Where the Wild Red Roses Grow [Evan Buckley]

Chapter Two: Trashy TV Thursday

Emma knew she was dreaming. However, she couldn't get herself to wake up. She was nude, walking in moist earth. She could feel the mud seep between her toes. Blood was dripping from her throat, down her body. It was hard to see anything but the color red. The pain was too much for her to even cry. However, she could still see the wild red roses growing on the hillside.

Emma jumped awake, her body covered in an ice cold sweat. She was tucked in her bed. She sighed, rubbing her eyes, sitting up in her bed. She was still in her pajamas. Her eyes trailed to the clock beside her bed, it flashed 2:30 pm. Then she heard the knock again on her front door. Memories rushed back to her. It was Claire, she thought, flicking on her lamp.

Every Thursday Emma had a standing date with her best friend Claire. They met when Emma first move to L.A for medical school.

"Emma, I am not getting any younger out here." Claire said from behind the door.

Emma chuckled, flicking the light on beside the front door before opening it. Her friend was standing before her. Claire was plus size with curly red hair and green eyes. She was wearing a pair of jean overalls and a strip shirt.

"I wish you would have told me it was a pajama party." Claire said, storming past Emma.

Emma looked down at her satin cactus pajamas, closing the door. By the time she had turned, Claire was already on her brown couch in front of the TV. Emma had a studio so everything except her bathroom was in the same room. To her left was her small kitchen set up and island. Her TV and couch were to the left of her, leaving a small pathway to her queen bed in front of the only window in the apartment.

"Did you just wake up?" Claire asked.

"Yeah, I had a 72 hour shift." Emma said, making her way to the fridge. She grabbed two sparking waters, making her way back to the couch.

"Bummer." Claire said. "I brought pizza!" She pointed to the coffee table in front of the couch.

Emma smiled at the pizza box on the table. She sat on the couch beside her friend, passing her the sparkling water. Every Thursday Claire would come over. She and Emma would eat pizza from the same restaurant and watch reality TV. Thursdays had earned the name Trashy Television Thursdays in their friendship.

"Did you have to work today?" Emma asked, taking a slice of pizza.

Claire was a pediatrician. She had begged Emma to come work with her. However, Emma liked the hustle and bustle of the emergency room.

Claire shook her head. "Thankfully no, those brats kill me sometimes."

Emma chuckled, biting into her pizza. Plain cheese was her and Claire's favorite.

"When do you go back?" Claire asked, turning on the TV set.

"Tomorrow."

"You work too much." Claire commented. "Do you want to start with keeping up with the kardashian's?"

"Perfect."

They silently watched an episode, eating their pizza. Claire made Emma feel like she could have a chance at a normal life. She had always made Emma feel safe. Of course, not even Claire knows what occurred on the hillside where the wild red roses grow. Emma would take this secret to her grave. What a full grave she would have.

"Did you see doctor pretty pants yesterday?" Claire asked.

Emma chuckled. "I see him every day I work, Claire."

"Did you let him know you had a single friend?"

Emma rolled her eyes. "No, and I won't. He is such a scumbag, Claire."