**Emma POV**
I don't know how long I sat there.
The classroom had emptied around me a while ago.
I could still hear people walking through the halls outside, their voices fading as they made their way home.
I should've gone home, I knew that
But I couldn't make myself move.
My stomach hurt more than it had this morning.
I pressed my hand against it and took a slow breath.
Maybe I just needed to eat something.
The thought made my stomach twist for a completely different reason.
I looked down at my hands.
They were still shaking.
I quickly tucked them underneath my legs.
I couldn't let anyone see.
Zack had already seen enough.
He'd seen the bruises.
He'd looked at me like I was something fragile.
I didn't want him looking at me like that.
I didn't want anyone looking at me like that.
I was fine.
I had always been fine.
I stood up.
The room tilted for a second.
I grabbed the edge of the desk.
"Okay."
I whispered.
Just tired.
That's all.
I picked up my things and walked out.
The halls were almost empty now.
I kept my head down.
One foot in front of the other.
Don't think.
Just move.
When Thomas dropped me off at home, the sun was already beginning to disappear behind the trees.
The rose garden looked beautiful.
It always did.
I stared at it through the car window.
Perfect.
Every flower exactly where it was supposed to be.
I wondered what it would feel like to be something that didn't have to be perfect.
Something that could just grow.
I immediately pushed the thought away.
"Miss Emma?"
I looked up.
Thomas was standing beside the open car door.
"Yes?"
"We're home."
"Oh."
I smiled.
"Thank you."
I walked inside.
The house was quiet.
It always was.
"Miss Emma?"
Violet appeared from the hallway.
"Hello."
YOU ARE READING
Rose bed of lies
Mistero / Thriller"Why won't you just leave me alone! I don't want your pity." I cried out as I struggled out of his grip, " Emma Knock it off, this whole, everything's fucking perfect act needs to stop before your heart does" he spoke firmly yet softly as I was pi...
