Behind Her Smile

Chapter Nine

A/N: This is how we imagine Ro, as a redheaded Josh Hutcherson.

Chapter Nine: Never Close Enough

As soon as Dex enters the car she knows she is in trouble.

She could see from the way Ro sat stiffly in the driver seat with his hand turning stark white from the pressure he is holding the steering wheel. Dex debates whether to turn around and run, but she plops down next to the furious Ro.

Dex is not sure how to break the silence so she goes for casual. Nothing is wrong with acting like nothing is wrong. Right? Maybe they can sweep this under the rug. "Hi, Ro."

Ro doesn’t answer and Dex bites her lip. Maybe not.

In her mind, Dex curses the nosy and vindictive Ms. Whalen for purposefully getting her in trouble. Not only had she been eavesdropping on her PRIVATE conversation, but she had reported what she had overheard from said private conversation to the principal. And now because of the giant scene she had created, she had gotten in trouble and she could just imagine what the other students will say. She is dreading coming to school tomorrow morning.

And the worst part?

The disappointment coming from Ro. Nothing can make her feel lower than the dirt beneath her shoes than to know Ro is disappointed in her.

It wasn’t until they were driving in silence for five minutes did Ro finally break the very tense silence. "I can’t believe I left you alone for twenty minutes and you've managed to convince the whole school that you are a wanted criminal."

Dex looks down to look at her cuticles like they are the most interesting thing she has seen in a while. She could admit that she is a coward because she is unable to meet Ro's eyes. But she could feel his gaze burning into the side of her head.

Ro sighs and Dex heads sinks below her shoulders at the sound. "Now Dex, don't get me wrong, I am not mad at you." Ro says quietly.

Really he is just disappointed and concerned. Already she is in hot water with the principal for the prank they pulled on Professor Noetal and now this. He knew Ms. Whalen is behind this and he is worried for Dex. What if something like this happens again in the future? What if it is worse next time?

Maybe he could ask the Principal to switch his detention, so he could protect Dex. But he knew Dex wouldn't like that. He knew her too well. She didn't like to coddled and treated like a weakling, so she would want to fight her own battles. Even if she got into more trouble.

It is one of the things he loves and hates about her.

He just cared for her well-being.

Didn’t she understand that?

Dex had to move her hair in front of her face to hide her eyes that were a too bright from unshed tears. She didn’t like it when she disappoints Ro. It’s like a sucker punch right to her stomach.

"It wasn’t my fault!" Her voice catches but she keeps on talking. Hoping she explains herself. "I was just talking to Rosie and I made a joke. Not a good one but I wasn’t serious. Ms. Whalen knew I was joking. She knew it! But she reported it to the principal anyway. And he believed it! The gullible fool!" Dex sniffs.

She looks at her ink stained fingers, "He called the police even after Rosie and Kit vouched for me and I got fingerprinted and...and...it was humiliating." She finishes with defeat heavy in her voice.

Ro feels himself soften when he hears the exhaustion in her words. What a day she must have had. A day they both had had. "I-I'm sorry Ro."

When Ro hears the emotion in her voice, his eyes flash. As soon as he could, he pulls over to the side of the road. Dex lifts her head in surprise when she sees Ro park the car. "Ro, what are y-"