Forever Tied.

20.

People cheered from behind Rosie and she was sure that people were cheering for the fireworks and not them.

"Five"

"Four"

"Three"

"Two"

"One" People shouted.

She had gone into the new year on top of her first ex-boyfriend and boss. She could imagine that her friends were turning away from them and standing there staring at the fireworks instead of them.

She didn't know what made her heart race more, Elijah's tight grip on her arms or his soft lips that begged for attention.

"Right, sorry" Rosie whispered getting off of Elijah.

Her cheeks must have been bright red by the look on Cora's face who was pointing out Rosie's cheeks to the rest of the girls.

Elijah fixed his suit and pretended like nothing happened like he always does.

"Alright let's hit the bar, drinks are on Elijah" Vann stated and the crew ran to the nearest bar before Elijah could decline not that he would because he did have a lot of money.

Security wasn't too far away which made Rosie nervous as they didn't stop her from falling onto Elijah not that they were fast enough but they didn't pull her off him either.

Were they not serious about his safety? or was she not considered dangerous?

Vann had settled by the bar closest to Spencer which made Rosie giggle.

He was trying so hard to win her back that Rosie almost believed that he was being sincere but until he stopped running to Talia every time she called then she would believe his sincerity.

Elijah was sitting at a booth with Rosie and the woman all over the bar seemed to be interested in him.

"I'm gonna get a drink, do you want anything?" Rosie asked and Elijah nodded his head no.

She walked over to the bar and ordered a beer. She didn't want to over do it and end up drunk.

Everyone knew her drinking limit was three glasses. Rosie turned around and spotted some woman at her table.

Elijah seemed uninterested and Rosie stayed away from their table a little longer so she could witness how hostile he was.

"Hey, can I buy you a drink?" A stanger had asked Rosie. If anything got Elijah's attention, it was this.

"No thanks I have a drink" Rosie replied politely declining.

She had turned in Elijah's direction so she could sit down again but the way to polite stranger had grabbed her arm. She wasn't particularly scared just uncomfortable.

"Oh, c'mon I'm sure you want something a little stronger than that" the stranger persisted.

Rosie pulled away from his grasp and that seemed to have to get her friend's attention as well. She was hoping that she wasn't ruining the night out.

"No thanks" Rosie repeated and as the stranger was about to touch her again, Elijah had stepped in behind her.

He caught the stranger's hand while wrapping a gentle hand around Rosie's waist and slowly pulled her behind him still holding the stranger's hand.

He still had an emotionless expression on his face but it was enough to scare anyone.

"She said no" Elijah spoke and the Stanger finally backed off and walked away putting up his hands to surrender.

He turned around and pulled Rosie back to their table. They sat in silence but it was a good silence.

It wasn't awkward or uncomfortable.

"Thanks," Rosie said suddenly and Elijah turned his direction towards her.

His expression softened as he reached his arm out and put a strand behind Rosie's ear so he could see her face better.

"Don't let anyone else put your hair behind your ear" Elijah implied to Vann.

"Why not?"

"I don't like it" he replied staring into her eyes. She smiled but didn't say anything.

Soon the night ended and everyone was back home excited for the new year.

Rosie made her way on the bus as usual feeling strange. She pushed those feelings aside and enjoyed the rest of the day going over boring files with Elijah.

The part she enjoyed was Elijah of course. She gracefully declined Elijah's offer to send her home because they had worked late.

She enjoyed taking the bus and walking home. She felt free. Rosie walked home slowly enjoying the breeze and the stars shining brightly over her.

Her smile faded when an arm abruptly pulled her to the ground. They wore a mask and had a pocket knife in their hands.

"Give me your purse!" Her attacker demanded and Rosie felt her pulse quicken.

She always thought that she'd be brave when this situation happens but when you're actually in it then you're completely frozen.

"Don't fight him" Rosie's subconscious said that was standing in a distance.

She stood up and took her purse out of her bag. There wasn't any money in there and her attacker would properly be disappointed.

"I spent all my money on the bus fare" Rosie stated as her attackers rummaged through her purse. He threw everything out on the ground.

"That's fine you can offer me something else" her attacker replied pushing her against the wall.

She was about to be raped and couldn't do anything to stop it.

"Yes, you can," her subconscious said behind her attacker.

"Please don't" Rosie begged and lifted her foot and kicked her attacker.

She managed to get free while taking all her stuff. Rosie heard him chasing after her and her home was just up the street but he would know where she lived.

What if the police couldn't catch him? Rosie chose to turn away from her house and run to a crowded place where people could witness him.

Unfortunately, he caught up to her and pulled her by the hair down to the ground. He cut her arm as she tried to fight him off.

She winced from the pain as the blood came gushing out. It didn't look that deep by the looks of it.

"Hey! What are you doing?" Someone asked from a distance. He must have heard her screaming.

The moment Rosie shouted help, the owner's dog came running the street and attacked Rosie's attacker to the ground. Rosie got up as the owner ran towards her.

"Are you okay?" He asked and she replied with a simple yes as blood dripped to the ground. Relatively okay.