Flower Boy

Chapter Fifteen

The final bell rang and I placed binders, textbooks, and my laptop into my backpack. I heaved it onto my back, lurching forward a little at the weight. I began slowly forcing my legs forward, moving towards the doors. I had just made it to the doors when I heard a familiar voice behind me.

"Rosalena, where're you going?" I turned slowly.

"To the bus stop." I answered. Kyle raised an eyebrow.

"Aren't you going home with Donavan?" He asked, surprise laced subtly in his voice. I tilted my head.

"Well, he didn't invite me to go home with him, but I will be going to his house." I answered, shrugging. Kyle sighed.

"At least let me walk you to the bus stop." He said and I frowned.

"No, you don't have to do that." I said, shaking my head.

"It's not just for you, Rosa. I go home on the bus too." He said, smirking a little. It was my turn to sigh.

"Alright then." I conceded and we began a slow walk to the bus stop. The bus inched its way to the curb and air hissed as it finally came to a stop. We flashed the bus driver our passes and sat down on opposite sides of the aisle. The bus began moving forward again and I stared out the window, my mind somewhere in the clouds when I recognized the name of the stop where I had to get off. I pulled the yellow cord and gave Kyle a small wave. I waited for the doors to open before stepping onto the curb. I mindlessly walked up to the door when a voice behind me called out.

"Are you sure this is where you're supposed to go?" I turned and saw Kyle, hands in his pockets, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, last time I checked, this is my house." I replied.

"You're supposed to go to your house?" He asked, giving me a disbelieving face. A chill went down my spine as I realized the mistake I had made. It wasn't a big mistake, so why was I getting such a bad feeling?

"It's just a habit. Besides, why are you following me?" I asked, trying to brush it off as nothing.

"I was just making sure you got home okay." He said, putting his hands up. I sighed.

"Thanks, Kyle. I can get home on my own now." I said, walking back towards the bus stop. Something tugged at the back of my mind, and I turned towards the house, a sort of emptiness creeping up on me. I shook my head, trying to get rid of the cold feeling.

"You okay there, Rosalena?" Kyle asked, a hint of concern in his voice. I nodded and kept walking away, ignoring the tugging sensation in my head.

We got back on the bus, and Kyle watched me walk up to Donavan's house. I waved back towards the bus, unable to see him through the tinted windows, but I assumed he was waving back.

As I was walking up to the house, my chest throbbed, causing me to stop. What is going on? I shook my head and continued to the door, opening it and calling out.

"I'm home!" I shouted, and Donavan burst out of the kitchen.

"Rosalena!" He said, squeezing me tightly. I struggled to breath

"D-Donavan." I struggled to respond and he squeezed tighter.

"Donavan... I can't... Breath." I squeezed out and he immediately let go. Air rushed into my body and I gasped.

"I'm so sorry, Rosalena!" He said, worry obvious on his face. I shook my head.

"It's fine. Why the sudden hug?" I asked.

"I thought we would get home around the same times, but then when I didn't see you after 15 minutes I got worried... I saw Kyle get on after you, and I thought you were safe... But then I started doubting him..." He said, a little pink creeping up his face. I smiled.

"I just got off on the wrong stop. In fact, Kyle was the one who helped me find your stop." I said and he sighed.

"Guess I'm in the wrong, aren't I?" He asked sheepishly and I laughed.

"You're perfect." I said and his eyes widened, his face turning red.

"Where'd that come from?" He asked, looking away from me. I smiled.

"I just don't tell you enough." I said, breezing past him. I felt like I was flying up the stairs and began working on my homework, giddy happiness filling my head.