Michael walks into the apartment with a smile on his face. A now frequent occurrence for the troubled boy. “Why are you so smiley?” Calum, who is sat at the table eating a pizza asks.
“Rose. She is amazing.” The boy sits down across from Calum grabbing a slice of deep-dish pizza. Their day had been something out of a movie. From singing by the beach, to making out in her car before he came inside.
“I’m so happy for you dude. You’ve really turned everything around.”
“I used to feel like nothing ever worked out for me but now for the first time I feel like everything is falling into place. I think Rose is a huge part of that, and we’ve only known each other just a few weeks. Is that crazy?”
“A little. But sometimes the crazy love is the best kind.” Calum starts on his third piece of pizza. “Have you told her?”
“No. I’m going to try and put it off for as long as I can.”
“She’s going to ask at some point why you don’t drive.”
“I know, Calum.” Michael says through gritted teeth, his good mood depleting. “I’ll figure it out.” Michael grabs another slice on his way to his room.
“Hello?” Rose answers her phone without checking the caller ID, figuring it was just Michael or Luke.
“Rose?” The woman’s voice is short, but sad. Emotion dripping from the way she said her name.
“Mom?” She couldn’t believe it. Her mom was calling her. That never happened. They mutually hate each other, and that was how it was.
“You’re brother he’s- he’s really sick.” Rose’s stomach dropped, it felt like everything was crumbling. She has a brother who was a few years younger than her, about 15. They used to be incredibly close, but when the alcohol took over her life, that all fell apart. That was part of the reason her mother kicked her out.
“What happened?” Her throat was dry, and closing up making it hard for her to speak.
“He has cancer.”
“How long?”
“A few months.”
“Are you kidding me? A few months and you didn’t tell me my little brother has cancer? I’ve been sober for a month. I know that you know. Luke gives you updates, he thinks I don’t know. But I guess you just don’t care.” Her mother was silent on the other end, speechless at her daughter’s words. “Can I come see him?” Her mom gave her the address of the hospital and hung up. Rose was numb again, but this time with fear, hurt, and regret. Her feet started running, carrying her the few blocks to Luke’s apartment. He finally answers the door and she collapses into his arms, sobbing.
“What’s wrong?” Her best friend questions stroking the back of her head.
“D-Damian. He’s sick. And I could have had more time with him.”
“Do you want me to come with you?” It was already past 9pm, so the visit would have to be tomorrow. Rose nods against his chest, scared to see her baby brother hooked up to those machines.
kinda short, but an important chapter. New book cover, whatcha think? :) xo -Rachel
![drunk // m.c [a.u]](https://img.wattpad.com/cover/15213454-64-k963407.jpg)