A Rose's Thorns

Chapter 19, Secrets Unveiled

Rosaleen’s PoV

I sat in the cafeteria, my hands tapping on the lunch table in anxious movements. It's been a few days since Ryder and I finished our case and he admitted his feelings for me. But the thing that was causing me anxiety was Cara, Haru, Towa, Ren, and Ryder had all gone missing. Just vanished without a word.

“Rose?” I jumped hearing my nickname and turned my head to see Sho, his eyes were studying me quietly. He hadn’t seen me since the day I had a breakdown in the garage. 

“Oh… Hey Sho…” I whispered softly, my eyes flicking back to my hands as I tapped the table fiercely. I sensed him sitting down next to me and I stiffened, I had been avoiding the Vagastrom ghouls too ashamed to show my face to them.

“Are you doing better? After that, freak out?” He asked his demeanor cold but concerned, my eyes flicked to him again as I read his face. I bit my cheek gently in thought as I hummed, Sho was quiet but I could sense him near me still as I bit my cheek still. 

“I’m worried about Cara…” I said softly, not aiming it at anyone as I spoke. Sho shifted his weight slightly as he sniffed slightly sitting quietly.

“I’m sorry about that… By the way… I was… Just.” I huffed trying to express what was wrong without actively exposing what happened in my youth, in a great deal of frustration I put my head in my hands sighing in defeat. 

“How’s the food truck coming along?” I asked, glancing at him slightly but he just hummed and shrugged before he leaned back and looked up at the sky as if debating his words carefully.

“Leo witnessed your panic attack. Avoid him as much as you can, he will do whatever he has to, to drag out why you were in that state.” Sho warned and my eyes flicked to him the voids of black glittering as I stared at him, the quiet storm that was brewing in me stirred uneasily.

“If he ever asks about anything to do with my past or my deal, I will personally end his career.” I said, my voice calm but due to the slightly stunned look I was receiving from Sho he knew I was deadly serious. 

“Well… Uh anyways, I wanted you to take a look at my menu… See if anything needs to be added or.” He grumbled as he pushed a piece of paper towards me, my brows raised slightly as I bit my cheek gently, flinching when I bit too hard and reached for the paper.

I glanced over the paper, my eyes flicking across it, it was well drawn and designed. My eyes rounded slightly in shock as I glanced at Sho. My hand tapped gently the thoughts obvious across my usually expressive features.

“It looks good Sho, well drawn and well put together. Kudos to you for your hard work, I will be excited to try it out.” I said smiling at him slightly, I pushed the paper back towards him, standing Sho too stood at the same time. His hands were holding onto the menu.

“I gotta go, I am going to go check on the anomalous animals.” I said, my feet finding themselves as I walked out of the bustling cafeteria my signature heeled combat boots hit the floor as I walked.

I walked through the halls, ignoring the eyes that watched me as I huffed gently, hands sitting in my pockets as I trekked out the doors and across the lawn of the school, heading towards Jabberwock House. Remembering the tour Rui gave me. 

“Rose~” I turned to see none other than Rui and my brows flicked up in shock, as I stopped and turned to look at the blonde voice caught in my throat as I tried to process.

“Oh, hey Rui. What’s up?” I asked my head moving to the side as I looked the ghoul up and down, my eyes confused. 

“Oh nothing, just saw you walking and called out.” He said winking slightly and I shook my head amused as I blew out a frustrated breath, my eyes studying him quietly.