Reborn Deceit

CHAPTER NINE

Rose

"Rose, are you sure everything's alright?"

Rose's heart constricted at Mr. Robinson words.

"I promise, Mr. Robinson, everything is fine. I'm just really tired."

Rose swallowed the lump in her throat, hating herself for lying to the only person, other than Mira, who felt like family. Mr. Robinson was a single man in his late fifties who had been gifted this bookstore after the death of his father. He hired Rose the second she walked into the store, saying he was sick of breathing in "old dirt" every day and needed some time off. He was the perfect mixture of sweet yet stern. He'd invite Rose over for dinner every once in a while, yet scold her in a very harsh manor if she didn't wash her hands before sitting down at the dining table.

He knew something was wrong, and Rose was positive he knew she was lying, and for that Rose was disgusted with herself. But lying to him was a lot easier then telling him that she made one friend mad by dancing like a slut with another man, and that she was freaked out all the time and slept less than four hours every night for the past four days because some creepy thing chased her. And that Rose was pretty sure her best friend had been having a secret conversation with the other housemates about Rose last night, but Rose couldn't be sure because she was pretty sure she wasn't supposed to hear it.

Her life was starting to sound like a really messed up love triangle paranormal back-stabbing movie.

Mira knew something was off too, but she simply chalked it up to the boy problems Rose was having. She never asked Rose about it though, and Rose didn't blame her since it included her brother. Mira also never mentioned the 'stray dog' or the conversation she was having in the wee hours of the night. So, lying to her was a lot easier because it technically wasn't lying. It was avoiding.

Lying to Mr. Robinson, on the other hand, hurt. He knew Rose better than anyone. She'd been under his care since she first moved into town a few weeks ago, and she'd always found comfort in him. Rose was never upset for longer than a day before because she always had a bear hug and a listening ear waiting for her.

He seemed to realize that she wasn't going to crack, so he finally decided to head home for the day, leaving Rose in charge of the store but telling her to close early and "go have fun". Rose teared up at his words, but quickly wiped them away as he walked out the front door.

Why am I so damn emotional lately?

Rose knew that part of the reason was Carter. He'd ignored all of her calls and texts since the night at the club, and she really didn't blame him. She'd ignore him too if the roles were reversed. But Rose just wished he'd give her the chance to apologize. She hadn't seen him in the store either. He was obviously avoiding her.

Rose had spent the last few days to herself. Other than going to work, she spent her days in her apartment, locking herself in with only her thoughts to keep her company. Mira would call and text her, but Rose would only give her short responses. With all that had been going on, she just needed some time to process her thoughts.

The first thought to cloud her brain was all the strange encounters she had faced lately. Something weird was happening to her, and it was freaking her out that she couldn't even begin to comprehend it all. She thought about firing up her computer and doing some research, but what could she possibly ask google? What does it mean if someone is being followed by a smelly, hunched creature that talks in a different language? Then there was the thing that tried attacking her, and Mira played it off as a dog. Could google give her answers about that? Not likely.