This Rose Bleeds

Chapter ~Fourteen~

.:~* NATHAN *~:.

"So...where are we going to work?" I asked as we left the school. I was heading to work, but staying later when I would normally be tutoring Ryder. I pretty much demanded that we get started on the math project right away. Of course, they protested, but Ryder was the first to give in.

"Not my house." Marcus said. "My parents are working, and they don't trust me home alone, especially with Ryder."

"Hey, it was a minor accident involving the blender and an unmentionable substance."

I resisted asking what the unmentionable substance was. "Oh...okay then. What about your house?" I asked Ryder.

He shook his head. "I have a feeling we'd be interrupted by someone."

"Who?" I asked.

"My slave."

"You mean Mattson?"

"Yeah."

"Ah."

"What about your house?" Marcus asked me. I smiled and scratched the back of my head uneasily. "My parents are on a trip and I'm not allowed to have friends over." I lied easily.

I felt Ryder's eyes on me but ignored it. Marcus nodded and spoke thoughtfully out loud, "The libraries closed, and teachers are gone...hey what about that café place?"

... "You mean the Red Rose?" He nodded. "There's no problem with it. But that was...random."

He shrugged. "I like it there. It's quiet. Plus, then you wouldn't have to meet up with us after your shift right?"

"I guess."

"Okay, then let's go." He began pushing Ryder who yawned sleepily from his previous nap in math.

I felt a little nervous. Were they going to stay while I worked? They'd probably get bored. I had to talk to Kristy before work, I wonder if I'll still be able to.

"I'm going in through the back." I told them as they entered. I ran to the back entrance and through to the back rooms. Kristy was there tying her apron around her neck.

"Hey Kris."

"Hi Nate." She finished the knot with a tug and turned to me. "So, about this morning. What were you going to say, before we were rudely interrupted?"

"What?" I asked.

"About Ryder. Did he do anything? Of course he did. What did he do?" She asked excitedly.

"Jeez, nothing! I don't know why you think anything happened. I was sick, he gave me medicine. Ooh, that's definitely worth headline news." I finished sarcastically.

She rolled her eyes and dropped her joking manner. Wait, was it possible for her to act serious? I felt uncomfortable under her stare and squirmed knowing my lie was useless. I bit my lip and looked away. I was giving in. Should I just tell her about what happened? She wouldn't think of me any differently, right?

"Hah! So something did happen! Did he hurt you?"

"No! Why would you think something happened?"

She pouted. "I'm your best friend. You bite your lip when you're thinking about something."

I should probably stop doing that then.