The Hidden Rose(Book One In The Rose Pedal Series) /✔

Chapter Twelve

(Song: troublemaker by Olly Murs Ft. Flo Rida)

i swung my leg over the seat of my crotch rocket, straddling it. i gave my helmet to Flora since i normally rose without one anyway and she took it, putting it on her head before she sat behind me, wrapping her arms around my stomach. i took the kickstand up off the ground and started the engine. i wheeled the bike backwards, using my feet. once I'd backed up, i leaned forward. Flora knew that was a signal for i was going to go, and her grip tightened just a little. i twisted the handle and the bike shot forward right a i lifted my feet off the ground.

Flora clung to my back as i raced through the streets, zipping in and out of traffic like a usually do. i turned down an ally and came out the other end, turning onto another street and cutting off a car. the car slammed on it's brakes and the car behind it slammed into them. i looked back to see them get out and start arguing and i snickered. i took off again, darting into alleyways and across streets.

"where are we going?" Flora yelled in my ear. it was more of a whisper because of the wnd whipped it away, making every sound quieter than it usually was.

"you'll see!" i yelled back, knowing she'd hear just as well as i could since she wasn't used to having a helmet on. i raced down into a cement river that went through town, but was empty for most of the time. they were already here. my other friends who i could relate to. they thought i was just a regular punk kid who shop lifted and raced, beating people up. but they had no clue who  i was. i pulled up next to the three other bikes and shut off my engine.

"why did you bring me here?" Flora whispered, taking off the helmet and looking around.

"because you watched me beat up that guy. this is why." i said. it wasn't, but it was easier to show her this, than try to explain that i was Rose. besides, i don't think she would come near me anymore. she would try to report me to the police and i would have to kill her. and in killing her, it would kill me. i wonder how Luke was doing, locked up in that cell? if i told her, they could share a cell and i wouldn't have to kill them.

i swung off my bike and Flora followed my lead. i walked over to the three guys standing by their bikes. they looked at me and then at Flora.

"who's this? is she a peace offering?" Roscoe, the leader of the three asked, looking Flora up and down. Flora's eyes widened and she looked at me with shock and fear.

"no, Roscoe. if you touch her, i will rip of that finger, and then i will cut off your head." i snarled. Flora's eyes relaxed when i told him no, and i would beat him up but then when she heard me say I'd cut off his head, her eyes widened again. she stared at me.

"aw that's no fun, Ashlyn. maybe you should let us have a little fun, then we could let her go home." Harley snickered, reaching out to touch a strand of Flora's hair. he grasped a strand of her bright, fiery red hair between his fingers and rubbed the silky smoothness. Flora looked at his fingers, terrified but not daring to move away. i punched Harley in the nose, making him fall back. i pulled out my knife and held it pointing towards them, crouching on the ground in front of Flora. i snarled at him, warning him back. he stood up, keeping his eyes on me. they were my friends, but Flora couldn't defend herself and i had to do it.

"touch her again and this knife will go through your throat." i snarled. Harvey's eyes widened.

"i was just messing around, Ashlyn." he said.

"no you weren't. don't you dare try to lie to me." i stood up and looked at Flora, keeping an eye on the boys.

"if they touch you in any way you don't like, you can do whatever you want to them. i won't stop you." i told her, handing her the knife and glaring at the boys. she nodded, eyes wide. she gripped the knife's handle and held it against her chest, eyeing Harvey and Roscoe.

"be careful with it, it's really sharp." i warned her before i turned back to Roscoe. "i came here, to find a way to settle things with you. not offer a girl for your peace. if you don't want the peace, i guess that's your loss." they looked at me, curiosity in their eyes.

"how is it our loss?" Roscoe asked, wary. he knew that if we weren't at peace, he would drive his dirt bike through my school, tossing smoke bombs and other shit all over the place. he'd also probably beat up some random guy. i was the reason these guys left my school alone and picked on others people from different schools. he knew this was important to me because i wanted him to leave my school alone.

"it's not like i know Rose or anything." i shrugged, looking up.

"you don't know Rose." he scoffed.

"Faceless." was the only word i said before meeting his eyes. he looked at me, horror starting to bloom in those fear filled eyes.

"you're lying." he hissed.

"am i?" i asked. he looked at me and paled. but he also knows i was a good actor, so in his mind, at this point i could be lying or i might not be.

"i just want a peace between us. but you touching Flora, threatens that." i smiled wickedly. "which that means it threatens you." they shuddered.

"ok. we'll leave the girl alone." Roscoe said. "what do you want other than that."

"you know what i want." i glared at him. if looks could kill, he'd been struck by the lightning forming over our heads already.

"so what will it be?" i asked, looking at him.

i could smell the rain as it started to fall, fat rain drops landing on my head and face, getting my leather jacket wet. it smelled so good, it calmed my nerves and made me want to forget everything and relax.

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Hey y'all! like i said in the last chapter, i couldn't update yesterday because i had to babysit. today is another busy day, I'm spending it with family. but while I'm waiting for them to get here, i decided to update now instead of waiting until around three or four. i can't wait until it rains and it's warm enough for me to walk out in the rain, splashing in the mud and puddles. i can't wait to ride horses with my cousin and have an amazing summer! summer makes me happy and it gives me release. the smells and life. i love it.

some of my favorite smells are:

horses, fresh cut alfalfa (what most hay bales are made of), night (yes, night time farm air has it's own smell. it's kind of sweet and chilly. it's amazing), leather from the horse's saddles, and rain.

i love the smell of rain and if you could smell the mud, and the wet alfalfa and corn. the horses and dogs. the cows. the green seas of pastures and corn. rain makes every single smell come out, amplifying it. I'm in love with this land and nobody and nothing can take me from it. the land, rain and horses just make my heart expand, swelling up until i can feel the love for it all in my throat. it's amazing. if you haven't ever ridden a horse, or smelled fresh cut hay, smelled the rain on a farm. DO IT. it's amazing and nothing can every replace that smell of sweet rain on corn and grass.

what's your favorite smell? (don't be shy I'm confessing my rain and farm love lol)

anyway, i hope y'all are enjoying the book so far! don't forget to vote and share it with your friends if you like/love the book! comment your ideas and thoughts on it!

❤ sillylovebug432