Karma Side of the Roses

◇ Karma Side of Wall Tiles ◇

"They say it's all a matter of place and time, but what if you're at the right place at the wrong time?"

Rose wiped the sweat off her forehead as she dipped the washcloth in the bucket of soap water. She was done with only a portion of the massive wall of their high school's washroom and her arms were already aching.

The tiles of the wall were covered in graffiti that involved curse words and vulgar symbols. The mess was created using oil paints, spray paints and who knows what else.

Rose looked over her shoulder and rolled her eyes at the sight before her. Ash was taking pictures of the graffiti as he laughed loudly. He was sitting on one of the white porcelain shelves, swaying his feet as he rested his back against the mirror behind him.

That's what he's been doing for the past 2 hours. Nothing.

"What? Don't be ridiculous, you're not that pretty to be sliding in my gallery." Ash stated as he found Rose glaring at him.

"Likewise." Rose said, faking a smile. "Although, the last time I checked, you got this not-so-pretty girl into detention because you didn't want to be alone." Rose crossed her wet arms across her curvy chest as she raised her eyebrows at Ash.

"Exactly, it wouldn't have been fun to laugh at this alone." He snickered, shoving his phone in her face. Rose's jaw dropped, just like the washcloth in her hand as she took in the picture displayed on the screen.

It was a picture of Rose bending over in front of the wall tile. The washcloth in her hand barely visible. The only things prominent were her flushed face and the voluptuous curve of her hips. The picture was clearly giving the wrong impression.

"Perfect." He grinned as Rose proceeded forward to snatch the phone.

"Give me the phone!" She yelled as she attempted to snatch it out of his hands, almost tripping over her boots that were lathered in soap along with the white marble floor.

"You wish." He smirked, casually pulling it out of his reach.

"Delete it!" Rose said through gritted teeth. Her boots made a squelching sounds as she walked towards him, careful not to slip.

Ash huffed mockingly "No, duh."

Ugh.

"Fine! What do I have to do to keep you shut?" She bit back, exasperation dripping from her words as she crossed her arms and looked Ash in the eyes.

"Take off your durag." He said in a grim tone, as he scooted closer. Any hint of the mischief on his face completely gone.

"What?! No." she retaliated,

"Okay." He shrugged, shifting his gaze his phone as he started typing something.

"Wait!" Rose protested. She couldn't even bring herself to think what would happen if that picture got out. It was even scarier than predicting the outcome of her white hair getting famous.

Ash simply looked at her, the movement of his fingers halted on the screen.

"I'll do it, but I have a condition." she said as she looked at her feet.

"I'm listening." Ash looked at her with sleepy eyes. There were eye bags underneath, signalling lack of sleep.

"Your phone." Rose demanded as she held out her palm. "I have to delete the previous picture and make sure you don't take a new one.

Ash stood there motionless for a while giving her hand a long stare and then he smirked. Moving forward to place his phone on her palm, he stepped back like a culprit who puts down his weapons and surrenders to the police.