The Tangled Rose (Book One in the Tangled Series) (Editing)

Chapter 15: Deeper Meaning

The Wake is at my house; so when we get there, I ask Oliver to take me to the master bedroom on the first floor because I need somewhere to be alone to cry.

"Kyle w-why did you have to make it so hard?" I cry out when all of a sudden the door opens and it is Mrs. Jenkins so I wipe my tears.

"Hello Rose, how are you doing? Eric asked me to come in here and check on you." She asks walking over to me and sitting on the bed. I look away rolling my eyes before looking back at her. I don't understand why he would ask to check on me or at least come to check on me himself.

"I-I don't know really. I thought I would be able to make it through today but it turns out I just can't." I reply. "How are Eric and Mr. Jenkins doing?" I ask trying to be caring.

"....Oh well, Eric is his usual self. You know 'No emotion showing' and my husband seems to be doing okay." For some reason, I don't think that is right at all. When I was younger Eric wasn't around very much and I know he doesn't have a very good relationship with his parents.

"Have you seen my father?" I ask trying to change the subject.

"Yes and your mother they are both in the kitchen. Would you like me to take you to them?"

"Yes please." She stands up and wheels me out to them. As we pass the living room, it is packed with people talking. As we pass them I hear the whispers "that poor rose she was so young to lose someone as important as Kyle." "Honestly do you think she is pregnant or something is that why they got engaged?" a pinched woman asks with her fingers covering her mouth. How dare she... "She didn't deserve Kyle. I mean yeah they were best friends but honestly I don't buy the fake crying during the funeral-" another older woman says. I slam my hand against the wheels of the chair and wheel over to her with fury in my eyes. 

"How could you say such a thing?! I loved him! You know nothing!" I push myself up on my good leg as I stand in front of her unstable and people start to stare, "You have no right to be here. You need to leave! Now!" I cry out but she just stares at me in disbelief like I have no right to talk to her this way. "Did I stutter?!" I shout at all of them in their small group. Her eyes widen before turning into slits and she grabs her overpriced purse and her clique as she storms out. Letting out a shaky sigh and stutter backward into the arms of someone. Looking up I see that it is Eric with an aprihensive look in his eyes. He helps me to my chair that I seem to be a few steps away from. When I sit back in the chair everyone is staring at me like I am crazy and inconsiderate of what is happening. I can't believe these people didn't hear what they were saying. Tears fall down my eyes and I cant take it anymore I stroll myself into the master bedroom.

When I get in there I lift myself onto the bed and lay down as tears continue to fall. I turn away from the door trying to block out everything. How could they say that stuff about him? About us? About me?

~I seem to cry myself to sleep... About 20 minutes later~

When I wake up, I look around and remember that I am on the bed in the master bedroom. I can't hear many people in the living room so most of them must be gone. When I look up I see Eric looking out the window.

"Eric?" he turns around quickly.

"You're awake. That's good... I am sorry for what happened out there. They were some of my mom's friends actually. I didn't hear what they said but I am sure you had a good reason for what you did." he says walking closer to the bed. "How are you feeling?" 

"I-I'm fine. Just a little achy I guess." I reply not wanting to look at him.

"You must have passed out from being exhausted. you actually took a few steps when you were talking to those women." I look up at him a little surprised without saying anything and he sits on the bed beside me with his arms resting on his legs as he looks towards the ground.