{Rosetta – November 24, 2017}
The night had been a whirlwind, filled with laughter and stolen glances, but as I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, something felt off. Xander and I seemed to have a genuine connection, but I couldn't shake this nagging feeling of disconnect. Maybe it was just me overthinking again, my past making it hard to believe that good things could really happen. Yet, here I was, back at the place I loathed the most—my house.
As soon as I stepped through the door, my heart raced. I rushed upstairs, desperate to avoid my dad. The old stairs creaked beneath my weight, a sure giveaway. Just as I thought I was in the clear, his voice boomed from the living room, thick with irritation.
"Rosetta! Get down here!"
I sighed, knowing I couldn't ignore him. I made my way to the kitchen, where he sat, grumpy and demanding. "I'm hungry. Make me something."
I nodded, swallowing my irritation. "Sure, Dad. What do you want?"
"Make it quick!" he snapped.
I scrambled to prepare his meal, my hands moving efficiently despite the tension in the air. Thankfully, after a few minutes, he grunted his approval and waved me away. I hurried back to my room, locking the door behind me and shoving a chair under the knob—a small but necessary precaution.
Once I was settled, I plugged my phone in to charge and scrolled through my messages with Xander. Reliving our earlier conversation warmed my heart. Just as I was smiling at a funny text, a new message popped up from him.
"Well, you will not believe what I just found out."
My heart skipped a beat. I felt a mix of excitement and nerves. "Yeah? What's up?"
He replied quickly, "I just met my real parents for the first time."
My jaw dropped. I could only imagine how overwhelming that must be. "Oh my God. I'm so sorry. How did it go?"
Xander detailed the awkward and emotional encounter, and my heart ached for him. "I'm so sorry, Xander. Do you need someone to talk to or hang out with right now?"
His response came almost instantly: "That would be sweet of you. I could use a distraction. Meet me at the bus stop across the street from your house?"
"Okay," I typed back, relief flooding through me. I could use a break from everything too.
I unlocked my door and called downstairs, "Dad, I'm going out!"
"Where do you think you're going?" he barked from the living room. "You've better of done your homework, or I'd make you stay home!"
"Sorry, Daddy!" I shot back, already feeling the cool air from outside beckoning me.
As I stepped into the chilly night, a small flicker of hope ignited within me. For the first time in a while, I had something to look forward to—something that wasn't weighed down by fear or anger. I hurried toward the bus stop, my heart racing at the thought of seeing Xander. He needed me, and I was ready to offer him the support he needed.
YOU ARE READING
ROSETTA
RomanceXander Thompson is a rising basketball star with big dreams and a complicated past. On the court, he's unstoppable, but off it, he's caught between two worlds-his intense focus on securing a future in college basketball and his tumultuous relationsh...
