Rose Among Thorns

13-more classes

Rose pov:

The cafeteria buzz dies down gradually as the Bond brothers disappear from sight, but I still feel the weight of curious glances resting on our table. Lila and Emma seem to be watching me, waiting for an explanation, their eyes flickering between me and Flyn, who's been silent ever since Theo, Nico, and Luca showed up.

Lila leans in. "So, Rose...what was all that about?" She gestures vaguely in the direction where my brothers went. "Do you know the Bond brothers? Or, better yet, do they know you?"

I glance down, fidgeting with the tissue Nico had wrapped around the pills. It still feels strange to think of them as the "Bond brothers" everyone seems to fear, when they're just... my brothers. Protectors. But I'm beginning to realize they're seen very differently here.

"Well," I begin slowly, "I... guess you could say we know each other pretty well. They're actually my family."

The words hang in the air for a moment before Lila's jaw drops open, her usual chatter entirely silenced. Emma, meanwhile, raises her eyebrows, her surprise more contained but just as intense.

"You mean they're...your brothers?" Lila's voice rises with excitement and disbelief, drawing a few more looks our way.

"Yep," I confirm, feeling a slight thrill saying it out loud for the first time, though I try to sound casual. "Theo, Nico, and Luca. We, uh, just don't share the same last name." My gaze shifts down to my plate, already sensing the questions about to flood my way.

"So...do you know how scary they are?" Lila asks, her face wide-eyed. "Everyone here's been trying to stay off their radar since freshman year. You're, like, the first person I've ever seen stand up to them."

Flyn, who has mostly been watching quietly, looks at me with a renewed interest. "Well, it explains why they looked so protective earlier. I'd say you're safe with those three around, even if they're...intense." His words are calm but edged with something like hesitation, as if he's unsure of how to process the whole situation.

I nod, trying to reassure him—and myself. "They've been protective."

Emma leans in thoughtfully, finally breaking her silence. "It's just surprising," she says quietly, "because the Bond brothers have this...reputation. People have tried to be friends with them, or cross them, and it never really ends well for anyone." She pauses, then adds with a softer smile, "But seeing them with you...it's like they're different."

"Well," I say with a small laugh, "I don't think I'll be able to shake them anytime soon. And I guess that's okay."

As lunch continues, we shift back into casual conversation, with Lila animatedly sharing stories about school events and Flyn offering quiet comments from time to time. Despite the interruptions and the whispers still circulating around us, I feel a strange comfort in having friends who don't see me through the same lens as everyone else.

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The afternoon bell chimes, and Lila nudges me with an encouraging grin. "This next class is way more relaxed," she says, clearly relieved. "Mr. Collins is nothing like Mrs. Harper. You're gonna like him."

I grab my books and follow her down the hallway, feeling a little lighter. The morning's tension with the Bond brothers has faded, and the prospect of a laid-back teacher sounds exactly like what I need right now. Emma heads in the other direction, but not before giving me a reassuring smile. "See you after class, Rose!" she calls.

Lila and I enter a cozy-looking classroom that has a warm, slightly cluttered feel to it. Posters of famous books and authors cover the walls, and there are stacks of novels in various genres lining the shelves at the back. Some students are already sprawled out in their seats, chatting quietly, and the atmosphere feels refreshingly laid-back.

Mr. Collins is leaning casually against his desk at the front, scrolling through his tablet, but he looks up and smiles as soon as we enter. He's a tall man with a messy mop of hair, glasses that seem permanently on the verge of falling off his nose, and an easygoing smile that instantly makes me feel at ease.

"Hey, Lila," he says, giving her a nod. Then his eyes flick over to me, and his smile widens. "And you must be our new addition. Rose, right?"

I nod, feeling a bit shy under his friendly gaze. "Yeah, that's me."

"Welcome to English Lit!" he says, clapping his hands together. "We're right in the middle of our unit on modern fiction, but don't worry, we'll get you caught up. Just find a seat anywhere you like."

I glance around and take a spot near the middle, with Lila settling down next to me. Mr. Collins pushes off from his desk, strolling around the room as he begins talking.

"Alright, everyone. Let's dive back in. We've been looking at how different authors tackle themes of identity and belonging. Today, we're going to focus on an excerpt from The Catcher in the Rye." He pauses to give us a crooked grin. "Yes, yes, I know. Some of you think Holden Caulfield is overrated."

A couple of students chuckle, and he continues with a playful shrug. "But that's exactly why we're reading it. Sometimes, it's the characters we disagree with that teach us the most. So, let's dig in."

As he speaks, he has a way of pacing the room that feels more like a conversation than a lecture. He's constantly making eye contact with students, inviting them to share their opinions. He even laughs along with us when someone makes a funny comment about Holden's attitude.

Mr. Collins gives me a quick, encouraging nod. "Rose, do you have any thoughts on the passage we're reading? No pressure, though—it's just a discussion."

I hesitate, glancing at the passage in my book. "Um... I guess it's interesting how Holden feels like he doesn't fit in, even though he's surrounded by people. It's like he's in his own world."

Mr. Collins' eyes light up, and he nods enthusiastically. "Exactly! That's a great observation. Sometimes, the hardest part of belonging is feeling like nobody really sees you, even in a crowd. And that struggle is what makes Holden such a relatable character, despite his flaws."

The class goes by quickly, with everyone throwing around ideas and laughing at Mr. Collins' witty remarks. By the end of the lesson, I'm already looking forward to his class again.

As we pack up to leave, Mr. Collins stops me at the door. "Rose, good to have you here. I can tell you're going to bring a lot of insight to our discussions."

"Thank you," I say, genuinely flattered. "I think I'm going to enjoy this class."

With a warm smile, he waves me off. "See you tomorrow, then."

As Lila and I walk down the hall, she nudges me. "Told you he was awesome. Mr. Collins just gets it, you know?"

"Yeah," I say, nodding. "He really does."

For the first time today, I feel like things might just fall into place.

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