Dead Roses

The Eve

The next day I stirred clear of any Stones. Seriously, there was something wrong with that family. I was going for my daily jogs when I received a text from an unknown number.

I'd watch your back if I were you. Don't trust those Stones.

Weird. I looked around the park I was currently jogging at and no one seemed out of the ordinary. I brushed it off and finished up my jog before heading over to the local coffee shop. 

" Little red! I haven't seen you in so long!"

I smiled when I saw the familiar face. Kian was behind the counter, wearing his tacky barista uniform along with his super tacky name tag. 

" I see you're still stuck with this job."

Kian laughed.

" Well we can't all be famous models and have celebrities as friends can we."

I rolled my eyes at his comment and was about to order something when I felt a chill go down my spine.

" The white chocolate mocha sounds good."

Elliot's face was close to mine, literally I felt his breath on the side of my neck.

" Dear god! You scared me! Why???"

He laughed. Kian looked throughly confused, totally understandable. 

" Who's this? Your boyfriend?"

Elliot smirked and looked at me. NOT EVEN.

" No, he's new in town and his family has been following mine around."

Elliot scoffed, making Kian snicker. 

"Well that's new. How is your dancing going too?"

I sighed.

" I'm not dancing right now. My manager thinks I should take a break for a while. Modeling is my new thing now."

Kian nodded. He handed me a steaming cup of coffee. 

" On the house. It's your favorite."

I smiled and thanked him. I was given a rude reality check when I realized Elliot was still behind me. I left the coffee shop and low and behold, he followed me. I ignored him the entire walk home.

" Oh come on red! You can't be mad at me."

I rolled my eyes and walked faster. He grabbed my hand and spun me around. 

" It was all fun and games okay. Don't take it too seriously."

I smiled.

" Whatever you say."

I walked even faster and felt a sense of relief when I made it to the front door. It was fun being home for a bit but I had to get back to LA. I was scheduled to leave tomorrow so I went upstairs to pack my belongings. I decided to call Jack, simply because I had missed hearing his voice. It rang a few times before going to voicemail. ಠ_ಠ . He never misses my calls. I called his phone again and this time it went straight to voicemail.  I scrolled through my contacts, looking for Daniel's or Corbyn's but I was interrupted when I heard a knock on my door. 

" Come in."

Elliot peeked his head into the room. I groaned.

" I'm pretty sure I left you outside."

He grinned.

" You did but your mom let me in. I heard you're going to LA tomorrow. "

I nodded and continued to pack.

" Well that's great for me. Because I'm going too."

I stopped what I was doing.

" WHAT???"

" Your parents want me to go with you. To bond better."

" Again, WHAT?"

He suddenly got up and started walking towards me. I backed away to the point my back was against a wall. He placed his hand beside my head and leaned in to whisper in my ear. 

" They want us to date. Though I don't mind. Who wouldn't want you?"

I pushed him away and glared at him lowly.

" Yeah, exactly why I have a boyfriend."

The look in his eyes changed.

" You mean the kid with the curly hair? The one that's not here right now?"

He walked over to me again and cupped my cheeks in his hands. 

" The one that hurt you over and over?"

I was definitely not myself in this moment. His voice was so alluring, it drew me in.

" How do you-"

He cut me off with his lips pressed against mine. I was caught off guard, I couldn't think properly but the thing that made me hate myself in that moment was kissing him back.