you and that girl?" I heard Amy ask.

"You mean Rose?" Hero responded.

"Yeah, what's the deal?"

"There is none. She happened to have saved my life, but that's about it."

"So, you aren't like, a thing then?"

"No. Not really that interested in dating. You know that Amy."

"That's good then."

The talking had stopped. My heart had sank, after everything, after we spoke in the hospital. Hero goes and does this, I started mentally punching myself, thinking how the hell could I be so stupid to think that he was actually interested. I know he's a broken man, but it gives him no right to break others. Without thinking I opened the door to reveal Hero and Amy with their lips locked. As they heard the door go, Amy turned round and was smirking in my direction, Hero looked shocked that I had caught him betraying me.

"Rose - " Hero started.

I didn't say a word, I just turned and headed towards the front door. I heard my name being called by several different people, I didn't listen until someone grabbed my arm and turned me around. It was Harriett.

"Rose? What's wrong?" Harriett asked.

"It was all a lie," I sobbed. She looked confused, so I continued. "Hero. He's upstairs kissing Amy. After everything! I thought I meant something!"

"You do mean something," Harriett said trying to calm me.

"Clearly not!" I shouted. I looked up to where Hero's bedroom window was and saw Amy standing there smirking down at me. "How could he?" Without another word I turned back around and ran down the road, far away from Hero.

***

It had been four months since I had seen or spoken to Hero. He had dropped out of class physically and was doing them all remotely so I didn't have to worry about that. Once he was back on his feet he stayed away from my dorm, and Kath would only go and visit him. I saw Harriett from time to time at the coffee shop, but she never spoke of Hero about from he's changed, no longer the Hero he once was. My heart still ached for his touch and I wish he would just come back to me, but I came to realise I never truly meant that much to him and that is something I must accept.

It was a sunny day and I had finished all of my classes so I decided to get a slush drink from the coffee shop and sit out on the grass with a book by myself. I had arranged to meet Josh later that evening to watch films but I just enjoyed my own company these days.

"Rose!" I heard someone shout. I looked up and saw Harriett walk towards me. She was think black sunglasses and a summer dress with white sandals. She looked flawless as ever. She came over to me and plonked herself on the grass next to me. "How have you been?"

"Alright, I suppose," I responded putting my book mark in my book and closing it.

"I have something for you," She smiles at me holding an envelope out with my name written on top. "It's from Hero. I understand if you don't want to read it, but I think you should." With that she got up and walked of back to what I presume to be her new car.

I looked down at the envelope I held in my hand and took a big sigh before tearing it open and unfolding it to reveal Hero's awful handwriting. I closed my eyes for a second bracing myself to read, I open them to read what he had to say:

Rose,
I'm sorry this isn't in person but I figured you didn't want to see me. But I had to talk to you somehow. I've left it too long but finding the words was extremely hard.
I do believe in love. I believe in you. That time you caught Amy and I, it was more of a last time thing. I never meant for you to walk in on us, I never meant to hurt you. All I want is to make you happy. You've changed me, Rose, for the better. You saved my life, and for that I am forever grateful. All that I told you, was never a lie, it was all true. I've never told anyone some of the things I told you. I want you and only you. That's why the last four months I have not slept with anyone, because they just aren't you. I hope we can meet and talk. I understand if you won't forgive me. But I want you to know that I love you, Rose.
Love Hero x

My eyes kept raking over the three little words at the end, I love you. All the hate I felt for Hero vanished within seconds, I wanted him more than ever. I wanted him to tell me everything is going to be okay. But I also don't know if I can believe or trust a word that comes out his mouth. I had to find out.

I picked up my book and quickly rushed over to the frat house to confront Hero and tell him I love him. Hoping that opposites really do attract.