Flower Boy

Chapter Thirteen

            I rolled over onto my left side, opening my eyes slowly. I blinked a few times in surprise, wondering if I was still dreaming. I pinched myself. Nope, not dreaming... I sat up quickly, looking to my left side. Lying next to me was Donavan, sleeping peacefully. We... Slept together?! My face felt like it was burning, trying to remember anything that happened last night. All I remember was falling asleep in the car! Nothing else happened, right?! I looked back at Donavan.

He smiled in his sleep, an angelic look on his face. I smiled, stroking his hair. He wouldn't do anything. I trust him. His eyelids fluttered and I took my hand away. He slowly sat up, his hair wild from tossing and turning during the night.

"Rosalena, what are you doing here?" He asked groggily. I stifled a giggle.

"You protected me, remember?" I answered, and he smiled slowly.

"I remember." He said quietly. I smiled at him, getting ready.

"You should get ready too. Even if I just moved in, I've still got school stuff to do, and your dad still has some extra paperwork to keep me forever, so make it easier on him." I said, tossing a pillow at him.

"Get up!" I giggled. He slowly sat up.

"I'm getting up!" he protested, slowly standing. I opened the door, walking out to the stairs. I crept down the stairs, unsure if Donavan's dad was awake or not. I heard something sizzling and realized he was awake. I walked into the kitchen, and there he was, messing with a pan over the stove.

"Good morning, Mr. Gentes!" I said cheerfully. He turned and smiled at me.

"Good morning, Rosa, and please, just call me Dad." He said and I raised an eyebrow, giggling a little.

"Dad?" I said skeptically. He laughed.

"Well, if not dad, then just call me James." He said and I nodded.

"Alright, James." I said, the name feeling weird in my mouth. He motioned to me.

"Sit down. Breakfast is almost ready." He said and I took a seat at the table. He put down a plate of bacon, another plate of steaming scrambled eggs, and a plate of light brown pancakes.

"I'll be right back." He said, and went upstairs. I stared at the food, wondering what he was doing. I heard a loud bang, like someone slamming a door, and I heard Donavan protesting. A few seconds later, he was racing down the stairs and was sitting in front of me.

"GoodmorningRosalena!" He said, gasping for breath. I raised an eyebrow as Mr- as James walked down the stairs.

"Now, let's eat!" He said, setting out plates and silverware and sitting down. I looked between the two.

"So...?" I said, wondering what had happened. James set down his silverware and cleared his throat.

"So... I noticed you two sleeping in the same room last night." He started. I nodded.

"Yes, that is true." I confirmed.

"In the same bed?" He asked, and I nodded again. He cleared his throat a second time.

"I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to put my foot down on this." He said, and I tilted my head.

"Foot down for what?" I asked, still confused.

"You two can't sleep in the same room. We have a spare room for a reason." He said pointedly at Donavan. He looked away.

"We weren't doing anything..." He mumbled and I felt my face get hot.

"You two are just too young to be doing that." James said and my face got hotter. I noticed Donavan looking red as a tomato.

"N-no, it's n-not like that!" I said, embarrassed. He smiled gently.

"I know, but just as a precaution. You never know what could happen." He said, staring at Donavan. He turned a darker shade of red and looked at me.

"I wasn't going to do anything, I swear, I would never!" He said desperately and I laughed.

"I know you wouldn't" I answered truthfully, and his face reverted to its original color.

"Okay, now that that's out of the way, you two need to get ready for school!" James said cheerfully and we began eating again.

I went to get the backpack I had hurriedly packed the other night, fishing out a t-shirt and shorts. I dug deeper into the bag and grabbed what I had been looking for. I pulled out the small flower hairclip and gently pushed my bangs up, snapping the clip into place. I went into the bathroom, closing and locking the door. I quickly changed and looked at myself in the mirror. I was surprised; I didn't look so worn down. I didn't feel so weighed down. It was like I had never had an abusive father. The bruises were still there, but I felt more free. I smiled at myself, then unlocked the door. I went back to the room and took out all the nonessentials for school. Zipping up my backpack, I got up and looked over at the clock.

"Donavan, we have to be in the car in 5!" I called, not exactly sure where he was. I shouldered my backpack and headed downstairs.

"Goodbye, James!" I yelled into the house, and left, heading out to the car. I put my backpack in the back and got into the passenger seat. I waited a little, looking into the flip down mirror when Donavan threw the door open, panting.

"Okay, let's go!" He said, a big smile on his face as he turned the key. The radio turned on, and we were off.