Dead Roses

Give me forever for a while

Radiant, Beautiful, and Precious were the words I'd describe the girl sitting on the edge of the dock. Her auburn hair whisking around with the cool winds. I sat down next to her making her jump before she smiled and leaned against me. I've hurt her too many times to make the mistake again. She deserved an award for staying with me, seriously, I screwed up so many times, I would've walked away if I was her but she didn't. She didn't leave, she stayed by my side despite being hurt every time. She looked up at me with her beautiful hazel eyes. 

" Everything okay? You're quiet for once."

I smiled and took her hand in mine. 

" I just want to admire the view with you. Do we really need to talk?"

We stayed like that for a while before we heard Daniel and Zach calling out to us, " Hurry up guys!"

We got up and walked towards the awaiting van. The guys gave us a smug grin before climbing into the car. 

*Genevie's pov*

It felt great to be back home again. I missed Michigan, mainly for it's great views of the great lakes and beautiful forests. It took a lot of convincing to get the guys to come with me, they didn't want to go because of how cold it could get or how ominous my family seemed. My family remained the same, on their high horse. The only difference was that Archer and Caden were actually welcomed home. Though they didn't stay because of how awkward they felt with dad. We were having dinner when the doorbell suddenly rang. Mom was about to get up and get the door but I beat her to it. I kissed Jack on the cheek before running off to get the door. When I opened the door I didn't expect to see a family of 4 staring me dead in the eye.

" Good evening miss, you must be Genevie Withers? Daughter to Rachel Withers?"

Mom came around the corner as if on cue and smiled at the family.

" Please, come in and make yourself at home."

The family entered and followed Mom to the dinning room where they received looks from everyone at the table. 

" Where are my manners. Family these are our new neighbors, The Stone family. Heather and Terrance Stone and their son Elliot and daughter Rebecca." 

The Stones smiled and sat down in the four empty seats, why did I not catch that? They seemed like a nice family but there was something about them that I couldn't put my finger on. It seemed like I wasn't the only one that noticed because I saw Juliana stare at Rebecca and Elliot with a curious look. Dinner was definitely more quiet than it would have usually been, with our unexpected guests and what not. 

The guys didn't feel comfortable sleeping in my house so they followed their manager back to the hotel. Jack stayed behind because he wanted to help Mom clean. At this point my parents were finally warming up to Jack, only because he seemed like a nice gentlemen with a bright future ahead of him. The Stones were still here, chatting it up with dad. Wanting to not make things more awkward, dad told me to join him in giving a tour of the house. He always did this whenever he wanted to show how big of a deal he was. I could've sworn I saw Rebecca yawn. 

" You have a lovely daughter. She's so polite and proper."

I was taken back by the sudden compliment but smiled nonetheless. Dad wrapped his arm around my shoulder and smiled.

" She's darling isn't she?"

The sentence came out sounding like a clear fact. Elliot glanced at me briefly before looking around the hallway we were currently in. Rebecca wouldn't take her eyes off of me for some reason. I didn't have anything on my face did I? 

" Oh my, it's getting late, we should be getting home now."

We led the Stones to the front door and said our goodbyes as they walked down the steps towards their car. I felt a strange feeling as Elliot and Rebecca walked out the front door. There was something about them that didn't seem normal. 

I thought Jack would be asleep when I came in but he was wide awake, typing away on his phone. I shimmied out of the dress I was wearing and threw on a long t-shirt and climbed into bed. I laid my head on Jack's arm and cuddled up close to him. He looked down from his phone and kissed the top of my head before turning his attention back to his phone. 

" Jack?"

" Yeah?"

" Can I ask you a serious question?"

He put his phone down on the nightstand beside him and turned to me, giving me his full attention.

" Lately I've been experiencing nightmares where everything is just a dream. I wake up and everything goes back to normal, going to school with the burden of my friend's death on my shoulders and never knowing who you were. Being the perfect daughter my parent's wanted me to be, simply obeying what they wanted and never thinking about what I wanted. What if it is true? I wake up one day and you're gone, as if we've never met."

Jack was quiet for a while. He cupped my cheeks softly and I could see the love in his eyes.

" Genevie, crazy things have happened to us but the one thing that will prove to you that this is not a dream is how deeply I care for you. I messed up big time but I'm here now. I will never leave you again, I would follow you to the ends of the Earth if you wanted me to. I would gladly take the blame to put you out of harm's way. There is nothing more that I would give to keep you here by my side. I fall in love with you 10 times more every day and nothing can change that. I don't know what would've became of me if I never met you."

Hearing that put a big smile on my face. He leaned in and kissed me softly before pulling me closer to him. We heard loud booming from outside, it was predicted to rain heavily with thunder occasionally. I jumped to the sound of the booming claps and Jack smiled before pulling me even closer to him. 

" Don't worry, I'll protect you love."

I fell asleep to the sound of the gentle thumps of his heart.