beauty behind the madness | the weeknd

34

Rose

The next day, I wake up at one in the afternoon with a pounding headache. I get out of bed and walk into the bathroom. When I look at my reflection I almost jump out of my skin. Damn, I look bad. My eyeliners smudged and my hair is sticking up at weird angles.

I step under the shower and relax as the warm water hits my body. The fogginess in my head slowly disappears, but not completely.

As I shower, I remember about last nights events. I can't believe I actually bumped into Abel. After three years. I suddenly remember about our conversation. I feel slightly bad for telling him to leave me alone. Maybe that was a little overdramatic, but still. He hurt me. He told me that he would do anything to make it up to me, but is there anything that he can really do?

When I'm finished showering, I quickly get ready. I'm in need of coffee right now and not the homemade type. I grab my keys and leave the apartment. I cross the street and start walking, while thinking about Jordan. I know he's coming back tomorrow, but I need him right now. I'm so deep in my thoughts that I bump into someone.

"We've got to stop meeting like this," I hear a familiar voice chuckle. What the fuck? I don't look up, though, I just keep walking. "Rose!" I hear him run after me. "Rose, wait! Where are you headed? I can give you a lift."

"No thanks," I mutter, but I don't think he hears me. I turn the corner and continue walking.

"Can you stop acting like a little bitch for once?" Abel snaps. That comment makes my blood boil. How dare he call me a bitch? If anyone's a bitch, it's him. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that," he says. "Actually, I did." He pauses before speaking. "You need to let go of this grudge against me, Rose, okay?"

I laugh bitterly. "How the fuck do I do that?" I snap.

"Forgive me," Abel says. "I'll literally get down on my hands and knees and beg you. Just forgive me."

"Do it then," I say.

"What?" Abel asks, confused.

"I said," I say slowly. "Do it. Get down on your hands and knees and beg me to forgive you." I smirk at him evily, knowing that he won't do it.

Abel scratches his head and looks around at the people passing by. "Um," he says and laugh to myself and start walking away, shaking my head. "Wait!" Abel shouts after me. I turn around to find him on his knees. A couple of people look at him, wondering what the hell he's doing. I walk over to him, biting my lip to hide my smile. "Rose, will you forgive me?"

I stare at him. There's a sad, pleading look in his eyes. I can tell he's sorry. Maybe he's right - I do need to let go of this grudge. It's been three years after all. I smile at him and nod. "Yeah," I say. "I forgive you."

Abel's face breaks into a huge grin and he gets up, wiping the dirt away from his jeans. I walk closer to him and wrap my arms around him. I don't know why I did that. I try to move away but he wraps his arms around me tightly. I feel his breath against my neck. When he pulls away, he smiles at me and then quickly frowns.

"Wait," he says. "You didn't forgive me just because you felt sorry that I was on my hands and knees in front of all of those people, did you?"

I laugh and roll my eyes. "No," i say, hitting him playfully. "Look, you're right, okay? I shouldn't be holding a grudge against you. Especially since I've moved on . . ." I trail off and study Abel's face. I don't want him to think that I'm throwing my happiness in his face or anything. But then again, it's not like he cares anyway, right? Or does he? Who knows? I can never tell with him.

"And I'm happy for you," Abel tells me, smiling. The smile looks forced but I decide not to say anything. I don't want to start off with an argument. "Come on," he says now. "Lets go get something to eat and then you can show me where you live."

"And who says I'm showing you where I live?" I retort. "You'll just end up on my doorstep every day."

"That's only if I can't stay away," Abel replies.

"Abel," I sigh. "I have a boyfriend. And I love him."

Abel rakes a hand through his hair, squeezing his eyes shut. He lets out a big sigh before speaking. "I don't give a fuck," he says, looking me in the eye.

I freeze. "W-what?" I ask.

"I said I don't give a fuck," he repeats. He takes my hand in his and looks me in the eye. "I'm gonna win you back, Rose. I'm gonna make sure that you beg me to fuck you."

"That's never gonna happen," I say quietly, looking him in the eye.

Abel bites his lip. "We'll see about that," he says, a smirk spreading across his face. He lets go of my hand. "Come on, I'm starving." Abel starts whistling and walks away, hands in his pockets. I follow him, trying to process what he's just said.