Sub Rosa Ties ( A High School Dark Romance)

Gerard

I parked my car in the hospital parking lot and quickly made my way inside, heading straight for my mom's private ward.

She had woken up this morning, and I lingered for a while before deciding to head to school to find Zera. I needed to see her to clear my head of everything swirling around in it.

And I didn't regret it one bit; especially after getting a taste of those lips of hers, which always seemed to taste like peaches, and it was worth it every single time.

"You're back. How was school?" Mom greeted me with a small smile as soon as I closed the door to her private ward behind me.

She was still in the process of recovering, with a bandage wrapped around her left arm.

I glanced around the ward, hoping to catch a glimpse of a familiar face, but my hopes were dashed when I realized he must have left again, likely to tend to his business at that silly company of his.

"Good," I whispered, then walked over to pour myself a glass of water, gulping it down in one go. "How are you feeling?" I inquired, turning back to face her.

"Better. Um...your dad...he just left a few minutes ago. He said he would..."

"You don't have to make any excuses for him, Mum," I cut her off, setting the cup down firmly. "I know he left a few minutes after I was gone."

She remained silent, understanding the type of person I was. I was keenly aware of almost everything about my father.

"Gerard," she called, reaching out her hand. I approached slowly, taking her hand in mine as she held onto it tightly, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions.

"I'm sorry for making you worried about me," she expressed sincerely. "And your dad...you know he doesn't mean everything he does. He cares about you. About us. He's just been too busy lately, and..." Her voice trailed off.

"You have to stop making excuses for him, Mother. He's not worth it," I asserted firmly, gently guiding her to lay back down. "The doctor said you're not really fit to sit up, so just lay down."

Carefully, I adjusted her head on the pillow, meeting her gaze filled with her usual motherly concern.

I stood upright, ready to leave, but she still held onto my hand tightly. "Have you forgiven me? For everything I did?" she croaked, her voice filled with vulnerability.

"I never held anything against you, Mum. I just needed you to understand me more, which you failed to do," I replied gently, squeezing her hand reassuringly.

"I am sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible. I gave her a nod of acknowledgment before releasing my hand from hers and making my way to the door.

I immediately shed my clothes the moment I stepped into the house and made a beeline for the bathroom, completely naked.

I needed to wash away the anger towards my father, the worry for my mother's recovery, and thoughts about Zera.

Without hesitation, I switched on the shower, and soon water cascaded down my form, enveloping me in its soothing embrace.

"I won't," her words echoed in my head. She had definitely said she wouldn't regret it. So what the fuck is her problem? Why can't she admit that what happened wasn't a mistake? That she might be feeling the same way I am?

Today, she completely ignored my little confession, and the light in the old gallery had messed everything up for me.

I exhaled heavily as I glanced down at my stiffened erection, the water cascading over it.