The Definition of Me

Chapter 7: Words I Heard the Most

"It's in the freezer, on the top shelf." 

"Got it." I rushed with an ice pack towards the couch, where Liam was lying. His chest and his lower abs were covered in bruises, and as soon as I pressed the ice to his chest he squinted his eyes in slight pain.  

 "Never got beaten up by a girl." He jokingly commented.

"I am so sorry." I replied, putting the ice on his right shoulder and gently rubbing it for it to go numb. "You should just tell them you tripped down the stairs or something."

"Coming from someone who has a lot of excuses up her sleeve." He teasingly added. 

I took the nearest pillow from the couch and threw it at his face.
"Hey!" I giggled. 

"Ouch." He grinned at me, throwing the pillow on the floor. 

"Hey, Rose?" His voice suddenly lowered and his smile faded.

 "Hm?" 

"You okay?" he asked as he tried to sit up on the couch.

I cleared my throat and told him reassuringly "Yes. I am fine." 

"You don't look fine." He moved a little closer to me.

"I said I am fine." I repeated myself, moving a little further away from him. 

"Rose.."

"No, stop. That's the thing I hate the most: everyone's sorries. I don't want people to feel like they need to help me or need to comfort me or need to feel sorry for me-" He paused me, wrapping his arms around me and putting his chin on top of my head as he gently rocked me from side to side in a tight hug. Let me just say, that day became a casualty for me to hug, and it was a rare occurrence any other time, except with Eva. 

"I thought you might need this." he said in a soft voice. 

"..Thank you.." I whispered out, closing my eyes and pressing my head against his chest. 

I felt my phone buzz in one of my jean pockets, so I took it out and looked at the notification: "You coming tomorrow? It's the last day of school, loser! -E" 

"Sorry, It's just my friend Evangeline." I explained as he eased his grip and let me go.  

"Wait, tomorrow is your last day?" He sneaked a peak at the message. 

"Yes, and..." I silenced myself as I saw the second message. It was sent less then two minutes ago.
"ROSEMARY! WHERE ARE YOU? CALL ME AS SOON AS YOU SEE THIS! -G"

"You should go talk to her." He hinted doubtlessly, before I could even lock my phone.

I nodded in response and we stood up from the couch, making our way towards the front door.

"But.." He paused before opening the door for me. I looked at him, a little distressed and worried about what I had just read.

"No running away." He said in a compelling voice.

"No running away." I repeated, letting out a sigh. 

He smirked "Pinkie swear?" 

I giggled at him, and answered "Pinkie swear."

***

As soon as I unlocked the door and went inside, Gemma rushed towards me and squeezed me tightly as she said in relief "Rosemary!"
I looked from behind her shoulder and saw my mom standing and rubbing the tears from her cheeks, and as soon as Gemma let me go, she sobbed "I'm so glad you're okay." and started coming a little closer towards me.