Dares with the Boy Who Doesn't Care

Chapter Twenty-Four(Jamie POV)

Rosalina is annoying me.

I tried not to be nice to her. Even when I was trying my hardest not to, I found myself going out of my way for her.

I don't know when it started or how it started but somehow I've ended up caring about her. It's crazy.

Yesterday, Mark was being his usual half-controlling, half-abusive self. He threatened her. I don't know how being so hostile towards her comes easy to him. He's hostile towards most people.

He once didn't speak to me for a week, after I bought a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes instead of Caspians'. He once didn't speak to me for a month, after I missed Ella's funeral.

Anyway, I guess Rosalina isn't an exception for him like she is for me.

She looked hurt, like she was about to cry. So I did for her what I usually do for people around me when they look that way, by people I mean Noah, only Noah. I hugged her.

Why did I like it though? Why did I enjoy the way her body heat blended with my own? Why didn't I want to let go? Why did I want more?

I shouldn't be showing so much affection towards her.

"Jamie why did you put roses on that girl's desk?"

When whoever that female student was, asked me that question I asked myself the same thing. Why was I putting flowers on Rosalina's desk?

"She's our friend and she recently got discharged from the hospital. We're happy for her."

Cameron saved me. He made me think that was all it was. The girl thought so as well.

When Rosalina walked in on her crutches and with Noah, I could tell everyone was bitting their tongues. Saying things trivially, applauding senselessly. They really don't care about her. I envy them for that.

She's nobody. An orphan not an heir. If my father found out about my relationship with her, even though it's nothing, he'd kill me. My mother would probably go into shock.

Right now she's lecturing me about how important marrying Emerald will be for me, or more like the company. I'm obviously not paying attention, and I no longer feel obliged to pretend like I am, so I walk away towards the stairs.

"Stop!" I hear my father yell.

I hadn't even realized he'd entered the room. Nonetheless, I continue in the opposite direction.

Suddenly my mother gasps and I feel his palm at the back of my head, threatening me to go on. I turn around and am instantly rewarded with a punch to the stomach. My mother screams. I hunch over as the pain practically impales me. Now I'm at eye level with him.

"Don't walk away when we're talking to you. I know you know that this is important."

I just stare at him.

"In about a month we'll announce that the two of you are dating, a lot of people already believe that you are but we are going to confirm it."

"How pedophilic." I say.

"Age doesn't matter."

"She's twenty and I'm still in high school. It does matter." I'm pulling everything to stop this from happening.

I hate Emerald. Why the hell would I be okay with marrying her? Like most of the people I dislike, I don't have a justified reason for my disdain towards her, but of course I don't care.

"Why do I have to marry her, because Robin can't anymore?"

This time when he hits me I fall to the ground, not even trying to stop myself. I'll take that as a 'yes'.