My Neighbor's Secret

Chapter 7: Rose

Caroline and I have already gone shopping, finding an outfit for the bonfire. Caroline was texting Sam the entire time, telling him where the party even was. Now we're on our way there, both of us in shorts and crop tops.

Sam ended up following us with Ashton, and they keep honking their horn at us. It's dusk and the party starts once the sun goes down, so we're a little early. Caroline likes to be just a little late and ended up driving in circles for another half an hour before pulling into the party.

Beer kegs are set up on the tailgate of Keegan's truck and music is blaring from his speakers. Last year's senior jocks throw this every year.

Caroline orders me to leave my jacket in the car and flaunt what Keegan can't have. I laugh and take off my sweatshirt, showing my new crop top off. It's white, lacy at the bottom and stops about an inch before my dark wash, ripped shorts.

Keegan, who was laughing with a few football friends, stops talking, his eyes glued to me. I nervously dig my vans into the dirt, hating the way he looks at me. Ashton comes up behind me, my shoulder hitting his chest and Keegan scowls at me. I know I cower but try to hide it.

Sam drapes an arm around Caroline, who blushes. Her ex boyfriend, duche number two, glares at her and catches up with Keegan. Who just happens to be his best friend. I take a deep breath.

"I need a drink."
___________

I didn't actually drink the alcohol, I'm underage. Now the clearing is packed, the bonfire radiating heat. Sam and Caroline are dancing along with other intoxicated teens, all grinding on each other. Ashton is talking with the captain of the soccer team from last year, a red solo cup in his hand.

I'm sitting on the tailgate of my good friend's truck. He comes to sit next to me.

"What's up Mary?" Dustin asks. He's the only one who thinks my nickname for Rosemary should be Mary instead of Rose. He graduated last year along with Keegan, but the two hate each other.

Dustin nudges me with his shoulders, I can smell the beer on him," wanna dance?" His words slur.

When he's in this state, there is no saying no. He will just jab you until you do. I nod exasperatedly. Before I even stand Keegan catches my arm. It scares me half to death.

"She's gonna come with me for a minuet, Dustin," he says. There is no room to deny.

I rip my arm from his grasp with an ounce of fake courage," don't touch me!" I say a little too loudly.

Keegan is close to my face, drunk. He has that scowl on his face that means I'm about to get yelled at. I back up, but he pushes me into a tree.

"Guys aren't supports to look at you, especially not in that. You look like a slut," he spits in my ear," only I can see you like that."

I push his chest and he pins my arms to the tree," in care you forgot Keegan I broke up with you. You don't own me. You can't control me anymore." I put all my energy in saying that.

He laughs ruthlessly," little Rosemary. If I couldn't control you then why would I do this?" He smashes his lips onto mine with too much force.

I refuse to let him in, struggling. His lips go to my neck," Keegan! Stop!" I say loudly. He pushes my arms back until they dig into the bark behind me," that hurts Keegan! STOP!"

My knee connects with his crotch as he's pushed off me. Keegan groans falling to the ground. I'm breathless, scared out of my mind. I feel naked, exposed. Cold.

"Rose?" It's Ashton's voice," at you okay?" I rub the back of my arms.

Nodding because I don't trust myself to speak.

Ashton takes a step closer to me, but I shy away. The look of hurt in his eyes is only visible for a second and he recovers quickly.

He sees me shiver and takes off his black hoodie," you look freezing. Here." He extends the sweatshirt to me.

I force a smile and take it. Tears rim my eyes as I slip it over my head.

"I-" I croak out," I really want to go home." My voice quivers a bit.

"I'll bring you," Ashton says," Kayden can pick Sam and Caroline up since they're drunk."

I thank him and keep a hand on his forearm through the crowd, shaking. Once we get to Sam's suburban Ashton opens the door for me and closes it when I get in before going to his own side.

I curl into the ball without a word.