Flower Boy

Chapter Eleven

I woke up with an aching body. I sat up, wincing as my body protested at the use. I looked around, seeing that I was still in front of the door. My backpack was lying a few feet away to my left. I reached out my hand to grab it, opening it and looking through the homework. I breathed a sigh of relief. Nothing was due today. Thank Go- What was I thinking? Curse God, for giving me this father.

I forced myself to get up, and I walked up the stairs, gripping the railing as if my life depended on it. I wrenched open the bathroom door. Bending down over the sink, I turned on the cold water and splashed my face. Jolting up, I gasped, looking in the mirror. Ugly purple and brown bruises covered my face, and I looked at my arms. They were slightly better, but only just. They were covered in bruises from my elbows to my shoulder. I groaned. Covering this up wouldn't be easy.

I grabbed my makeup kit and got to work, using a simple pallet to cover the bruises on my face. Even after this, I could see the bruises through the makeup if I looked closely. I took out the hair clip slowly. My bangs fell in front of my face, and when I looked in the mirror, I could barely tell there were bruises.

I went to my closet and found a long sleeved shirt and some long pants. I would use the "it's cold" excuse if anyone asked. I ran down quietly to eat some cereal before the bus came. I stared at the clip, debating what to do with it. Not wanting to leave it at home, I slipped it into my pocket.

I grabbed my backpack and ran out to the stop, keeping my head down. I gave the bus driver my token and moved to the back of the bus, sitting down and staring out the window.

As we pulled up to the school, I remember Donavan calling my name, helplessly watching as I turned my back on him. I had to apologize to him today, I had to explain what happened.

The bus stopped and I slowly moved forward, mumbling a thank you to the driver before getting off. I walked to my locker, placing all the books back gently and removing the books I needed. I looked in my locker mirror and groaned inwardly. The bruises were still visible when I looked closely. I took a breath. Just don't interact with anyone, and you'll be fine, I told myself.

I hurried to my first period class before any of my friends could find me. If I just avoided talking to them for the rest of the day, everything would be okay.

"Rosa!" I ignored it. Don't turn around.

"Rosa, hey, Rosa!" It was Serena.

"Rosa, hey wait up!" she called. I walked faster, trying to get away. She can't see my face. I ducked into my next class, and I stopped hearing her. I sighed. That was close.

The bell rang, signaling lunch time. I grabbed my lunch and went out the back door of the school, leaning against the wall. No one else was here, and I started opening my lunch.

"Whatcha got there?" A voice asked quietly next to me. I slowly raised my eyes, careful to keep my hair around my face. No. Not him...

"Rosalena? Is something wrong?" Donavan asked, and I shook my head.

"I'm fine." I said quietly, getting up and walking away.

"Hey, Rosalena, come eat with us!" He said, running up to me.

"No thanks, not today." I mumbled, walking faster.

"Why not?" He asked, pouting.

"I just want to be alone." I said, hurrying away from him.

"Rosalena..." I heard him say as I ran from him into the building. I sat in front of my locker and opened my lunch again, pushing Donavan's pouting face from my mind. I was protecting our relationship, I was making sure we could still be together. He would understand someday.

I finished school successfully avoiding contact with anyone, friend, foe, or teacher. I packed my bag as fast as possible, running out of the school to the bus stop. I was trying my best to blend in with the crowd, but there was no one else here. Crap. I sighed and sat on the bench, waiting. I checked my watch and groaned knowing I was ten minutes early for the bus. Five minutes in, and I thought I was fine. More people had shown up, so I wasn't as noticeable.

Suddenly, someone grabbed my arm and pulled me away, to another bench.

"Hey!" I protested, but then I saw who it was.

"Oh, Donavan. Hi." I mumbled. He looked serious.

"Something's wrong, and you won't tell me." He said, his tone somber. I sighed.

"I'm just not feeling good today." I said, looking away.

"Is it something I did?" He asked anxiously.

"Why would you think that?"

"You're not wearing the clip." He answered simply.

"No, it wasn't you. It's just... Life." I offered lamely.

"You can tell me about it." He said, his eyes softening, and he looked into my eyes again.

"No, I can't." I answered simply and looked at the ground.

"Why not?" He pressed.

"I just can't, okay?" I said, letting my anger creep into my voice. He looked taken aback, but still kept at it.

"Why not?" He asked again, his voice gentle. Tears pricked my eyes.

"I don't want to lose you. I don't want you to get hurt." I said, the tears blurring my vision and spilling down my face. I wanted to tell him everything, but I couldn't. He would get hurt. We wouldn't be able to see each other.

"Hey, you don't need to protect me, I'm a big strong man. I should be protecting you. Hey, Rosalena?" He looked at me, and I sniffled.

"What?" I said tears still falling from my eyes.

"A pretty girl like you shouldn't be crying." He whispered, and wiped away my tears. I smiled slightly, remembering those words from a long time ago. I watched his face change from a gentle smile to a confused frown.

"What's this..." He wiped away more of my tears, and my makeup, revealing the bruises.

"Rosalena, what happened...?" He asked, aghast.

"I... I have to go. The bus is here." I said, getting up and running towards the bus.

"Rosalena!" He called, running after me. He stopped, picking something up.

"Rosalena!" He called again, waving the object in the air, but too late. I was on the bus, making my way to the back. As the bus pulled away from the curb, I watched Donavan look at me sadly, and go back to his car. He probably was really confused and hurt that I wouldn't tell him anything. Could it be that he doesn't love me anymore...? Tears began falling, faster than before, and I held a hand over my mouth, leaning my head on the seat in front of me. Please, God, don't take Donavan from me too.